Military Tactics and Doctrinal Concepts: Troop Leading Procedures, Mission Analysis, and Operational Tasks

Troop Leading Procedures

Receive the Mission, Issue Warning Order, Make a tentative Plan, Initiate Movement, Conduct Reconnaissance, Complete the Plan, Issue OPORD, Supervise and Refine

The mission statement

Who (the unit), What (the unit's essential task and type of operation), When (time given in the higher-level OPORD), Where (the objective or location stated in higher's OPORD), Why (the unit purpose, taken from higher's concept of the operation)

Decisive Point

Key terrain, critical factor, or function that, when acted upon, enables commanders to gain a marked advantage over an enemy or contribute materially to achieving success.

Movement formations

Column, Line, Wedge, Vee, File, Echelon Right or Left, Box, Diamond

Movement techniques

Traveling, Traveling Overwatch, Bounding Overwatch, Alternate, Successive

Military Aspects of Terrain / OAKOC

Obstacles, Avenues of Approach, Key Terrain, Observation and Fields of Fire, Cover and Concealment

Five paragraph operations order format

Situation, Mission, Execution, Sustainment, Command and Signal

The Mission Analysis Factors of METT-TC(I)

Mission, Enemy, Terrain and weather, Troops and support, Time, Civil considerations, Information

Block

A tactical mission task that denies the enemy access to an area or an avenue of approach.

Breach

A tactical mission task in which a unit breaks through or establishes a passage through an enemy obstacle.

Contain

A tactical mission task in which a unit stops, holds, or surrounds an enemy force.

Clear

A tactical mission task in which a unit eliminates all enemy forces within an assigned area.

Control

A tactical mission task in which a unit maintains physical influence over an assigned area.

Destroy

A tactical mission task that physically renders an enemy force combat-ineffective until reconstituted.

Disrupt

A tactical mission task in which a unit upsets an enemy's formation or tempo and causes the enemy force to attack prematurely or in a piecemeal fashion.

Fix

A tactical mission task in which a unit prevents the enemy from moving from a specific location for a specific period.

Interdict

A tactical mission task in which a unit prevents, disrupts, or delays the enemy's use of an area or route in any domain.

Isolate

A tactical mission task in which a unit seals off an enemy, physically and psychologically, from sources of support and denies it freedom of movement.

Neutralize

A tactical mission task in which a unit renders the enemy incapable of interfering with an operation.

Retain

A tactical mission task in which a unit prevents enemy occupation or use of terrain.

Secure

A tactical mission task in which a unit prevents the enemy from damaging or destroying a force, facility, or geographical location.

Seize

A tactical mission task in which a unit takes possession of a designated area by using overwhelming force.

Support by Fire

A tactical mission task in which a unit engages the enemy by direct fire in support of another maneuvering force.

Suppress

A tactical mission task in which a unit temporarily degrades a force or weapon system from accomplishing its mission.

Turn

A tactical mission task in which a unit forces an enemy force from one avenue of approach or mobility corridor to another.

Contact Point

In land warfare, a point on the terrain, easily identifiable, where two or more units are required to make contact.

Linkup Point

A designated place where two forces are scheduled to meet.

Final Protective Fire (FPF)

An immediately available prearranged barrier of fire designed to impede enemy movement across defensive lines or areas.

Line of Departure (LD)

A general trace delineating the locations where friendly and enemy forces are engaged.

Phase line (PL)

An easily identified feature in the operational area utilized for control and coordination of military operations.

Checkpoint (CP)

A predetermined point on the ground used to control movement, tactical maneuver, and orientation.

Target Reference Point (TRP)

An easily recognizable point on the ground (either natural or man-made) used to initiate, distribute, and control fires.

Point Target

A target that is less than or equal to 200 meters in width and length.

Passage Lane

A lane through an obstacle that provides safe passage for a passing force.

Direction of Attack

A specific direction or assigned route a force uses and does not deviate from when attacking.

Axis of Advance

The general area through which the bulk of the unit's combat power must move.

