On what basis will commanders accept or mitigate risk?

Commanders accept or mitigate risk primarily based on threat and vulnerability assessments. This choice reflects a systematic approach to risk management, where the identification of potential threats and vulnerabilities directly informs decision-making. By evaluating these factors, commanders can understand the likelihood and potential impact of specific risks on mission success and the safety of personnel. This assessment enables them to implement appropriate measures to address or minimize risks before they can affect operations.

The other options, while relevant to risk management, do not provide the comprehensive basis for risk acceptance that threat and vulnerability assessments do. Historical mission success rates and past incident reports can offer valuable insights, but they are retrospective and may not necessarily address current or emerging risks. Personnel recommendations can be helpful but are subjective and may not always reflect a comprehensive view of the operational environment.