COMBAT
SERVICE SUPPORT BOS
Positive
Performance
TREND
1: Unit Operational Readiness (OR) Rate
SUSTAIN:
1.
OR rate of 90% (M1s), 90-100% (M2s). 2.
Continually improved PMCS.
(TA.7.3.2
Fix/Maintain Equipment)
TREND
2: The unit ministry team (UMT) and battalion CSM are key advisors to the battalion
commander.
SUSTAIN:
1.
CSM personally welcomed the newly-arrived UMT. 2.
CSM aware of the critical role CSM and UMT play as special advisors to the
commander. Techniques:
1.
CSM and UMT cross-talk their predeployment concerns for soldier family care.
2.
Mutually plan for family support group sustainment. 3.
Coordinate common priorities for soldier care.
(TA.7.4.3.4
Perform Chaplaincy Activities)
TREND
3: UMT focuses primarily on individual soldier care issues.
SUSTAIN:
1.
Coordinated shower runs for soldiers. 2.
Planned soldier sustainment. Techniques:
1.
UMT should focus on predeployment concerns among soldiers. 2.
Coordinate efforts at Home Station with installation and family life chaplains.
(TA.7.4.3.4
Perform Chaplaincy Activities)
TREND
4: Division chaplain has a plan for UMT training and sustainment.
SUSTAIN:
Division
and battalion chaplains coordinated on the planning for the current rotation.
Technique:
Division
and battalion chaplains should conduct a post-deployment AAR to capture issues
raised regarding support and sustainment of deployed UMT.
(TA.7.4.3.4
Perform Chaplaincy Activities)
TREND
5: CASEVAC
SUSTAIN:
1.
The team exhibited constant improvement during the operation. 2.
In many instances the team developed its own CASEVAC plan in the absence of
a TF plan. Techniques:
1.
Continue to develop the CASEVAC plan. Incorporate it into the TACSOP. 2.
Tailor each plan to meet the requirements of the specific mission. 3.
Be sure to provide appropriate graphics.
(TA.7.4.4.2
Evacuate Casualties)
TREND
6: CASEVAC
SUSTAIN:
Use
of nonstandard evacuation platforms was exceptional.
(TA.7.4.4.2
Evacuate Casualties)
TREND
7: Conducting Unit Resupply
SUSTAIN:
1.
Resupply operations are flawless. 2.
XO and 1SG have a good working relationship. 3.
Adheres to SOPs. 4.
Information collection facilitates reconstitution. 5.
1SG is the workhorse behind the resupply operation. Technique:
Continue
to mentor company XO.
(TA.7.5.2
Supply)
TREND
8: Unit Resupply
SUSTAIN:
1.
Sufficient stocks of Class III, IV, and V to support TF. 2.
Solid plan for follow-on support.
(TA.7.5.2
Supply)
Needs
Emphasis
TREND
1: The medical platoon leader is not involved in the planning and writing of
the health service support (HSS) plan.
See
TA 4.4.5, Synchronize Tactical Operations.
(TA.7.0
Combat Service Support)
TREND
2: Inadequate support for nonorganic units. CSS
planning for nonorganic assets lacks detail. PROBLEMS:
1.
There are frequently no battle rosters for nonorganic personnel. 2.
Time/distance preclude DS units from obtaining CSS from their parent units.
3.
TF CSS resources are consumed by small groups of users which are attached,
OPCON, or DS who bring no CSS assets to augment the TF CSS element. Techniques:
1.
Specify in the OPORD exactly which TF units will support which nonorganic assets.
Listing the task organization and command relationships is not enough. 2.
Always conduct CSS rehearsals.
(TA.7.0
Combat Service Support)
TREND
3: Battalions are not prepared to conduct extended cold weather operations.
PROBLEMS:
1.
Improper/inadequate cold weather equipment. 2.
Inadequate maintenance on tracked vehicle heaters. 3.
Insufficient PLL. 4.
