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LET'S FIX COMPANY-LEVEL FIRE SUPPORT
TTPs for Improving Company-Level Fire Support

by SFC James Chevrier

MAJOR PROBLEMS

1. Graphics. Dissemination.
2. Fire Support Plan and Target List Worksheet. Dissemination.
3. Fire Support Team (FIST). Not organized/staffed early enough to be effective.
4. M981 (FISTV). Fifty percent or less OR rate upon arrival at CMTC.
5. Equipment. FISTs arrive without key TO&E equipment to support maintenance.
6. Communication. FSOs fail to understand commander's intent.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEMS

I. Graphic Fire Support Plan, and Target List Worksheet.

A. Battalion takes too long to produce them. Battalion staff takes almost three thirds of the 1/3 - 2/3 rule. (One third is for planning and dissemination, two thirds for subordinate unit planning, dissemination. and preparation for the plan.)
B. FS rehearsals are conducted, but the battalion FSO eats up time by allowing changes to targets and/or FS Plan.
C. FS rehearsals are conducted as late as one hour from LD.

RESULT: Information not disseminated to lowest levels.

II. FISTs are organized just prior to arriving at CMTC. There is no trainup - not even crew drills or individual Skill-Level Tasks.

A. Soldiers have little training.
B. They do not know their SOPs.
C. Little or no field training at Home Station.

RESULTS:
1. Unfamiliarity with each others' strengths and weaknesses.
2. FISTS behavior invariably falls between the Formation and Development Stages of Team Development as described in FM 22-102, Stages of Team Development, page 11.

III. FISTV's (M981) Operational Readiness (OR) Rate. Field Artillery battalions do not send operational FISTVs at 100 percent.

A. FISTVs arrive at CMTC deadlined at 50 percent or greater.
B. Maneuver maintenance assets spend time making several attempts to bring vehicles up to operational level. Lack of M981 mechanics makes maintenance difficult because maneuver maintenance teams' ASL differs.

IV. Infantry FISTs show up at 40- - 60-percent strength. Infantry Platoons do not have FO teams to support them.

A. Generally, one FO supports three platoons and floats between them.
B. In some instances, Brigade takes the FO teams to use as more COLTS, even though they lack equipment and TO&E to support such a mission.

V. TO&E Equipment is inoperable, has been turned in, or is not there according to the TO&E.

A. FISTs come to train with no compasses, because units make them turn the equipment in.
B. FISTs show up with no binoculars, although they are part of a FO/FIST primary tool set.

VI. Communication. FSO does not have a clear understanding of the commander's intent.

A. Company FSO's wait until BN disseminates FS Plan before asking the commander for his intent and determining what FS is available to complete the intent/mission.
B. In a few cases, the commander and the FSO never talk. They assume that the other one understands what is needed.

RESULTS:
1. When FSOs and commanders do not exchange information, fire support for maneuver commanders becomes reactive instead of proactive.
2. The commander approves the FSO's plan without evaluating it or discussing it in relation to the commander's intent.

TECHNIQUES

1. Develop a strong, workable relationship with the commander. Commanders and FSO should establish a relationship similar to the commander/XO relationship. If the XO is the commander's right hand, the FSO should be the left. FSOs cannot do the job effectively if intimidated by commanders. A good FSO/commander relationship:

  • Enables the FSO to wargame and brief the commander on any FS limitations early in the planning stage.
  • Should be long-term. Longevity in the position provides experience and knowledge of maneuver terms and SOPs.
  • Facilitates transforming commander's intent for fire support into a successful mission to enable maneuver units to move into their objective position(s).

2. Adhere to the 1/3 - 2/3 rule. Conduct the process in the shortest time to allow planning, dissemination and preparation of the plan.

3. Don't wait for Top/Down Planning to start planning targets and an FS Plan to support maneuver.

4. Make sure FS units deploy with the proper TO&E personnel and equipment. Avoid the temptation to pump all money toward the gun tubes. FISTs cannot do their job effectively without key equipment and personnel.

5. Personnel:

  • Stabilize FIST personnel for increased longevity.
  • Station a FIST mechanic at maneuver UMCP to fix M981s.

SUMMARY

FISTs that heed these TTPs demonstrate continued improvement and effectiveness during the rotation. Many FSOs and FSNCOs, will tell you that they learn a lot at CMTC. They wish they could have applied some of these TTPs at Home Station prior to their rotation at CMTC. FISTs are always willing to accept suggestions for improvement. They are motivated by the last mission and take the challenge to do even better on the next mission because they are now ready to fight. Soldiers want to learn. Give them the right tools the right environment and adequate time to do training.

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