Rehearsals at the Company and Platoon Level: Opportunities Lost

site rehearsal exercises. Add enablers, combined partners, and sister services and the rehearsal degrades from a practice session to a lost opportunity. Rehearsals are often ‘talked through’ without emphasizing the plan and identifying areas that require adjustments or ‘fixes’ prior to execution. Company commanders and platoon leaders must understand the purpose of rehearsals, which are conducted as practice sessions to prepare units for upcoming operations or events. They are essential in ensuring thorough preparation, coordination, and understanding of the higher commander’s plan and intent. Company team commanders should never underestimate the value of rehearsals.2 Effective rehearsals require leaders and, when time permits, other company team soldiers to perform required tasks, ideally under conditions that best replicate actual operations. When conducted properly, rehearsals are interactive; participants maneuver actual vehicles or use vehicle models or simulations while verbalizing detailed procedures during every event. Each rehearsal focuses on the how element, allowing subordinates to practice actions outlined in individual schemes of maneuver. Note: A rehearsal is different from the process of talking through what is meant to happen; for example, during rehearsal, platoon leaders should actually send spot reports (SPOTREP) when reporting enemy contact, rather than simply saying, “I would send a SPOTREP now.”3 As stated in U. S. Army Field Manual 3-90.1, Tank and Mechanized Infantry Company Team, “the commander 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 further refinement of the plan or development of additional branch plans.

Integrate the actions of subordinate elements.

Confirm coordination requirements between the company team 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 that may arise during the operation.”4 Understanding that rehearsal should include these tasks helps leaders run better rehearsals and prepare subordinates to rehearse specific tasks. Ensuring that the rehearsal is not conducted as a ‘talk through’ facilitates better experiences for all participants and gets to the heart of the operation.

Rehearsal preparation begins with the first step in TLP, receive and analyze the mission. The commander (or platoon commander) immediately begins analyzing assigned tasks as soon as the mission is received. Based on an initial analysis, the leader identifies initial rehearsal guidance. Based on mission, there are standard tasks that all subordinate units are required to rehearse, which are often safety or equipment related and should be in the unit’s standard operating procures (SOP). Occasionally, missions received specify tasks that necessitate rehearsing or, at a minimum, tasks for the unit to complete (hence, tasks that need to be rehearsed). Leaders should also review weather and light data for the mission to identify any tasks that require rehearsing. Finally, leaders should identify specific tasks that the unit performs well and tasks that require additional training, thus emphasizing the need for rehearsal to complete the mission. When leaders move to the second step of TLP, a warning order (WARNO) is issued, which should include a by-unit task list to begin rehearsing events or skills identified in the first step of TLP. This maximizes time available by requiring subordinate units to execute task rehearsals prior to the OPORD process. It also ensures that units are trained for the tasked mission, which is an often-missed opportunity for units at the NTC. Because leaders are often focused on planning and producing their own order, they fail to issue a WARNO; if one is issued, they fail to give subordinates the guidance needed to begin rehearsing.

The focus of “mission specific” or “non-mission specific” rehearsals, issued to subordinates in a WARNO early in the planning process, maximizes the unit’s use of available planning time at echelon and directly increases chances of a better mission outcome. Platoon leaders, specifically, miss an opportunity here. For example, a platoon leader will focus on writing an OPORD, when initial guidance can easily be given to each section/squad/ team to begin internal rehearsals. Using a cordon and search as an example, the raid platoon will have various tasks such as breach team, clearance team, tactical site exploitation team, and detainee team. With an effective WARNO, each team can rehearse its team-specific tasks while the platoon leader writes the OP ORD, allowing more time to rehearse the full mission as a platoon.

As company commanders/platoon leaders continue through steps 3, 4, 5, and 6 of TLP, which include make a tentative plan, initiate movement, conduct a recon, and complete the plan, they begin to consider rehearsal types and techniques. Based on mission types and subordinate knowledge level, there are multiple techniques that can be used to facilitate the crawl-walk-run methodology: Confirmation brief. Used immediately following the OPORD to ensure subordinates understand the OPORD. Back brief. Company commanders require platoon leaders to back brief their plans to ensure they are nested with other subordinate units.

Battle drill or SOP rehearsal. This rehearsal type is used most extensively by platoons, squads, and sections. Battle drill rehearsals can effectively be used early in the TLP once the commander identifies the company’s mission type. This type of rehearsal is highly beneficial in ensuring newly attached platoons understand specific company SOP and drills, which is the most important rehearsal type when dealing with combined partners or sister services.

Combined arms rehearsal. This is the preferred rehearsal type for companies and is conducted when all subordinate OPORDs are complete. This rehearsal type involves all elements of the company team, all enablers, all attachments, and combined partners, and ensures all subordinate plans are fully synchronized within the company’s overall plan. Support rehearsal. Support rehearsals are normally conducted by a single or limited number of battlefield operating systems, such as combat service support (CSS) or fire support. The company team can conduct its own support rehearsal or can be incorporated into the company combined arms rehearsal. At a minimum, company commanders should ensure a confirmation brief and a combined arms rehearsal are conducted at the company level. The confirmation “Company commanders and platoon leaders must understand the purpose of rehearsals, which are conducted as practice sessions to prepare units for upcoming operations or events. They are essential in ensuring thorough preparation, coordination, and understanding of the higher commander’s plan and intent. Company team commanders should never underestimate the value of rehearsals.” brief ensures subordinates are not wasting time by planning missions they do not understand. More time should be allotted for the combined arms rehearsal since it encompasses aspects of the support rehearsal and battle drill SOP rehearsal (if combined partners or attachments are present).