Lack of a maintenance plan. Techniques:
1.
Ensure sufficient tentage and stoves are on-hand to ensure the welfare of all
soldiers. 2.
Make sure tents and tent stoves are properly erected and used. 3.
Adjust and validate existing load plans to accommodate tentage, stoves, and
other cold weather equipment. 4.
Train soldiers and discipline them to use tent stoves safely. 5.
Fix broken tracked vehicle heaters. Establish a system to track heater status.
6.
Maintain float heaters on-hand at battalion level to facilitate rapid exchange
of broken heaters. 7.
Designate and train an organizational mechanic as a heater repairman. 8.
Maintain a small but adequate heater PLL at battalion level.
(TA.7.0
Combat Service Support)
TREND
4: Lodgment areas should integrate CSS for all resident elements.
PROBLEMS:
1.
Units request supplies through their own supply channels. 2.
Multiple resupply convoys for the same lodgment areas. 3.
Lack of asset visibility. RESULTS:
1.
Multiple LOGPACS and resupply lifts. 2.
Increased risk in a possibly hostile environment with a restricted road network.
3.
No consolidation of requirements nor cross-leveled supplies. 4.
Units run out of supplies although they were available in the lodgment areas.
Techniques:
1.
Establish a single logistics manager for each lodgment area. Recommend the
TF HHC commander perform this duty. 2.
Organize all available organic, attached, and DS CSS personnel and equipment
to operate under the logistics manager's supervision. -
Minimize movement of CSS assets by maximizing consolidation and control.
-
Conduct a single resupply convoy daily from BSA to the lodgment area and a
single TF convoy to company lodgments.
-
Establish mutually supporting Class IX and maintenance systems for all occupants
and their systems, including ULLS access.
-
Consolidate and allocate resources, as required, to accomplish the commander's
intent.
-
Maintain liaison with the FSB/BCT ALOC through the BCT A/L net, and coordinate
all movements, resupply, and requirements with the FSB support operations officer.
-
Conduct daily logistics meetings with lodgment units to ensure timely forecasting
and synchronization of resupply while coordinating total requirements with
the TF S-4.
-
Coordinate the resupply of company lodgments as required, including security
movement and preconfigured company LOGPACs.
-
Maintain accurate on-hand status for all commodities.
-
Maintain accountability and supply discipline.
(TA.7.0
Combat Service Support)
TREND
5: Procedures and Policies - Field Trains
PROBLEMS:
1.
Uncertainty regarding responsibility. 2.
Unclear procedures. Techniques:
1.
Develop clear field train SOP which describes duties and responsibilities for
key personnel. 2.
Review unit maintenance SOPs to ensure they capture procedures unique to the
assigned mission.
(TA.7.0
Combat Service Support)
TREND
6: FIST-V and Related Equipment Maintenance
PROBLEMS:
1.
All FIST-Vs nonmission-capable at times. 2.
Standard equipment missing or broken. RESULT:
Unwarranted changes in TF plan.
Technique:
Emphasize
FIST-V maintenance, PPCs, and standard load plans across the TF.
(TA
7.3.2 Fix/Maintain Equipment)
TREND
7: Considerable basic load deployment shortfalls.
PROBLEM:
UMT
lacked maps, graphics, radio, religious literature, SOP, etc.
RESULT:
UMT had to borrow basic survival equipment for the operation.
Technique:
Immediately
develop a working SOP. Incorporate lessons learned from current operations.
(TA.7.4.3.4
Perform Chaplaincy Activities)
TREND
8: Procedures for handling the media vary greatly across the brigade sector.
PROBLEM:
Procedures
for handling the media in the AOR frequently differ from one unit to another.
Techniques:
1.
Standardize media-handling procedures throughout the sector. 2.
Allow media representatives the same access as the general public. 3.
Ensure that checkpoints report the presence of media, their names, and agencies.
4.
