June 3, 2025 • 17 mins
In this episode, we will be going over the word-for-word textbook definition of "Stability Operations." This term means a lot of different things, and each person may think of different things when they hear the term, but it does have a textbook definition. You can go ahead and try to come up with your own definition on the spot, but the term is quite vague and might take a couple seconds to process. The chances of keeping your military bearing as you pause and um your way through it may hurt your confidence and credibility.
Looking them dead in the eye and reciting the textbook definition is a sure-fire way to come off as a confident soldier, ready to lead.
That's what this episode it for.
We are going to not merely recite the definition, but break it down into chunks, explain what each chunk means, how to visualize it, how to memorize it, and THEN repeat it to help you memorize it.
After this episode, you should be able to repeat it confidently and with authority that your battle-buddies lack.
The definition is:
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the United States in coordination with other instruments of national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to the Board Questions Podcast, where you can study for
your board while driving, chilling, or doing chores.
Today we are going to focus on memorizing the textbook
definition of stability operations.
Spouting off textbook definitions with confidence is a
surefire way to impress board members, so let's jump right in.
(00:22):
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment
and provide essential governmental services, emergency
infrastructure, reconstruction, and humanitarian relief.
(00:44):
There are four basic parts of the textbook definition of
stability operations. Where, with whom?
Why what? Where outside the US?
With whom? Other instruments of national
power? Why secure environment?
(01:08):
What services, reconstruction and relief?
First, we're outside the US. The full textbook definition is
an operation conducted outside the United States.
The operation has to be in a foreign nation in order to be
considered a stability operation.
(01:30):
Say the first part out loud three times.
An operation conducted outside the United States.
An operation conducted outside the United States.
An operation conducted outside the United States.
Second, with whom? Other instruments of national
power. The full textbook definition is
(01:54):
in coordination with other instruments of national power.
We have to coordinate with otherlocal power in order for it to
be a stability operation. We can't just throw up a
hospital without telling anyone.The local government or aspiring
local government has to be involved.
Let's say it three times. In coordination with other
(02:16):
instruments of national power. In coordination with other
instruments of national power. In coordination with other
instruments of national power. Now, let's say lines one and two
together three times. An operation conducted outside
the United States. In coordination with other
(02:36):
instruments of national power. An operation conducted outside
the United States. In coordination with other
instruments of national power. An operation conducted outside
the United States in coordination with other
instruments of national power. Third, why secure environment?
(03:00):
The full textbook definition is to establish or maintain a
secure environment. The point of the stability
operation is to ensure a secure environment.
This can be directly like helping with policing operations
where crime and insurgency tend to go hand in hand, or
indirectly as humanitarian effort wins the hearts and minds
(03:21):
of the people and prevents future conflict.
Let's say it three times. To establish or maintain a
secure environment. To establish or maintain a
secure environment. To establish or maintain a
secure environment. Now, let's say lines one through
3 together three times. An operation conducted outside
(03:45):
the United States in coordination with other
instruments of national power toestablish or maintain a secure
environment. An operation conducted outside
the United States in coordination with other
instruments of national power toestablish or maintain a secure
(04:05):
environment. An operation conducted outside
the United states in coordination with other
instruments of national power toestablish or maintain a secure
environment. Last is the longest what There
are three main things that the US Army provides during
(04:25):
stability operations Services reconstruction and relief.
The full textbook definition is and provide essential
governmental services, emergencyinfrastructure reconstruction,
and humanitarian relief. Remember Services reconstruction
and relief say it three times and provide essential
(04:51):
governmental services, emergencyinfrastructure reconstruction
and humanitarian relief. And provide essential
governmental services, emergencyinfrastructure reconstruction
and humanitarian relief. And provide essential
governmental services, emergencyinfrastructure reconstruction,
and humanitarian relief. Now that we studied the four
(05:14):
parts, let's memorize them. We'll start it slow with the
paraphrased lines, then the textbook lines, and
progressively get harder and harder.
Feel free to skip around the episode until you find the pace
that works for you. A stability operation is where?
Outside the US. An operation conducted outside
(05:38):
the United States with whom? Other instruments of national
power in coordination with otherinstruments of national power.
Why Secure environment? To establish or maintain a
secure environment. An operation conducted outside
(05:58):
the United States What services Reconstruction and relief and
provide essential governmental services, emergency
infrastructure reconstruction and humanitarian relief.
A stability operation is where outside the US.
(06:20):
An operation conducted outside the United States.
With whom? Other instruments of national
power in coordination with otherinstruments of national power.
Why secure environment? To establish or maintain a
secure environment. An operation conducted outside
(06:42):
the United States. What services?
Reconstruction and relief and provide essential governmental
services, emergency infrastructure reconstruction
and humanitarian relief. A stability operation is where
outside the US? An operation conducted outside
(07:06):
the United States with whom? Other instruments of national
power in coordination with otherinstruments of national power.
Why secure environment? To establish or maintain a
secure environment. An operation conducted outside
(07:26):
the United States What services Reconstruction and relief and
provide essential governmental services, emergency
infrastructure reconstruction and humanitarian relief.
