Pacific

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Using the DATE • TC 7-101 Exercise Design • Download

DATE-Pacific Overview map

The purpose of the Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE)-Pacific is to provide the US Army training community with a detailed description of the conditions of five composite operational environments (OEs) in the Pacific region. It presents trainers with a tool to assist in the construction of scenarios for specific training events but does not provide a complete scenario. DATE-Pacific offers discussions of OE conditions through the political, military, economic, social, information, infrastructure, physical environment, and time (PMESII-PT) variables. This DATE applies to all US Army units (Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve) and partner nations that participate in DATE-compliant Army or joint training exercises.

The operational environment of DATE:Pacific is a complex and multi-layered set of conditions. From the economic and military hegemony of Olvana, to the persistent tensions between North and South Torbia, to the developing nations of Belesia and Gabal, many different potential conflicts may arise. The region has a long history of instability and conflict; ethnic and religious factionalism; and general political, military, and civilian unrest. In addition to these internal regional divisions, outside actors have increasing strategic interests in the region. DATE-Pacific thus represents a flashpoint where highly localized conflict can spill over into widespread unrest or general war.

(See also Using the DATE and TC 7-101 Exercise Design).

Discussion of the OEs within the DATE-Pacific Operational Environment

Belesia

Main article: Belesia

The Federated States of Belesia is a relatively new democracy in the region. The turbulence of its independence from colonial rule continues to create stability challenges throughout its many member-islands. Political turmoil, popular unrest, and widespread terrorism combine to create a volatile environment for this young federation. One of the few stabilizing factors is the development of economic opportunities and trade. Desipte progress in this area, Belesia is hampered by infrastructure and business process that have yet to develop to meet its needs.

Gabal

Main article: Gabal

The Federated States of Gabal is a relatively new democracy, having emerged from joint rule by two Western European countries in 1977. Gabal faces numerous political and economic challenges that have undercut the effectiveness and legitimacy of its government since independence was declared. Tribal politics run deep within the government and the country is deeply federalized among tribal lines. Issues associated with climate change, however, have largely united the country in recent years, as Gabal, along with many other small island nations, seek to influence global climate change politics.

The Republic of Gabal’s military serves more as a symbol of the country’s independence from its neighbors than it serves as any true fighting force. Due to its small size, the Gabal military possesses little offensive capabilities and is no threat to any of its neighboring countries. The Gabal military also lacks the ability to defend itself against any major external threat. The military’s main purpose is the prevention of illegal fishing activities in the country’s territorial waters.

North Torbia

Main article: North Torbia

The Democratic People's Republic of Torbia (DPRT), also called North Torbia, is one of the most militarized countries in the world, with over one million active duty military personnel and over six million reservists. The DPRT’s military spending is around 20% of its GDP, and about one-quarter of all adults serve in some military capacity. Ground, air, and naval forces all fall under the umbrella of the Torbian People’s Army (TPA). The TPA controls the ground, air, and naval forces in the DPRT.

Olvana

Main article: Olvana

Since the People’s Republic of Olvana (Olvana) is the largest country in terms of size and population in the region and with an intent to serve as the regional hegemon, Olvana maintains the largest military in the Pacific region. The Olvana People’s Army (OPA) is composed of not only a land force, but the Olvana People’s Navy (OPN) and Olvana People’s Air Force (OPAF) are subordinate to the OPA. Olvana attempts to influence the region by the deployment of advisors to various countries and the sale of military weapons to their allies. Today, the Olvanese Communist Party (OCP) seeks to change some traditions while preserving others, such as the family structure and culture of obedience to the state as being integral to society.

South Torbia

Main article: South Torbia

The Republic of Torbia (also called South Torbia), is a constitutional republic that occupies the south half of the Island of Torbia. After centuries of foreign occupation and despotic rule, South Torbia emerged in the late 20th century as one of the world’s fastest growing economies, and today is one of the world’s wealthiest, most stable, and most militarily powerful nations. However, a massive corruption scandal that included the ROT president has recently rocked the ROT government to its core, creating many questions about the stability and viability of the current republic.

The Republic of Torbia (RoT or South Torbia) military is primarily a defensive force aimed at stopping the Democratic People’s Republic of South Torbia (DPRT or North Torbia) from taking over the entire country. Many years ago due to the fear of the DPRT, the RoT adopted a universal military service of short duration for all its male citizens. After leaving active duty, the military veterans serve in an active or inactive reserve role as a deterrence against external threats to the country’s independence.

Note: DATE variables and other information for this OE continue to be under development.

Strategic Positioning

Relations among the nations in this region are a tense game of power. As Donovia's strategic influence has shifted to Europe and the Caucasus regions, Olvana has aggressively sought to press its will on the region. Similarly, nations such as South Torbia, Gabal, and Belesia view the shift as an opportunity to grow their influence and develop economic ties both in the region and with external partners. Control of critical mineral resources, manufacturing, and unfettered transport of goods in the region's shipping lanes is a key point of tension for all. Within the states of the region, groups that had previously seen no opportunity for influence view the instability as a path to develop their voices. Internal conflict is a persistent and potentially destabilizing factor as governments position for legitimacy and consolidate their power. Whether expanding influence or building new power bases, the region will continue to be a driver of worldwide tensions and increasingly volatile.

