Engineer Companies represent some of the most diverse, in demand, formations in a Brigade Combat Team in a DATE scenario. Capable of providing mobility, counter-mobility, or survivability assets these formations uniquely shape a BCTs ability to maneuver against a determined enemy. Effectively integrating these highly specialized units into the scheme of maneuver requires sound SOPs, thoughtful consideration during planning, meticulous tracking during preparation, and integrated support from other maneuver units in the midst of execution. Whether you are a Company or BCT Commander, understanding how to properly integrate engineer support into your operations is paramount to success.
Rehearsals at All Levels
Observation
Regardless of echelon, commanders must ensure the synchronization of combined arms breaches and other engineer operations. No two combined arms breaching operations are the same. The various capabilities employed by engineers, availability of redundant assets, and the enemy situation all demand that engineer operations be rehearsed in great detail prior to execution.
Best Practices
Squad, platoon, company, and task force rehearsals with engineers are the key to success. Rehearsals are imperative for all combined arms breaches and other engineer operations. The rehearsal provides shared understanding of the operation from the lowest to highest level. The rehearsal makes clear the times, methods, terms, and reporting requirements required to achieve the mission. Synchronization of the Support Force, Assault Force, Breach Force, and all other SOSRA elements can be refined and identified friction points that can be fixed.
Critical Equipment Hard Copy Manuals
Observation
As the Army gravitated toward electronic technical manuals in the early 2000s, leaders at all levels have failed to realize that in a decisive action environment, access to these manuals either becomes difficult due to enemy electronic warfare capabilities or a vulnerability as Soldiers attempt to utilize electronic means to conduct routine operations. Physical copies of TMs becomes more than just a luxury; it becomes a necessity to maintain combat power throughout the organization.
Best Practice
Physical copies of Technical Manuals allow Soldiers and leaders at all levels to identify issues in their equipment, troubleshoot problems, and order parts easily. Physical TMs in austere and dusty environments enable Soldiers to conduct thorough Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services, junior leaders to direct Pre-Combat Checks, and leaders to manage targeted Pre-Combat Inspections. Units that have TMs on hand more readily identify problems during PMCS, and identify solutions to faults more quickly.
Marking Systems from Rehearsal Through Execution
Observation
Marking systems for engineers are often not understood across the maneuver formations, inadequate in directing unit traffic, and not clearly marked for all weather conditions.
Best Practices
Marking methods that are the most effective are at least 1.25m in height, brightly colored, and provide directional information. The most successful marking systems utilized the engineer vehicles providing local near-side security as near-recognition marking by attaching VS-17 panels with arrows to the rear of those vehicles. In the lane, the use of tippy-toms, oversize traffic cones and 8’ pickets with engineer tape outlining the left hand rail were all effective. However, the most effective marking method and system did not occur due the use of any specific use of the aforementioned, but from a detailed demonstration of the marking method during combined arms rehearsals at every level.
Doctrinal Counter-mobility Obstacles and Quality Assurance/Quality Control
Observation
Horizontal Engineer Platoons should rely on standard obstacle designs IAW doctrinal requirements to ensure obstacle intent is achieved
Best Practice
“Construct a Tank Ditch” is a horizontal construction platoon MET and the most common countermobility task executed by a horizontal construction platoon. Most tank ditches are built in accordance with a unit standard without consideration of the obstacle intent or the doctrinal requirements to achieve that intent. Successful platoons utilize unit standard designs based on doctrinal requirements (ATP 3-90.8 Combined Arms Countermobility) and utilize different designs for different obstacle intents. Successful platoons also emplace quality assurance and quality control systems at the operator and blade team levels to ensure the tank ditch is constructed to the selected design standard in order to achieve the effect for which the obstacle is intended.
EAB Engineer Integration Into BCT Operations
Observation
EAB Engineer units often have difficulty integrating into BCT operations during NTC Rotations.
Best Practice
The most successful EAB Engineers train with the BCT they will support throughout that BCT’s preparation for NTC even if it requires deploying from home station to the BCT’s location. Pre-rotational training allows units to build trust, learn SOPs, and practice enabler integration prior to arrival at Fort Irwin. If company pre-rotation training is not possible, supporting EAB companies should attempt to deploy the CO HQs and portions of the company, or conduct an integrated CPX in conjunction with BCT training. Additionally, participation in BCT STX, LFX, and even EXEVALs facilitate inclusion of EAB Engineers in the Force on Force Under Live Fire Conditions portion of NTC rotations. EAB Engineers should always travel with a capability brief for supported BEB and maneuver battalions and an integration checklist to ensure they are prepared to support units even when task organization changes occur throughout the rotation.
Construction Company Route Reconnaissance
Observation
Due to organic equipment, route selection for Engineer Construction Companies is often less than ideal.
Best Practice
While moving across the battlefield, the routes traversable by LETs and M870 trailers limit the horizontal construction platoon’s mobility. While planning and preparing for a movement, successful platoons conduct a thorough route reconnaissance using all reconnaissance means available. Using appropriate PIRs established in the company and platoon SOPs, leaders select routes to objectives that do not require loaded trailer movement across difficult terrain. Soldiers at all levels in successful platoons conduct route reconnaissance throughout the movement as well in order to confirm or update previous route reconnaissance results. This results in a route to the objective that minimizes damage to the LETs and trailers and maximizes force protection from the enemy.
POC: Sidewinder 14 (EAB MAC/Sapper), 16 (B Co), and 19 (EAB ECC/ESC) Teams.
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