A stability operation is where outside the US.
(07:48):
An operation conducted outside the United States.
With whom? Other instruments of national
power in coordination with otherinstruments of national power.
Why secure environment? To establish or maintain a
secure environment. An operation conducted outside
(08:10):
the United States. What services?
Reconstruction and relief and provide essential governmental
services, emergency infrastructure reconstruction
and humanitarian relief. A stability operation is where
outside the US? An operation conducted outside
(08:34):
the United States with whom? Other instruments of national
power in coordination with otherinstruments of national power.
Why secure environment? To establish or maintain a
secure environment. An operation conducted outside
(08:54):
the United States. What services?
Reconstruction and relief and provide essential governmental
services, emergency infrastructure reconstruction
and humanitarian relief. Now let's make it a little
harder with just the question and the line.
A stability operation is where? An operation conducted outside
(09:19):
the United States with whom? In coordination with other
instruments of national power. Why To establish or maintain a
secure environment. An operation conducted outside
the United States What and provide essential governmental
(09:39):
services, emergency infrastructure, reconstruction,
and humanitarian relief. A stability operation is where?
An operation conducted outside the United States with whom?
In coordination with other instruments of national power
(10:00):
why To establish or maintain a secure environment.
An operation conducted outside the United States What and
provide essential governmental services, emergency
infrastructure, reconstruction and humanitarian relief.
A stability operation is where? An operation conducted outside
(10:25):
the United States with whom? In coordination with other
instruments of national power Why?
To establish or maintain a secure environment, an operation
conducted outside the United States What and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
(10:48):
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is where? An operation conducted outside
the United States with whom? In coordination with other
instruments of national power. Why?
To establish or maintain a secure environment.
(11:12):
An operation conducted outside the United States What and
provide essential governmental services, emergency
infrastructure, reconstruction and humanitarian relief.
A stability operation is where? An operation conducted outside
the United States with whom? In coordination with other
(11:37):
instruments of national power. Why to establish or maintain a
secure environment An operation conducted outside the United
States What and provide essential governmental services,
emergency infrastructure, reconstruction and humanitarian
relief. A stability operation is where?
(12:03):
An operation conducted outside the United States with whom?
In coordination with other instruments of national power.
Why To establish or maintain a secure environment.
An operation conducted outside the United States What and
(12:24):
provide essential governmental services, emergency
infrastructure, reconstruction and humanitarian relief.
Now let's do it without the questions.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
(12:49):
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
(13:10):
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
(13:33):
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
(13:54):
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
(14:17):
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
(14:41):
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief a little faster now.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
(15:01):
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
(15:22):
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
(15:43):
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
(16:03):
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
(16:24):
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
(16:45):
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
(17:06):
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
(17:27):
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
That's it for today's episode. Thanks for studying with the
Board Questions podcast.
Welcome to the Board Questions Podcast, where you can study for
your board while driving, chilling, or doing chores.
Today we are going to focus on memorizing the textbook
definition of stability operations.
Spouting off textbook definitions with confidence is a
surefire way to impress board members, so let's jump right in.
(00:22):
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment
and provide essential governmental services, emergency
infrastructure, reconstruction, and humanitarian relief.
(00:44):
There are four basic parts of the textbook definition of
stability operations. Where, with whom?
Why what? Where outside the US?
With whom? Other instruments of national
power? Why secure environment?
(01:08):
What services, reconstruction and relief?
First, we're outside the US. The full textbook definition is
an operation conducted outside the United States.
The operation has to be in a foreign nation in order to be
considered a stability operation.
(01:30):
Say the first part out loud three times.
An operation conducted outside the United States.
An operation conducted outside the United States.
An operation conducted outside the United States.
Second, with whom? Other instruments of national
power. The full textbook definition is
(01:54):
in coordination with other instruments of national power.
We have to coordinate with otherlocal power in order for it to
be a stability operation. We can't just throw up a
hospital without telling anyone.The local government or aspiring
local government has to be involved.
Let's say it three times. In coordination with other
(02:16):
instruments of national power. In coordination with other
instruments of national power. In coordination with other
instruments of national power. Now, let's say lines one and two
together three times. An operation conducted outside
the United States. In coordination with other
(02:36):
instruments of national power. An operation conducted outside
the United States. In coordination with other
instruments of national power. An operation conducted outside
the United States in coordination with other
instruments of national power. Third, why secure environment?
(03:00):
The full textbook definition is to establish or maintain a
secure environment. The point of the stability
operation is to ensure a secure environment.
This can be directly like helping with policing operations
where crime and insurgency tend to go hand in hand, or
indirectly as humanitarian effort wins the hearts and minds
(03:21):
of the people and prevents future conflict.
Let's say it three times. To establish or maintain a
secure environment. To establish or maintain a
secure environment. To establish or maintain a
secure environment. Now, let's say lines one through
3 together three times. An operation conducted outside
(03:45):
the United States in coordination with other
instruments of national power toestablish or maintain a secure
environment. An operation conducted outside
the United States in coordination with other
instruments of national power toestablish or maintain a secure
(04:05):
environment. An operation conducted outside
the United states in coordination with other
instruments of national power toestablish or maintain a secure
environment. Last is the longest what There
are three main things that the US Army provides during
(04:25):
stability operations Services reconstruction and relief.
