• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

TA. 4 COMMAND AND CONTROL (cont)

TA. 4 Negative Trend 8: Rehearsals

1-3QFY95

PROBLEM 8-1: Fire support rehearsals are not conducted for every operation.

1. Most fire support rehearsals result in only a confirmation of planned targets.
2. Units do not routinely discuss the purpose of targets, planned fires in relation to the scheme of maneuver, trigger points, primary and backup observers, communications nets, weapon systems, and volume of munitions to be delivered..
3. Unit rehearsal SOPs are often poorly written.
4. Rehearsal techniques in FM 6-20-1 are not being used.
5. Key players (battalion fire direction officers, combat observation and lasing team [COLT] leaders, firing battery commanders, air liaison officers, etc.) Seldom attend rehearsals.

4QFY95/1QFY96

PROBLEM 8-2: Staff members do not routinely perform staff battle drills to streamline tactical operation center (TOC) operations.

1. Battle Captains and Battle NCOs are not proficient in orchestrating staff battle drills.
2. Staffs rarely train at Home Station on executing staff battle drills.

PROBLEM 8-3:

1. Backbriefs and rehearsals are not routinely conducted.
2. Usually amount to no more than talking through the concept of the operation.
3. Commanders and S3s:
   - do not deliberately plan nor properly prepare for rehearsals.
   - fail to focus on key events.
   - do not address branches and sequels.
   - do not use a synchronization matrix or execution checklist to guide the rehearsal.
   - fail to adequately note changes to the concept based on the rehearsal
   - fail to publish a FRAGO updating subordinate units.

PROBLEM 8-4:

1. Once units leave the Intermediate Staging Base (ISB), rehearsals are infrequently conducted and seldom provide benefit to the operation.
2. Fire supporters are generally not integrated into the maneuver rehearsal as recommended in FM 7-20.
3. Most fire support rehearsals result in only a confirmation of the planned target list.
4. Rehearsal techniques listed in FM 6-20-1 are not being used.

RESULT: Most fire support rehearsals result in only a confirmation of the planned target list.

2-3QFY96

PROBLEM 8-5: Repeat of Problem 8-3.

PROBLEM 8-6: Communication reheasals commonly consist only of function checks on the equipment.

PROBLEM 8-7: Repeat of Problem 8-4.

When sufficient time is available, there is no substitute for a full-force rehearsal from battalion down to platoon leader level.

1. Train the battle staff on basic TOC drills at Home Station. Principle staff can:
   - focus on future operations
   - react when needed on major battlefield events.

   Conduct confirmation briefs with commanders immediately after the OPORD.

   - ensures they understand their tasks and purposes.

   - The format must be standard

   - battalion staff must attend.

   Backbriefs are essential. But they should not be the sole means of rehearsal. Backbriefs alone do not facilitate the visualization of the entire task force plan.

   Rehearsal must be properly planned and prepared.

   - The entire staff should be present.

   - Do not sacrifice rehearsals because of time.

   - Rehearsals, next to wargaming, represent the most important means of ensuring synchronization.

   Use a synchronization matrix or an execution checklist to guide the rehearsal and ensure all BOSs are covered. Concentrate on key events.

   Develop a sound SOP to cover the essential elements of a rehearsal.

   Integrate fire support into the maneuver rehearsal. Each commander and fire support officer (FSO) should succinctly describe the actions as each unit fights with maneuver and fires.

   The FSO must be able to describe what enemy action will trigger a specific fire support task/event.

   A walk-on terrain model is usually worth the required time to construct it.

   Train the "how to" of rehearsal at Home Station.

   Unit signal officers must identify critical tasks to rehearse

   Tasks should include:

   - establishment of all nets

   - installation of planned antenna systems

   - validation of execution check lists

   - practice sending required reports

   - function checks of all terminal equipment.

   Ensure rehearsals have command emphasis and are part of the unit's predeploymentdtimeline.

   Develop a sound SOP to cover the essential elements of a rehearsal.

   Integrate fire support into the "maneuver" rehearsal.

   Each Commander and FSO should succinctly describe the actions as each unit fights with maneuver and fires.

   The FSO must be able to describe what enemy or maneuver action will trigger a specific fire support task/event.

   A walk-on terrain model is usually worth the required time to construct it.

