What is the significance of 'center of gravity' in C2 planning?

• A. Identifying the furthest geographic objective
• B. Identifying critical sources of strength or vulnerability helps prioritize C2 resources and target decisions and actions
• C. Selecting units to reduce force
• D. Determining the color of unit banners

Answer: (B)

Center of gravity in C2 planning is about pinpointing the source of the adversary’s ability to command and control—the point, function, or system whose disruption would most degrade their decision-making and operations. By identifying critical sources of strength or vulnerability, you know where to concentrate C2 resources, which information networks to protect or seize, and which decision cycles to influence. That focus directly guides how you allocate ISR, communications, and command posts, and it shapes the sequence and timing of actions to affect the enemy’s ability to coordinate and respond. For example, if the enemy’s C2 network or leadership is their COG, you’d design plans to disrupt communications, accelerate decision cycles, or deceive, while still protecting your own C2 to prevent a similar collapse of your command and control. The other choices miss the link to how C2 planning centers on who or what enables the enemy to fight and how to shape and pressure those elements.