The full textbook definition is and provide essential
governmental services, emergencyinfrastructure reconstruction,
and humanitarian relief. Remember Services reconstruction
and relief say it three times and provide essential
(04:51):
governmental services, emergencyinfrastructure reconstruction
and humanitarian relief. And provide essential
governmental services, emergencyinfrastructure reconstruction
and humanitarian relief. And provide essential
governmental services, emergencyinfrastructure reconstruction,
and humanitarian relief. Now that we studied the four
(05:14):
parts, let's memorize them. We'll start it slow with the
paraphrased lines, then the textbook lines, and
progressively get harder and harder.
Feel free to skip around the episode until you find the pace
that works for you. A stability operation is where?
Outside the US. An operation conducted outside
(05:38):
the United States with whom? Other instruments of national
power in coordination with otherinstruments of national power.
Why Secure environment? To establish or maintain a
secure environment. An operation conducted outside
(05:58):
the United States What services Reconstruction and relief and
provide essential governmental services, emergency
infrastructure reconstruction and humanitarian relief.
A stability operation is where outside the US.
(06:20):
An operation conducted outside the United States.
With whom? Other instruments of national
power in coordination with otherinstruments of national power.
Why secure environment? To establish or maintain a
secure environment. An operation conducted outside
(06:42):
the United States. What services?
Reconstruction and relief and provide essential governmental
services, emergency infrastructure reconstruction
and humanitarian relief. A stability operation is where
outside the US? An operation conducted outside
(07:06):
the United States with whom? Other instruments of national
power in coordination with otherinstruments of national power.
Why secure environment? To establish or maintain a
secure environment. An operation conducted outside
(07:26):
the United States What services Reconstruction and relief and
provide essential governmental services, emergency
infrastructure reconstruction and humanitarian relief.
A stability operation is where outside the US.
(07:48):
An operation conducted outside the United States.
With whom? Other instruments of national
power in coordination with otherinstruments of national power.
Why secure environment? To establish or maintain a
secure environment. An operation conducted outside
(08:10):
the United States. What services?
Reconstruction and relief and provide essential governmental
services, emergency infrastructure reconstruction
and humanitarian relief. A stability operation is where
outside the US? An operation conducted outside
(08:34):
the United States with whom? Other instruments of national
power in coordination with otherinstruments of national power.
Why secure environment? To establish or maintain a
secure environment. An operation conducted outside
(08:54):
the United States. What services?
Reconstruction and relief and provide essential governmental
services, emergency infrastructure reconstruction
and humanitarian relief. Now let's make it a little
harder with just the question and the line.
A stability operation is where? An operation conducted outside
(09:19):
the United States with whom? In coordination with other
instruments of national power. Why To establish or maintain a
secure environment. An operation conducted outside
the United States What and provide essential governmental
(09:39):
services, emergency infrastructure, reconstruction,
and humanitarian relief. A stability operation is where?
An operation conducted outside the United States with whom?
In coordination with other instruments of national power
(10:00):
why To establish or maintain a secure environment.
An operation conducted outside the United States What and
provide essential governmental services, emergency
infrastructure, reconstruction and humanitarian relief.
A stability operation is where? An operation conducted outside
(10:25):
the United States with whom? In coordination with other
instruments of national power Why?
To establish or maintain a secure environment, an operation
conducted outside the United States What and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
(10:48):
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is where? An operation conducted outside
the United States with whom? In coordination with other
instruments of national power. Why?
To establish or maintain a secure environment.
(11:12):
An operation conducted outside the United States What and
provide essential governmental services, emergency
infrastructure, reconstruction and humanitarian relief.
A stability operation is where? An operation conducted outside
the United States with whom? In coordination with other
(11:37):
instruments of national power. Why to establish or maintain a
secure environment An operation conducted outside the United
States What and provide essential governmental services,
emergency infrastructure, reconstruction and humanitarian
relief. A stability operation is where?
(12:03):
An operation conducted outside the United States with whom?
In coordination with other instruments of national power.
Why To establish or maintain a secure environment.
An operation conducted outside the United States What and
(12:24):
provide essential governmental services, emergency
infrastructure, reconstruction and humanitarian relief.
Now let's do it without the questions.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
(12:49):
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
(13:10):
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
(13:33):
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
(13:54):
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
(14:17):
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
(14:41):
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief a little faster now.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
(15:01):
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
(15:22):
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
(15:43):
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
(16:03):
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
(16:24):
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
(16:45):
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
(17:06):
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
A stability operation is an operation conducted outside the
United States in coordination with other instruments of
national power to establish or maintain a secure environment.
(17:27):
An operation conducted outside the United States and provide
essential governmental services,emergency infrastructure,
reconstruction, and humanitarianrelief.
That's it for today's episode. Thanks for studying with the
Board Questions podcast.
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