   Doctrinal references:

   - FM 6-20-1, p. 3-12 through 3-15

   - for an overview of the key rehearsal elements.

   - CALL Newsletter 95-7 Tactical Operations Center (TOC).

   - CALL Newsletter 95-4 CTC 2QFY95 Bulletin, article entitled "What Now Battle Captain?"

   - CALL Newsletter 91-1(Apr 91) Rehearsals

   - FM 7-8, Chapter 2

   - FM 7-10, Chapters 2,4,5-7.

   - FM 6-20-1, pages 3-12 . For rehearsal overview.

A solid SOP, checklist or agenda reinforced by Home Station training greatly improves rehearsals.

1. Develop a sound SOP at Home Station to cover the essential elements of the rehearsal.

TA.4 Negative Trend 9: Orders Development and Processing

4QFY94

PROBLEM 9-1:

1. Warning orders (WARNORDs) do not follow established format
2. WARNORDs are rarely issued IAW SOP
3. General and specific instructions are rarely based on the mission analysis.

PROBLEM 9-2: Staffs are frequently unable to translate commander's guidance into clear and concise orders.

PROBLEM 9-3: The orders development process is most deeply affected by improper application of the military decision making process.

1. The process is fragmented and key steps are missed.
2. Staffs do not conduct thorough estimates, COA development and analysis.

RESULT: Synchronization drills and rehearsals evolve into COA development and wargaming sessions. The plan is never fully completed.

PROBLEM 9-4: Orders production and issuance is frequently ineffective.

1. This is caused by:
   - Poor planning
   - Ineffective use of computers and copiers.
   - Inaccurate copying of operations overlays
   - distortion from electronic reproduction leads to inaccuracies on the ground during preparation and execution.

   TF XOs and S-3s do not habitually check the complete order prior to issuance to ensure staff integration and synchronization; i.e., conformity of base order, annexes, and overlays.

PROBLEM 9-5: Orders issued by higher HQ often confuse subordinate leaders.

1. Incorrect doctrinal terms and graphics
2. Unclear tasks and purposes to subordinate leaders.

1-3QFY95

PROBLEM 9-6: Battalion/task forces frequently demonstrate difficulty in developing OPORDs and FRAGOs.

1. Unclear task organization
2. Operations overlays with incomplete or imprecise graphic control measures
3. Concept of operations lacks clearly definable tasks and purposes
4. CSS overlay omitted
5. Casualty evacuation plan
6. Unclear tasks to combat, combat support and CSS units
7. Missing fire support matrix, target list, and concept for fire support

2-3QFY96

PROBLEM 9-7:

1. Commanders do not use graphic control measures to communicate their intent.
2. Companies rarely develop their own graphic control measures during offensive or defensive planning.
3. Platoons and squad leaders rely on battalion graphics to control their units.

RESULTS:

1. Plans lack clarity and focus
2. Increased likelihood of fratricide .
3. Insufficient detail to de-conflict maneuver.

1. Develop alternate methods for reproducing orders in the field. Use carbon paper, radio telephone operators (RTOs), and mimeograph machines.
2. Use the five paragraph field order format.
3. Check all orders for completeness, accuracy, synchronization and conformity prior to publication and briefing.
4. Place all taskings to subordinate elements in the base OPORD.
5. Adhere to TACSOP when conducting OPORD briefs to ensure all information is presented.
6. Use available tools, such as terrain boards and maps with operations overlay, to brief the OPORD.
7. Develop control measures during planning that clarify and support mission accomplishment.
8. Avoid stifling initiative by creating too many control measures.
9. Include the following in the attack plan:
   - passage point
   - axis/ route
   - assault positions/ probable line of deployment
   - support by fire positions
   - limit of advance
   - consolidation/ reorganization positions.

   Draw a concept sketch and ensure all key leaders have a copy.

   -use terrain references on the sketch to help control movement.

   Avoid clutter:

   - use an enlarged map (e.g. 1:25,000) for company graphics

   - transfer only essential higher unit graphics to company overlay. Doctrinal Reference: FM 101-5-1.

1. Develop formats and products for warning, fragmentary and operations orders and incorporate them into the unit TSOP.
2. Use proper doctrinal terminology. Correctly place graphics on overlays.

Table of Contents
TA. 4, Part 5
TA. 4, Part 7