Military

Each of the five types achieves a specific result and has a specific place in the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP) timeline.

1. CONFIRMATION BRIEF - The confirmation brief is routinely performed by a subordinate leader immediately after receiving any instructions, OPORD, FRAGO, etc. Subordinate leaders brief the higher commander on:

• their understanding of his intent,

• their specific task and purpose, and the

• relationship between their unit's mission and the mission of other units.

2. BACKBRIEF - The backbrief is normally performed throughout the MDMP. This rehearsal allows the commander to clarify his intent early in the subordinate's tactical estimate process. The higher commander should use backbriefs to:

• Identify problems in his concept of operation.

• Identify problems in subordinate unit commander's concept of operations.

• Determine how a subordinate intends to accomplish the mission.

3. COMBINED ARMS REHEARSAL - The combined arms rehearsal is normally conducted by a maneuver unit headquarters and performed after the subordinate units have issued their OPORD. This rehearsal ensures:

• The subordinate units plans are synchronized with the other units in the organization.

• The plans of all subordinate commander's will properly achieve the intent of the higher commander.

4. SUPPORT REHEARSAL - Support rehearsals are normally performed within the framework of a single or limited number of BOS. Examples include the FS rehearsal or the CSS rehearsal. Support rehearsals are performed throughout the MDMP timeline. Although these rehearsals differ slightly by BOS, they achieve the same result:

• Ensure the soldiers responsible for a particular BOS can support the higher commander's plan.

• Ensure all assigned missions will be performed.

• Synchronize the particular BOS support plan with the maneuver plan.

5. BATTLE DRILL REHEARSAL OR SOP REHEARSAL - The purpose of a battle drill or SOP rehearsal is to ensure all participants understand a technique or a specific set of procedures. This rehearsal is performed by all echelons, but most extensively at platoon, squad, and section levels. These rehearsals are performed throughout the MDMP timeline. This type of rehearsal is not limited to published battle drills. It could be the rehearsal of a TOC shift change, obstacle breach lane-marking SOP, actions a POL section takes at a ROM site or a section action in the defense of the BSA.

REHEARSAL TECHNIQUES

Techniques for performing rehearsals are limited only by the resourcefulness of the unit. Generally six techniques are used. The techniques discussed here are:

These six techniques range from extensive preparation, in time and resources, to minimal preparation. As they are listed, each takes a decreasing amount of time and resources to prepare and conduct. Each rehearsal technique provides different degrees of understanding for the participants and has different security risks. Figure 1 shows the rehearsal techniques in their relative positions, considering: Time, Resourcing, OPSEC, Participation, and Level of Understanding Gained.

Considerations for these six rehearsal techniques are addressed below. The framework for the discussion is:

• Time: amount required from planning to execution;
• Multi-Echelon: how many echelons can participate in the rehearsal;
• OPSEC: how easily the enemy can gather intelligence from the rehearsal; and
• Terrain: technique-specific terrain management considerations.

1. FULL DRESS REHEARSAL - The full dress rehearsal produces the most detailed understanding of the mission. It involves every soldier and system participating in the operation. If possible, units should conduct full dress rehearsal under the same conditions, weather, time of day, terrain, etc., as the force will encounter during the actual operation. This may include the use of live ammunition. The full dress rehearsal is the most difficult to accomplish, especially at higher command levels.

Considerations for the Full Dress Rehearsal --

2. REDUCED FORCE REHEARSAL - This rehearsal technique normally takes less time and resources than a full dress rehearsal because it involves only the unit's and subordinate unit's key leaders. Terrain requirements are the same as for a full dress rehearsal, only the number of participants changes. The commander first decides the level of leader involvement desired. The selected leaders then rehearse the plan while traversing the actual or like terrain. Commanders often use this rehearsal to rehearse the fire control measures in an engagement area. However, as during full dress rehearsal, it is highly susceptible to enemy combat intelligence activities. The reduced force rehearsal allows the leadership to rehearse the mission before moving to the full dress rehearsal. A form of Reduced Force Rehearsal is commonly called a TEWT (Training Exercise without Troops).

