SECTION II
A SUCCESSFUL MSE NETWORK BY THE NUMBERSChapter 2: PREPARATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL MSE NETWORK
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RECEPTION, STAGING, ONWARD MOVEMENT AND INTEGRATION (RSOI)
Reception, Staging, Onward movement and Integration (RSOI) is a week-long event. It covers everything that must get accomplished upon arrival to a theater of operations. Everything from downloading equipment to drawing ammunition, and supplies. The mission of the Signal Company during RSOI week is two-fold. The Signal Company must prepare for combat operations, and they must also support the Brigade Combat Team's communication requirements.
The goal of RSOI is to build combat power. As signal leaders, our contribution to building combat power is building communications power. Below are some considerations for planning and executing RSOI week.
1. Is equipment prioritized during rail operations? Are the Node Center Switch vans loaded on different rail cars, or have we put all our critical assets on one rail car?
2. Do operators complete PMCS of systems after rail download? Don't forget to include Vehicles, Trailers, Generators, Radios, MSE Communications Systems, DNVTs, MSRTs, UXC-7 FAX, and TACLAN Computers.
3. Is a complete SWITCHEX performed? Are all SENs, NCs, FESs, and LENs put in system? Is a load put on the system?
4. Are all LOS systems tested? Are all stacks in all LOSV3s and LOSV1s put in system? Are all SHF shots put in system?
5. Are all RAUs put in system with GLUs affiliated, RAU markers turned on, and MSRTs affiliated?
6. Was a complete COMMEX scheduled and performed to include all user-owned and -operated equipment (both internal and external to the SIG CO)?
7. Is a RAU filling station established? Is a log kept to identify whose MSRTs are checked out?
8. Is an accurate phone book published? Does it contain accurate MILIDs for EPLRs?
9. Are all classes of supplies required on hand or on order? What is the plan to pick up supplies? You must account for water, fuel, ammunition, and other classes of supplies.
10. Are all weapons systems zeroed with MILES?
11. Are the appropriate vehicles getting their MILES installed?
12. Signal Planning:
Figure 13. Troop-Leading Procedures (U.S. Army, 1992).
THE SWITCH EXERCISE (SWITCHEX)
The SWITCHEX conducted during RSOI is critical to the success of the entire rotation. Whether deploying to NTC or anywhere in the world, the process is the same. The SWITCHEX must be thoroughly planned before arriving at NTC. The SWITCHEX is really a misnomer. It is better to think of it as the MSE Signal Company internal COMMEX. It must be complete and test every system, every radio, every antenna, every cable, everything.
The SYSCON and Platoons must track the status of the SWITCHEX. Upon completion of the SWITCHEX, priorities must be set to repair, replace or redistribute equipment. It is much easier for communications-electronics personnel to repair broke systems during RSOI week because everything is generally collocated. Once signal teams deploy with their supported units, maintenance personnel will have a two- to three-hour drive between sites. Listed at Figures 14a and 14b are examples of a SWITCHEX timeline and a tracking mechanism that can be used during the MSE Company SWITCHEX.
Figure 14a. MSE SWITCHEX Timeline: "A Way."
Figure 14b. MSE SWITCHEX Tracking Chart: "A WAY."
PRE-COMBAT CHECKS AND PRE-COMBAT INSPECTIONS
The pre-combat checks and pre-combat inspections should be done by all teams daily. Remote RAU and relay teams can model their PCC/PCI checklist after the FM Retrans PCC/PCI found in Part I and in FM 11-43, The Signal Leader's Guide. Some signal teams do not move often, but they must still conduct PCCs and PCIs to ensure they are ready for upcoming missions.
