by CPT Matthew T. Higginbotham and CPT Roger M. Bober, CMTC
Brigade staffs and support battalions have found that tenants' meetings in the BSA provide excellent opportunities to integrate all tenants into BSA operations and synchronize the base defense, administrative requirements, and both internal and direct support logistical operations. Additionally, these meetings assist support battalions in exercising two critical METL tasks (protecting and sustaining the force). Currently, no doctrinal references define tenants' meetings, but most support battalions deployed to the CMTC conduct them. This article offers a framework for planning and conducting a BSA tenant's meeting.
TENANT'S MEETING PLAN
1. Pre-Mission Preparation (Support Battalion). The S2/S3 and support operations officer should develop and distribute a tenant's meeting package prior to deployment. It should outline all personnel and administrative requirements for executing the meeting, and include a tenant meeting site setup (sample at Figure 1). Using the Battalion Commander's guidance, current administrative field packing list, and the tenant meeting site setup, the staff must anticipate meeting requirements and plan to pack essential equipment. A suggested list of required items includes:
a.
Battalion-updated FSOP.
b.
Map boards (one map for base defense plan, one for operational and CSS graphics).
c.
Chairs.
d.
Butcher board.
e.
Name cards.
f.
Pens, markers and podium, if available.
g.
Light set.
h.
Stove.
i.
Tent (GP medium, ARFAB, or other)
j.
Overlay paper.
Figure 1. TENANT'S MEETING SITE SETUP
2. Pre-Mission Preparation (with Tenants). Prior to any deployment, support battalions should coordinate with all BSA occupants. Tenants must clearly understand their critical responsiblities during operations. This includes:
a.
Support
Battalion FSOP.
All
tenants should receive a copy of the support battalion's FSOP highlighting
critical support battalion field operations. This FSOP is the BSA standard
for internal operations. Tenants should focus on information regarding base
defense and logistics (internal and DS). They must understand how the FSB operates
as the Base Cluster Operations Center (BCOC). A joint OPD, NCOPD or leader's
meeting will clarify expectations and requirements.
b.
Information
required
at
each tenant's meeting. Ensure these information requirements are identified
in the battalion FSOP. Issues for the tenant's meeting appendix of the FSOP
may include:
(DAILY)
(1) Updates of the defense plan, by BOS.
(2) Forecasting for all classes of supply for 24, 48 and possibly 72
hours out.
(3) Current combat power status, and pacing item status.
(4) Shortfalls in respective unit DS support.
c.
Battle
drills.
Tenant units must understand their duties and responsibilities for self defense
and collective defense of the BSA. Reaction to snipers, mine strike and indirect
fires requires standardization. Review battle drills daily, based on threat.
CONDUCT THE MEETING
1. After deploying and occupying the BSA, the support battalion establishes the tenants' meeting site.
a.
The S2/S3 publishes
meeting
times and location.
b.
The forward support battalion (FSB) commander
supervises
the
meeting. Support battalion commanders must determine how long tenants' meetings
should last. One hour is standard. The supply and maintenance portion of the
meeting may last longer, but the majority of tenants are back to business.
c.
The battalion XO
conducts
the
meeting, takes roll-call, and introduces key personnel.
d.
The S2/S3 integrates
any
new tenants and conducts
an FSOP orientation.
2. Adjustments to the task organization occur as new tenants arrive in the BSA. Examples of additional units to the BSA include MPs, chemical and ADA.
MEETING OUTLINE AND CONTENT
1. Introduction. The battalion XO introduces key personnel and new additions.
2. Purpose and Agenda. The battalion XO reviews the purpose and agenda.
a.
The
purpose
statement
defines
the support battalion commander's intent for the meeting. The tenants' meeting
is not a command and staff meeting, but focuses on specific tenant information.
An example purpose statement may read:
| "The purpose of this meeting is to coordinate the execution of BSA defense operations, discuss tenant administrative issues, followed by synchronization of the logistical operations for the brigade combat team." |
b.
Agenda.
A
typical meeting agenda includes:
(1) The brigade's current mission statement.
(2) The brigade task organization.
(3) Current enemy situation.
(4) Current friendly situation.
(5) BSA Base Defense Operations.
(6) BSA Administrative Operations.
(7) Brigade Logistics Synchronization.
3. Content.
a.
The
brigade's current mission statement.
This
includes orientation to operational and CSS overlays.
b.
The
brigade task organization. Here,
the S2/S3 will also cover proposed and current tenants in the BSA.
c.
Current
enemy situation.
(1) The S2/S3 will highlight any changes in the level of enemy conventional forces and intentions.
(2) Discussion of enemy activity since the last tenants' meeting, emphasizing local events affecting the BSA. This may include unconventional operations, sniper activity, mortar attacks, or mine discovery.
(3) Civilian situation. This may include the number and type of requests for assistance, the demographics of the local population, current status of relations between friendly forces and locals.
(4) Weather (last 24, next 24, extended 3-day forecast).
d.
Current
friendly situation. A
brief update on disposition of friendly forces and locations.
e.
BSA
Base Defense Operations. The
battalion S2/S3 plans and coordinates the base defense. The base defense portion
of the meeting consists of synchronizing all tenants responsibilities through
the battlefield operating systems. This is an on-going process. Tenants constantly
improve defensive positions and submit daily updates to the support battalion
S2/S3. The S2/S3 prepares a timeline for planning,
preparing, and executing the
base defense plan. This timeline includes completing a hasty defensive plan,
making a tentative plan, synchronizing the plan, completing the plan, and rehearsing.
(1) Hasty defense plan. The S2/S3 presents the tenants with a hasty battalion sector sketch based on previously compiled information. This plan consists of the battalion commander's intent, battalion FSOP, and information received from tenant units. Next, the S2/S3 establishes when tenants should submit updates on locations of fighting positions, crew-served weapons and other critical information as dictated in the FSOP.
