Eikmeier Center Of Gravity Essay

I believe that the Eikmeier Center of Gravity (COG) Methodology, is the best method of identifying a COG for three reasons: It is testable, it defines the COG at the strategic and operational level, and it has a more comprehensive analytical approach. Firstly, the Eikmeier and Godzilla methodologies are testable, but the Critical Factor Analysis (CFA) isn’t. The CFA is already at a disadvantage down at the tactical level because testability is a crucial piece of intelligence that validates the criticality and feasibility of a given Course of Action (COA) developed during the planning process. Testability of the COG is a central element that allows the commander to focus his efforts on developing a COA that maximizes the desired effects on the enemy, minimizes the use of redundant or useless resources and sets the conditions for follow-on operations. Validation of a COA enables commanders to request, coordinate, and synchronize warfighting functions so as to seize the initiative, retain the gains and exploit the situation to maintain a position of relative advantage over the enemy. …show more content…
The CFA method breaks down the strategic and operational COGs, just like Eikmeier, with the difference that the at the tactical level, the vulnerabilities are mostly intangible objectives. The Godzilla methodology looks at the strategic end state, like the other two disciplines but it focuses on the operational COG. Even though it is a practical approach for simplicity, it runs the risk of missing valuable pieces of information or important aspects in the OE enabling the strategic level COG to develop. Eikmeier provides the commander target recognizability from the strategic to the tactical level, which is a critical aspect of the targeting process so as to maximize the desired effects, and the other two methods