INDIVIDUAL AND SMALL UNIT EXECUTION
Battles can be lost at any level in the chain of command, but are only won by companies, platoons, squads, and crews. Soldiers and junior leaders at critical but mostly unpredictable locations win or lose battles for the battalion task force. Hence, skillful execution of fundamental individual and small unit tasks is a prerequisite for mission accomplishment.
Small unit actions are not only the most important but also the most difficult. It is at that level that individuals and weapons are most affected by the uniqueness of terrain. As a result, there are very few absolute rules -- only principles which are easy to understand on the blackboard but tough to execute under the infinite variety of possible METT-T conditions. A great deal of practice is required.
Dispersion and pace are typically such that senior leader supervision and detailed control of even a minor portion of the critical action is simply not possible. Therefore, the small unit challenge is as much a matter of leadership and discipline as it is training. A unit that does well only those things the boss checks will have great difficulty. Our soldiers will do far more than we have any right to ask if they understand the importance of their actions, know that their leaders are competent and that they care about them as individuals, and believe that there is something special about their unit.
Table
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Memorandum
Intelligence
Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB)
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