STEP 8 - SUPERVISE AND REFINE

A-138. This final step of the TLP is crucial. After issuing the OPORD, the leader and his subordinate leaders must ensure the required activities and tasks are completed in a timely manner prior to mission execution. Supervision is the primary responsibility of all leadership. Both officers and NCOs must check everything important for mission accomplishment. This includes, but is not limited to ─

  • Conducting numerous back briefs on all aspects of the platoon and subordinate unit operations.
  • Ensuring the second in command in each element is prepared to execute in his leaders’ absence.
  • Listening to subordinates’ OPORD.
  • Observing rehearsals of subordinate units.
  • Checking load plans to ensure they are carrying only what is necessary for the mission or what the OPORD specified.
  • Checking the status and serviceability of weapons.
  • Checking on maintenance activities of subordinate units.
  • Ensuring local security is maintained.

The following video explains step 8 of the Troop Leading Procedures.

REHEARSALS

A-139. Rehearsals are practice sessions conducted to prepare units for an upcoming operation or event. They are essential in ensuring thorough preparation, coordination, and understanding of the commander's plan and intent. Leaders should never underestimate the value of rehearsals.

A-140. Rehearsals require leaders and, when time permits, other platoon Soldiers to perform required tasks, ideally under conditions as close as possible to those expected for the actual operation. At their best, rehearsals are interactive; participants maneuver their actual vehicles or use vehicle models or simulations while verbalizing their elements’ actions. During every rehearsal, the focus is on the how element, allowing subordinates to practice the actions called for in their individual scheme of maneuver.

Note. Rehearsals are different from a discussion of what is supposed to happen during the actual event. Leaders can test subordinates understanding of the plan by ensuring they push the rehearsal forward rather than waiting to dictate each step of the operation.


A-141. The leader uses well-planned, efficiently run rehearsals to accomplish the following:

  • Reinforce training and increase proficiency in critical tasks.
  • Reveal weaknesses or problems in the plan, leading to more refinement of the plan or development of additional branch plans.
  • Integrate the actions of subordinate elements.
  • Confirm coordination requirements between the platoon and adjacent units.
  • Improve each Soldier's understanding of the concept of the operation, the direct fire plan, anticipated contingencies, and possible actions and reactions for various situations may arise during the operation.
  • Ensure seconds-in-command are prepared to execute in their leaders’ absence.

REHEARSAL TYPES

A-142. Leaders may use several types of rehearsals they include─

Backbrief
A-143. A backbrief is a briefing by subordinates to the commander to review how subordinates intend to accomplish their mission. Normally, subordinates perform backbriefs throughout preparation. These briefs allow commanders to clarify the commander’s intent early in subordinate planning. Commanders use the backbrief to identify problems in the concept of the operation.

Combined Arms Rehearsal
A-144. A combined arms rehearsal is a rehearsal in which subordinate units synchronize their plans with each other. A maneuver unit headquarters normally executes a combined arms rehearsal after subordinate units issue their operation order. This rehearsal type helps ensure subordinate commanders’ plans achieve the higher commander’s intent.

Support Rehearsal
A-145. The support rehearsal helps synchronize each warfighting function with the overall operation. This rehearsal supports the operation so units can accomplish their missions. Throughout preparation, units conduct support rehearsals within the framework of a single or limited number of warfighting functions. These rehearsals typically involve coordination and procedure drills for aviation, fires, engineer support, or casualty evacuation. Support rehearsals and combined arms rehearsals complement preparations for the operation. Units may conduct rehearsals separately and combine them into full-dress rehearsals. Although these rehearsals differ slightly by warfighting function, they achieve similar results.

Battle Drill or Standard Operating Procedure Rehearsal
A-146. A battle drill or SOP rehearsal ensures all participants understand a technique or a specific set of procedures. Throughout preparation, units and staffs rehearse battle drills and SOPs. These rehearsals do not need a completed order from higher headquarters. Leaders place priority on those drills or actions they anticipate occurring during the operation. All echelons use these rehearsal types; however, they are most common for platoons, squads, and sections. They are conducted throughout preparation and are not limited to published battle drills.

METHODS OF REHEARSAL

A-147. Rehearsals should follow the crawl-walk-run training methodology whenever possible. This prepares the platoons and subordinate elements for increasingly difficult conditions. (Refer to FM 6-0 for more information). Units can conduct these forms of rehearsals if mission variables permit ─

Full-Dress Rehearsal
A-148. A full-dress rehearsal produces the most detailed understanding of the operation. It includes every participating Soldier and system. Leaders rehearse their subordinates on terrain similar to area of operation, initially under good light conditions, and then in limited visibility. Leaders repeat small unit actions until executed to standard. Full-dress rehearsals help Soldiers clearly understand what commanders expect of them. It helps them gain confidence in their ability to accomplish the mission. Supporting elements, such as aviation crews, meet and rehearse with Soldiers to synchronize the operation.

