(2) Terrain.

(a) Obstacles, hills, valleys, road types and conditions, streams, rivers, bridges, towns.
(b) Avenues of approach.

(d) Observation.
(e) Cover and concealment.
(f) Engagement areas.
(g) Effect of terrain on the operation.

(3) Enemy forces.

(a) Identification of enemy forces.
(b) Activity of enemy forces.
(c) Location of enemy units.
(d) Disposition of enemy forces.
(e) Strength of enemy forces.
(f) Composition of enemy forces, to include type of equipment.
(g) Other enemy information critical to the upcoming operation, to include the following:

(h) Enemy courses of action.
(i) Probable enemy course of action.

b. Friendly.

(1) Mission of higher headquarters (squadron) and commander's intent.
(2) Mission of adjacent units (left, right, front, rear).
(3) Mission of other organic units in higher headquarters.
(4) Mission of reserves in higher headquarters.
(5) Mission of supporting units who are in direct support/reinforcing (DS/R) to higher headquarters (field artillery, engineer, ADA).
(6) Which element from higher headquarters has priority of fires.
(7) Reinforcing units with a reinforcing/general support (R/GS) role to supporting units.
(8) Close air support (CAS) and number of sorties allocated to higher headquarters.

c. Attachments and detachments to the troop.

2. Mission. The who, what, when, where, and why for troop/company. State the essential task or tasks to be accomplished by the entire unit, to include on-order missions. Clearly define the troop's objective.

3. Execution.

a. Concept of the Operation. This paragraph explains the commander's intent by stating the purpose, method, and endstate of the operation. The purpose tells the "why" of the operation. The method tells how the commander visualizes achieving success with respect to the troop as a whole and the utilization of any combat multipliers, in general terms. The endstate tells what the final disposition of forces will be and how the endstate will facilitate future operations. For example--

We will conduct the reconnaissance to determine the location, disposition, and composition of enemy main defensive belt in order to facilitate movement through zone, and penetration of the main defensive belt by 52d ID (Mech), allowing 10th Corps to continue offensive operations to the north. We will conduct a forward passage of lines, and perform zone reconnaissance in a troop vee with the engineer platoon conducting a detailed route reconnaissance of Route Cherry behind the scout platoons. Initially movement will be rapid and aggressive until we make contact with the enemy main defensive belt, then transition to a more deliberate, detailed reconnaissance. Indirect fires will be used to provide immediate suppression and assist in the development of the situation by scout platoons. Success is determining the disposition, composition, and location of the enemy main defensive belt then determining the axis and point for the 52d ID (Mech) penetration of the enemy's defense. Our endstate is the troop screening along the enemy main defensive belt ready to pass elements of the 52d ID (Mech) forward for their attack.

(1) Scheme of Maneuver. How major units (maneuver and combat support) will be employed; including movement techniques, bypass criteria (if any), and engagement/disengagement criteria. See the following example.

C Troop moves at 130430 from TAA Viper along Route Dog in troop column. Order of march on Route Dog is Red, Blue, Mortars, FIST, Engineers, Black 6, White, Green, TOC, and combat trains.

C Troop crosses LD at 0500 with Red on left (south), Blue on right (north), Mortars, Engineers, White, Green, TOC, and combat trains moving center of zone (troop vee).

Scout platoons reconnoiter in zone abreast, establishing contact at designated troop internal and flank contact points. Upon enemy contact, develop the situation at platoon level, initially with indirect fire, and report. Destroy squad- and section-sized light-armored and soft-skinned vehicles, within capability. Anything beyond capability, be prepared to assist hasty attack by White and/or Green. Bypass only enemy dismount elements squad-sized or smaller. Bypass all built-up areas larger than 1 kilometer square not on Route Cherry. Upon contact with enemy main defensive belt, conduct dismounted patrols to ascertain enemy disposition, composition, orientation, and location of obstacles.

Mortars cross LD and establish MFP 10 following Blue. Maneuver from MFP 11 to MFP 12 through MFP 25 in sequence. Maintain ability to range at least one-third maximum range forward of lead scouts. Key movement on scouts reporting crossing of phase lines throughout zone.

