NTC Trends Compendium, No. 99-1, Jan 99, 3QFY97 through 2QFY98

SECTION III - POSITIVE PERFORMANCE TRENDS

INTELLIGENCE BOS (TA.5)

TREND 1
SUBJECT: Understanding the IPB process

Observation frequency:	3-4QFY97	1-2QFY98	3-4QFY98	1-2QFY99	3-4QFY99
	0	0	1	1	1

3-4QFY98

OBSERVATION 1: Task force S2s consistently demonstrate thorough knowledge of the IPB process and the products needed during various steps of the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP). (TA.5.2.1)

DISCUSSION:

1. S2s understand terrain analysis, how the enemy fights, and enemy capabilities and weaknesses.

2. S2s are familiar with templates required during the MDMP.

1-2QFY99

OBSERVATION 1: The scout platoon leader was able to take terrain and enemy situation and refine it at platoon level to plan OP positions and routes into sector. (TA.5.2.1)

DISCUSSION: None.

3-4QFY99

OBSERVATION 1: (Repeat of Observation 1, 1-2QFY99)

RECOMMENDED SUSTAINMENT TECHNIQUES
for Understanding the IPB Process

1. Task force commanders and staffs should conduct IPB exercises at Home Station to give the S2 and staff experience in the process and products needed.

2. Continue training these skills at the MIOBC and MIAOBC, and place the best and brightest intelligence officers in S2 positions.

3. Continue to do IPB at platoon level.

4. Train subordinate leaders in the IPB process to assist them in section and squad level planning. The greater the detail, the better the understanding for subordinate leaders.

COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT BOS (TA.7)

TREND 1
SUBJECT: PMCS/Company Maintenance Team

Observation frequency:	3-4QFY97	1-2QFY98	3-4QFY98	1-2QFY99	3-4QFY99
	0	0	0	2	2

1-2QFY99

OBSERVATION 1: Attaching a habitual company maintenance team to the airborne/air assault/antitank company provides forward repair and recovery capability. (TA.7.3.2)

DISCUSSION: Battalion maintenance sections that attach a two-man maintenance contact team (on a cargo HMMWV with tools and some parts) to D Company can ensure "repair and recovery are completed as far forward as possible and at the lowest capable echelon." (FM 7-20, pg. 8-15) This habitual company maintenance team is always immediately available to the company to verify and assess all faults found on its vehicles. Many of these vehicles are repaired and returned as mission capable well within the standard two-hour timeline for on-site repairs.

OBSERVATION 2: Operator PMCS of weapon systems is normally conducted daily in the light task force/battalion. (TA.7.3.2.1)

DISCUSSION: The operators of the battalion/task force's weapon systems conduct PMCS a minimum of once daily. O/Cs observed that few maintenance faults occurred due to a lack of proper PMCS. This is a strong example of "preventive" maintenance.

3-4QFY99

OBSERVATION 1: (Repeat of Observation 1, 1-2QFY99)

OBSERVATION 2: (Repeat of Observation 2, 1-2QFY99)

RECOMMENDED SUSTAINMENT TECHNIQUES
for PMCS/Company Maintenance Team

1. Employ the concept of using a dedicated, habitual slice company maintenance team attached to AT D Company during tactical operations. The purpose of this team must be "to provide a quick-fix capability for those items that can be repaired in less than two hours and recovery capability for those items requiring more extensive repairs." (FM 71-123 pg. 8-33)

2. Leaders throughout the task force need to reinforce to their soldiers the tangible benefits of conducting a proper PMCS in accordance with their operator TMs at least once daily.

COMMAND AND CONTROL BOS (TA.4)

TREND 1
SUBJECT: Forward Support Battalion (FSB) TOC Operations

Observation frequency:	3-4QFY97	1-2QFY98	3-4QFY98	1-2QFY99	3-4QFY99
	0	0	0	1	1

1-2QFY99

OBSERVATION 1: TOCs have had various configurations, based on METT-T, which provide the best environment for battle tracking and TOC operations. (TA.4.1.2)

DISCUSSION: None.

