Deciphering the Physiognomy of the Military Operational Environment – Factors and Characteristics

The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic and detailed analysis of the key components that characterise the military operational environments and that should be considered to improve the effectiveness of the operations process. Also, it focuses on understanding how these salient characteristics might influence capabilities and tactics with particular emphasis on the adaptability of military forces in the face of rapid and unforeseen changes in the operational environment. The research objectives include identifying and assessing the impact of operational environment’s factors, and analysing how military forces adapt to these conditions to maximise their effectiveness. The results highlight the need for continuous adaptability and flexibility of the military forces to respond performantly to the ever-changing operational requirements. Furthermore, the paper demonstrates that military operational effectiveness is closely connected to the ability to anticipate, understand and integrate new technologies, as well as to adjust continuously designated strategies and tactics in the face of the challenges specific to the operational environment.