M4A1

5.56 mm, MAX: 3600 m, Point: 500 m, Area: 600 m

M320

40 mm, MAX: 400 m, Point: 150 m, Area: 350 m

M249

5.56 mm, MAX: 3600 m, Point (B): 600 m, Point (T): 800 m, Area (B): 800, Area (T): 1000

M240

7.62 mm, MAX: 3725 m, Point (B): 600 m, Point (T): 800 m, Area (B): 800 m, Area (T): 1100 m, 3 PAX (Gunner, AG, AB)

M2 .50 Cal

.50 cal, MAX: 6764 m, Point: 1500 m, Area: 1830 m, Vehicle or 4 PAX (Crew leader, AG, Gunner, AB)

Mk19

40 mm, MAX: 2212 m, Point: 1500 m, Area: 2212 m, Vehicle or 3 PAX (Gunner, AG, AB)

M777 Howitzer

155 mm, 30 - 40 km (assisted), 22.5 - 30 km (unassisted), 7 + 1 PAX

M119 Howitzer

105 mm, 14 km (Charge 8), 7 PAX

M107 Rifle

.50 cal, MAX: 6812 m, Point: 1830 m

AT-4 Rocket Launcher

84 mm, MAX: 2100 m, Point: 300 m, Area: 500 m

ITAS/TOW

(Improved Target Acquisition System / Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided missile launcher), 6 in, 3750 m

Javelin Missile

127 mm (5 in), MAX: 4750 m, Eff: 75 to 2500 m

M1A2 Abrams

120 mm Cannon, 2 x 7.62 mm (1 coax), 1 x .50 cal, 120mm: 4000 m, Other: See M240, M2, 4 PAX (CDR, gunner, loader, driver)

M2 Bradley family

25 mm Chain Gun, 7.62 mm coax, TOW x 2, 25mm: MAX: 6800 m, Eff: 3000 m, Other: See TOW, M240, 3 PAX (CDR, gunner, driver) + 6 dismounts

M120 120mm Mortar

120 mm, 200 to 7200 m, 5 PAX (SL, Gunner, AG, 1AB, 2AB)

M109A6 Paladin

155 mm, 24 - 30 km, 4 PAX (CDR, gunner, loader, driver)

M252 81mm Mortar

81 mm, 83 to 5800 m, 5 PAX (SL, Gunner, AG, 1AB, 2AB)

M224 60mm Mortar

60 mm, Conventional: 70 to 3500 m, Handheld: 75 to 1340 m, 3 PAX (SL, Gunner, AB)

M1126 Stryker

.50 cal, 40 mm, or 7.62 mm, See M2, Mk19, or M240, 2 PAX (CDR, driver) + 9 dismounts

M1128 Stryker MGS (Mobile Gun System)

105 mm, > 3 km, 3 PAX (CDR, driver, gunner)

HMMWV family

Various, > 500 km (mobility), 2 to 4 PAX

M113 family

.50 cal, See M2, 2 PAX + 11 dismounts

M1 ABV (Assault Breacher Vehicle)

.50 cal and M58 MICLIC (Mine Clearing Line Charge), See M2, 2 PAX

M9 ACE (Armored Combat Earthmover)

Smoke, > 350 km (mobility), 1 PAX

Avenger

FIM-92 Stinger Missiles, 8 km, 2 PAX (Basic), 3 PAX (STC) [Slew to Cue]

AH-64

30 mm Chain gun, 70 mm rockets, AGM-114 Hellfires, 30mm: 1700 m, 70mm: 8 km, Hellfires: 500 m to 8 km, 2 PAX

M3/M4 MAAWS (Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System) (Carl Gustav)

84 mm, 700 m, 1000 m w/ boost, 2 PAX (gunner & loader)

M110 SASS (Semi-Automatic Sniper System)

7.62 mm, 800 m, N/A

M104 Wolverine

N/A, > 400 km (mobility), 2 PAX

IBCT Infantry Battalion

IBCT Infantry Company

IBCT Infantry Platoon

IBCT Airborne Infantry Battalion

IBCT Airborne Infantry Company

IBCT Airborne Infantry Platoon

IBCT Air Assault Batallion

IBCT Air Assault Company

IBCT Air Assault Platoon

IBCT Weapons Company

IBCT Mortar Sectiom

IBCT Cavalry Squadron

IBCT Cavalry Troop

IBCT Reconnaissance Platoon

CA Team

MISO Team (Military Information Support Operations)

[Psy Ops]

Special Forces Unit

Ranger Unit

Multiple Rocket Launcher Artillery Unit

Single Rocket Launcher Artillery Unit

Tube Artillery Unit

Equivalent Threat Units

TPA Infantry Platoon