Engineers cross LD following the FIST and conduct a detailed route reconnaissance of Route Cherry from SP to RP. Maneuver on Route Cherry approximately 500 meters rearward of scouts. Upon identification of enemy's main defensive belt, be prepared to assist scouts with obstacle reconnaissance.
White and Green cross LD in platoon columns, White leading. Deploy into platoon wedges forward of LD, terrain permitting. Maneuver in center of troop zone, Green following White by 500 meters. White and Green maneuver approximately one phase line behind Red and Blue through hide positions T-44 through T-52 in sequence. Key movement on scouts reporting crossing of phase lines throughout zone. Scouts will assist in positioning tanks for conduct of hasty attacks by fire or by fire and maneuver upon approval of the troop commander.
TOC and combat trains cross LD in column, following Green. TOC maneuvers center troop zone, establishing positions H-44 through H-48 in sequence. Remains approximately two phase lines rearward of lead scouts. Trains move center troop zone in column, establishing positions T-27 through T-32 in sequence. Remain approximately two phase lines rearward of lead scouts. Key movement on scouts reporting crossing of phase lines throughout zone.

(2) Fires.

(a) Purpose for field artillery and mortar fires. (How will indirect fires support the scheme of maneuver?)

(b) Preparation starting time, duration and description of any fires landing in the area of operations.
(c) Allocation of final protective fires (FPF).
(d) Which element will have priority of fires.
(e) Number of priority targets allocated and who will control them.
(f) Special fires, restrictions, allocation/use of smoke, illumination, or CAS.
(g) Description of scheduled fires (offensive).
(h) Reference to fire support or target annexes.
(3) Obstacles, mines, fortifications.

(a) Priority of engineer effort.

(b) Priority of engineer mission.
(c) Obstacle overlay.
(d) Obstacle list.
(e) Logistical constraints.
(f) On-order missions.
b. Specific tasks to subordinate units. List specific missions in "battle sequence" for each subordinate unit, including attached units. Include movement techniques, flank coordination requirements, other details, and any "be-prepared" missions.

c. Coordinating instructions.
(1) Movement instructions.

(2) Time schedule of events.

(5) Operational exposure guide (OEG).
(6) Actions on contact.
(7) Actions at danger areas.
(8) Priority intelligence requirements (PIR) and intelligence requirements (IR).
(9) Effective time of attachment or detachment.
(10) Rally points.
(11) Rules of engagement (ROE).
(12) Priority targets for direct-fire weapons.
(13) Uniform and equipment, to include weapon and ammunition.
(14) Any changes regarding battlecarry and battlesight ranges.
(15) Air defense posture and weapons control status.
(16) Any instructions not provided in concept of the operation or specific instructions.

4. Service Support.
a. General.

(1) Organization of trains (squadron and troop).

(2) Location of trains (initial and subsequent).

(3) Movement of trains (movement instructions).

b. Materiel and services.
(1) Supply.

(2) Transportation. Location of main supply route.

(3) Services.

c. Medical evacuation and treatment.
(1) Location of squadron aid station.

(2) Displacement of squadron aid station.
(3) Location of regimental clearing station.
(4) Aero-medical evacuation information.
(5) Location of ambulance exchange points.
(6) Handling of contaminated wounded personnel.

d. Personnel.
(1) Prisoner of war (PW) handling and disposition instructions.

(2) PW guard instructions.
(3) Location of PW collection point.
(4) Instructions for interaction with local civil populace (ROE).
(5) Number of expected replacements.
(6) Cross-leveling procedures.
e. Miscellaneous.

5. Command and Signal.

a. Command.

(1) Location of troop commander/troop TOC/squadron command post.
(2) Succession of command.

b. Signal.

(1) SOI index and edition in effect.

(2) KY-57 fill and change over.

(3) Current sign and countersign.
(4) Code words.
(5) Action if jamming or "hot mike" occurs.
(6) Pyrotechnics use.
(7) Periods and conditions of listening silence.

Choose your next action:

Go to Appendix D

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