When does the planning phase start and end?

• A. From reconnaissance to return
• B. From first contact to end of mission
• C. From start of training to completion
• D. When directive is issued and ends at embarkation

Answer: (D)

The planning phase is the pre-execution window where intent is turned into a plan. It begins when a directive to plan is issued and ends at embarkation: once the force is set to move, execution starts and the plan is put into action. During planning, staff gather information, define objectives, evaluate options, allocate resources, and prepare orders. The other descriptions describe later stages or different phases (complete mission cycles, training periods, or the act of executing the mission), so they don’t define the boundary where planning ends and execution begins.