Military

The Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC), and
The Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course (BNCOC).

These courses provide an NCO with a solid foundation in terms of leadership skills necessary for their career progression.

TROOP-LEADING PROCEDURES

The TLP provide a mental framework for the battery commander so that he can ensure complete preparation, dissemination and execution of the battery mission. This process provides a checklist for the battery commander from receipt of the mission to execution. The TLP may not follow a specific order, and often several steps are conducted simultaneously. The TLP is an eight-part process:

Based on observations at the National Training Center (NTC), Paladin battery commanders (BCs) have difficulty completing their plan and issuing the battery operations order (OPORD). They tend to use the battalion Field Artillery Support Plan (FASP) when briefing the Paladin battery leadership. This creates a great deal of confusion for the Paladin CS because the commander does not specifically identify all his essential battery tasks.

Techniques:

1. Paladin battery commanders must conduct their own mission analysis based upon the FASP and brief their own battery mission to the target audience.

EXAMPLE: The battalion has three Essential Fire Support Tasks (EFSTs) to accomplish for the brigade to be successful.

During the FASP briefing, the battalion S3 identifies one essential fire support task (EFST) for each battery to accomplish. Bravo battery will shoot Copperhead to destroy the CSOP. The battery commander takes this battalion EFST and develops his own battery essential field artillery task (EFAT) that must be accomplished for the battery/battalion to be successful.

During the battery OPORD, the commander specifically identifies which section is the Copperhead shooter and which is the backup shooter. The BC addresses specific rehearsals to be accomplished between the Platoon Operation Center (POC) and the howitzer section. Additionally, the commander identifies who the observer is, his call sign and frequency for the POC to rehearse with the observer.

2. Toward the end of the OPORD, the commander discusses the battery timeline. The timeline addresses the specifics of the TLP and should be perceived as a contract between the CS and the battery leadership. The timeline includes numerous critical events such as:

• time and location of the battery rehearsal.

• pre-combat checks (PCCs) and pre-combat inspections (PCIs) to be completed.

• priorities of work.

• specific rehearsals to be accomplished.

• SP times and in-position, ready-to-fire times.

3. Always conduct a battery rehearsal. The purpose of the battery rehearsal or battery "rock drill" is to:

• allow the commander the opportunity to asses his unit's level of understanding of the mission and its readiness.

• give the BC opportunity to update the battery leadership on any late changes to the mission.

• cause the CS to brief the commander on the concept of the operation, his section's status, ammunition distribution plan, essential tasks assigned to his section, the threat by phase and any maintenance or personnel issues. This detailed backrief helps the CS develop his own battlefield awareness.

4. Design a simple map board for the CS to organize his information. The map board is 18x18 inches and made of wood and Plexiglas. One side of the board has a map of the area of operation and the other side has a fill-in-the-blank battery operations order format (see example OPORD format and timeline, below). The CS records critical information on, and briefs his section directly from, his map board. The CS takes his board to the battery "rock drill" and records any changes to the battery mission based upon the BC's participation in the battalion "rock drill."

Once the CS feels confident with the battery's mission, EFATs, and TLP, he can then focus his attention on developing the tactical situation and the threat.

TACTICAL SITUATION

Based on observations at the NTC, the Paladin CS tends to have a poor understanding of the tactical situation. Immediately following the battery OPORD, when asked specific questions pertaining to the battery's current tactical mission (i.e., What is the battery's mission? The brigade's mission? Which task force is the main effort and what is their objective?), the CS and their soldiers had difficulty answering the questions.

Techniques:

1. Again, have the Paladin CS use his map board. The map board should have the same updated graphics that the POC uses. At a minimum, the CS should have:

• phase lines
• line of departure
• battery position areas
• known obstacles
• maneuver support by fire positions (SBFs) and objectives

2. The CS must understand the maneuver commander's intent. With this understanding, he can then better discern his role in the battery mission. Once the CS feels comfortable with the TLP and the tactical situation, then he can focus his attention on the enemy and his capabilities.

THE THREAT

It is important that the Paladin CS understands the threat to his section by phase of the operation or by position area. It is also critical that he know how to reduce the threat to this section. Observations at NTC, however, indicate that the CS does not know what the threat is let alone how to reduce it.

Techniques:

1. During a typical battery OPORD, the commander may brief that the current threat to the battery is regimental reconnaissance assets in sector. From the battery's next position area the threat will be counterfire.

2. The POCs are the most vulnerable sections in the battery and must take full advantage of concealment. All to often, the POCs are positioned out in the open within close proximity to the howitzers. The POCs should be positioned based upon METT-T considerations.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Address these training weaknesses and techniques during Home-Station Training:

• The BC must accept the challenge and train the current and future Paladin CS. For example, BCs can develop a training program as part of their NCOPD or prime-time training. Eventually, this training could be incorporated into the battery's certification program or part of the battery lanes training program.

• At the battalion level, include training in the battalion certification program with mandatory training conducted quarterly. Incorporate some aspects of the training into the battalion section evaluation competition. Senior NCOs who have graduated from the Battle Staff Course are ideal instructors.

• Focus the training on the eight steps of the TLP. Along with the TLP, the training includes identifying/developing PCCs, PCIs and priorities of work based upon the EFATs and the battery timeline. The CS must have a complete understanding of the battery operations order and how the TLP affect the unit's accomplishment of the mission. Commanders should also include several blocks of instruction on maneuver tactics, graphics, threat doctrine and terminology.

Endstate: The CS is able to make the correct decision on the battlefield based upon his knowledge of the TLP, the tactical situation and the threat.

IN SUMMARY

The Paladin CS generally does not have the tactical skills necessary to operate independently and survive on the battlefield. To correct this and ensure they are successful, battery commanders must develop a training program which educates them on the Troop-Leading Procedures, the tactical situation and the threat.

Engagement Area Development and Battlefield Calculus

Basic Support of Battalion Scouts