Regional Views of the US

The U.S. has many competing interests in the region, ranging from economic stability and trade to geopolitical influence. The U.S. sees Olvana as both partner and rival. Obviously the two economies are intertwined and depend on each other. Olvana's main strategic challenge is that the U.S. controls the seas. Geography means Olvana’s imports and exports must traverse coastal bottlenecks in and among the other nations of the region that the U.S or any one of them could easily close. Maintaining trade and international shipping through the region, as well as developing new relationships the the emerging economies is vital to ensuring economic growth and continued participation in the region's development.

The United States’ support of anti-terrorism efforts in the region is expected to tamp-down past criticisms of the South Torbian and Belesian governments and lead to renewed cooperation between the longtime allies despite a wary Olvana. The ongoing political positioning and economic battles waged between the U.S. and the constantly shifting, multi-faceted regional interrelationships will be both a source of opportunity and conflict.

Regional PMESII-PT Overview

Political

Regional Political Comparison

	Olvana	North Torbia	South Torbia	Gabal	Belesia
Politics	One-party, autocratic system Major international political force Foreign policy ranges from diplomatic and bellicose Internal frictions, emerging threats to ruling party Regional hegemon, reaching into African countries	One-party, autocratic system No meaningful political opposition State exists to support/protect the regime Highly centralized Foreign policy inconsistent; mainly intended to reinforce the ruling party's authority	Liberal democracy Significant international political influence Varied political spectrum Participant in multiple international treaties and defense cooperation agreements Complex relationship with North Torbia	Liberal democracy Influenced by tribal traditions Foreign policy focused on regional diplomacy Bilateral security agreement with G20	Relatively new democracy Political instability still a problem Government varies between autocratic/brutal and ineffective Foreign policy mainly limited to enhancing trade High terrorist activity Former colony

Military

Regional Military Comparison

	Olvana	North Torbia	South Torbia	Gabal	Belesia
Military	Large, Tier 2/1 Aggressively modernizing Active nuclear program	Oversized, Tier 3   Developing long-range missile systems for high-yield munitions No WMD treaties	Tier 2(+), modernized Mostly self-defense, but can project power Western military presence	Police/constabulary No power projection Bilateral security agreement with G20	Tier 3 (2/4), inefficient Developing capabilities and doctrine, training Can project limited power

Economic

Regional Economics Comparison

	Olvana	North Torbia	South Torbia	Gabal	Belesia
Economic	Mixed-Market Socialism Export-Heavy Manufacturing Sector Burgeoning Domestic Demand	Closed, Command-Directed Communism Plagued by Inefficiencies Constrained by Economic Sanctions	Developed Mixed-Market Capitalism Numerous Trade Agreements Industrial Sector Shifting to Services	Service-Oriented Economy Import Dependent Limited Natural Resources	Emerging Mixed-Market Economy Agricultural/Industrial Split Developing International Trade

Social

Regional Social Comparison

	Olvana	North Torbia	South Torbia	Gabal	Belesia
Social	Mostly Hindu, some Muslim, Christian Literacy 70-100% 93% water, 62% sanitation High HIV/AIDS rates Local language and English are official 10% unemployment Most populous country, mostly dense	No religious freedom, but gov't sponsored religions High literacy, near 100% 90%+ have access to clean water and sanitation Local languages + English Low unemployment (<5%) Dense population clusters	60% Buddhist, 2-5% Muslim, 5% Christian, other local and atheist High literacy, near 100% 100% access to water and sanitation English is official business language, but rural population speaks local language Low unemployment (<5%)	Majority Protestant (~70%) , 10-15% Roman Catholic, 5% local, 10% other 85% literacy rate Population < 100,000 Over 90% have access to clean water, but only 55% have access to sanitation 100s of local languages, English is official Seasonally affected high unemployment	80% Muslim, <10% each Christian, Catholic, Hindu Literacy: 95% male, 60% female 90% access to water, 75% access to sanitation High risk of infectious disease Local language and English are official 25-30% unemployment Dense population

Information

Regional Information Environment Comparison

	Olvana	North Torbia	South Torbia	Gabal	Belesia
Politics	Diversified Telecom system Restrictive media Robust INFOWAR Robust space program - manufacturing & capabilities	Severely restrictive Underdeveloped telecom Large INFOWAR capability	High level of freedom of communications, socially regulated/loyalty to nation Abundant/modern telecom Growing INFOWAR	Limited telecom - satellites	Decreasing government info control Improving telecom architect EW & cyber security

Infrastructure

Regional Infrastructure Comparison

	Olvana	North Torbia	South Torbia	Gabal	Belesia
Infrastructure	Bullet Bullet Bullet	Many roads, only 15% paved-the rest gravel or dirt Aging rail w/ 2 gauges Coal-dependent Widespread subterranean development	Modern air & roads Nuclear & oil energy Two megacities	Few small paved roads 1 main paved highway 1 airstrip - 6,000' 1 port Wind & oil energy	Few modern airports Coal & oil energy No power in rural Updating roads One megacity Several deep water ports

