What is an information requirement identified by the commander as being critical to facilitating timely decision-making?

Intro

CCIRs
"A Commander’s Critical Information Requirements is an information requirement identified by the commander as being critical to facilitating timely decision making"

CCIRs are what information a commander 'needs to know' in order to complete their mission

CCIRs usually change from mission-to-mission but generally speaking, each type of unit uses the same types of CCIRs over and over again for each type of mission (raid; ambush, retrograde defense etc.)

CCIRs are composed of 3 parts:

FFIR (Friendly Forces Information Requirements)
PIR (Priority Information Requirements)
EEFI (Essential Elements of Friendly Information)

Each part identifies a categories of critical intelligence requirements that a commander has identified as critical for MC (Mission Complete)

CCIR Identification

The commander is tasked with selecting what CCIRs a unit needs to answer its intelligence gaps

Each 'S-Shop' (S1; S2; S3; S4; S6) informs the commander as to their specific information needs

The CCIRs will be made mostly from 2 factors:

the type of unit
the mission profile it must execute

An Infantry company's CCIR needs will be different than an ADAs (Air Defense Artillery) CCIRs

An Infantry company tasked with a raid mission will have different CCIRs than another Infantry company tasked with a mobile defense mission

Having said that, each type of unit (INF; ADA; SF; ENG etc.) will have some basic CCIRs that cover that unit's specialties and capabilities

This basic and common set of CCIRs facilitates the mission planning process as unit's already can prepare an SOP/template of CCIR needs and how to satisfy them

Some examples of CCIRs by 'S-Shop' include:
S1 - how many personnel are mission ready vs. personnel needed (FFIR)
S2 - what the ENY composition, disposition and strength is (PIR)
S3 - do not allow ENY counter-reconnaissance to identify our INF Scout forces (EEFI)
S4 - what our logistical needs and capabilities are (FFIR)
S6 - what the ENYs Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities are (PIR)

Friendly Forces Information Requirements (FFIRs)

FFIR
"Information the commander and staff need to understand the status of friendly force and supporting capabilities"

There are many important readiness factors that a commander must keep track of during a mission planning

If the status of a unit changes (Soldiers available, specialty Soldiers like ENGs, important equipment like mine detectors etc.), then the mission will need to be altered

Example:
A unit is preparing to conduct a wired obstacle breach and the following FFIRs are needed:

is an INF PLT with WPN SQD available?
is a SQD of ENG available?
do the ENGs have the needed equipment (wire cutters, bangalore, grappling hook etc.)?
do we have a 60mm mortar TM with smoke and HE rounds (basic combat load)?

Priority Information Requirements (PIR)

PIR
"An intelligence requirement that the commander and staff need to understand the threat and other aspects of the operational environment"

For INF units (especially the Scouts PLT), PIRs are a common tasking assignment the is often added to a mission/patrol

PIR answers many of the METT-TC questions/needs

Each PIR item can be further divided into other, more specific categories:

EEI (Essential Elements of Information)
Indicators
SIR (Specific Information Requirements)

PIR Components:
EEI - the first sub-category of PIRs, EEIs can look for an answer to a very specific question on the general PIR needs. Each PIR can have 1 or more EEIs that answer the PIR in its various possibilities.

Indicators - an indicator is a positive or negative identifier that conforms the specific EEI. In order to answer the specific EEI, a Soldier must know what indicator(s) to look for.

SIR - describes what/how many collection asset(s) are needed to obtain the required intelligence (the indicators for the EEI for the PIR). Sometime an SIR can be visually (non-magnified); visual (magnified), IR/thermal sensor, in-ground sensor (seismic); UAV; camera etc.

PIR example:
- where is the ENY FLOT (Front Line of Own Troops)?
#1 EEI of the PIR
- where are ENY bunkers located?
Indicators of #1 EEI
- dirt mounds, paired Soldiers entering and leaving a specific confined area
SIR of the Indicator #1 EEI
- confirm position by visual/UAV use
#2 EEI of the PIR
- where is the company CP (Command Post) located at?
Indicators of #2 EEI
- increased foot traffic entering and leaving a location suitable for a CP
SIR of the Indicator #2 EEI
- utilize our EW (Electronic Warfare) capabilities to confirm CP location

EEFI (Essential Elements of Friendly Information)

EEFI
"A critical aspect of a friendly operation that, if known by a threat would subsequently compromise, lead to failure, or limit success of the operation and therefore should be protected from enemy detection"

For units like Infantry some of the most common EEFIs are:
- conducting mission preparations/rehearsals out of possible ENY recon sight
- conducting movement (mounted and/or dismounted) during hours of limited visibility
- maintaining OPSEC (Operational Security) during radio transmissions
- for Scouts, conduct counter-reconnaissance to degrade ENY forces ability to gain intelligence
- Scouts must remain undetected during hours of sunup to sundown to avoid telegraphing intent

Uses for Arma III

The need to answer a commander's CCIRs can be a stand-alone mission in of itself

If you utilize a PLT sized element for MILSIM, you can take a SQD and act like OPFOR so that the friendly forces can observe the 'ENY' forces and extract the needed intelligence

Further, the OPFOR can also notice if the friendly forces give off any EEFI (Essential Elements of Friendly Information)

A 'commander' (aka Zues), can ask for FFIR (Friendly Forces Information Requirements), such as needed mission essential items (METT-TC dependent) before the mission starts

Then, depending on the mission profile, various PIRs (Priority Information Requirements) can be tasked to the subordinate unit along with some:

EEI (Essential Elements of Information)
Indicators
SIR (Specific Information Requirements)

The 'OPFOR' must ensure that EEI/Indicators/SIR are offered in the manner that an ENY unit would present itself with

Ex.
A Scout unit is conducting a route reconnaissance to allow for the passage of friendly forces. The 'OPFOR' can have a supply box named 'mines', have concertina wire (both laid and still rolled-up); can show wire cutters; some mines on the road; tire track to a bunker etc. Additional items such a spray paint markings on the ground (in red and green markings), portable mine sweeper, white and red marking tape, a bomb crater etc.

Conclusion

CCIRs are selected by the commander of a unit
The commander's support staff helps formulate ('S-Shops') CCIRs

There are 3 main components to CCIRs: