2-22. The commander and staff use the operational variables (PMESII-PT) and the mission variables (METT-TC) to assess the OE to refine their understanding of the situation and its relationship to personnel recovery. Threats to isolated personnel vary based on the OE and include peacetime captivity, hostage and prisoner of war. Threats to isolated personnel vary based on the OE. During large-scale ground combat, the scale and scope of operations will likely create situations during which personnel recovery must address isolated units as big as companies, battalions, or even brigades.