Intelligence Estimate Format

(Classification)

Headquarters
Place of Issue (Town, coordinates)
Date Time Group

Intelligence Estimate No.

References: (Maps, charts, and other relevant documents.)

1. MISSION
(The restated mission determined by the commander.)

2. AREA OF OPERATION
(Summarizes the analysis of the area of operation.)
a. Weather.
(1) Existing situation. (Includes light data and either a weather
forecast or climatic information, as appropriate.)
(2) Effect on enemy courses of action. (Discusses the effects of
weather of each enemy course of action such as attack and
defend, in terms if mobility and optical and electronic line of
sight. Also includes the effects of weather factors on biological
and chemical agents, nuclear weapons, and special methods,
techniques equipment, procedures, or forces such as airborne or
airmobile, surveillance devices, radio electronic combat, and
deception. Each discussion should conclude with how the
weather affects the course of action.)
(3) Effects own course of action. (Discuss in the same manner as
for [2] above, except that the estimate excludes the use of
biological agents.)
b. Terrain.
(1) Existing situation. (Uses graphic representatives where
possible; use annexes for detailed material. Includes as much
information as necessary for an understanding of cover and
concealment, observation and fire, obstacle, key terrain, and
avenues of approach.)
(2) Effect on enemy courses of action. (Discusses in the same
manner as for the effects of weather in [a. (2)] above. For
defensive courses of action, states the best defense area and the
best terrain avenues of approach leading to it. For the attack
course of action, states the best approach.)
(3) Effect on own courses of action. (Discusses in the same manner
as for effects of weather in [a. (3) above.)
 c. Other Characteristics. (Includes in separate subparagraphs: sociology,
politics, economics, psychology, and other factors. May include such
items as material, transportation, manpower and hydrography.)

3. ENEMEY SITUATION
(Information on the enemy that will permit later development of enemy capabilities
and vulnerabilities.)
a. Disposition. (Refers to the enemy situation and disposition.)
b. Composition. (Summarizes order of battle of opposing forces.)
c. Strength. (Lists enemy strength as committed forces, reinforcements,
artillery, air, nuclear weapons, chemical and biological agents, and other
forces, such as electronic warfare, air defense, antitank, unconventional
warfare, and combat surveillance.)
(1) Committed forces. (Lists those enemy ground maneuver units
currently in contact and those ground maneuver units with which
imminent contact can be expected regardless of the specific
friendly course of action implemented.)
(2) Reinforcements. (Includes designation and location, imminence
of contact, disposition, location, and level of control, or other
essential factors.)
(3) Artillery. (Lists enemy artillery units.)
(4) Air. (Lists the number of enemy aircraft by type within the
operational radius. Include the number of possible sorties per
day by type of aircraft, if known.)
(5) Nuclear weapons and chemical and biological agents. (Estimates
the number, type, yield, and delivery means.)
(6) Other forces. (Lists forces not previously considered that have
special capability
d. Recent and Present Significant Activities. (Determines relative probability
of adoption of specific courses of action and enemy vulnerabilities.)
e. Peculiarities and Weaknesses. (Based on knowledge of enemy tactical
doctrine, practices, the principles of war, the area of operations and the
enemy situation previously described.)
1. Personnel.
2. Intelligence.
3. Operations.
4. Logistics.
5. Civil-military operations.

4. ENEMY CAPABILITIES
(Based on all the previous information and analysis, develops and lists enemy
capabilities. The listing provides a basis for analyzing available information to
arrive at those capabilities that the enemy can adopt as specific courses of action and
their relative probability of adoption.)
a. Enumeration. (States what, when, where, and in what strength for each
capability.)
 b. Analysis and Discussion. (Provides a basis for conclusion on the adoption
of enemy capabilities and their probability of adoption. Discusses each
capability, or appropriate combination thereof, in a separate
subparagraph. Includes consideration of enemy deception measures.
Judges each capability from the enemy viewpoint of whether the adoption
of the capability is advantageous to the enemy. Focuses attention on
dangerous threats.)

5. CONCLUSIONS
(Based on all the previous information and analysis, states conclusions
concerning the total effect of the area of operation on friendly courses of action)
a. Effects of Intelligence Considerations on Operations. (Indicates whether
the mission set forth in paragraph 1 above can be supported from an
intelligence standpoint.
b. Effects of the Area of Operations Own Course of Actions. (For attack
courses of action, indicates the best avenues of approach. For defense
course of action, indicates the best defense areas and the best avenues of
approach leading to an into the defense areas.)
c. Probable Enemy Courses of Action. (List courses of action in order of
relative probability of adoption. A listed course of action may include
several subordinate courses of action that can be executed concurrently.
Usually, no more than two or three courses of action, in order of
probability of adoption, can be justified by the available of evidence.)
d. Enemy vulnerability. (Lists the effect of peculiarities and weaknesses that
result in vulnerabilities that are exploitable at own, higher, or lower levels
of command. The order of listing these vulnerabilities has no
significance.)