FOREWORD
All S2s at the battalion and brigade level who train at the Combat Training Centers (CTCs) want to do well and ensure mission success for their units. The Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB) process drives the entire Tactical Decision-Making Process (TDMP). IPB provides the basis for defining the courses of action (COAs) available to the friendly commander and drives the wargaming process that integrates and synchronizes the COA which, ultimately, leads to a staff recommendation to the commander. A good IPB is critical to the success of a unit's mission. Without the staff developing, integrating, and synchronizing IPB products with the TDMP, the likelihood of a successful mission is remote.
The S2 is, and should be, the focal point to track the enemy situation. He should know the enemy's doctrine, organization, tactics and capabilities for all the Battlefield Operating Systems (BOSs) from the Army to the Motorized Rifle Platoon. In contingency operations, the S2 should also be knowledgeable of all aspects of the warring factions including their force structure. Simultaneously, the S2 must have nearly the same proficiency and knowledge as the S3 on friendly operations to synchronize intelligence and combat operations with enemy actions. However, intelligence sections are usually understaffed and overworked. IPB is not just the responsibility of the S2. He needs the assistance of the entire staff. During the early stages of mission analysis, the S2 and S3 are very busy. Frequently, other staff sections are not as busy. These staff personnel need to assist the S2 with the IPB process during mission analysis. Each staff officer should analyze their specific BOS and provide that analysis to the S2. In this way, the expertise of the entire staff is used to help develop better IPB to support the commander and the TDMP.
Historically,
at the combat training centers (CTCs), staff integration and Reconnaissance
and Surveillance planning are two problem areas within the IPB process. This
newsletter discusses some common problems that brigade and battalion S2s experience
at the CTCs. It provides recommended techniques and procedures that commanders
and S2s can implement to fix these problems. This newsletter builds upon TTPs
already discussed in CALL
Newsletter 93-3, The
Battalion and Brigade Battle Staff, CTC
Quarterly Bulletin 95-4, Brigade
and Battalion Task Force Planning Process, CALL
Newsletter 95-7, TOC
Operations, and
CALL Newsletter 95-12, Tactical
Decision Making: "Abbreviated Planning."
EDWARD
J. FITZGERALD III
COL,
IN
Director,
Center for Army Lessons Learned
Section
I: Doctrinal Overview
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