What are his breaching capabilities? (Based on your archived information and current intelligence, you must anticipate what your foe has in regards to breaching equipment. If he has shortages or is vulnerable to certain types of obstacles – exploit it!)

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How skilled is your enemy in reconnaissance operations? (One of the major objectives of recon units preparing for an attack is to locate the obstacles emplaced by their opponent. If the enemy has capable recon operations, you must make it difficult on him. This includes highly planned and executed counter-reconnaissance efforts and solid security of your obstacle emplacement preparation).

Where does he emplace his breaching assets? (Knowing where an enemy places his breaching assets in a formation is of great value in how you construct particular obstacles. It also assists in targeting, so you can focus your indirect fires on destroying his breaching assets).

Does the enemy have established breaching doctrine? (If so, this is a start for you to study).

How has he reacted to obstacles in the past? (Using doctrine as a base, study your enemy’s past record in breaching obstacles. Are there any trends? If he tips his hand, make him pay for it!).

What is the location of existing obstacles such as hills, mountains, and water features? (As we discussed in our last article, you must utilize existing obstacles to their utmost. Tying in your constructed obstacles to existing obstacles makes them far more effective).

Is there key or decisive terrain for you or your enemy? (If so, well-placed obstacles can assist you in attaining or retaining the terrain or assist you in making it difficult for your opponent to seize the terrain).

What is the current or future weather? (Weather can significantly impact so many things in the obstacle arena. For example: 1. Extreme heat and cold dramatically affects Soldiers’ ability to physically emplace obstacles. 2. Extreme heat and cold can severely degrade your mechanical assets ability to emplace obstacles. 3. Heavy rain can practically stop transportation in some types of terrain. The end result is that you can not transport obstacle materials where you need them. Additionally, it can also limit your opponent’s maneuver options, thus affecting your potential obstacle locations).

Where are the observation and fields of fire in your defensive area? (As addressed in detail in earlier articles, obstacles must be synchronized with indirect and direct fires. Understanding observation and fields of fire assists in this synchronization).

Where are the areas of cover and concealment located in your defensive area? (Blending in obstacles with the terrain that has plenty of cover and concealment potentially makes your obstacles more effective).

Step 2 – Commander’s Guidance
See Tactics 101:028 – Commander’s Guidance » Armchair General
Following mission analysis, a commander must have enough knowledge and understanding to provide quality guidance to his staff. In terms of obstacles, there are some critical areas the commander must address which drive obstacle planning. Within these areas, the two most critical pieces of guidance are the overall intent of the obstacle plan and the effects he wants to achieve with certain obstacle systems. Let’s discuss each.

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