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Lesson 3
PLAN FOR THE CONSOLIDATION OF AN OBJECTIVE
The task taught in this lesson consists of:
Identifying doctrinal considerations
Determining the requirements to be met for planning the consolidation of an objective
Selecting a plan for the consolidation of an objective.
Task: Plan for the consolidation of an objective.
Condition: Given a tactical situation, a map pertaining to the simulated tactical situation, and a battalion operation order.
Standard: The plan selected must assign locations and specific areas of responsibilities to the maneuver platoons, provide for security and deployment of supporting weapons, modify preplanned fires as necessary, and position OP to the front and flank.
Exercise 1: IDENTIFYING DOCTRINAL CONSIDERATIONS
Application of Doctrinal Considerations
To ensure that planning for the consolidation of an objective is conducted to accomplish the mission of an infantry company offensive operation, specific Army doctrine has been established. To plan for this consolidation, you, as a company commander, must take into account those considerations that apply to terrain, defense, and an enemy counterattack.
At this time, read pages 3-28 through 3-30 from FM 7-10.
Concept of Consolidation
Consolidation of an objective refers to the organizing and positioning of platoons and weapons crews on a newly seized objective to defend against a counterattack. The company commander assigns sectors of the objective to his platoons. The two methods available to the commander for assigning sectors are the clock method and the terrain method.
Look at Figure 3-1.
Figure 3-1. Clock Method of Assigning Sectors
When the terrain does not have any distinguishable features, the objective is broken into segments that correspond to the face of a clock. Twelve o'clock is always a compass heading or direction of the enemy. Each platoon is assigned a sector of the objective. Sectors are identified from one clock to another clock position. For example, the 1st Plt has been assigned a sector from 9 o'clock to 11 o'clock, the 2d Plt from 11 o'clock to 1 o'clock, and the 3d Plt from 1 o'clock to 3 o'clock.
Now look at Figure 3-2 below.
Figure 3-2. Terrain Method of Assigning Sectors
When the terrain has distinct landmarks, sectors are identified by using two landmarks as the right and left sector limits. For example, the sector assigned to the 1st plt may be from the oak tree on the right to the windmill on the left.
As previously indicated, a company commander must consider, along with the factors of METT, how terrain, defense of the objective, and possible counterattacks may affect your plan for consolidation of an objective. The criteria used for this purpose includes:
Use of security measures
Use terrain to the best advantage
Movement of the fire element forward and integrated into the defense
Determine probable enemy avenues of approach
Keep the pressure on the enemy
Movement of combat service support elements.
The company commander may withhold a small force (as large as a platoon, but no smaller than a squad) and may commit it, if needed, at a specific time and place to:
Exploit success or enemy weakness
Support a forward platoon with fire and/or maneuver
Assume the mission of a forward platoon
Maintain the momentum of the attack
Hold ground seized by forward platoons
Defeat or block a counterattack
Maintain contact by attacking from a new direction.
The reserve can secure a flank, provide security, clear and hold a bypassed enemy position, or patrol beyond the seized objective. It follows the forward platoons closely, yet far enough behind to protect it from fire which may hit forward platoons.
Now that you've read the pages from FM 7-10 and have completed the instructional material of this exercise, let's see what you've learned.
Proceed to Practical Exercise 1 and begin.
Exercise 2: SELECTING A PLAN FOR THE CONSOLIDATION OF AN OBJECTIVE
To select a plan for the consolidation of an objective, the company commander must identify those alternatives by applying METT, that meet the requirements of the consolidation plan and then select the plan that best fulfills those requirements. In Exercise 1 you learned what the considerations were for planning the consolidation of an objective.
Your choice of either the clock or terrain method to assign sectors is dependent upon the presence or absence of distinguishable landmarks. The fighting positions you select for weapons crews and platoons should cover the likely enemy avenues of approach.
The fire element is moved forward and integrated into the defense. Service support elements are moved to assist in reorganizing the unit; however, they should not be moved so far up that they become vulnerable to the enemy. Constant pressure should be kept on the enemy. This is accomplished by direct and indirect fire on the enemy's last known positions. Your establishment of an OP and security patrols is necessary to permit monitoring of the enemy and prevent enemy infiltration.
Proceed to Practical Exercise 2.