Reduced-Force Rehearsal
A-149. Circumstances may prohibit a rehearsal with all members of the unit. A reduced-force rehearsal involves only key leaders of the organization and subordinate units. It normally takes fewer resources than a full-dress rehearsal. Terrain requirements mirror those of a full-dress rehearsal, even though fewer Soldiers participate. The commander first decides the level of leader involvement. Then selected leaders rehearse the plan while traversing actual or similar terrain. Often commanders use this technique to rehearse fire control measures for an engagement area during defensive operations. Commanders often use a reduced-force rehearsal to prepare key leaders for a full-dress rehearsal. It may require developing a rehearsal plan mirroring the actual plan but fits the rehearsal terrain.

Terrain-Model Rehearsal
A-150. The terrain-model rehearsal is the most popular rehearsal technique. It takes less time and fewer resources than a full-dress or reduced-force rehearsal. (A terrain-model rehearsal takes a platoon between one to two hours to execute to standard.) An accurately constructed terrain model helps subordinate leaders visualize the commander’s intent and concept of operation. When possible, commanders place the terrain model where it overlooks the actual terrain of the area of operation. However, if the situation requires more security, they place the terrain model on a reverse slope within walking distance of a point overlooking the area of operation. The model’s orientation coincides with the terrain. The size of the terrain model can vary from small (using markers to represent units) to large (on which the participants can walk). A large model helps reinforce the participants’ perception of unit positions on the terrain.

Digital Terrain-Model Rehearsal
A-151. With today’s digital capabilities, users can construct terrain models in virtual space. Units drape high-resolution imagery over elevation data thereby creating a fly-through or walk-through. Holographic imagery produces views in three dimensions. Often, the model hot links graphics, detailed information, unmanned aircraft systems, and ground imagery to key points providing accurate insight to the plan. Digital terrain models reduce the operations security risk because they do not use real terrain. The unit geospatial engineers or imagery analysts can assist in digital model creation. Detailed city models exist for many world cities.

Sketch-Map Rehearsal
A-152. Commanders can use the sketch-map technique almost anywhere, day or night. The procedures are similar to a terrain-model rehearsal except the commander uses a sketch map in place of a terrain model. Large sketches ensure all participants can see as each participant walks through execution of the operation. Participants move markers on the sketch to represent unit locations and maneuvers. Sketch-map rehearsals take less time than terrain-model rehearsals and more time than map rehearsals.

Map Rehearsal
A-153. A map rehearsal is similar to a sketch-map rehearsal except the commander uses a map and operation overlay of the same scale used to plan the operation. The map rehearsal itself consumes the most time. A map rehearsal is normally the easiest technique to set up since it requires only maps and graphics for current operations. Units gear a map rehearsal’s operation overlay to the echelon conducting the rehearsal. Multi-echelon rehearsals using this technique are difficult. This rehearsal can present operations security risks if the area around the rehearsal site is not secured. This technique requires the least terrain of all rehearsals. A good site ensures participants can easily find it yet stay concealed from the enemy. An optimal location overlooks the terrain where the unit will execute the operation.

Network Rehearsal
A-154. Units conduct network rehearsals over wide-area networks or local area networks. Commanders and staffs practice these rehearsals by talking through critical portions of the operation over communications networks in a sequence the commander establishes. The organization rehearses only critical parts of the operation. These rehearsals require all information systems needed to execute portions of the operation. All participants require working information systems, operation order, and overlays. Command posts can rehearse battle tracking during network rehearsals.

PRECOMBAT CHECKS AND INSPECTIONS

A-155. PCCs and PCIs are critical to the success of missions. These checks and inspections are leader tasks and cannot be delegated below the team leader level. They ensure the Soldier is prepared to execute the required individual and collective tasks supporting the mission. Checks and inspections are part of the TLP protecting against shortfalls endangering Soldiers’ lives and jeopardize the execution of a mission.

A-156. PCCs and PCIs must be tailored to the specific unit and mission requirements. Each mission and each patrol may require a separate set of checklists. Each element will have its own established set of PCCs and PCIs, but each platoon within its element should have identical checklists. Weapons squads will have a different checklist than line squads, but each weapon squad within an organization should be the same.

A-157. One of the best ways to ensure PCCs and PCIs are complete and thorough is with full-dress rehearsals. These rehearsals, run at combat speed with communication and full battle-equipment, allow the leader to envision minute details, as they will occur in the area of operation. If the operation is to be conducted at night, Soldiers should conduct full-dress rehearsals at night as well. PCCs and PCIs should include back briefs on the mission, the task and purpose of the mission, and how the Soldiers’ role fits into the scheme of maneuver. The Soldiers should know the latest intelligence updates, ROE, be versed in medical and casualty evacuation procedures and sustainment requirements.

A-158. Table A-2 lists sensitive items, high dollar value items, issued pieces of equipment, and supplies. This table should spur thought it’s not a final list. Follow your own unit SOP guidelines.

Table A-2. Precombat checks and precombat inspection checklist example

Precombat checks and precombat inspection checklist example