Military

(1) Members of the company team apply this working knowledge to the process of discussing and, whenever possible, resolving issues and problems that arise between opposing parties, which may include the team itself. A critical aspect of this knowledge is the negotiator's ability to recognize that he has exhausted his options under the ROE/ROI and must turn the discussion over to a higher authority. Negotiations continue at progressive levels of authority until the issue is resolved.

(2) In preparing themselves and their soldiers for the negotiation process, the commander and subordinate leaders must conduct rehearsals covering the ROE and ROI. One effective technique is to war-game application of ROE/ROI in a given stability situation such as manning a checkpoint. This forces leaders and subordinates alike to analyze the ROE/ROI and apply them in an operational environment.

(1) Identify the purpose of negotiations. Before contacting leaders of the belligerent parties to initiate the negotiation process, the commander must familiarize himself with both the situation and the area in which his unit will be operating. This includes identifying and evaluating avenues of approach that connect the opposing forces. Results of the negotiation process, which may be lengthy and complicated, must be based on national or international agreements or accords. Negotiation topics include the following:

• When the sides will withdraw.
• Positions to which they will withdraw (these should be located to preclude observation and direct fire by the opposing parties).
• Which forces or elements will move during each phase of the operation?
• Pre-positioning of peace forces that can intervene in case of renewed hostilities.
• Control of heavy weapons.
• Mine clearance.
• Formal protest procedures for the belligerent parties.

(2) Establish the proper context. The next step in the process is to earn the trust and confidence of each opposing party. This includes establishing an atmosphere (and a physical setting) that participants will judge to be both fair and safe. These considerations apply:

• Always conduct joint negotiations on matters that affect both parties.

• When serving as a mediator, remain neutral at all times.

• Learn as much as possible about the belligerents, the details of the dispute or issue being negotiated, and other factors such as the geography of the area and specific limitations or restrictions (for example, the ROE and ROI).

• Gain and keep the trust of the opposing parties by being firm, fair, and polite.

• Use tact, remain patient, and be objective.

• Never deviate from applicable local and national laws and international agreements.

(3) Prepare for the negotiations. Thorough, exacting preparation is another important factor in ensuring the success of the negotiation process. Company team personnel should use the following guidelines:

• Negotiate sequentially, from subordinate level to senior level.

• Select and prepare a meeting place that is acceptable to all parties.

• Arrange for interpreters and adequate communications facilities as necessary.

• Ensure that all opposing parties, as well as the negotiating team, use a common map (edition and scale).

• Coordinate all necessary movement.

• Establish local security.

• Keep higher headquarters informed throughout preparation and during the negotiations.

• Make arrangements to record the negotiations (use audio or video recording equipment, if available).

(4) Conduct the negotiations. Negotiators must always strive to maintain control of the session. They must be firm, yet evenhanded, in leading the discussion. At the same time, they must be flexible, with a willingness to accept recommendations from the opposing parties and from their own assistants and advisors. The following procedures and guidelines apply:

• Exchange greetings.

• Introduce all participants by name, including negotiators and any advisors.

• Consider the use of small talk at the beginning of the session to put the participants at ease.

• Allow each side to state its case without interruption and without making premature judgments.

• Make a record of issues presented by both sides.

• If one side makes a statement that is incorrect, be prepared to produce evidence or proof to establish the facts.

• If the negotiating team or peacekeeping force has a preferred solution, present it and encourage both sides to accept it.

• Close the meeting by explaining to both sides what has been agreed upon and what actions they are expected to take. If necessary, be prepared to present this information in writing for their signatures.

• Do not negotiate or make deals in the presence of the media.

• Maintain the highest standards of conduct at all times.

(1) Position the checkpoint in an area that is clear of hazards such as mines, booby traps, and unexploded ordnance (UXO).

(2) Position the checkpoint where it is visible and where traffic cannot turn back, get off the road, or bypass the checkpoint without being observed.

(3) Position a combat vehicle off the road, but within sight, to deter resistance to soldiers manning the checkpoint. The vehicle should be in a hull-down position and protected by local security. It must be able to engage vehicles attempting to break through or bypass the checkpoint.

