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Part of training hard and training realistically is the use of combined arms rehearsals. Rehearsals must be an integral part of conducting any tactical mission. When conducting breach operations -- which is considered one of the hardest missions to plan and synchronize -- good rehearsals become doubly important.

According to FM 101-5, Appendix G, there are five types of rehearsals:

Combined arms rehearsals that include battle drill rehearsals are the best for rehearsing breach operations because of the numerous systems involved. The combined arms rehearsal is conducted once the subordinate units have issued their OPORDs. Although the combined arms rehearsal is the preferred type for ensuring synchronization with the breach, battle drill or SOP rehearsals should also be conducted at subordinate levels. This list shows some of the battle drill or SOP rehearsals that subordinate units should rehearse before the combined arms rehearsal.

Normally, Brigade-level breach rehearsals are conducted using terrain models, rather than a full mounted rehearsal becauseof time and the size of the unit. This is never the preferred method, but sometimes factors drive us to it. But even using a terrain model, the same level of detail must be incorporated to ensure a thorough understanding. We must force ourselves to spend the extra time in the rehearsal to get into the details. We should never hear, "And here is where we will do the SOSRA thing," or "And now we will breach" again.

The rehearsal must be a combined arms effort and include all breach participants -- maneuver forces (infantry and armor), engineers, artillery support, military police support, smoke platoon, and air defense assets. C2aspects must be identified before the rehearsal (for example, MPs may be attached to the engineers to assist in traffic control at the breach site). If time is an issue, the commander has the options to: one, prioritize tasks to be rehearsed (starting with the most critical); two, use war-gaming techniques to focus in only on the critical points; or, three, choose a short rehearsal technique (backbrief or rock drill). Based on FM 3-34.2, there are generally six techniques used:

The commander must select the rehearsal technique. A full dress rehearsal provides the most detailed understanding of the mission, but it is also the most time and resource consuming. The rehearsal should be conducted under the same conditions as the actual operation - terrain, weather, time of day, use of live munitions -- and on the same type of obstacle units are expected to face. This requires prior preparation for building a "rehearsal obstacle" that mirrors the type of obstacle expected on the battlefield. Another suggestion is to do a terrain model rehearsal prior to a full-scale rehearsal. This will help participants better understand the tasks, conditions, and standards before rehearsing at full speed.

A mounted full-scale rehearsal gives all participants the best feel for time and space across the battlefield. The support force can watch the breach force, identify support-by-fire positions, and finalize lift fire or shift fire cues. The breach force rehearses their breach drill the same way they will conduct it on the mission, as well as identify any modifications to the drill based on METT-TC. The assault force understands the signals for completion of the breach, as well as the lane marking (again, this is all rehearsed against a full-scale obstacle). It also allows the artillery to synchronize suppression and obscuration fires, and the MPs to establish their TCP procedures.

The most commonly used techniques are the reduced force and the terrain model. The reduced force, like the full dress, is resource intensive. It is a mounted rehearsal using only key personnel, but should still be rehearsed against a full-size obstacle replicating what they expect to see. The advantage that here is that all the troops are not involved; therefore, TLPs, and battle drill or SOP rehearsals can be taking place at the same time.

If using the terrain model, ensure that it also replicates the actual SITTEMP. Show BPs and obstacles and discuss in detail the breach operation. This is a good rehearsal technique to use prior to conducting a higher level rehearsal such as the reduced force or full dress.

The rehearsal should also incorporate contingencies. For example, what happens if the MICLIC misfires? Who assumes responsibility for marking the lane if the primary squad is destroyed? What happens if the plow tank is destroyed in the breach lane? Everyone involved must know what to do in these situations. This will reduce confusion on the battlefield.

When conducting the rehearsal, the commander must enforce standards. The rehearsal is not the place to war-game the mission and make unnecessary changes. If the breach SOP is to emplace two lanes, do that in the rehearsal. The schedule should allow enough time for more than one iteration. If changes based on METT-TC need to be made, ensure everyone is informed and that those changes are rehearsed. After completing each rehearsal, conduct an after-action review (AAR), assess the performance, solve any problems that arise, incorporate any changes, and then run through it one more time. Subordinates must provide feedback to the commander in their particular BOS (i.e., using mortar smoke instead of artillery smoke to conceal the breach site).

Lane marking is commonly misunderstood. A way to overcome this shortfall is to set up a lane through which everyone has to move. It could be at an LRP, adjacent to the rehearsal area, or just outside the assembly area or assault position. Keep it set up during the planning and preparation phases, but ensure that subordinate leaders explain what it is and the purpose of it. If soldiers see it prior to the actual mission, they are more apt to drive through the lane instead of into the obstacle.

Probably the biggest reason rehearsals are not conducted, or, they are conducted at a reduced level, is because of time. Below is an example of a possible timeline. It highlights the challenge facing units. When staffs base planning on the 1/3 - 2/3 rule, they generally do not consider rehearsals as part of their time. The planning time should be less that one third to account for the time that will be taken for rehearsals. The rehearsal window tends to be very small and is reduced even further when you factor in the time of limited visibility. Commanders at all levels must ensure that timelines are well thoughtout and rigorously enforced.

In summary, rehearsals are the most important tool to ensure synchronization of breach operations. If rehearsals are not conducted to standard, then we are just wasting valuable time. Regardless of the technique used, we must have all the participants present, rehearse to standard, write the AAR after the rehearsal, incorporate any necessary changes, and then run through it again. A commander once said, "A plan with an 80-percent solution that is well-rehearsed is preferable to a 100-percent solution with no rehearsal time."