CONTROL MEASURES
M OVEMENT AND M ANEUVER2418
3-43. Developing a simple scheme of maneuver, issuing a clear commander’s intent, and developing plans to 2419
execute likely maneuver options that may occur during execution contribute to flexibility and subordinate 2420
initiative. Commanders must visualize the AO and employ the right force mix at the right place and time to 2421
achieve the desired effect.
2422
3-44. When developing his concept, the battalion commander anticipates where he is likely to meet the enemy, 2423
and then determines how he intends to develop the situation that leads to an attack under favorable conditions 2424
(hasty attack). The commander must attempt to visualize this process during his mission analysis and take into 2425
account his active and passive responses to enemy contact. The commander focuses on determining the 2426
battalion’s organization and formation that best retains his freedom of action on contact and supports his 2427
concept against known or anticipated enemy forces.
2428
3-45. The commander and his staff develop plans for the maneuver options of attack, report and bypass, defend, 2429
and retrograde based on the higher commander’s intent and the situation. They define the conditions in terms of 2430
enemy and friendly strengths and dispositions that are likely to trigger the execution of each maneuver option.
2431
They identify likely locations of engagements based on known or suspected enemy locations. The commander 2432
states the bypass criteria for the advance guard. He must recognize the loss of tempo created by fighting every 2433
small enemy force encountered with the lead element. The advance guard may attack small enemy forces that it 2434
can quickly destroy without losing momentum, but it is best that the advance guard bypass larger or more 2435
stubborn enemy forces, and allow their engagement by the main body.
2436
3-46. Areas of likely contact, known enemy positions, and areas that are potentially dangerous to the CAB 2437
(such as potential ambush locations, obstacles, and open areas) require close planning consideration. The staff 2438
must carefully plan actions for moving through these danger areas quickly and securely.
2439
3-47. Priority of engineer support is typically to mobility, although it may rapidly change to counter-mobility in 2440
anticipation of an enemy attack. Engineer teams may join the reconnaissance and security forces to reconnoiter 2441
obstacles, based on METT-TC. Additional combat engineers may also travel with the advance guard to assist in 2442
assuring the mobility of the advance guard and main body along with gather OBSTINTEL requirements.
2443
3-48. The following are key considerations for the scheme of engineer operations:
2444
Task-organize engineer forces well forward to support reconnaissance and potential breaching, 2445
clearing, or gap crossing operations.
2446
Ensure the reconnaissance plan integrates the collection of known or templated obstacles and other 2447
terrain information, and is focused to verify critical information.
2448
Maintain the flexibility to mass engineers to breach complex obstacles.
2449
Plan obstacle control measures and situational obstacles to support flank security. Develop and adjust 2450
obstacle locations and triggers for execution based on the battalion’s movement and the enemy 2451
situation.
2452
Develop plans for the handover of marked obstacles, lanes, and bypasses.
2453
I
NTELLIGENCE 24543-49. The first consideration for a movement to contact is information collection planning. The BCT plays a 2455
major role based on the assets available and its links to division and higher information collection assets. The 2456
CAB is one of several elements executing the BCT offensive plan, and the CAB information collection plan 2457
must be integrated, synchronized, and coordinated with the BCT Cavalry squadron and other elements 2458
executing the BCT information collection plan.
2459
3-50. The first priority is to determine anticipated enemy locations, strengths, and actions. Potential enemy 2460
mission, intent, objectives, defensive locations, use of key terrain, avenues of approach and routes, engagement 2461
areas (EAs), population, and obstacles are among the items that must be identified early and incorporated into 2462
the information collection plan. Various elements within the CAB conduct information collection tasks.
2463
UAS Teams 2464
3-51. UAS teams can prevent large enemy units from surprising the main body. After making contact, UAS 2465
teams can maintain contact with ground scouts, reconnoiter elsewhere, or move to a vantage point that avoids 2466
decisive engagement. Units must remember to account for the airspace above the CAB’s AO. They should be 2467
alert for enemy attack aviation and UAS during movements through choke points, bridges, and other restrictive 2468
terrain.
2469
3-52. Rapid exchange of relevant information between the CAB, Cavalry squadron, and the BCT is critical.
2470
Intelligence-gathering actions result in information dominance and, once established, can convert the movement 2471
to contact into an attack.
2472
F
IRES 24733-53. Priority of fires are allocated to the advance guard. The fire support coordinator in coordination with the 2474
BCT S-3, positions field artillery units to provide continuous indirect fires for the moving CAB. Army attack 2475
helicopters and CAS may be available to interdict enemy counterattack forces or destroy defensive positions.
2476
Given the BCT’s emphasis on proactive counterfires and the likelihood for operating in close terrain, the CAB 2477
may need to rely on its organic mortars.