(4) Place obstacles in the road to slow or canalize traffic into the search area.

(5) Establish a reserve.

(6) Establish a bypass lane for approved convoy traffic.

(7) Establish wire communications within the checkpoint area to connect the checkpoint bunker, the combat vehicle, the search area, security forces, the rest area, and any other elements involved in the operation.

(8) Designate the search area. If possible, it should be belowground to provide protection against such incidents as the explosion of a booby-trapped vehicle. Establish a parking area adjacent to the search area.

(9) If applicable, checkpoint personnel should include linguists.

(10) Properly construct and equip the checkpoint. Consider inclusion of the following items:

• Barrels filled with sand, concrete, or water (emplaced to slow and canalize vehicles).

• Concertina wire (emplaced to control movement around the checkpoint).

• Secure facilities for radio and wire communications with the controlling headquarters.

• First-aid kit.

• Sandbags for defensive positions.

• Wood or other materials for the checkpoint bunker.

• Binoculars, night vision devices, and or flashlights.

• Long-handled mirrors (these are used in inspections of vehicle undercarriages).

(11) Elements manning a deliberate CP may require access to specialized equipment such as the following:

• Floodlights.

• Duty log.

• Flag and unit sign.

• Barrier pole that can be raised and lowered.

• Generators with electric wire.

(1) Effective SOPs and drills must supplement OPORD information for the convoy, and rehearsals should be conducted if time permits. Additionally, extensive precombat checks (PCCs) and inspections (PCIs) must be conducted, to include inspection of the escorted vehicles. The commander must also ensure that all required coordination is conducted with units and elements in areas through which the convoy will pass.

(2) Before the mission begins, the convoy commander should issue a complete OPORD to all vehicle commanders in the convoy. This is vital because the convoy may itself be task-organized from a variety of units and because some vehicles may not have tactical radios. The order should follow the standard five-paragraph OPORD format; it may place special emphasis on these subjects:

• Inspection of convoy vehicles.

• Route of march (including a strip map for each vehicle commander).

• Order of march.

• Actions at halts (scheduled and unscheduled).

• Actions in case of vehicle breakdown.

• Actions for a break in column.

• Actions in urban areas.

• Actions at danger areas (bridges, road intersections, defiles, and so forth).

• Actions on contact, covering such situations as snipers, enemy contact (including near or far ambush), indirect fire, and minefields.

• Riot drill.

• Refugee control drill.

• Evacuation drill.

• Actions at the delivery site.

• Chain of command.

• Guidelines and procedures for negotiating with local authorities.

• Communications and signal information.

(1) Advance Guard. The advance guard reconnoiters and proofs the convoy route. It searches for signs of enemy activity, such as ambushes and obstacles. Within its capabilities, it attempts to clear the route. The distance and time separation between the advance guard and the main body should be sufficient to provide the convoy commander with adequate early warning before the arrival of the vehicle column; however, the separation should be short enough that the route cannot be interdicted between the passage of the advance guard and the arrival of the main body. The advance guard should be task-organized with reconnaissance elements (wheeled scouts and aerial scouts, if available), combat elements (a tank or mechanized infantry platoon), and mobility assets (an engineer squad and a tank with plow or roller). It should also include linguists, as necessary.

(2) Main Body. The commander may choose to intersperse security elements with the vehicles of the convoy main body. These may include combat elements (including the rear guard), the convoy commander, additional linguists, mobility assets, and medical and maintenance support assets. Depending on METT-TC, the convoy commander may also consider the employment of flank security. The length of the convoy may dictate that he position the accompanying mortars with the main body.

(3) Reserve. In a company team escort mission, the reserve may consist of a tank or mechanized infantry platoon and the attached mortar section, if available. The reserve force will move with the convoy or locate at a staging area close enough to provide immediate interdiction against enemy forces. The supporting headquarters will normally designate an additional reserve, consisting of an additional company team or combat aviation assets, to support the convoy operation.

