Small Unit Leaders
Operational Planning Guide
by
Jeff Kirkham
and by
Erik Lawrence
SMALL UNIT LEADERS
OPERATIONAL PLANNING GUIDE
By Jeff Kirkham and Erik Lawrence
Copyright 2015 Erik Lawrence,
All rights reserved.
Published in eBook format by Erik Lawrence Publications
Converted by http://www.eBookIt.com
eBook ISBN-13: 978-1-941998-52-6
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the copyright holder. Exceptions to this include reviewers who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the Internet.
ATTENTION US MILITARY UNITS, US GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: Quantity discounts are available on bulk purchases of this book. Special books or book excerpts can also be created to fit specific needs. For information, please contact:
Erik Lawrence
21150 Barbour County Highway
Philippi, WV 26416
Although the author has made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of information contained in this book, we assume no responsibility for the use or misuse of information contained in this book, errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein. Portions of this manual are excerpts from outside sources but have been validated and modified as necessary.
PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP
•Be Technically and Tactically Proficient.
•Know your unit, your soldier and your own capabilities and limitations.
•Seek responsibility.
•Make sound and timely decisions.
•Set the example.
•Keep subordinates informed.
•Develop a sense of responsibility in subordinates.
•Build the team.
•Employ your unit in accordance with its capabilities.
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