CHAPTER 9
COMBAT SERVICE AND SUPPORT
In any military unit, CSS sustains the force during continuous combat operations. The platoon can deploy in the mounted and dismounted roles. In the BFV-equipped infantry platoon, the platoon leader is responsible for CSS; the platoon sergeant is the platoon's main CSS operator. The platoon sergeant works closely with the company team executive officer and first sergeant to ensure the platoon receives the required support for its assigned mission. CSS responsibilities and procedures in the platoon remain basically the same. The company normally forecasts supplies and "pushes" rather than "pulls" them to the platoon.
9-1. INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES
This paragraph focuses on specific individual responsibilities within the platoon's CSS chain.
a. Platoon Sergeant. As the platoon's main CSS operator, the platoon sergeant executes the platoon's logistical plan, based on platoon and company SOPs. The platoon sergeant's CSS duties include:
(1) Rehearsals. He participates in CSS rehearsals at the company level and integrates CSS into the platoon's maneuver rehearsals.
(2) Administrative, Personnel, and Casualty Reports. He receives, consolidates, and forwards all administrative, personnel, and casualty reports to the first sergeant as directed or in accordance with unit SOP.
(3) Pickup and Distribution. He obtains supplies, equipment (except Class VIII), and mail from the supply sergeant, and then he ensures proper distribution.
(4) Evacuation. He supervises evacuation of casualties, EPWs, and damaged equipment.
(5) Manning Roster. He maintains the platoon's manning roster.
b. Squad and Section Leader. Each squad and section leader's CSS duties include:
(1) Maintenance. He ensures crews perform proper maintenance on all assigned equipment.
(2) Personnel and Logistics Reports. He compiles personnel and logistics reports for the platoon and submits them to the platoon sergeant as directed or IAW unit SOP.
(3) Pickup and Distribution. He obtains supplies, equipment (all classes), and mail from the platoon sergeant and ensures proper distribution.
Planning CSS operations is rimarily a company and battalion-level operation. While the company commander nd executive officer plan the operation, the platoon leader is responsible for hi platoon's execution of the plan at squad and vehicle level, and the platoon ergeant executes the plan at platoon level.
a. Development of the CSS Plan. The platoon leader develops his CSS plan by determining exactly what he has on hand to accurately predict his support requirements. This process is important not only in confirming the validity of the CSS plan but also in ensuring the platoon submits support requests as early as possible. The platoon leader formulates his CSS execution plan and submits support requests to the company, based on his maneuver plan.
b. Operational Questions. The CSS plan should provide answers to operational questions such as the following:
(1) Types of Support. Based on the nature of the operation and specific tactical factors, what types of support will the platoon need?
(2) Quantities. In what quantities will this support be required?
(a) Will emergency resupply be required during the battle?
(b) Does this operation require prestock supplies?
(3) Threat. What are the composition, disposition, and capabilities of the expected enemy threat? How will these affect CSS operations during the battle?
(a) Where and when will the expected contact occur?
(b) What are the platoon's expected casualties and vehicle losses based on the nature and location of expected contact?
(c) What impact will the enemy's special weapons capabilities (such as NBC) have on the battle and on expected CSS requirements?
(d) How many EPWs are expected, and where?
(4) Terrain and Weather. How will terrain and weather affect CSS operations during the battle?
(a) What ground will provide the best security for maintenance and CCPs?
(b) What are the platoon's vehicle and casualty evacuation routes?
(c) What are the company's dirty routes for evacuating contaminated personnel, vehicles, and equipment?
(5) Time and Location. When and where will the platoon need CSS?
(a) Based on the nature and location of expected contact, what are the best sites for the CCP?
(b) Where will the EPW collection points be located?
(6) Requirements. What are the support requirements, by element and type of support?
(a) Which section has priority for emergency Class III resupply?
(b) Which section or squad has priority for emergency Class V resupply?
(7) Risk Factor. Will lulls in the battle permit support elements to conduct resupply operations in relative safety? If no lulls are expected, how can the platoon best minimize the danger to the CSS vehicles providing the required support?
(8) Resupply Technique. Based on information developed during the CSS planning process, which resupply technique should the platoon use?
c. Classes of Supply Considerations. The platoon sergeant obtains supplies and delivers them to the platoon. The platoon leader establishes priorities for delivery, but combat demands that Class I, III, V, and IX supplies and equipment take priority, because they are the most critical to successful operations.
(1) Class I. This class includes rations, water, and ice. It also includes gratuitous issue of items related to health, morale, and welfare. The Daily Strength Report triggers an automatic request for Class I supplies. Personnel in the field trains prepare rations and deliver them with the logistics package (LOGPAC). During the initial deployment, soldiers eat meals-ready-to-eat (MREs) stored on combat vehicles. Due to the probability of long lines of communication (LOC) and resupply, the platoon must keep a three-day supply of rations on hand for each soldier at all times.