Physical Environment

Regional Physical Environment Comparison

	Olvana	North Torbia	South Torbia	Gabal	Belesia
Physical Environment	Huge land mass Somewhat inefficient crop output	Medium-sized Large crops	Medium-sized Medium crops	Relatively small island No crops Concern over rising sea levels	Many islands Large crops

Time

Regional Time Perceptions Comparison

	Olvana	North Torbia	South Torbia	Gabal	Belesia
Time	Poly-chronic	Strictly enforced Relatively mono-chronic	Reactive, grounded in history More Mono-chronic for business	Relaxed attitude to time Unusual religious holidays Poly-chronic	Reactive/Multi-active Developing

Hybrid Irregular Armed Groups

Main article: DATE Pacific Non-State Threat Actors and Conditions

Significant Non-State Threat Actors and Conditions in the OE, 2025

Group Name	Type	Country	Description
Yellow Sashes	Insurgency	Olvana	The Yellow Sashes are primarily Hindu who detest the Olvana communist government’s repression of religion. The Yellow Sashes are often traditionalists who wish to return the country back to the way it was 150 years ago. The Yellow Sashes want a return to the previous form of government before communism, which was a hereditary monarchy.
Olvana Jemaah Islamiyah	Insurgency	Olvana	The OJI is a Muslim insurgent group that operates primarily in Western Olvana with many of its leaders training in the Middle East. As the OJI becomes stronger, the group continues to push further to the east. The mainline OJI is usually content to slowly convert people to Islam by providing services to the poor rural people that the central Olvana government seems to forget. There are OJI cells that do not feel the conversion process is occurring fast enough, however, and are trying to convert the rural villages by force.
Olvana Christian Party	Insurgency	Olvana	The OCP is not a political party, but a group of Christian missionaries whose mission is to make the lives of rural Olvanians better while converting them. The Olvana central government is not extreme in its denunciation of religion and will generally allow various religions to practice as long as those practicing their faith seek to use it as a means to overturn the current political structure. The OCP is on the cusp of going from a group tolerated by the Olvana government in the northwestern part of the country to one that the communists will seek to destroy.
South Torbian Communist Army	Insurgency	South Torbia	The South Torbian Communist Army (TCA) is probably less than 1,000 actual fighters, but they may have many more supporters throughout the country. Their expressed intent is to establish a communist country based on the Marxist model, the same goal as stated by the South Torbian Communist Party (TCP). The TCP claims that their group has no connection to the TCA, but there are probably some members that belong to both organizations.
Islamic Torbian Army	Insurgency	South Torbia	The Islamic Torbian Army (ITA) began on Mindoro as a movement to convert the country into an Islamic Republic. The ITA has expanded to many parts of South Torbia, especially those that contain a large number of Muslims. Since the ITA normally attacks non-Muslims, most other Muslims remain neutral or provide tacit support to the ITA.
Gabal Forever)	Insurgency	Gabal	"Gabal Forever" is a very small group (less than 100) of boisterous people who do not like the way the government and business leaders are catering to foreigners in attempt to chase the tourist dollar. Many of these are 85%-95% ethnically native to the local islands and trace their ancestry back beyond written history through the oral history tradition of their ancestors. These people are upset about the change in their island’s life and would like it to return to what it was 200 years ago before Westerners arrived.

See also TC 7-100.3 Irregular Opposing Forces, Chapter 2: Insurgents and Chapter 3: Guerrillas

Criminal Organizations and Activities

Significant Criminal Organizations in the OE, 2025

Group Name	Type	Country	Description
Tantoco Cartel	Criminal	Multiple	The Tantoco Cartel was founded in the Republic of Torbia, it also operates in the largest cities of Olvana. The Tantoco Cartel is involved in almost every type of criminal activity imaginable: drug and weapons smuggling, extortion, motor vehicle theft, illegal gambling, money laundering, counterfeiting, and murder-for-hire The Olvana government is serious about bribery as some senior government leaders have been forced to resign or imprisoned when caught taking bribes.
Osongco Syndicate	Criminal	South Torbia	The Osongco Syndicate is a large-scale criminal network that is based on the island of Mindoro in Bongabong led by Zikri Osongco. Osongco may sometimes work with the Tantoco Cartel, but it is not part of the latter. Tantoco leaves Osongco alone as long as he confines his activities to Mindoro. The Osongco Syndicate is primarily involved in stolen goods and smuggling, but will not hesitate to delve into other areas on the island that can make the organization money such as extortion or even bank robbery, especially those that do not practice the Muslim faith. Some Muslims see Osongco as a modern-day Robin Hood who takes from the rich and gives to the poor.
Kumpulan	Criminal	Gabal	Kumpulan is the major criminal organization in Gabal. Its leader owns a local import/export business with warehouses in several cities and towns in Gabal, from which it can hide illegal goods among legitimate imports. It is highly likely that the group has agents scattered throughout the National Police as well as any local governmental officials.

See also TC 7-100.3 Irregular Opposing Forces, Chapter 4: Criminals