1. Mission Essential Task List (METL) Development
Chapter 2
Mission Essential Task List (METL) Development
As of 14 Jan 00

2. Introduction ELO Review
A. Explain the battalion METL development process to include battle tasks.
B. Explain the company METL development process and how company commanders identify collective and individual tasks to train.
C. Differentiate between battle tasks and battle drills. Describe the relationship between battle tasks and the subordinate companies’ METL tasks.
D. Identify the combat functions (BOS) and explain how they are used to organize/synchronize battle tasks and assess performance.
E. Discuss the interrelationship among brigade/battalion/company missions, METLs, and battle tasks.

3. METL
Unconstrained statement of tasks required to accomplish wartime missions

4. METL Development ELO A FM 25-101 PG 2-2 WAR PLANS MISSION ESSENTIAL
TASK LIST
(METL)
COMMANDER’S
ANALYSIS
EXTERNAL
DIRECTIVES
ELO A
FM PG 2-2

5. METL Development Key Points
Not affected by resource availability
Not prioritized
Should support and complement METL of next higher HQ
Applicable to entire unit
Briefed to and approved by next higher wartime commander
Understood by CSM and key NCOs
Company is lowest level to prepare METL
Battalion staff’s METL approved by battalion commander
Battalion Commanders ensure staff, slice, and company METLs are coordinated and mutually supporting.
Should use a team approach to METL development
ELO A
FM PG 2-2

6. Battalion METL Development Sequence
RECEIVE BRIGADE
MISSION and METL
RESTATE THE WARTIME
MISSION
SELECT CRITICAL
TASKS (METL)
OBTAIN APPROVAL FROM
BRIGADE CDR
PROVIDE METL TO
STAFF and COMPANY
COMMANDERS
ELO A
FM PG 2-3

7. Integration of Collective, Leader, and Soldier Training
BATTALION
MISSION and
METL
COMPANY
MISSION and
METL
PLATOON
COLLECTIVE
TASKS
LEADER
TASKS
TASKS DERIVED
FROM STPs, MTPs,
OFSs, ETC. . .
SQUAD
COLLECTIVE
TASKS
SOLDIER
TASKS
ELO B
FM PG 2-8

8. Battle Tasks
Battalion commander selects them from battle staff and company METLs.
Critical to the success of every mission essential task
Compiled for each mission essential task
Focus training effort and resources
Differ from Battle Drills
ELO C
FM PG 2-17

9. Combat Functions (formerly BOS)
Intelligence
Maneuver
Fire Support
Mobility/Survivability
Air Defense
Logistics
Battle Command
Organizes
Battle Tasks
ELO D
FM PG 2-18

10. Mission, METL, Battle Task Relationship
COMMANDER’S
GUIDANCE
BRIGADE
MISSION
BATTALION
MISSION
BRIGADE
METL
COMPANY
MISSION
BATTALION
METL
SELECTED
BRIGADE
BATTLE
TASKS
COMPANY
METL
SELECTED
BATTALION
BATTLE
TASKS
ELO E
FM PG 2-18

11. Training Objectives
Leaders establish/select supporting conditions and standards.
Leaders should use common sense to develop training objectives for a task without published standards.
Task:
Conditions: Fits the unit’s mission(s)
Standards: From MTP or SMs
Minimum Army standards
CSS unit commanders should structure daily operations to replicate business during war.
FM PG 2-20

12. Mission Essential Task List (METL)
The METL, with supporting soldier, leader, and unit collective tasks, provides the foundation for the battalion commander’s training plan.

13. Chapter 2 Summary Battle focus drives METL development.
Battle staff METL must integrate combined arms tasks.
Use the Army standard.