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Chapter 4

NCO CORNER

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BURDEN OF THE FIRST-LINE LEADER

In recent conflicts, and at the Combat Training Centers (CTCs), two contributing factors stand out in the vast majority of fratricide incidents...

-a soldier didn't know where he was on the ground.

-a soldier engaged without positively identifying his target.

All fratricides weigh heavily on the persons directly involved, and the first-line leader will likewise feel a heavy burden of responsibility. Only basic individual and collective training combined with available technology can address these two challenges of situational awareness.

LAND NAVIGATION

Our soldiers must be able to navigate in any terrain. Train them to be confident and technically competent, but also train them to be conscientious and thorough. Anything less is negligence.

Often, fratricide occurs when some leader fails to properly plan navigation and provide for easily obtainable confirmation. When someone says, "I never get lost!," ask to see his dead- reckoning plan, his alternate route, and his preplanned opportunities to confirm by resection or GPS. He probably intends to use terrain association at night, in the jungle. Failure to demand planned navigation is a key mounted and dismounted navigation problem in many units. Anticipate and plan for employing beacons, guides or radars to maneuver in the desert. Likewise, in the mountains, plan to perform resection from key vantage points. When navigation is critical or promises to be difficult, compensate by redundant measures. Redistribute positioning equipment; vector units with thermal sights and GAR; or conduct reconnaissance of routes in advance. The recurring incidence of fratricide in training and combat has underscored this bottom line: Never be Complacent about Navigation! Instill this in your soldiers.

COMBAT IDENTIFICATION

Although combat identification problems have a technological aspect, we leaders can also address the problem. Above and beyond training vehicle ID with flash cards, we can challenge our gunners and vehicle commanders with more realistic preparation. Use models and binoculars in broken terrain with smoke or in variable light conditions. Show partial outlines and photographs with realistic views. Demand more than just friend or foe as many vehicles could be on either side in a future conflict. In the assembly area between operations, view friendly vehicles with thermal sights at various ranges in daytime and at night. Although various quick-fix vehicle ID devices are being tested, experiment with local or SOP means to distinguish friendlies.

SOLDIER AND LEADER EXPERIENCE

Often our least experienced soldiers and junior leaders become the central figures in fratricide. Faced with unfamiliar or uncertain circumstances, they react improperly. This is where your aggressive training program and emphasis on crew integrity can make a difference. Pair new or younger soldiers with more experienced ones. Then make crew drill or battle drills for your outfit a demanding routing under the most realistic conditions you can manage. This will decrease the probability of maneuver and direct fire control problems. Use the techniques in CALL Handbook No. 92-3 to help unseasoned leaders make decisions like veterans.

RECONNAISSANCE AND REPORTING

Victims of fratricide are frequently in elements detached from the main body for reconnaissance or security missions. Although they may know where they are, key players such as the fire support officer, adjacent unit tank commanders, and supporting aircraft may not. Tragedy occurs when leaders don't adequately plan, coordinate and brief these separate missions. Too often, we send the junior man with little specific guidance and no reaction plan for likely contingencies. Whether it be an OP or a LP, a patrol, a quartering party, or a scout section, all should receive at least a complete FRAGO and be confident that all friendlies know their situation. The last remaining safeguard is accurate, continuous reporting from the element as the situation develops.

Extract from CMTC NCO Troop Leading Notes: 7. Issue OPORD: Give the soldier what he needs. Who is to the front, on the left and right and behind me; when do we shoot, what do we shoot at first, when do we get the Hell out of the AO and where do we go when we do; who can I count on to cover my rear; whose rear do I have to cover; where can I go for help, and how do I get them to come to me; who is in charge and when does he take over for the next guy up; how do I get FPFs and artillery, and when; and finally, if everything falls apart, how do we keep communication and where is our fall-back position? 8. Supervise execution of orders: Tell your subordinates what you want, check what they are doing, listen to them, THEN GET AT LEAST TWO HOURS SLEEP! Let your number two guy run things for awhile, then relieve him so he can sleep. Enforce your sleep plan, day or night, but keep improving your situation. Make absolutely certain that someone is in charge and knows he is in charge. If someone else comes into your area (like a bulldozer or the Division CSM), put your next best guy in charge of him, and keep a grip on him all the time until he moves on to the next area and is handed off to them. NO ONE WANDERS YOUR BATTLEFIELD AREA ALONE, NOT EVER, not your men, strangers, support elements, Red Cross Candy Stripers, NOBODY....

Table of Contents
Vignette: Operation JUST CAUSE: Air Support
Vignette: Combat Training Center (CTC)