Final answer:
Contingency planning starts when a commander receives information or intelligence about potential risks or threats that could impact their operations. They analyze the information, assess the risks, and develop a plan to respond to those risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Contingency planning starts when a commander receives information or intelligence about potential risks or threats that could impact their operations. This could be in the form of reports, analysis, or direct communication from subordinate units or intelligence agencies. The commander then analyzes the information, assesses the potential risks, and develops a plan to mitigate or respond to those risks.
For example, if a commander receives intelligence indicating a possible enemy attack, they would start contingency planning by determining the credibility of the intelligence, assessing the enemy's capabilities and intentions, and then creating a plan to defend against or counter the attack. This plan would include identifying potential courses of action, allocating resources, and coordinating with subordinate units.
Overall, contingency planning is an essential component of military operations as it helps commanders anticipate and prepare for potential challenges and uncertainties, allowing them to react effectively and maintain the overall mission objectives.