Conduct intelligence functions and operations which supporttargeting by identifying target systems, critical nodes, high-value/highpayoff(includes high value individuals) targets and providing intelligencerequired to most effectively engage targets in sUpport of unit mission,commander and staff.
1. Identify applicable target methodology for a given situation.
2. Develop a list of targets.
3. Conduct target development.
4. Conduct target value analysis.
5. Conduct target system analysis.
6. Develop target nomination list.
7. Contribute to the development/maintenance of a no strike/restricted targetlist.
8. Develop high-payoff target (HPT)/high-value target (HVT) matrix.
9. Develop an Attack Guidance Matrix (AGM).
10. Develop Battlespace Shaping Matrix (BSM).
11. Develop a target folder.
12. Develop Target Intelligence Collection Requirements.
13. Coordinate combat assessment collection.
14. Perform combat assessment.
15. Recommend re-attacks as required

NOTES: Targeting  is  the  process  of  identifying  areas  of  instability  or  networks/elements  of  insurgency including criminal elements supporting the insurgency. There  are  two  approaches  in  targeting,  productive  and  destructive.  The  former  takes  into consideration environmental/demographic factors and attempts to influence the target/s whereas the latter is the physical destruction of the target/s. The Commanders intent, guidance, priorities, vision and operational objectives should not adhere only to the often resorted to campaign plan of physical destruction--Reducing or limiting the use of violence as “the means to an end” prevents the regeneration of a systemic problem …the insurgents .Targeting  begins  in  the early  phases  of  intelligence  preparation  of  the  battlefield.IPB  takes  into  account  the  terrain, weather and infrastructure and assesses the impact of these on the security forces as well as the enemy. After careful examination of all the variables involved the decisive points in the area of operations  as  well  as  the  larger  area  of  influence  are  determined.  This  further  leads  to  the prediction  of  the  enemy’s  COA’s  and  corresponding  to  each  COA  we  develop  our  COA  to counter it.IPB thus assists in determining the enemy’s intention, objectives, combat effectiveness and  possible  courses  of  action.  Here  is  where  it  is  very  important  to  underscore  the  fact  that assessment  of  these  enemy  attributes  must  be  made  with  the  analysis  of  the  local population/communities,  the  insurgent  movement,  the  political  environment  and  the counterinsurgency line of effort in the background. Solely focusing on the enemy with the intent to use kinetic/lethal techniques to annihilate him is the wrong decision. This will only embolden the enemy, make him more determined and give rise to the birth of more insurgent.

All  military  planning,intelligence  preparation  of  the  battlefield,and  pre  and  post  combat assessments must be focused on the environment,not only the enemy.All these are cyclic,not linear.That  is  to  say  they  are  executed  on  a  continual  basis  with  information/intelligence requirements generated during the process causing a review of the processes (like request for additional resources and capabilities)and appropriate modifications incorporated.If the enemy  is  the  focus  tactical  thinking  becomes  limited,centers  of  influence  located  in  the population,political  environment,corrupt  circles  in  the  government  and  security  forces leadership  and  insurgent  sympathetic  nodes  are  excluded  from  consideration.The  total environment  must  be  taken  into  consideration  and  the  interaction  between  the populace,government  bodies  and  individuals  who  are  hostile  ?(insurgents,insurgent-0criminal nexus,insurgent-political elements nexus must be studied in detail.There  should be total co-operation between the security forces and the Government  and  both  must  act concertedly  or  else  there  is  the  risk  of  exclusion  of  several  nodes  of  influence.Thus  a UNIFIED ASSESSMENT AND ACTION is required to combat insurgency.

Target Selection Standards
Targeting  is  a  process  wherein  the  detection  platforms  successfully  acquire  the  target  and transmit the required information to the delivery platform to service the target.Target selection standards depend a great deal on intelligence about the enemy.TSS depends on the enemy activity determined by intelligence collection and the availability of attack platforms capable of accurately destroying the target.This depends on perfect intelligence input about target location.If there is error in locating the target accurately Target Location Error results.We must have intelligence about the size of the enemy,whether point or area,as the size is proportional to the attack system which will be used to destroy the target.Proper detection about the  status  of  the  target  and  its  activity  and  timeliness  of  the  information  transmittal  greatly impacts the Commanders decision to service the target with the attack platforms at his disposal.
The Targeting Process
The overall campaign has as its objectives strategic gains. To enable this are required operations which  shape  the  battle  space  in  such  a  way  so  as  to  achieve  the  strategic  objectives.  These shaping operations are interdicted by insurgents and allies and also sympathizers from among the administration and populace. These elements are vetted properly and a Target listing compiled. During  vetting  by  the  Targeting  Officer  it  is  very  important  that  the  target  meet  set  down selection criteria and after engagement the results should satisfactorily contribute to the overall objectives. At the end of the targeting process the Commander approves the Target list and it is sent  over  to  the  various  subordinate  units  for  execution  of  the  approved  targets.  Thereafter combat assessments are conducted from the bottom echelons wherein lies the fire support system and  these  assessments  outline  the  successes  or  failures  as  the  case  may  be.  Throughout  the Targeting Officer tasking  involve  selection, vetting and approval  of  all  targets that hamper the shaping operations.
The  targeting  process  is  a  very  involved  process.  From  the  intelligence  standpoint,  the Targeting  officer  assumes  a  very  critical  position  in  the  process.  He  assists  in  deciding  what, where, when and how to detect the target in question (it can be a personality like a High Value Individual Target or it can be a network) and what, how, when and where to deliver or attack that target in question. At this juncture it is important to point out that both physical and behavioral targeting should be incorporated in the process, that is to say the targeting officer must assess the consequences of kill or capture of the target on the local populace, religious groups and the other insurgent groups (this intelligence assessment can also point out the sympathizers of the target in the community ).It should be noted here that it is a fact that resorting to outright kill at the very first  emboldens  the  threats  rather  than  defeating  their  morale  or  forcing  them  into  submission. The  offensive  nature  of  targeting  often  leads  to  community  discontentment  and  swift repercussions from the insurgents thus now the commander has to deal with new situations as a result of the kill operation. It is very important that in the event of a kill or capture the village leaders  or  the  provincial  leaders  communicate  to  their  communities  the  reason  behind  the removal  of  the  element and  justify  the  causes. Targeting  should  not  and never  be  a  combat  patrol operation  with  the objective  to  kill.  The  kill equation  goes  like  this.1 kill=10  new  insurgents. The removal of one HVT may send shock waves in the  brethren  or  the insurgent group withthe  former  usually vowing  to  avenge  the death even if they are not in  the  insurgency movement with the result 10  more  join  the  ranks, not  to  mention  the repercussions  being planned  by  the  insurgent group  itself.  We  must  permanently  bind  behavioral  and  physical  targeting  venues  under  one Targeting  Process  at  the  tactical,  operational  and  strategic  levels.  Simply  put,  we  must  place emphasis on influencing targeted  areas  consistently  throughout; before, during and after every combat patrol which is resourced and designed as a last resort to kill or capture an HVT.