(1) Actions at an Ambush. An ambush is one of the most effective ways to interdict a convoy. Conversely, reaction to an ambush must be immediate, overwhelming, and decisive. Actions on contact in response to an ambush must be planned for and rehearsed so they can be executed as a drill by all escort and convoy elements; particular attention should be given to fratricide prevention. In almost all situations, the security force will take several specific, instantaneous actions in reacting to an ambush. These steps include the following:

(2) Actions at an Obstacle. Obstacles pose a major threat to convoy security. Obstacles can be used to harass the convoy by delaying it; if the terrain is favorable, the obstacle may stop the convoy altogether. In addition, obstacles can canalize or stop the convoy to set up an enemy ambush. The purpose of route reconnaissance ahead of a convoy is to identify obstacles and either breach them or find bypasses. In some cases, however, the enemy or its obstacles may avoid detection by the reconnaissance element. If this happens, the convoy must take actions to reduce or bypass the obstacle. When an obstacle is identified, the convoy escort faces two problems: reducing or bypassing the obstacle and maintaining protection for the convoy. Security becomes critical, and actions at the obstacle must be accomplished very quickly. The convoy commander must assume that the obstacle is overwatched and covered by enemy fires. To reduce the time the convoy is halted, and thus reduce its vulnerability, these actions should occur when the convoy escort encounters point-type obstacles:

(3) Actions at a Halt. During a short halt, the convoy escort remains at REDCON-1 status regardless of what actions other convoy vehicles are taking. If the halt is for any reason other than an obstacle, the following actions should be taken:

(1) Authority. Authority for search operations should be carefully reviewed. Military personnel must know that they may perform searches only in areas within military jurisdiction or where otherwise lawful. Searches may be conducted only to apprehend suspects or to secure evidence proving an offense has been committed.

(2) Instructions. Search teams should be given detailed instructions for handling controlled items. Lists of prohibited or controlled-distribution items should be widely disseminated and on hand during searches. The military or civil police who work with the populace and the resource control program are contacted before the search operations, or periodically if search operations are a continuing activity. This is normally coordinated by the battalion task force staff. Units must consider the effect of early warning on the effectiveness of their operation.

(3) Interpreters. Language difficulties can interfere when US forces interface with the local populace. Therefore, units given a search mission should be provided with interpreters as required.

(4) Tempo. Search operations are conducted slowly enough to allow for an effective search but rapidly enough to prevent the threat from reacting to the search.

(5) Use of Force. Under normal search conditions, minimum essential force is used to eliminate any active resistance encountered. Some situations may require the full shock effect of speed and surprise and limited violence of action. Company teams should be prepared to clear rooms under precision or high intensity conditions.

(6) Surprise. Searches may be conducted during limited visibility, early morning hours or multiple times to achieve surprise. Searchers should return to a searched area after the initial search to surprise and eliminate targeted individuals, groups, or their leaders who might have either returned or remained undetected during the search.

(7) Establishing a Cordon. Plans should be developed for securing the search area (establishing a cordon) and for handling detained personnel. Checkpoints can be employed to canalize traffic.

(1) Search of Individuals. The fact that anyone in an area to be searched could be an enemy or a sympathizer is stressed in all search operations. However, to avoid making an enemy out of a suspect, searchers must be tactful. The greatest caution is required during the initial handling of a person about to be searched. One member of the search team provides security while another member makes the actual search. Where appropriate, checkpoints are placed which allow controlling individuals with minimum force with maximum security.

(2) Search of Females. The threat may use females for all types of tasks when they think searches might be a threat. To counter this, female searchers should be used. (This should be coordinated by the battalion staff.) If male soldiers must search females, all possible measures must be taken to prevent any inference of sexual molestation or assault. Cultural differences may make this a particular problem, especially in Moslem communities.

(3) Search of Vehicles. Searching of vehicles may require that equipment such as detection devices, mirrors, and tools be made available. Occupants may need to be moved away from vehicles and individually searched, before the vehicle itself is searched. Specially trained dogs may be used to locate drugs or explosives. A thorough search of a vehicle is a time-consuming process. Effect on the population must be considered. A separate vehicle search area should be established to avoid unnecessary delays.