(2) Tentative plan. Using the five-paragraph operations order and the BOS framework, the S2/S3 makes a tentative plan based on continuous tenant defense information including: (Note: This list serves as an example only; METT-T drives planning requirements.)
(a) Intelligence. Determines overlay requirements and input responsibilities. Continues the intelligence preparation of the battlefield. Establishes reconnaissance and surveillance operations with input from relevant task-organized tenants (e.g., military police).
(b) Maneuver. Identifies reaction forces. Assigns sectors and tasks to subordinate units.
c)
Fire
Support. Identifies
the battalion fire support officer. Identifies threat avenues of approach for
target reference points (TRPs) and final protective fires (FPFs). Designates
observers and reinforces obstacles. Incorporates coordination measures into
the brigade rear battle plan in conjunction with the field artillery battalion
fire support officer.
(d) Air Defense. Defines the weapon's status and assets (SHORAD/HIMAD/AAFADS) supporting each tenant. Identifies friendly/threat air corridors. Establishes passive air defense measures.
(e) Mobility and Survivability. Coordinates obstacles, fighting positions, and support with advice from engineers. Establishes the NBC defense plan with advice from chemical assets.
(f) Logistics. Receives any CL IV requirements from tenants and develops an obstacle/barrier plan with expertise from tenants. Identifies other logistical requirements such as CL V distribution.
(g) Command and Control. Organizes communication, battle stations, emergency radio procedures, and other BSA-signaling techniques. Informs all tenants on reporting and debriefing procedures.
(3) Synchronize the plan. In the timeline, the S2/S3 establishes time to synchronize the plan by BOS. The synch meetings answer questions about subordinate unit missions, resolve resource conflicts, and clarify command and control issues.
(4) Complete the plan. Once the S2/S3 completes the base defense plan, which integrates all tenants, he distributes a copy to each tenant for review. The S2/S3 briefs the order.
(5) Rehearsals. Finally, the S2/S3 establishes a time for rehearsing the base defense order. Rehearsals should include all light and environmental conditions (day, night, MOPP IV). These rehearsals should reinforce all base defense planning and coordination previously conducted. They must cement battle drills and movement of the QRF.
f.
BSA
Administrative Operations. This
portion of the tenants' meeting involves subordinate staff sections. It affords
the support battalion commander and staff an opportunity to provide information
specific to their respective areas.
(1) Battalion S4 discusses any unique issues such as distribution of Class V, portable toilet locations and distribution, field service sites (showers, etc.), field sanitation requirements, and any internal supply shortages. He may emphasize critical equipment issues and O/R rates.
(2) Chaplain distributes religious schedules and location of services. He also receives requests for assistance.
(3) Battalion XO addresses any problems identified throughout the perimeter, staff integration, and critical BSA events 48 hours out, such as VIP visits, brigade events and future operations.
(4) Battalion CSM focuses on soldier-related incidents, safety, NCO business, uniforms, discipline and basic soldier skills for all tenants.
(5) Support battalion commander provides focus and guidance for current and future BSA operations, reinforces discipline and compliance with SOPs, reporting and continuity of support.
Immediately following the Battalion Commander's remarks, the S2/3 dismisses those personnel not directly involved in the next step: logistics.
g.
Brigade
Logistics Synchronization.
The
support operations officer and the Brigade S4 take the lead during this two-phase
process: 1) Synchronizing the CSS matrix and support for the next battle, and
2) Maintenance operations.
(1) Synchronizing CSS matrix and support for the next battle. Here, the support operations officer distributes a current copy of the CSS matrix. (See Figure 2 below. A blank CSS Matrix Form is provided at Appendix B).
(a) Starting with the classes of supply, the Support Operations Officer (SPO) confirms previous receipts from units and receives the next forecast based on 12- and 24-hour projections (tenants know to have this information from the pre-rotation coordination). This detailed process involves all supported units. Once units understand their requirements, the SPO can manage future meetings by exception. The SPO confirms all requirements and confirms the support plan. He produces and distributes a new CSS matrix, if required.
(b) Immediately following the synchronization of classes of supply, tenants discuss support for the next brigade operation. Normally, routine supply operations continue per the CSS Annex to the brigade order and SOP. However, the SPO and brigade S4 should identify any key requirements for synchronizing CSS during the next battle. The brigade S4 will then publish DTG for any upcoming brigade rehearsals.
Figure 2. CSS SYNCHRONIZATION MATRIX
(2) Maintenance meeting. Immediately following the CSS matrix update, the support operations officer leads the maintenance meeting. The Support Operations Officer, assisted by the Maintenance Officer, and Brigade S4 focuses on solving issues, fixing broken systems and forecasting combat power. A typical agenda consists of the following:
(a) Current maintenance posture of all units.
(b) SPO goes over the O-26 report by unit (focusing on organizational and DS status for supply and maintenance).
(c) SPO forecasts current and next 12- and 24-hour maintenance posture.
(d) Identifies units not turning in disks and related problems.
(e) Maintenance issues, including critical shortages.
(f) Systematic maintenance system trends, including training issues such as idle-off procedures.
(g) Requirements for, and time for, next maintenance meeting.
AFTER THE MEETING
Upon conclusion of the tenants' meeting, the SPO and other CSS planners begin planning and preparating for the next brigade operation.
SUMMARY
Tenants' meetings provide the logisticians priority planning and preparation times for base defense, BSA administrative operations and direct support logistics. The framework presented above has proved beneficial for support battalions deploying to CMTC. The condition for achieving the desired results from the meeting is organized execution by the battalion staff.
Battlefield
Maintenance Concept: "Job Aid"
Military
Police Support to the Brigade Support Area
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