Listed at Figure 15 are items that often get overlooked:
| MAINTENANCE/LOGISTICS | |
| 5988Es COMPLETED | |
| 5988Es TURNED IN | |
| GENERATORS SERVICED | |
| AOAP/OIL CHANGED | |
| VEHICLE DISPATCHED | |
| WEAPONS CLEANED/PMCS | |
| COMSEC INVENTORY | |
| CL III ON HAND | |
| CL 1/WATER/ICE ON HAND | |
| LIST ALL BAD EQUIPMENT (DOWN TO THE CABLE) | |
| SITE DEFENSE | |
| SOLDIERS HAVE ASSIGNED FIGHTING POSITIONS | |
| SOLDIERS HAVE SURVIVABILITY POSITIONS | |
| SURVIVABILITY POSITIONS HAVE 18" OF OVERHEAD COVER | |
| SOLDIERS KNOW CASUALTY COLLECTION POINT/CASEVAC PLAN | |
| M8 ALARMS IN PLACE/OPERATIONAL | |
| SOLDIERS KNOW SIGNAL FOR GAS | |
| SOLDIERS KNOW SIGNAL FOR GROUND ATTACK | |
| GUARDS HAVE NVGs/BINOs/COMMO | |
| COMBAT LIFESAVERS HAVE COMPLETE CLS BAGS | |
| SOLDIERS HAVE CL V (AMMO) | |
| FORCE PROTECTION REHEARSALS CONDUCTED | |
| SITUATIONAL AWARENESS | |
| SOLDIERS KNOW THE BRIGADE'S MISSION | |
| SOLDIERS KNOW THE BRIGADE'S LD/FEBA | |
| SOLDIERS KNOW THE LD/DEF TIME | |
| SOLDIERS KNOW CORRECT MOPP POSTURE | |
| SOLDIERS KNOW THE CHALLENGE AND PASSWORD | |
| SOLDIERS KNOW THE BRIGADE COMMANDER'S PIR | |
| SOLDIERS BRIEFED OFF A MAP WITH BRIGADE MANEUVER GRAPHICS | |
| SOLDIERS CAN POINT IN DIRECTION OF ENEMY | |
| SOLDIERS KNOW WEAPONS CONTROL STATUS AND WHAT IT MEANS | |
| SOLDIERS CAN IDENTIFY OPFOR A/C FROM BLUEFOR AIRCRAFT | |
| SOLDIERS KNOW THE NEAREST AID STATION/AXP | |
| SOLDIERS KNOW WHERE THE DECON POINT IS | |
| SOLDIERS KNOW THE BLUEFOR MSR | |
| LOS OPERATORS KNOW THEIR LATEST R-6 STATUS | |
| RISK ASSESSMENT | |
| RISK ASSESSMENT WRITTEN AND BRIEFED AT TEAM/SECTION/PLATOON/COMPANY LEVELS | |
| NODE CENTER CP | |
| HAVE CURRENT TECH DATA POSTED | |
| NMF HAS NETWORK DIAGRAM POSTED | |
| NMF HAS DATABASE POSTED | |
| NMF HAS R1-R6 REPORT POSTED | |
| NMF HAS ALL PERSONNEL ACCOUNTED FOR | |
| NMF HAS CURRENT EQUIPMENT STATUS | |
| NMF ACCOUNTS FOR ALL SENSITIVE ITEMS INCLUDING EXTENSIONS | |
| SITE DIAGRAM/SITE DEFENSE PLAN POSTED | |
| GUARD ROSTERS POSTED | |
| PATROL PLAN DEVELOPED AND POSTED | |
| BCT MISSION AND INTENT POSTED | |
| BCT CDR'S PIR POSTED | |
| FRIENDLY SITUATION KNOWN | |
| CHALLENGE AND PASSWORD POSTED | |
| BATTLE MAP WITH GRAPHICS POSTED | |
| MOPP POSTURE/NBC THREAT POSTED | |
| AIR THREAT AND WCS POSTED |
REHEARSALS
Practice! Practice! Practice! The more rehearsals conducted, the better the operation. There are numerous types of rehearsals and they can all be employed while at the NTC.
The Signal Rock Drill. Usually this rehearsal is conducted during RSOI week and again in preparation for live-fire operations. It is used when the plan calls for major network changes that must be well synchronized. Typically, all team leaders gather around a terrain board. The S3, S2, and Company Commander lead the rehearsal. All teams brief how their part supports the plan. Refer to FM 101-5, Staff Organization and Operations, for details.
The Brigade Combat Team conducts a Combined Arms Rehearsal (CAR) before every mission. The Signal Company Commander and SYSCON must attend if they are to stay abreast of current changes to the maneuver plan. It is wise to have remote teams that are deploying with other units attend these rehearsals as well. For example, if a remote RAU team is moving with a Task Force or through their sector, they should attend that Task Force's rehearsals.
Force Protection Rehearsal. This type of rehearsal is a drill conducted at signal sites. Platoons and sections must drill their soldiers on site defense procedures, reaction to artillery, air strike, chemical attack. These drills should be conducted both during the day and at night.
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