(1) Task Organization. The specific company team task organization will be determined by the factors of METT-TC. A sample company task organization for a cordon and search mission is shown below:

(2) Other Assets. A company team may be given other assets to assist them in this mission based on availability and METT-TC factors. These assets may be included as teams in the security element or they may remain outside the security element, on call. These assets may come from within the battalion task force, or attached or OPCON MP, engineer, CA, PSYOP, MI, or artillery units. Teams that can be formed from these assets include:

• Mine detection team.

• Demolition team.

• Interrogation team.

• Documentation team (utilizes a recorder with a camera).

• Scout dog team.

• PSYOP/CA augmentation team.

• FIST.

• Prisoner team.

• Tunnel reconnaissance team.

• Escort parties.

• Transportation teams.

Additionally, civilians or civilian authorities may assist or support the teams or elements mentioned above.

(3) Establishing a Cordon. An effective cordon is critical to the success of the search effort. Cordons are designed to prevent the escape of individuals to be searched, and to protect the forces conducting the operation. In remote areas, the cordon may be established without being detected. Limited visibility aids can be used in the establishment and security of the cordon.

(4) Conducting the Search. A search of an urban area must be conducted with limited inconvenience to the populace. However, the populace should be inconvenienced enough to discourage targeted individuals and groups and their sympathizers from remaining in the locale, but not enough to drive the rest of the populace to collaborate with belligerents as a result of the search. A large-scale search of the urban area is a combined civil police and military operation. If this occurs, it is normally conducted at battalion task force level or higher. Such a search should be planned in detail and rehearsed. Physical reconnaissance of the area just before a search is avoided. Information needed about the terrain can be obtained from aerial photographs. In larger towns or cities, the local police might have detailed maps showing relative sizes and locations of buildings. For success, the search plan must be simple and the search must be conducted swiftly. The search element conducts the mission assigned for the operation. The element is organized into special teams. These teams can include personnel and special equipment as previously discussed. Three basic methods are used to search the populated area.

(5) Searching a House. Escort parties and transportation must be arranged before the search of a house. The object of a house search is to screen residents to determine if there are any targeted individuals and groups and their sympathizers, and to look for controlled items. A search party assigned to search an occupied building should consist of at least one local policeman, a protective escort (usually infantry), and a female searcher. Forced entry may be necessary if a house is vacant or if an occupant refuses to allow searchers to enter. If a house containing property is searched while its occupants are away, it should be secured to prevent looting. Before US forces depart, the commander should arrange for the community to protect such houses until the occupants return.

(1) The reserve element is a mobile force positioned in a nearby area. Its mission is to help the other two elements if they meet resistance beyond their ability to handle. The reserve element can replace or reinforce either of the two elements if the need arises.

(2) Any objectionable material found, including propaganda signs and leaflets, should be treated as if it were booby-trapped until inspection proves it safe.

(3) Underground and underwater areas should be searched thoroughly. Any freshly excavated ground could be a hiding place. Mine detectors can be used to locate metal objects underground and underwater.

(4) Depending on the factors of METT-TC, a graduated response technique can be employed. This technique uses warnings and progressive amounts of force to obtain compliance. For example, warnings in the native language can be given announcing that some type of force, lethal or nonlethal, will be used in a given amount of time if the occupants do not exit the building.

(5) Before entering the area, psychological operations announcements can be made to encourage inhabitants to leave peacefully. While this technique minimizes collateral damage, it also gives the enemy time to react.

(1) Air assault combat patrols conducting an aerial search can reconnoiter an assigned area or route in search of targeted groups or individuals. When the patrols locate the threat, the patrol may engage it from the air or may land and engage it on the ground. This technique can be useful in urban areas that have open areas and wide streets. If an air defense threat is present, this technique will have limited value.

(2) Use of air assault patrols should be used only in operations when sufficient intelligence is available to justify their use. Even then, such patrols should be used along with ground operations.