“Target intelligence portrays and locates the components of a target or target complex, networks, and support infrastructure in support of joint targeting. Intelligence forms the basis for target analysis and development, tracking and fixing information for moving or perishable targets, and weaponeering. It is critical that intelligence analyses supporting targeting remain consistent throughout the joint force and component commands.” – Joint Publication 2-01, Joint and National Support to Military Operations
Our TGT series courses provide a full range taxonomy for approaching, characterizing, and fully understanding all aspects of successful targeting.
COURSES OFFERED
TGT 110 – Fundamentals of Targeting
Targeting is the process of analyzing target systems and then selecting and prioritizing targets, matching an appropriate response to them, and considering operational requirements and capabilities. This course develops an understanding of key concepts, processes, principles, and aspects of targeting and related roles and responsibilities. It covers key targeting frameworks including D3A (Decide, Detect, Deliver, and Assess), F3EAD (Find, Fix, Finish, Exploit, Analyze, and Disseminate), and EBO (Effects Based Operations) to guide thought processes on design, planning, execution and assessment to address Desired End State and Commander’s Objectives. The course will give the students an understanding of the variations and challenges between various typologies of munitions. Fundamentals of Targeting contains embedded practicums and concludes with a Targeting Strategy Capstone exercise.
TGT 210 – Target Development I
Targets should be tied to objectives across strategic, operational, and tactical levels. This course builds on the Fundamentals of Targeting by exploring Phase 2 of the Targeting Cycle with a focus on Target System Analysis and Prioritization to achieve the Desired End State and meet Commander’s Objectives. The course provides skills to analyze, assess, characterize and document potential targets for action including an understanding of Centers of Gravity and use of tools and templates to maximize effectiveness. The course contains embedded practicums and concludes with a Target Systems Analysis Capstone Exercise.
TGT 211 – Target Development II
Every target has characteristics that form our ability to detect, locate, identify, and classify them for current or future action. This follow-on course to Target Development I examines Entity-Level Target Development, Deliberate Targeting, and Target List Management as part of Phase 2 of the Targeting Cycle. The course enables the understanding of a target’s operational importance, considerations for action, and impact on the Target System as a whole. This course will solidify skills empowering students to develop target graphics and documents for both operational and tactical requirements as well as archival and database requirements. Students will be effective in both time sensitive and deliberate targeting. The course contains practicums and concludes with a Deliberate Targeting Capstone Exercise.
TGT 212 – Target Capabilities Analysis
The Targeting Cycle must demonstrate a logical linkage and analytical reasoning between tasks, effects, objectives, and guidance. This course is designed to develop an understanding of the practical application of options available to a commander in order to effect a target. It refines an analyst’s capabilities to evaluate all available capabilities against a target’s critical elements and includes target vulnerability analysis, capabilities assignment, feasibility assessment, and effects estimate. The course contains embedded weaponeering practical exercises and concludes with a Capabilities Analysis Capstone Exercise.
TGT 213 – Target Force Assignments
The Targeting Cycle inevitably moves from theoretical to actual operations informed by considerable focused and detailed intelligence support. This course focuses the first three phases of the Targeting Cycle towards operational employment of capabilities to effect target(s). The course is grounded in developing an understanding of, creation, and approval of an Integrated Prioritized Target List (IPTL). It links capabilities to available forces, sensors, and weapons systems. The course contains embedded practical exercises and concludes with an IPTL Capstone Exercise.
TGT 214 – Mission Planning and Force Execution
Planning and execution relies on detailed insight into the outcomes, reasoning and assumptions made during previous phases of the Targeting Cycle. This course examines the detailed planning required for force execution and understanding how changes in the operational environment impact the targeting process. The course uses principles of dynamic targeting as a foundational framework. The course contains embedded practicums and concludes with a Dynamic Targeting Capstone Exercise.
TGT 215 – Combat Assessment
Understanding the results of target engagement requires a knowledge of the commander’s objectives, guidance, and desired end state. This course prepares students to assess activities, determine effectiveness, and make recommendations regarding future operations as part of the final step of the Targeting Cycle. The student applies knowledge gained from the first five phases of the Targeting Cycle to conduct Battle Damage Assessment, Munitions Effectiveness Assessments, and re-attack recommendations to inform operational decisions. The course utilizes embedded practical exercises and concludes with a BDA Capstone Exercise.
TGT 310 – Weaponeering and Collateral Damage Assessment
Achieving the commander’s objectives relies on a disciplined, repeatable process to determine the lethal or nonlethal means required to create a desired effect AND determine the undesired consequences and hazards from weapons effects. This course uses established rules of engagement, law of war, and other guidance to allocate weapons and weapons effects against a target(s). Students will examine elements of target vulnerability, delivery accuracy, damage criteria, and weapon reliability against military objectives while considering the potential to create unintentional or incidental injury or damage. Weaponeering and Collateral Damage Assessment utilizes embedded practical exercises and concludes with a Capstone Exercise.
TGT 311 – HVI Target Development
High Value Individual Target Development relies on network understanding and exploitation, patterns of life analysis, and intelligence driven, precise, detailed targeting operations. This course applies the F3EAD (Find, Fix, Finish, Exploit, Analyze, and Disseminate) methodology using a massed, persistent approach to ISR cued to a multi-source intelligence apparatus to find and fix an HVI’s precise location amidst a cluttered environment. The course concludes with an HVI time-sensitive targeting Capstone Exercise.
TGT 312 – Precision Point Mensuration
Collateral damage may have unintended operational or strategic implications and a key to reducing impacts is the ability to precisely measure any point to determine absolute latitude, longitude, and elevation. Precision Point Mensuration enables students to provide geophysical aimpoints within acceptable accuracy standards using approved sources and specified assurance levels. The course is taught by certified targeting professionals and includes both practical and Capstone exercises to certify student proficiency.
TGT 315 – Targeting Professional
Targeting is the process of analyzing target systems and then selecting and prioritizing targets, matching an appropriate response to them, and considering operational requirements and capabilities. This course develops an understanding of concepts, processes, principles, and aspects of targeting and related roles and responsibilities. It covers key targeting frameworks including D3A (Decide, Detect, Deliver, and Assess), F3EAD (Find, Fix, Finish, Exploit, Analyze, and Disseminate), and EBO (Effects Based Operations) to guide thought processes on design, planning, execution and assessment to address Desired End State and Commander’s Objectives. The course follows the Targeting Cycle including weaponeering, collateral damage, and battle damage assessment. Targeting Professional contains embedded practicums and concludes with a Targeting Strategy Capstone exercise.
