JP 3-60, page 20
Joint Targeting
Joint Publication: Joint Targeting
31 January 2013 public edition
Searchable page text (OCR / PDF)
Chapter I
I-2
JP 3-60
(5) Organization: a group or unit that provides a function that contributes to a target
system’s capability.
b. The JFC establishes objectives to focus and guide joint operation planning and
execution to reach the end state linked to national strategic direction and goals. From these
objectives, actions are planned and executed to create the desired effects (e.g., compelling an
adversary to comply with specific requirements or modify their behavior) necessary to
accomplish these objectives. A target’s operational importance is determined by conducting
an assessment to determine if engaging the target is consistent with planned operations and
will help achieve the commander’s objective(s) and the end state.
c. Targets should be logically and causally tied to objectives at all levels—strategic,
operational, and tactical. From a commander’s planning, execution, and assessment
perspective, tactical actions should be ultimately tied to operational and strategic outcomes
so that the whole operation, from the tactical engagements up to national objectives, forms a
logical chain of cause and effect.
d. Joint forces conduct continuous target development and assessment in support of
joint operation planning and execution to maintain viable and validated targets that reflect
changes in the operational environment, the commander’s concept of operations (CONOPS),
or the approved end state and provides a range of options for commanders.
3. Characteristics of Targets
Every target has distinct intrinsic or acquired characteristics that form the basis for target
detection, location, identification, and classification for ongoing and future surveillance,
analysis, engagement, and assessment. Physical, functional, cognitive, environmental, and
temporal are broad categories that help define the characteristics of a target. As an example,
some typical target characteristics are listed below; however, the list is not exhaustive, and
some characteristics may belong in more than one category.
a. Physical Characteristics. These characteristics or features help describe a target.
These common physical characteristics are generally discernible to the five senses or through
sensor-derived signatures and may shape or influence the selection of the type and number of
weapons, the weapon systems, and the methods or tactics employed against the target.
(1) Location.
(2) Shape.
(3) Size or area covered.
(4) Appearance (outward form and features, including color).
(5) Number and nature of elements that make up the target as a whole.
(6) Dispersion or concentration of elements.