Know What's Happening in Defense

What I Learned From Being a Planner in an Advisory Command: Reflections From the Security Assistance Group – Ukraine

Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Stumpf recounts a six‑month stint with the Security Assistance Group‑Ukraine, where planners had to adapt traditional military decision‑making to a three‑actor environment involving the U.S., Ukrainian partners, and Russian adversaries. Lacking direct command over Ukrainian forces, the team created an ad‑hoc operational planning team and shifted focus to extensive mission analysis, dedicating roughly half of the planning timeline to understanding the partner force. The experience highlighted the value of cultural expertise from Foreign Area Officers and the integration of design‑thinking and red‑team techniques. These adjustments enabled more flexible, scenario‑based guidance that directly supported Ukraine’s training and equipment needs.