(2) Class II. This class includes clothing, individual equipment, mission-oriented protective posture (MOPP) suits, tentage, tool sets, and administrative and housekeeping supplies and equipment. The platoon sergeant distributes expendable items such as soap, toilet tissue, and insecticide during LOGPAC operations.
(3) Class III. This class includes POL products. Unusual Class III requests go to the first sergeant and then to the task force combat trains.
(a) POL includes both bulk and packaged products. Examples of bulk products include JP8 (Army common fuel), diesel fuel, and motor gasoline (MOGAS).
(b) Platoon requests and receives Class III products such as 5-gallon and 55-gallon containers, lubricants, grease, hydraulic fluid, cylinders of liquid and compressed gasses, and solvents in amounts of 55 gallons or less.
(4) Class IV. This class includes construction materials, pickets, sandbags, and concertina wire.
(5) Class V. This class covers all types of ammunition and mines, including C4 and other explosives.
(6) Class VI. This class includes personal-demand items normally sold through the exchange system, which can include candy, soaps, cameras, and film.
(7) Class VII. This class includes major end items such as tanks, BFVs, and other vehicles. Battle loss reports trigger the issuance of Class VII items. Ready-to-fight weapons systems go forward with the LOGPAC.
(8) Class VIII. This class covers medical material, including repair parts peculiar to medical equipment and management of blood. The battalion aid station (BAS) resupplies combat lifesaver bags and restocks first-aid kits.
(9) Class IX. This class includes repair parts and documents required for equipment maintenance operations. Repair parts are issued in response to a specific request or are obtained by direct exchange of repairable parts. The latter can include batteries for NVDs and man-portable radios. In combat situations, exchange and cannibalization are normal ways to obtain Class IX items.
(10) Class X. This class includes materials to support nonmilitary programs such as agricultural and economic development. Division level or higher will provide the platoon with instructions for requesting and issuing Class X supplies.
Resupply operations fall into one of three classifications: routine, emergency, or prestock. The platoon SOP specifies cues and procedures for each method. The platoon rehearses resupply operations during platoon training exercises. The actual method selected for resupply in the field depends on METT-TC factors.
a. Routine Resupply. Routine resupply operations cover items in Classes I, III, V, and IX; mail; and other items requested by the platoon. When possible, the platoon should conduct routine resupply daily. Ideally, it does so during periods of limited visibility. BFVs and other large combat vehicles use large amounts of fuel, so the platoon must resupply Class III at every opportunity.
(1) The LOGPAC technique offers a simple, efficient way to accomplish routine resupply operations. The key feature, a centrally organized resupply convoy, originates at the task force trains. The convoy carries all items needed to sustain the platoon for a specific period (usually 24 hours) or until the next scheduled LOGPAC. The task force SOP will specify the LOGPAC's exact composition and march order.
(2) As directed by the commander or XO, the first sergeant establishes the company resupply point. He uses either the service station or tailgate method. He briefs each LOGPAC driver on which method to use. When he has the resupply point ready, the first sergeant informs the commander. The company commander then directs each platoon or element to conduct resupply based on the tactical situation.
(a) The service station (Figure 9-1) method allows vehicles with their squads to move individually, or in small groups, to a centrally located resupply point. Depending on the tactical situation, a vehicle, section, or platoon moves out of its position, conducts resupply operations, and moves back into position. This process continues until the entire platoon has received its supplies. In using this method, vehicles enter the resupply point following a one-way traffic flow. Only vehicles that require immediate maintenance stop at the maintenance holding area. Vehicles move through each supply location. The crews rotate individually to eat, pick up mail and sundries, and refill or exchange water cans. When all platoon vehicles and crews have completed resupply, they move to a holding area. There, time permitting, the platoon leader and the platoon sergeant conduct a precombat inspection (PCI).
Figure 9-1. Service station method.
(b) In assembly areas, the first sergeant normally uses the tailgate method ( Figure 9-2). Combat vehicles remain in their vehicle positions, or they back out a short distance to allow trucks carrying Class III and V supplies to reach them. Individual soldiers rotate through the feeding area. While there, they pick up mail and sundries, and refill or exchange water cans. They centralize and guard any EPW. They take soldiers killed in action (KIA) and their personal effects to the holding area, where the first sergeant assumes responsibility for them.
Figure 9-2. Tailgate method.
b. Emergency Resupply. Occasionally (normally during combat operations), the platoon might have such an urgent need for resupply that it cannot wait for a routine LOGPAC. Emergency resupply could involve NBC equipment as well as Classes III, V, VIII, and water.
c. Prestock Resupply. In defensive operations, and at some other times, as appropriate, the platoon will most likely need restocked supplies, also known as pre-positioned or "cached" resupply. Normally, the platoon only pre-positions Class IV and V items, but they can also pre-position Class III supplies. However, they must refuel platoon vehicles before they move into fighting positions, while first occupying the battle position, or while moving out of their fighting position to refuel.
