In the next Decisive Action (DA) conflict, we will be outnumbered, outgunned, and potentially matched in every other domain. If this is the case, then we can only win by synchronizing and massing combined arms at the decisive point faster than the enemy. We must anticipate the enemy’s scheme of maneuver, develop a collection plan to confirm it, synchronize fires and effects to attrit enemy forces, and provide subordinate commanders with a detailed plan to execute the enemy’s destruction–all while conducting protection and sustainment operations. To quote the 25thCommander of Operations Group, “We have to do this perfectly and continuously, every time.” Developing and retaining proficient and cohesive battle staff teams is essential to winning the next first fight.
Few deploying commanders can retain a proficient team with sufficient reps to execute effectively during the first fight. I will not debate the merits or drawbacks of Army personnel management here, but the reality is that the Battle Staff is the most turbulent crew in a unit. Additionally, a battle staff team will most likely get one good rep of the ops process at speed (their CTC rotation) before key members start moving out and are replaced with the new. Understanding that proficient battle staffs are essential to winning, and that it is practically impossible for a unit to retain a proficient team for long, what can a leader do about it?
This is the first of a multi-part series on the practical steps we can take to train our battle staffs outside of major collective events. Here we will discuss the importance of having a garrison Current Operations (CUOPs) Floor. Part II will focus on Reporting and Battle Rhythm. We will examine how to get repetitions of MDMP outside of dedicated CPXs and major training events in Part III. And, Part IV will explore how we can inject the friction imposed by the DA fight into home station training to challenge our staffs to respond.
Establish a Current Operations Floor in Your HQ
1-12 IN, 2nd SBCT, 4th ID work inside their mobile tactical operations center at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La. (Credit: Joint Readiness Training Center)
The CUOPS floor is the nerve center for receiving, analyzing, and disseminating information. It is the location of the unit’s Common Operational Picture (or COP). ATP 6-0.5 defines the COP as “the single display of relevant information within a commander’s area of interest tailored to the user’s requirements and based on common data and information shared by more than one command.” The litmus test for an effective CUOPs floor is instantaneous understanding. It allows the commander to walk in, quickly understand the friendly and enemy situation, and make a decision knowing he or she has the most up-to-date information. Is there a place in your battalion headquarters where your commander can do this? If not, consider this a guide to establishing a home station CUOPS floor.
Step 1: Determine the Essential Elements of the BN’s COP
Start with a dialogue with your commander about what he or she needs to know to make decisions. You can consider this home station PIR and FFIR- the information that affects both immediate operations and long-term training. Much of the COP consists of staff running estimates, which we will discuss in the next installment. Here are some recommended elements for the COP on your CUOPS floor:
- The location of subordinate units (down to PLT level) on an analog map of your local training area. This should be the centerpiece of your CUOPS floor. Have a JCR and/or CPOF set up to track them digitally if possible. Reserve a space to record the day’s task & purpose for each unit, updated daily.
- An analog or digital snapshot (whiteboard or projected screen) of training and operations for the current training week. Consider including a hard copy or digital projection of near term training (8 weeks out for BN). This way, when your CUOPS officer receives a brigade FRAGORD, he or she can immediately assess whether it requires action by the S3, meets CDR CCIR, or if it needs to be passed to plans.
- An analog task-org, to include engineers and other enabling units that join your unit for training.
- An analog tracker of combat power slant, by PLT. Consider tracking the systems outside of pacer platforms that are critical to your unit’s mission (LRAS for cavalry squadrons, mine plows/rollers for combined arms battalions, etc.).
- Communications Status (COMSTAT) analog tracker, by PACE
- An analog tracker for Personnel Status (PERSTAT)
- Logistics Status (LOGSTAT) analog tracker. Include fuel, ammo, MREs, and CLVIII at a minimum.
- An analog tracker for Fire Support and Airspace.
- Weather for next 24-72 hours.
- A tracker for CDR, CSM, S3, and XO key engagements for the week (times & locations).
- The S2 CUOPs battle board. When unit training does not require enemy assessments, fill this space with current trends of hostile agents or competitive states in your unit’s aligned region, or post a vehicle ID/threat system card.
While tracking some of these elements at home station may seem hokey or redundant to existing systems, establishing and maintaining a COP does not happen automatically. You don’t just turn it on when you get in the field, in the box, or in country. Sharing understanding must become a habit for your staff. That only happens through constant reps.
Step 2: The Personnel
Decide who absolutely must be on the CUOPS floor. Consider making your HQ CUOPS floor the same size as your deployed TOC’s CUOPS floor. Who gets a seat at the table? At a minimum:
- S3 CUOPS Battle CPT or LT. In most BNs, this person receives BCT FRAGOs and/or serves as an action officer for BN taskings. This person updates the COP as units report. They confirm that all units meet LD conditions prior to training, enforce subordinate unit reporting, and receive range/training closure reports. They receive incoming orders from higher HQ. Rotate your additional LTs and CPTs onto the CUOPS floor to give them reps. Lastly, the officer representing the BN CDR after duty hours is not the “Staff Duty Officer”- he/she is the Night Battle Captain.Their seat is at the CUOPS desk, manning the radio and JCR for the Battalion, and tracking unit activities to ensure that the COP is maintained 24/7.
- RTO. As with the Battle CPT, this person will rotate with other enlisted personnel in your S3 shop to man the radio and/or JCR in conjunction with their home station responsibilities. They will log reports and assist the Battle CPT with battle tracking as necessary.
- S2 CUOPS representative. The S2 shop needs to fill a seat at the CUOPS table, even if there is not a high demand for their services during daily home station activities. In Part IV of this series, I will discuss ways for PLT and CO training to stimulate the S2 CUOPs process during daily operations.
- Fire Support Element. Your FSO may reside in the artillery battalion, but he/she and their AFATDS operator need a seat at the table. This allows them to quickly plug into training opportunities. They can conduct staff battle drills and piggyback on PLT/CO training to exercise the fire support process.
- Executive Officer. As the TOC OIC, he has a seat on the CUOPS floor.
Lastly, invest in training for your battle staff. Identify and exploit opportunities to send your soldiers to Digital Master Gunner course. Send your NCOs to Battle Staff School and your Officers to your installation CPOF and JCR course.
Step 3: The Physical Layout
Discuss with your commander the best way to organize the CUOPS floor to enable his/her decision-making. Then collaborate with your staff and determine what systems (both digital and analog) they need to conduct their duties. If you can’t maintain your tactical systems in an open facility, try using an unclassified CPOF hard drive and profile. You won’t be connected to the tactical network, but you can still exercise a digital COP. Armed with your commander’s guidance and a knowledge of the technical capabilities and limitations of your home station CUOPs floor, charge your operations sergeant major with building it.
The CUOPS floor is the platform for your Battle Staff Crew. Establishing one for daily operations will train your team to maximize shared understanding, rehearse how information flows during combat, become comfortable with the ergonomics and physical layout, and provide the commander the ability to use the common operational picture to Understand, Visualize, Describe, Direct, and Assess as he would in combat.
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