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31 July 2019 ADP 3-90 2-1 Chapter 2 Common Tactical Concepts and Echelons Tacticians apply common tactical concepts, military definitions, and the tactical echelons and organizations as they conduct offensive and defensive operations. This chapter discusses joint interdependence, principles of joint operations, and the operational and mission variables. It introduces the Army doctrinal hierarchy that forms the framework that organizes this publication and its subordinate publications as well as warfighting functions and defeat mechanisms. This chapter contains a discussion of common tactical concepts and echelons. This chapter concludes by covering forms of maneuver, forms or defense, and echelons. JOINT INTERDEPENDENCE 2-1. Army forces conduct offensive and defensive operations as members of an interdependent joint force, applying land power as part of unified action. Joint interdependence is the purposeful reliance by one Service on another Service to complement and reinforce each other’s effects. Joint capabilities enhance the effectiveness of Army forces. Joint operations also have interagency and multinational aspects. (See JP-1, JP 3-0, and ADP 3-0 for additional information on joint interdependence. See JP 3-08 and FM 3-16 for information on Army interagency and multinational aspects.) PRINCIPLES OF JOINT OPERATIONS 2-2. JP 3-0 defines the twelve principles of joint operations and provides general guidance for conducting military operations. The joint principles originate from Army doctrine. First published in America in 1923 as general principles in Field Service Regulations United States Army, the first nine, as principles of war, have stood the tests of time, analysis, experimentation, and practice. The principles of joint operations provide a crucial link between pure theory and actual application. (See JP 3-0 for further information on these principles.) OPERATIONAL VARIABLES 2-3. Army planners use the operational variables to describe an operational environment. Operational variables are those aspects of an operational environment which affect operations, and they differ from one area of operations to another. Army planners analyze an operational environment in terms of eight interrelated operational variables: political, military, economic, social, information, infrastructure, physical environment, and time (also known as PMESII-PT). As soon as a commander and staff have an indication of where their unit may deploy, they begin analyzing that location’s operational environment using the operational variables. They continue to refine and update their analysis even after receiving a mission and throughout the course of the ensuing operation. (See ADP 3-0 for additional information on the operational variables.) Principles of Joint Operations Objective Offensive Mass Maneuver Economy of force Unity of command Security Surprise Simplicity Restraint Perseverance Legitimacy Operational Variables Political Military Economic Social Information Infrastructure Physical Environment Time