Escort media from one checkpoint to another when feasible. It is a good technique
to maintain control and to give an opportunity to tell the unit's story.
(TA.7.4.3.5
Provide Public Affairs Services)
TREND
9: Difficulty establishing command and control at the mass casualty location.
PROBLEMS:
1.
Unit TACSOPs often do not delineate responsibility for C2at
the site. 2.
Medics and combat lifesavers frequently misutilized. 3.
Failure to designate and train site OIC/NCOICs. RESULT:
Medically trained personnel waste time performing administrative tasks.
Techniques:
1.
Develop unit TACSOPs that contain mass casualty procedures delineating responsibility
for C2at
the site. 2.
Ensure that medics and combat lifesavers are utilized to render first-aid and
perform triage. 3.
Use less medically skilled personnel as litter bearers. 4.
Designate site OIC/NCOICs. Train them to respond to mass casualty emergencies.
(TA.7.4.4
Provide Health Services)
TREND
10: Units do not plan for or use far-forward care IAW FM 8-10-4.
PROBLEMS:
Task
force too often fails to plan and execute far-forward care during the battle.
Instead, TF initiates CASEVAC following change of mission.
RESULT:
Increased number of died of wounds (DOW).
Technique:
1.
Increase
survivability
by
planning, rehearsing, and executing far-forward care. 2.
Reference: FM 8-10-4.
(TA.7.4.4.1
Provide Medical Treatment)
TREND
11: Use of nonmedical vehicles for casualty transportation and medical evacuation.
PROBLEM:
The
use of nonmedical vehicles for casualty transportation and medical evacuation
is seldom planned and exercised.
Techniques:
1.
Plan for and exercise nonstandard medical evacuation as part of CSS planning,
rehearsal, and execution. 2.
Identify the vehicles, drivers, and medical personnel or combat lifesavers
who will accompany the casualties. 3.
Consider all available ground vehicles for augmenting medical evacuation assets.
4.
Do not wait for a mass casualty situation to occur. Coordinate the release
of the assets (and when the tactical situation permits, rehearse them) beforehand.
5.
Reference: FM 8-10-6.
(TA.7.4.4.2
Evacuate Casualties)
TREND
12: Battalions are generally not prepared to conduct adequate field sanitation
operations during extended deployments.
PROBLEMS:
1.
Soldier hygiene is often inadequate. 2.
Plans for dealing with human waste are haphazard or nonexistent. 3.
No handwashing facilities at latrines and dining sites. 4.
Field feeding operations are not conducted to standard. Techniques:
1.
Plan for field sanitation. 2.
Acquire the raw materials needed to construct adequate slit trenches, soakage
pits, and incinerators. Include them in unit load plans. 3.
Inspect field sanitation kits. 4.
Ensure required supplies are on-hand, used, and replenished. 5.
Train soldiers in field sanitation. Establish the proper standard and enforce
it. 6.
Train and employ the field sanitation team. Empower the team to make corrections.
7.
Teach leaders what a proper field feeding operation looks like and enforce
the standard. 8.
Get the physician's assistant involved.
(TA.7.4.4.3
Provide Preventative Medicine)
TREND
13: Unit supply distribution systems not flexible enough to meet the needs
of the unit.
PROBLEM:
Supply
point distribution is frequently not sufficiently responsive to assure continued
support in all conditions.
Techniques:
1.
Deploy with sufficient initial stockages to sustain until supply lines are
established. 2.
Use supply point distribution during the build-up/creation until secure bases
are established. 3.
Execute forward stockages of supplies as the preferable long-term condition.
Gives the unit flexibility and freedom to operate without constant concern
over day-to-day LOC security and condition.
(TA.
7.5 Distribute)
TREND
14: Internal distribution and prioritization of Class IV stocks inadequate.
PROBLEMS:
1.
Precludes conducting the full range of field services (e.g., latrine construction).
2.
Initial stockage of Class IV material, particularly plywood and 2x4s, frequently
exceed shipping capability. Techniques:
1.