2478
3-54. The CAB mortars may be placed under the OPCON of the advance guard, based on METT-TC, to 2479
provide responsive fires and obscuration to support initial actions on contact, or may be controlled by the 2480
battalion commander or FSO in support of the entire battalion effort. In either case, it is likely that the advance 2481
guard will receive initial mortar priority of fires.
2482
3-55. The following are key considerations for the fire support plan:
2483
Facilitate responsive and decentralized fires by establishing a clear understanding of the essential 2484
tasks for fire support in each phase of the operation. This understanding is critical to the success of 2485
the fire support plan. Upon contact, the battalion shifts control of all available fires to the observer 2486
who is in the best position to control fires against the enemy.
2487
Plan targets based on known or suspected enemy locations and danger areas and to support future 2488
operations. Refine targets based on the reconnaissance effort as the operation progresses.
2489
Maximize the use of priority targets along the axis of advance and plan triggers to put these targets 2490
into effect and cancel them based on the movement of the battalion.
2491
Ensure immediate responsive fire support to the lead elements by assigning priority of fires to the 2492
security force and the advance guard.
2493
Synchronize the movement and positioning of artillery, mortar assets with the tempo of the battalion, 2494
and the fire support requirements.
2495
Position observers and forward air controllers (FACs) effectively and maximize the use of lead 2496
maneuver forces to call for fires since they often have the best view of the enemy. Observers must 2497
understand the essential tasks for fire support for each phase of the operation.
2498
S
USTAINMENT 24993-56. Sustainment planners (S-1,S-4, MEDO, XOs, FSC CDR) must be able to anticipate requirements, 2500
improvise solutions, and be responsive and continuous. During the operations process, commanders and staff 2501
must plan, prepare, execute, and continuously assess sustainment support for the CAB to include attached 2502
elements, such as an engineer company.
2503
3-57. The object of sustainment is to provide support as far forward as possible without disrupting operations.
2504
The priority is to move Class V forward and to evacuate casualties rearward. The FSC focuses on mobile 2505
support, which provides the CAB commander responsive support and reduces support areas to protect. The 2506
near-real-time information provided by FBCB2 enhances support.
2507
3-58. The commander and S-4 might determine that the mission requires additional Class III and V support be 2508
positioned forward at the combat trains. If the CAB is widely dispersed, the FSC may position resupply of Class 2509
III and V forward at logistics release points (LRPs), rather than a centralized combat trains.
2510
3-59. FSC maintenance teams are positioned with companies to perform on-systems repair of combat vehicles.
2511
Equipment that cannot be repaired quickly is evacuated to the maintenance collection point (MCP). MCPs 2512
should be located on the main axis or main supply routes (MSRs). In addition, the S-4 may request heavy 2513
equipment transport to assist in rearward evacuation.
2514
3-60. Medical treatment focuses on stabilization and rapid medical evacuation of patients. Although each 2515
maneuver company generally has a ambulance team, the CAB may receive additional wheeled ambulance 2516
teams from the medical company (brigade support battalion),to expedite the evacuation of casualties to the 2517
BSMC. These ambulances may be held at the BAS or dispersed to ambulance exchange points (AXPs).
2518
3-61. The following are key considerations for the sustainment plan:
2519
Continuously update the sustainment plan based on status of units and ensure the plan is responsive 2520
and flexible enough to support all maneuver options.
2521
Plan support from initiation of the operation to the final objective or LOA.
2522
Integrate backup support from the BSB to reinforce the support provided by the FSC. This may 2523
include Class III, V, and IX support, medical treatment and ground ambulance teams to provide HSS, 2524
and maintenance and recovery teams.
2525
Consider risks that extended distances create for security of MSRs and sustainment assets based on 2526
the potential of undetected or bypassed enemy forces.
2527
Integrate sustainment with the trains’ security plan.
2528
Develop and maintain an accurate enemy picture behind the lead maneuver elements.
2529
Plan and coordinate the locations, displacements, and routes of sustainment assets to maintain 2530
responsive support.
2531
Plan and coordinate for aerial resupply.
2532
P
ROTECTION 25333-62. Air defense artillery units are a limited resource. Available air defense artillery resources will be 2534
dedicated to the protection of assets that the ABCT commander deems critical to the success of the tactical plan, 2535
leaving other assets without dedicated air defense artillery coverage. Units with or without dedicated air defense 2536
artillery support must contribute to their own defense against air attack. (Refer to FMs 3-01 and 3-52 and ADRP 2537
3-37 for more information.) 2538
3-63. The commander integrates CBRN considerations into all types of mission planning. Implementing CBRN 2539
passive defensive measures may slow the tempo, degrade combat power, and may increase logistics 2540
requirements. The following are key considerations for CBRN defense planning:
2541
Ensure the CBRN reconnaissance platoon within the ABCT is prepared to conduct CBRN 2542
reconnaissance tasks.
