Reconnaissance formations constitute an invaluable asset on a modern battlefield. The notion that sophisticated enemies, equipped with air defense, electronic attack, as well as cyber capabilities will just allow us to remotely sense their actions prior to commitment of our forces is quickly fleeting. Responsible for answering Commander’s Priority Intelligence Requirements during either reconnaissance or security operations, Cavalry Troops and Scout Platoons often have less time than other maneuver units before being required to act. For the average Scout Platoon or Cavalry Troop, simple tactical mistakes can have catastrophic effects on a larger formation’s ability to understand the situation or maneuver effectively against a determined enemy. The ability to operate continuously utilizing sound SOPS, basic maneuver techniques and tactics at the crew, section, and platoon level, as well as the ability to share information collected are just of the few tasks these units must do exceedingly well to accomplish their mission.
Platoon/Troop Maneuver and Dispersion
Observation
Cavalry Troops often fail to properly deploy in zone while executing reconnaissance and security operations. Even units that correctly determine the probable line of contact will fail to transition their movement technique and formation appropriately. Often, a unit that should be bounding in platoon wedges, for example, will continue to travel in column even after crossing the probable line of contact. Those units that do deploy routinely fail to achieve proper dispersion between sections and vehicles. This lack of dispersion often results in mass casualties. All too often, the enemy engages and destroys the Cavalry Troop as it travels down an MSR in a convoy.
Best Practice
Cavalry Troops must maneuver tactically to make contact with the smallest element possible. To accomplish this, Troops must first develop the enemy SITTEMP to determine the probable line of contact. That probable line of contact must then become a named phase line. The Troop must deploy in zone before crossing that phase line. Subsequent phase lines should indicate that the Troop has entered into the range of a new enemy weapon system or capability (such as jamming, for example). The Troop must then transition appropriately to respond to the new threat. In other words, each maneuver graphic must have meaning, and thereby should shape the maneuver of the Cavalry Troop. At the Platoon and Section level, leaders must remain proactive to ensure that their elements and vehicles maintain proper dispersion while maneuvering. Though it is METT-TC dependent, Cavalry leaders should generally endeavor to disperse their vehicles at near max range of main weapon systems. This allows elements to remain mutually supportive while denying the enemy the ability to mass fires on several targets at once.
Cavalry Troop/Platoon Standard Operating Procedures
Observation
Troop SOPs are often underdeveloped, sparingly distributed, and not properly inculcated at echelon throughout the unit. Some Cavalry Troops arrive to the NTC with no SOP at all; others with an SOP they inherited; many with an SOP that they developed, but failed to properly distribute. This creates a situation in which junior leaders must become creative problem solvers, even when executing something as routine as PCCs for a dismounted OP. As a result, a dismounted OP team from 1st Platoon may pack or prepare very differently than a dismounted OP team from 2nd Platoon. Without standardization, results will vary and outcomes may suffer. Troops that arrive at NTC without an effective SOP must develop solutions in real time, often to the detriment of mission accomplishment.
Best Practice
The better Cavalry Troops develop their SOPs early, distribute them to the lowest level, ensure shared understanding, and enforce compliance constantly. Their leaders review and refresh the SOP after each major training event, following the receipt of some new significant capability or equipment, or when the preferred method of accomplishing a specific task changes. In other words, these formations make the Cavalry Troop SOP a living document. Effective SOPs include: PCC/PCI checklists, actions at the short halt, actions on contact, standards for screen set vs. screen established, PMCS and fault verification procedures, procedures for service station vs. tailgate resupply, priorities of work by mission type, ROZ request formatting, troop commander wake-up criteria, troop command post operations, security operations, vehicle operations, uniform standards, OP kits, assembly area operations, and more. Inclusion of these topics allows the SOP to serve as a quick reference guide during field operations and allows subordinate leaders to accomplish their commander’s intent without requiring him to issue specified guidance. Formatting the SOP to be pocket sized and weatherproof makes it most effective. Refer to ATP 3-90.90 as a guide for SOP development.
Troop and Platoon PACE Plans
Observation
Units are often ineffective at executing their full PACE plan because they guard their COMSEC too tightly, emplace their equipment improperly, and have operators who are not trained well enough to effectively troubleshoot their equipment when it malfunctions. Often, individual operators lack the requisite skills for the effective employment and troubleshooting of their communications equipment. Many units have a poor understanding of wave and antenna theory, HF operation, and practical communications employment techniques. Organizations frequently limit SKL access to a small number of individuals, which forces units to displace or halt their maneuver to receive encryption. Preventing the end-user distribution of SKLs slows COMSEC change over tremendously. All too often an entire Troop will sit motionless on the battlefield, unable to communicate for hours, as they navigate the hardship of an inefficient COMSEC changeover.
Best Practice
Troops which deliberately train a well thought out communications plan consistently communicate more effectively in a decisive action environment. These Troops integrate dynamic communications employment into every training event, and usually execute quarterly Communications Academies to build operator proficiency. Communications Academies should include: -10 Level operator skills for all radio systems, employment of all communications systems, field expedient antennas, HF Theory and employment, and radio troubleshooting procedures. Increased distribution of SKLs enables easy and rapid access to encryption data without forcing a vehicle or dismounted team to displace from their position. Units must train, certify, and credential as many Soldiers as possible to distribute SKLs to vehicles and dismount teams. Successful organizations have experience employing their PACE plans at long distances. They understand the physical range capabilities of their specific systems, anticipate those capabilities, and effectively transition to longer-range communications systems when appropriate. Troops must routinely conduct thorough communications checks at distance and understand the capabilities and limitations of their systems. Units should execute at-distance communications checks during regular maintenance operations to best understand and employ their communications systems.
POC: MAJ Jim Plutt, Cobra 03, Task Force S3 Trainer, james.m.plutt2.mil@mail.mil
–
You can access the entire November 2019 NTC Update in a PDF HERE – or click the link below for an archive of all Lessons from Atropia.
Complete archive of The Company Leader Posts