Establish a total Class IV requirement for stability operations. 2.
Include material for all slice/attached OPCON units. 3.
Determine checkpoint, sign, latrine, fighting position, and living area requirements.
4.
Plan for local procurement and establish contracting officers at company lodgment
level. 5.
Include Class IV requirements in overall resupply operations.
(TA.7.5.2
Supply)
TREND
15: LOGPAC Operations
PROBLEMS:
1.
Support platoon not conducting doctrinal LOGPAC operations. 2.
Support platoon assets permanently attached to company/teams. 3.
Restrictive internal policy for TCs on HEMMETs. 4.
LOGPACS not tailored to support each company's specific needs. RESULTS:
1.
Class III/IV support reactionary vice anticipatory. 2.
Support platoon leader lost C2of
assets. -
Impeded response to last-minute taskings.
-
Sporadic support to TF.
3.
Mismanagement of assets and personnel. Techniques:
1.
Train on the tasks, conditions, and standards set forth in the mission training
plan (ARTEP manual) for the support platoon. 2.
Read, understand, and comply with unit TACSOP. 3.
Consider assigning 11-series soldiers as TCs on HEMMETs when 88M-series soldiers
are not available.
(TA.7.5.2
Supply)
TREND
16: Processing Deadline Faults
PROBLEM:
Faults
identified by operators on Form 5988E are not processed.
RESULTS:
1.
Parts not ordered. 2.
Erroneous status on battalion 2406. Technique:
Follow
up to ensure deadline faults are noted on the 2406 and parts are on order.
(TA.7.5.2
Supply)
TREND
17: Centralized Management of Engineers
PROBLEMS:
1.
Engineer assets are often idle. 2.
Engineer effort frequently piecemealed throughout the TF AOR. 3.
Engineer priorities of work seldom synchronized with the TF priority of work/effort.
4.
TF often loses visibility of engineer assets and their status. RESULTS:
1.
TF remains vulnerable while survivability assets lay idle. 2.
Sustainment of engineers in direct support of the maneuver unit must be monitored
by the supported unit to get maximum effort and efficiency. Techniques:
1.
Treat the engineer effort as if it were a daily preparation of the defense
in HHC. 2.
Do not piecemeal the effort; assign teams of engineers to complete entire projects
before they move on to the next site; weight the main effort. 3.
Assign a "CINC engineer"' within each company/team who tracks all digging and
mine clearing. 4.
Conduct a positive hand-over of assets from company to company by the XO. 5.
Develop a system in the TOC to track route clearance and engineer effort for
checkpoints, observation posts, lodgment areas, survivability positions, etc.
6.
Review and update the daily priority of effort and work. Synchronize the delivery
of Class IV to the sites. Ideally, when the engineers arrive, the right amounts
of Class IV are on-hand and ready for construction. 7.
Place command emphasis on all classes of supply and maintenance for the TF
priority of support to engineers. 8.
Monitor status of critical assets (rollers, plows, ACEs, SEEs, CEVs, etc.)
in the TOC.
(TA.7.6
Provide Sustainment Engineering)
TREND
18: Prepare LZ/PZ. Units
frequently do not plan and prepare LZ/PZ at lodgment areas, checkpoints, observation
posts, and other areas of troop concentration. PROBLEMS:
1.
Stability operations result in groups of soldiers scattered throughout the
AOR. 2.
Roads to these potential "firebases" can be cut off by enemy action or weather.
RESULTS:
1.
Soldiers become isolated. 2.
Rapid resupply, insertion of forces, and evacuation of personnel is difficult.
Techniques:
1.
Always plan for and designate LZ/PZs. 2.
Train and equip soldiers for LZ/PZ operations. Pay particular attention to
marking, communications, and security at the sites.
(TA.7.6.2
Perform LOC Sustainment)
Mobility/Survivability
BOS
Command
and Control BOS
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