3-4QFY99

OBSERVATION 1: (Repeat of Observation 1, 1-2QFY99)

RECOMMENDED SUSTAINMENT TECHNIQUES
for Forward Support Battalion (FSB) TOC Operations

Continue to train and sustain the TOC configuration operation.

TREND 2
SUBJECT: Communications

Observation frequency:	3-4QFY97	1-2QFY98	3-4QFY98	1-2QFY99	3-4QFY99
	0	1	1	0	1

3-4QFY98

OBSERVATION 1: Task force signal and communications teams consistently and adequately install tactical communications in the frequency hopping and single channel modes. (TA.4.1.2)

DISCUSSION: Task force retransmission teams are usually technically and tactically proficient at VHF-FM communications.

3-4QFY99

OBSERVATION 1: Valuable knowledge has been gained on LOS planning and installation of radio transmission links. (TA.4.1.2)

DISCUSSION: Signal companies have learned how valuable signal site reconnaissance is to planning LOS links. Often, after profiling several links, discrepancies are found and corrected between the digital SCC profile and the terrain as seen by the soldiers on-site. For example, in several cases, the SCC profile indicated a radio link would have clear LOS but actually the antenna ended up pointing directly into a mountain. Other times the digital profile indicated the link would not work but when tested the link worked.

RECOMMENDED TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES
for Communications

1. Continue the training methods used to achieve the current level of proficiency.

2. Signal companies should continue to conduct training on planning LOS links and continue to train leaders and soldiers on conducting detailed signal site reconnaissance.

3. Teach the S3 section to use the SCC only as a tool and increase confidence in key leaders conducting signal site recon.

4. Train planners on verifying digital profiles with manual LOS analysis.

TREND 3
SUBJECT: PCCs and Troop Leading

Observation frequency:	3-4QFY97	1-2QFY98	3-4QFY98	1-2QFY99	3-4QFY99
	0	0	0	3	2

1-2QFY99

OBSERVATION 1: Medical platoon leaders often demonstrate flexibility and proactive support in response to condensed timelines and multiple changes in task force orders. (TA.4.4)

DISCUSSION: Medical platoon leaders often develop and sustain an effective hasty orders/wargaming process and modified rehearsal technique, which is clearly understood by subordinates. PCCs and PCIs are usually conducted to standard. Medical platoons maintain a high degree of motivation throughout each rotation.

OBSERVATION 2: Platoon section sergeants and squad leaders are conducting quality PCCs prior to receiving the platoon leader's OPORD. (TA.4.4.4)

DISCUSSION: The scout platoon NCOs normally receive a quality WARNO from the platoon leader, allowing the section sergeants to conduct PCCs of their sections prior to the platoon leader issuing his OPORD.

OBSERVATION 3: The soldiers in the TOC are usually well disciplined and eager to ensure mission accomplishment. (TA.4.4.4)

DISCUSSION: Soldier discipline and motivation in the TOC is usually high. Most soldiers are well trained in the tear-down and set-up of the physical aspects of the TOC.

3-4QFY99

OBSERVATION 1: (Repeat of Observation 1, 1-2QFY99)

OBSERVATION 2: (Repeat of Observation 2, 1-2QFY99)

RECOMMENDED SUSTAINMENT TECHNIQUES
for PCCs and Troop Leading

1. Sustain effective TLP and incorporate formal process into unit TACSOPs and training events. Publish timelines and critical tasks. Delegate responsibility to subordinate leaders.

2. The task force TOC/staff should continue to give WARNOs with sufficient detail to allow the scout platoon leader to issue a quality WARNO to his platoon. This allows the scout platoon section sergeants to conduct PCCs prior to receiving their OPORD and also allows the task force to expedite the deployment of reconnaissance.

3. Continue to train and sustain soldier discipline, motivation, and TOC operations.

Section II - Trends Frequency Matrix

Section IV - Needs Emphasis Trends: Intelligence BOS (TA.5)

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