Final answer:
The critical aspects of military operations include the commander's intent, which drives the mission; the concept of the operation, which outlines overall strategic approaches; and the scheme of movement and maneuver, which details tactical unit movements and actions on objectives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The critical aspects addressed in the commander's intent, concept of the operation, and scheme of movement and maneuver are foundational to understanding military operations. The commander's intent provides a clear and concise statement of what the force must do and the conditions the commander wants to achieve. It is the core of the operation order (OPORD) and drives the planning and execution of the mission.
The concept of the operation is a broad description of how the array of the force’s capabilities will be employed to achieve the commander’s intent. It often includes phases of the operation and key tasks along with a description of the desired end state. Commanders typically use a terrain model and a briefing to communicate their concept.
The scheme of movement and maneuver is a detailed plan that outlines how units will move on the battlefield and how they will apply force to achieve the commander’s intent. This includes the tactical details for "Actions on the objective"—how the force will secure the objective and what efforts will be made to control the area.
Scheme of fires details how firepower will support the operation, working in tandem with the movement and maneuver plan. It includes specific fire support tasks and their intended purposes, as well as priorities, allocations, and restrictions on fires. Lastly, tasks to subordinate units provide tactical instructions and are part of the planning guidance that ensures teams are effectively integrated into the operation.