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Needs Emphasis

TREND 1: Engineer force understanding of maneuver operations. Combat Engineer Companies do not understand how to maneuver and employ weapons systems as a unit or as part of a larger maneuver element.

PROBLEMS:

1. Although engineer companies possess a significant amount of fire power, they seldom establish fire control measures for M2's, MK19's, AT4's or attached M1A1 tanks (plow or roller tanks).
2. Engineer units lack understanding of mounted or dismounted movement formations both at company and platoon level, and do little, if any, actions on contact planning during OPORD development.
3. Engineer Company Commanders are not sufficiently competent to assume the duty as Breach Force Commander, if the supported maneuver commander task organizes Engineers to that role.

Techniques:

1. Combat Engineer leaders must incorporate FM 5 - 71 - 2, appendix E and FM 71-123 chapters 3 & 4 into their leadership development training.
2. Leaders should incorporate force protection training into every training event.
3. Leaders should ensure there is some company collective maneuver training planned and executed each quarter.

(TA.1 Maneuver)

TREND 2: Movement formations and techniques.

PROBLEMS:

1. Task forces and company/teams do not use movement formations in conjunction with movement techniques.
2. Units only discuss the movement formation they will use while they are moving.

RESULT: Too many elements make contact while using the traveling technique, often in a column formation.

Technique: Plan movement formations in conjunction with movement techniques. Transition to a more secure movement technique as the likelihood of enemy contact increases. Leader control of formations and the selection and execution of appropriate movement techniques should be the start point for maneuver training. FMs 7-7, 71-2 and 71-1 are clear on how to use movement formations and techniques. Units need to train and use the tactics and techniques discussed in these FMs.

(TA.1.1 Move)

TREND 3: Task Force use of dismounted infantry in scheme of maneuver.

PROBLEMS:

1. Task forces do not effectively use their dismounted infantry.
2. Infantry soldiers are often not integrated into the scheme of maneuver.
3. Because of a lack of clear task and purpose, too often infantry soldiers are not used in conjunction with the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV).
4. When soldiers do dismount from the Bradley, they are too often unprepared to accomplish their mission.
   • They leave essential equipment (radios, AT weapons, etc.) behind
   • They are unfamiliar with the tactical situation
   • They are unsure of what they are to accomplish
5. Most infantry squads are untrained and are unfamiliar with infantry drill, as specified in FM 7-7; they often fail to use even a movement formation or technique.

Technique: Units use every possible Home Station training opportunity to train dismounted infantry drills and train their infantry in conjunction with BFV, not as a separate unit. Use the techniques discussed in FM 7-7.

(TA.1.1.1 Position/Reposition Forces (Units and Equipment)

TREND 4: Brigade Support Area (BSA) Target Reference Points.

PROBLEMS:

1. The S3 seldom develops sectors of fire using target reference points (TRPs) that can be seen in the hours of darkness.
2. S2/S3s ARE choosing engagement areas (EAs) from a TOC vehicle versus being on the ground to meet the requirement.

RESULTS:

1. When units do not use TRPs, they do not have interlocking fires and engagement areas.
2. S2/S3s that choose the engagement area for the unit cause lack of coverage, confusion for the unit and soldiers, and the possibility of fratricide incidents.

Technique: Each vehicle should carry one TRP.

• Materials for the TRP:
  • two 6 foot long pickets
  • a 3' x 3' piece of target cloth
  • 2 scrap pieces of wood

• Construction:
  • secure two scrap pieces of wood into the U-shaped portion of the pickets with screws
  • staple the target cloth to scrap pieces of wood
  • post a nail into each of the top corners of the TRP for hanging infra-red (IR) chemlights

(TA.1.2.1 Employ Direct-fire)

TREND 5: Actions on contact. Units often do not plan for or rehearse actions on contact.

PROBLEMS:

1. No execution of effective actions on contact to enemy combat multipliers.
2. Reaction to enemy contact often consists of halting in place and attempting to return fire, often at targets beyond maximum effect ranges.

RESULTS:

1. Units end up driving into enemy kill sacks.
2. Units are often destroyed in platoon or company "sets."

Techniques:

1. Action on contact drills are adequately discussed in the doctrinal manuals. Units need to practice the actions on contact at Home Station so that they become drills for the unit.
2. Company/Teams must understand how the enemy will employ his combat multipliers and then develop SOPs to focus their training on reactions to multiple forms of contact to maximize force protection.

(TA.1.2.2 Conduct Close Combat)

Table of Contents

Intelligence BOS, Part 2

Fire Support BOS