Which statement best differentiates anticipatory decision-making from reactive decision-making in C2?

• A. They are determined by the speed of engagement
• B. They rely solely on historical data
• C. Anticipatory decisions are based on forecasting and warning; reactive decisions respond to events as they unfold
• D. They require no information

Answer: (C)

Anticipatory decision-making in C2 is about acting on forecasted conditions and warnings before something happens, so forces and plans can be positioned and prepared in advance. Reactive decision-making, on the other hand, involves making decisions in response to events as they unfold, adjusting after the fact as the situation develops. This distinction—forecasts and warnings driving preemption versus events driving real-time response—is what sets the two apart. The other ideas don’t fit because speed of engagement isn’t the defining difference, relying only on historical data ignores the forward-looking element, and some information is always required to make any decision.