Small Unit Leaders Operational Planning Guide

By Jeff Kirkham and Erik Lawrence

This guide is a compilation of decades of Special Forces knowledge and experience from the two Special Forces authors. Perfect size handbook for the cargo pocket to help small unit leaders properly plan operations in limited time and under stress. This guide will be timeless with the troops who understand having a pocket size planning guide.

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBookIt.com
• Release date: Apr 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781941998526

Book preview

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PRINCIPLES OF PATROLLING

DUTIES OF SOLDIERS ASSIGNED TO UNIT

(DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL OF THE DUTIES)

PLATOON/PATROL LEADER-

1. Post time schedule (Backward plan).

2. Develop COURSE OF ACTION (COA).

3. Write paragraphs 1 (Situation), 2 (Mission), and 3 (Execution).

4. Request/Assign additional support if needed.

5. Follow the Coordination Checklist (Intelligence, Operations, Adjacent units, Fires, Air).

6. Supervise the men as they complete the plan, rehearse, and prepare.

7. Give the priority of rehearsals.

- Actions on the objective

- Objective, Actions at linkup

- Actions on contact

- Actions during contact

8. Know where your unit’s elements are at all times.

9. Plan routes; create overlays.

PLATOON SERGEANT ASSISTANT PATROL LEADER-

1. Help Platoon Leader.

2. Write paragraph 4 (Service Support); supervise paragraph 5 (Command and Signal).

3. Coordinate with the medic and aid/litter teams and ID CASUALTY COLLECTION POINT (CCP).

4. Task Organize the support element.

5. Re-organize men, weapons and equipment.

6. Provide status reports.

7. Identify OBJECTIVE RALLY POINT (ORP) and enroute Rally Points.

8. Plan routes; create overlays.

9. Determine actions at halts per S-2 (intelligence) brief

10. Plan near side security.

11. Know where your unit’s elements are at all times.

12. Enforce the 6 priorities of work in Patrol Base or Forward Operation Base:

1. security plan

2. maintenance plan

3. hygiene plan

4. water plan

5. mess plan

6. rest plan

13. Maintain Sensitive items list - 3 copies.

MOBILITY ELEMENT LEADER-

1. Ensure vehicle readiness.

2. Check vehicle load plan.

3. Coordinate with gunners.

4. Do route planning.

5. Prepare overlays.

6. Coordinate for security, support, blocking positions, ambulance, HELO LANDING ZONE (HLZ) security, and Route reconnaissance.

7. Determine actions at halts.

8. Start rehearsals.

BREACHERS/DEMO-

1. Identify breach point identification (door, window, wall, etc., Primary and Alternate).

2. Prepare breaching means (Surreptitious, Ladder, Mechanical, Ballistic, Thermal, Explosive).

3. Plan for destruction of captured equipment (Blow in Place (BIP) Kit).

4. Assist with paragraph 3 (Execution).

5. Prepare room for operations order.

SSE/EPW/TERPS/BIT TEAMS (RESERVE ELEMENT LEADER)

1. Prepare for SENSITIVE SITE EXPLOITATION (SSE).

2. Organize BATTLEFIELD INTERROGATION TEAM (BIT).

3. Determine SOP to move wounded/KIA rapidly from target (as per senior medic guidance).

4. Handle and move ENEMY PRISONERS OF WAR (EPW).

5. Reinforce main element if/when needed.

6. Plan for HELICOPTER LANDING ZONE (HLZ) security.

7. Assist with paragraphs 1 (Situation) and 3 (Execution).

RECON ELEMENT/SNIPER SECTION-

1. Perform route reconnaissance.

2. Perform CLOSE TARGET RECONNAISSANCE (CTR).

3. Plan for objective recon (leader’s recon).

4. Prepare overlays.

5. Determine sniper employment and position.

6. Prepare for security where needed.

7. Assist with Paragraphs 3 (Execution), 4 (Service/Support) and 5 (Command/Signal).

STANDARD UNIT ELEMENTS

1. Assault Element

a. Seize the objective.

b. Protect special teams during post assault.

2. Security Element

c. Isolate the objective.

d. Support withdrawal from objective.

3. Support Element

d. Direct and indirect fire support for unit.

e. Cordon off the target area.

4. Command Control

a. De-conflict internal elements.

b. De-conflict friendly units.

c. De-conflict follow-on objectives/targets.

d. Coordinate and de-conflict fire coordination.

DUTIES