(1) All levels must carefully plan and execute prestock operations. All leaders, down to vehicle commanders and squad leaders, must know the exact locations of prestock sites. During reconnaissance or rehearsals, they verify these locations. The platoon takes steps to ensure the survivability of the prestocked supplies. These measures include selecting covered and concealed positions and digging in the prestock positions. The platoon leader must have a removal and destruction plan to prevent the enemy from capturing pre-positioned supplies.
(2) During offensive operations, the platoon can pre-position supplies on trucks or BFVs well forward on the battlefield. This works well if the platoon expects to use a large volume of fire, with corresponding ammunition requirements, during a fast-moving operation.
9-4. COMBAT LOAD AND BASIC LOAD
The platoon's combat load varies by mission and includes the supplies physically carried into the fight. The company commander directs some minimum requirements for the combat load. The unit SOP or the platoon leader specifies most items. The basic load includes supplies kept by the platoon for use in combat. The quantity of most basic load supply items depends on how many days in combat the platoon might have to sustain itself without resupply. For Class V ammunition, the higher commander or SOP specifies the platoon's basic load.
Proper maintenance is the key to keeping vehicles, equipment, and other materials in serviceable condition. It is a continuous process starting with preventive measures taken by each vehicle crew and continuing through repair and recovery efforts by higher-level maintenance personnel. Maintenance services include inspecting, testing, servicing, repairing, requisitioning, recovering, and evacuating vehicles and equipment.
When combat begins and casualties occur, the platoon must first provide care for its wounded in action (WIA) soldiers. This initial care is provided by self-aid or buddy-aid. Advanced first aid is provided by the combat lifesaver. BFV commanders and squad leaders arrange for evacuation of WIAs to the CCP. The company normally sets up the CCP in a covered and concealed location to the rear of the platoons. At the company CCP, the medic (trauma specialist) triages all casualties, provides emergency medical treatment, and coordinates for evacuation of patients requiring additional treatment to the battalion aid station.
| NOTE: | Before the platoon evacuates casualties to the CCP or beyond, leaders should remove from the casualties' persons all key operational items and equipment, including signal operating instructions (SOI), maps, position-locating devices, and laser pointers. Every unit should establish an SOP for handling the weapons and ammunition of its WIA. |
The platoon leader designates a location for the collection of personnel KIA. All personal effects remain with the body, but the vehicle commander removes and safeguards any equipment and issue items. He keeps these until he can turn the equipment and issue items over to the platoon sergeant. The platoon sergeant turns over the KIA to the first sergeant. As a rule, the platoon should not transport KIA remains on the same vehicle as wounded soldiers.
Enemy prisoners of war (EPWs) and captured enemy equipment and materiel often provide excellent combat information and intelligence. This information is of tactical value only if the platoon processes and evacuates prisoners and materials to the rear quickly.
a. In any tactical situation, the platoon will have specific procedures and guidelines for handling prisoners and captured material.
(1) The EPW handling procedure—search, segregate, silence, speed, safeguard—includes tagging prisoners using DD Form 2745, (Enemy Prisoner of War Capture Tag) and all captured equipment and materiel using equipment/document capture tags (Figure 9-3).
Figure 9-3. Example equipment/document capture tag.
(2) In addition to initial processing, the capturing element provides guards and transportation to move prisoners to the designated EPW collection points. The capturing element normally carries prisoners on vehicles already heading toward the rear, such as tactical vehicles returning from LOGPAC operations. The capturing element must also feed, provide medical treatment for, and safeguard EPWs until they reach the collection point.
(3) Once the EPWs arrive at the collection point, the platoon sergeant assumes responsibility for them. He provides security for and transports them to the company team EPW collection point. He uses available personnel as guards to include the walking wounded or soldiers moving to the rear for reassignment.
Aerial sustainment is an aviation mission that consists of moving personnel, equipment, material, and supplies by utility, cargo, and fixed-wing assets for use in operations other than air assault or combat support. Overland resupply might not work, due to terrain or the existing enemy threat. The platoon must initiate a request for resupply and must push it through company to battalion. The platoon must prepare to receive the supplies at the specified time and location.
Casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) refers to the transport of casualties aboard nonstandard medical evacuation platforms, which include both ground vehicles and or aircraft. CASEVAC normally involves the process of getting casualties to the company CCP and is overseen by the platoon sergeant and the first sergeant. Under mass casualty situations, the use of nonstandard medical evacuation platforms from supporting CS and CSS units may be necessary to provide CASEVAC.
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