2543
Disseminate/report CBRN threats and hazards information immediately throughout the formation 2544
3-64. During preparation for movement to contact, the battalion continues to refine the enemy situation based 2549
on higher intelligence reports and reporting from the CAB scout platoon. The primary concerns are that the 2550
battalion commander and staff receive the latest information and that plans are updated to reflect the changes.
2551
3-65. The battalion commander must ensure that his subordinates understand his intent and their individual 2552
missions as new information becomes available. He normally uses backbriefs and rehearsals to ensure his intent 2553
is understood and all actions are integrated and synchronized. Simple, flexible plans that rely on TACSOPs, and 2554
are rehearsed repeatedly against various enemy conditions, are essential to success.
2555
I
NSPECTIONS 25563-66. The battalion commander inspects subordinate unit preparations to ensure they are consistent with his 2557
intent and concept of operations. He emphasizes subordinate plans to move through danger areas, conduct 2558
actions on contact, and transition into a maneuver option. The battalion commander ensures each subordinate 2559
force understands its assigned mission during the movement to contact and the potential maneuver options that 2560
may develop during execution.
2561
R
EHEARSALS 25623-67. The battalion’s leaders rehearse the plan against a wide range of likely enemy COAs that would cause the 2563
battalion to execute various maneuver options at different times and locations. The goal of rehearsals is to help 2564
prepare commanders to identify decision points that may arise during execution. This promotes flexibility and 2565
agility while reinforcing the commander’s intent. The commander seeks to rehearse the operation from 2566
initiation to occupation of the final objective or LOA, but due to time constraints, the commander prioritizes the 2567
maneuver options and enemy COAs to be rehearsed based on the time available. The focus of the rehearsal is 2568
locating the enemy, developing the situation, executing a maneuver option, and exploiting success. The 2569
rehearsal must consider the potential of encountering stationary or moving enemy forces. Other actions to 2570
consider during rehearsals include:
2571
Actions to cross known danger areas.
2572
The advance guard making contact with a small enemy force.
2573
The advance guard making contact with a large force beyond its capabilities to defeat.
2574
The advance guard making contact with an obstacle the reconnaissance force has not identified and 2575
reported.
2576
A flank security force making contact with a small force.
2577
A flank security force making contact with a large force beyond its capability to defeat.
2578
Bypass criteria and reporting requirements.
2579
Transition into a maneuver option.
2580
3-68. The type of rehearsal is proportional to the amount of time to plan and prepare for execution. Ideally each 2581
type of rehearsal is conducted, but the CAB commander will almost always conduct backbriefs with his 2582
subordinate commanders and staff. The combined arms and support rehearsal can be done in combination with 2583
the backbrief with time permitting. The battle drill or standard operating procedure (SOP) rehearsal are usually 2584
conducted at platoon and below. (Refer to FM 6-0 for more information.) 2585
3-69. The six techniques for rehearsals are network, map, sketch map, terrain model, reduced force, and full 2586
dress. These are listed in order of the amount of time, resources, leadership participation, and security risk from 2587
least to greatest in order to conduct the rehearsals. Because of the unknowns associated with respect to enemy 2588
during a movement to contact, the execution of rehearsals during preparation is vital to success. (Refer to FM 6-2589
0 for more information.) 2590
EXECUTION
2591
3-70. The execution of offensive tasks generally follow a five-step sequence listed below:
2592
Gain and maintain enemy contact.
2593
3-71. This sequence is for discussion purposes only and is not the only way of conducting these offensive tasks.
2598
The five steps used in this publication to illustrate the execution of offensive tasks actually tend to overlap each 2599
other during the conduct of offensive actions. Normally the first three of these steps are shaping operations or 2600
supporting efforts, while the maneuver step is the decisive operation or main effort. Follow through is normally 2601
a sequel or a branch to the plan based on the current situation.
2602
3-72. During the movement to contact, the battalion moves rapidly to maintain the advantage of an appropriate 2603
tempo. However, the battalion commander must balance the need for speed with the requirement for security.
2604
This decision is based on the effectiveness of the information collection effort, friendly mobility, effects of 2605
terrain, and the enemy’s capabilities.
2606
3-73. The COP should allow close tracking of the movement and location of battalion units. The battalion CP 2607
continually monitors the location and movement of the security forces through voice reports or FBCB2. This 2608
ensures adequate security for the main body, and ensures the security forces are within supporting range of the 2609
main body, mortars, and artillery. The battalion CP also controls the movement of the FSC, adjusting its 2610
movements to meet support requirements, avoid congestion of routes, and ensure responsiveness.
2611