Considerations for the Reduced Force Rehearsal --

3. TERRAIN MODEL REHEARSAL - This rehearsal takes less time and fewer resources than the key leader rehearsal and is the most popular technique. The commander decides on the level of leader involvement, then has a scale terrain model of the Area of Operations constructed. An accurate terrain model can help subordinate leaders visualize the battle and their commanders' intentions. When possible, the commander should place the terrain model where it overlooks the actual terrain of the area of operations. However, if the situation requires more security, the terrain model can be placed on the reverse slope within walking distance of a point overlooking the area of operations. The model's orientation should coincide with the actual orientation of the terrain to help participants orient to the actual area of operations. The size of the terrain model can vary from where icons are moved to represent units to a large model on which the participants can walk. A large model helps reinforce participants' perception of relative positions of units on the actual terrain. Additional modeling techniques are discussed in Chapter V.

Considerations for the Terrain Model Rehearsal --

4. SKETCH MAP REHEARSAL - Units can use this technique almost anywhere day or night. The procedures are the same as for a terrain model rehearsal, except the commander uses a sketch in place of a model. Sketches must be large enough for all participants to see as each subordinate walks through the interactive verbal execution of the operation. Units move symbols to represent their maneuver and location on the sketch. This technique is very effective for confirmation briefs and backbriefs.

Considerations for the Sketch Map Rehearsal --

5. MAP REHEARSAL - The map rehearsal procedures are similar to the sketch map rehearsal, except the commander uses a map and operation overlay of the same scale as being used to plan and control the operation.

Considerations for the Map Rehearsal --

Subordinate leaders follow the rehearsal on their own map and overlay.
Place the map and overlay horizontally, moving unit symbols across the map as in a wargame to show the planned sequence of actions. The map must be oriented and have the current graphics posted.
To ensure clarity, the commander should conduct this rehearsal at a vantage point overlooking the terrain of the area of operations.

6. RADIO REHEARSAL - The commander and his staff conduct radio rehearsals by interactively and verbally executing critical portions of the operation over established communications networks. This is accomplished in a general sequence of events which the commander establishes. Because of the obvious dangers involved with using this particular rehearsal, only the essential, most-critical portions of the operation are rehearsed. When used, these rehearsals include all communications facilities and equipment necessary to conduct that actual portion of the operation. To be effective, all participants must have working communications equipment and a copy of the OPORD and overlays. The TOC can rehearse tracking the battle simultaneously.

Considerations for the Radio Rehearsal --

ADDITIONAL ISSUES

Site Selection - The most important criterion is that the site facilitates the selected rehearsal. However, several other factors must also be considered:

• Security: The site must be secure from attack (ground and air) and from observation. A well-placed observer can compromise your entire operation. Plan a rally point in case of attack or artillery strike.

• Limited Visibility: Consider both the ability of the participants to see and light discipline.

• Noise Discipline: While compromise of the rehearsal is a concern, an even grater problem is the ability of the participants to hear the rehearsal, not generators, aircraft, or vehicles in the background.

• Parking: Tactical parking must be available for both wheeled vehicles and aircraft, but the dismount point must not be in a position to attract enemy attention.

Which Rehearsal Type or Technique is Best - There is no right answer to which rehearsal is correct, only which is most effective as the conditions of METT-T are applied. Remember, the most effective technique is normally the full dress rehearsal, but it is not always the most practical technique.

Home-Station Training - Units must take advantage of every opportunity at home station to train the rehearsal process. Simulation exercises, TEWTs, and staff rides all present opportunities to train rehearsals. Train the process, then rehearse your rehearsal. Conduct an after-action review of your rehearsal process after every rehearsal.

The Sequence and Timing - There are two basic approaches to sequencing the rehearsals. One is for the sequence to follow the flow of the OPORDs down from BDE to PLT. Although normally easier to manage on a timeline, this technique does not allow the subordinate to be truly prepared for the higher unit rehearsal because he has not been allowed to conduct his own. The other is for the rehearsals to begin at the lowest level and move up the chain. This allows the subordinate to more accurately portray his planned action because he has completed a rehearsal of his actions.

Whichever time management technique is selected, small unit rehearsals must be conducted under similar conditions as those expected during actual mission execution, but first must be performed with the aid of daylight. As the higher unit builds its timeline, saving daylight hours for use by small units rehearsals becomes critical and must be planned into the timeline.

Technique: Knowledge of the subordinate unit's plan is critical to the commander, but often he does not have time to attend all the subordinate unit rehearsals. One technique is for the commander to attend the main effort Combined Arms rehearsal, and the S3 and CSM to attend the supporting units rehearsals. This provides the unit with a higher headquarter's representative who has the authority to adjust the plan as additional issues arise at the rehearsal. The S3 or CSM can also take back issues, problems, and coordination instructions to the TOC for followup and resolution.

Foreword

Chapter II: Responsibilities