____________ issued to the Joint Planning and Execution Community (JPEC) initiates the development of COAs.

The planning directive is the tool that initiates the development of Courses of Action (COAs) for the Joint Planning and Execution Community (JPEC). It establishes the framework and parameters within which planners can conceive and articulate various actionable strategies for a given operation. The planning directive often sets the objectives, priorities, and critical timelines, serving as a foundational document that directs the planning process and aligns the efforts of various components involved in joint operations.

In the context of joint military operations, it is crucial that all planning efforts adhere to the guidance provided in the planning directive to ensure coherence and effectiveness in mission accomplishment. By facilitating the systematic creation of COAs, the planning directive plays a vital role in structured operational planning and helps coordinate among services and agencies, ensuring all participants understand the intended mission outcomes.

While execution orders, operational orders, and command directives play integral roles in other aspects of military operations, they come into play at different stages or with varying purposes, not specifically for the initiation of COA development as the planning directive does.