Some important tasks to rehearse include:
•Action on the objective.
•Assaulting a trench, bunker, or building.
•Actions at the assault position.
•Breaching obstacles (mine or wire).
•Using specific weapons or demolitions.
•Actions on unexpected enemy contact.
Pre-combat Inspection. Squad leaders should conduct initial inspections shortly after receipt of the warning order. The platoon sergeant spot-checks the unit’s preparation for combat. The platoon leader and platoon sergeant make a final inspection of the following:
•Weapons and ammunition.
•Uniforms and equipment.
•Mission-essential equipment.
•Soldiers’ understanding of mission and their specific responsibilities.
•Communications.
•Rations and water.
•Camouflage.
•Deficiencies noted during earlier inspections.
Note: Pre-combat inspections do not take the place of final combat inspections.
COMBAT ORDERS
Operation Order
An operation order (OPORD) is a directive issued by the leader to his subordinate leaders to effect the coordinated execution of a specific operation. The leader and sub-unit leaders brief the OPORD using briefing aids while following the five-paragraph format below.
Copy number ___ of ___ copies
Issuing HQ
Place of issue
Date/time group
Message reference number
Operation order number/code name
References used (maps, imagery, sketches, sand table, etc.)
Time zone (local or Zulu)
Rules of engagement
Task organization (essential elements for mission):
Orient the unit to the maps with friendly and enemy locations
If the task organization is long or complicated, use an annex
Effects of weather, light, and general forecast on friendly and enemy forces
High Temp
Moonrise
Sunrise
Low Temp
Moonset
Sunset
Wind Speed
Moon Phase
EENT (ending evening nautical twilight)
Wind Direction
% Illumination
BMNT (begin morning nautical twilight)
Prayer Times
Wake Times
Sleep Times
_______
Note: Activity levels vary with the season. For example, persons may sleep on the roof in the summer, retire early in the winter, and sleep in the fields during the planting season. During Ramadan, the population lives on a reverse schedule, sleeping during the day and staying up late at night.
Terrain and effects on friendly and enemy forces
OAKOC + water:
Obstacles; Avenues of approach; Key terrain; Observation and fields of fire; Cover and concealment; Water sources
1. Situation
Enemy forces:
Composition; Identification (clothing, weapons, tactics); Location (known and suspected); Activity (recent or past that apply); Strength; Morale; Capabilities (tactics, equipment); Reaction time for reinforcements; Probable locations and ingress routes of reinforcements; Civilians on the battlefield; Most dangerous course of action; Most probable course of action
Note: The rules of engagement are derived from this information, and it is vital in case of a critical incident.
Friendly forces:
Commander’s intent one and two levels up (overall picture); Locations of units to the left, right, front, and rear; Location of checkpoints and the procedure to pass; Other forces’ operations in the objective, task, and purpose; Effect on the operation
Units providing fire support:
Close-air support; Emergency close-air support; Indirect-fire support; Direct-fire support; Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); Quick reaction force (QRF)
Attachments (state at what point persons will become attached):
Liaison officer for joint-unit operations; Interpreters; Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD); Medical; Battlefield interrogation team (BIT); Civil affairs (CA); Psychological operations; Host nation government representatives; Host nation troops; Host nation females (for women and children on target)
Detachments (state at what point persons will become detached):
Cross-loading of personnel; Liaison officer (L/O) for joint-unit operations; Unit members in support of host nation troops; Any changes to unit manning SOP
2. Mission
Who; What (task); Where; When; Why (purpose)
Note: State the mission twice.
3. Execution
Concept of the Operation. This is a brief snapshot explanation of the mission, based on the COA. Use all available maps, imagery, sketches, and terrain models and include the following:
Describe the operation without in-depth details:
Main effort; Major maneuver units; Special teams; Intelligence; Reconnaissance; Infiltration; Security; Actions on the objective; Exfiltration
Determine the fire support plan:
How is it going to support the maneuver? What fire support assets are available?
Prepare for follow on missions
Maneuver. This section describes in detail what is going to happen on the mission. If possible, it should be briefed by the element leader in charge of the portion. This section should include:
Detailed responsibilities and mechanics for subordinate unit leaders
Routes (primary/alternate)
Travel time to the target
Main assault effort
Supporting assault, breaching, and snipers
Outside target security, command and control, and casualties
Cordon security
Special teams
Attachments (task and purpose)
Engagement and disengagement criteria
Alternate plan:
Compromise; Unplanned movement of the enemy
Withdrawal plan
Travel time back to friendly lines
GOTWA 5-point contingency plan, issued any time an element leaves the main body:
Going (location the parting element is going to); Others (all personnel that are going); Time (estimated time of return); What (what should be done if unit does not return); Actions (if enemy contact, what both parties will do)
Fires:
Identify the forward observer (FO)
Identify the controller (CAS)
Identify supporting unit(s)
CAS availability:
Dedicated? ECAS (Emergency)?
Scheme of fire to support overall mission
Purpose of fires
Types of available fire support
How much time to receive fire support?
Types of available ammunition
Special equipment needed (laser designator, strobe light, VS-17 panel, etc.)
Priority of fire (main effort)
Allocations of fire
Target list/worksheet/overlay—target reference points (TRP) and known position
Control measures:
Checkpoints; Boundaries; Phase lines; Coordination measures; Restrictions of fire; No-fire areas
Specific targets, if any (before, during, and after the operation)—pre-assault and post-assault fires
Precoordinated authentication
Communication frequencies (primary and alternate)
Coordinating Instructions. This section should describe the following five key phases:
Phase 1: Infiltration
Start time (occupy the assembly area)
Order of movement (OOM)