At the platoon level, platoon leaders ensure confirmation brief and battle drill/ SOP rehearsals are conducted. The confirmation brief ensures section/squad leaders understand their tasks and focus preparation. The battle drill rehearsal should be conducted with attachments and/or combined partners. Platoons are primarily tasked with battle drills or SOPs; therefore, a platoon-level combined arms rehearsal is unnecessary. To further facilitate situational awareness and overall mission understanding, a majority of the platoon’s noncommissioned officers (NCOs) should attend the company combined arms rehearsal.

After determining the type of rehearsal that will be used, the leader then determines which technique will be used. Each technique can be conducted using a full or reduced force; full dress rehearsals expend greater time and resources. Every soldier in the unit participates in the rehearsal, which is conducted on the same terrain, at the same time, and with the same equipment and attachments that will be used during the operation. The commander conducts reduced-force rehearsals when under time constraints or if tactical situations prohibit full-force rehearsals. During reduced-force rehearsals, participating soldiers use mock-ups, sand tables, and/or actual terrain (usually over a smaller area than in the actual operation) to train: Radio/digital. This technique is used when all elements are unable to be in the same location at the same time. It can be achieved via FM or digitally, and can be used for confirmation or back brief. Map. This is most effective technique for confirmation or back brief. The map should have all graphic control measures; it can be a hard copy or digital. Sketch map. This technique is used when a terrain model is impossible. It is an enlarged sketch of the area that depicts terrain and contains all graphic control measures.

Terrain model. This is the preferred method for rehearsals. The terrain model should depict the terrain and be large enough for participants to occupy space on the model. If necessary, several terrain models should be used to depict different phases, objectives, and permit maximum participation. Generally, key leaders participate in this technique; however, maximum participation should be the goal, based on the terrain model’s size. Reduced force. This technique involves leaders at all levels and is conducted under conditions and on terrain similar to the operation. Often mounted, this rehearsal incorporates radio/digital rehearsal and terrain model rehearsal. Full-dress. This technique rehearses the entire operation on similar terrain with all participants and systems. It requires the most time and resources, but provides the most mission detail:

The company team may rehearse force-on-force exercises with platoons or other team elements.

The company team trains can portray enemy forces to prompt action from the platoons or other team elements.

The entire team may go against another task force element.5 Based on time available, the commander determines the type and technique for the rehearsals. Commanders can dictate several different types and techniques; for example, the company conducts a combined arms rehearsal on a terrain model for the overall operation and then moves to a building mock-up to conduct a full-dress battle drill to rehearse actions on the objective portion of the mission. As a function of initiating movement, commanders give guidance to start preparation for rehearsals. If a map, sketch, or terrain board is used, soldiers begin preparing the site and/or products (this same map, sketch, or terrain board can be used for presenting the OPORD for the rehearsal). Regardless of the rehearsal type, each must depict terrain, enemy location, graphic control measures, and be large enough for all participants to see and use. Once the commander or platoon leader completes the plan and determines rehearsal types and techniques, the OPORD is issued (step 7 of TLP). As apart of the coordinating instructions, the commander determines the tasks to be rehearsed (key tasks in commander’s intent, paragraph 3, at a minimum) and which types and techniques will be used. In the timeline, the commander also establishes when platoons will issue OPORDs and rehearsals will be conducted, which provides the commander, executive officer, or first sergeant an opportunity to assess/inspect OPORDs. Often, at the National Training Center, leaders at higher echelon do not check or inspect the orders and rehearsals of subordinate leaders; this lack of “The focus of ‘mission specific’ or ‘non-mission specific’ rehearsals, issued to subordinates in a WARNO early in the planning process, maximizes the unit’s use of available planning time at echelon and directly increases the chance of a better mission outcome.” quality control leads to mixed results in execution.

Immediately following the OPORD, the commander conducts a confirmation brief with all participants present and confirms their understanding of specified and implied tasks, rehearsal guidance, coordinating instructions, and timeline. Platoon leaders are then released to continue the TLP process by first issuing a WARNO that includes guidance on battle drill/SOP rehearsal, which sections/squads/teams can immediately begin. The commander is back briefed as soon as the platoon leader completes the order. This briefing can be conducted as a one-on-one rehearsal, but the commander must intently study each platoon leader’s plan to ensure it is nested and, if necessary, adjust plans based on platoon-level mission analysis and feedback. The platoon leader then issues an OPORD to the platoon; once complete, the platoon leader conducts a confirmation brief with the section/squad leaders to ensure all tasks are clearly understood. Section/squad leaders should then have time to issue the plan to their subordinates and provide guidance on mission preparations.

Once platoon-level OPORDs are complete (use the timeline to be certain), the company conducts a combined arms rehearsal. At a minimum, the rehearsal should be conducted on a terrain model (or map) large enough for section/squad leaders to “maneuver” their plans. If necessary, a blowup terrain model can be built for key events, such as the objective, to allow greater detail for the rehearsal. This is not a brief, but a performance; the rehearsal’s intent is to provide leaders with a clear understanding of their positions and tasks, in time and space, on the battlefield. Leaders who brief individual portions, one right after the next, deprive the collective group of the bigger picture and how the entire operation will unfold during execution. When possible, ‘players’ should move themselves, or an icon, on the map/sketch/terrain board and send reports in appropriate formats. The rehearsal should address friendly actions, enemy reactions, and friendly counteractions to see if the plan addresses the plans and actions of a thinking enemy. If a full-dress technique is used, all soldiers wear the appropriate uniform and all kits, such as a tactical site exploitation kit and building marking kit, are used as they will be during the mission.

Using phased rehearsals at the company level is a very effective tactic, technique, and procedure (TTP). The commander has, at this point, described phases of the operation in the OPORD, which can be used to sequence rehearsals. During each phase, key tasks associated with the phase and synchronization to maneuver each element into position to start the next phase are rehearsed. To the maximum extent possible, units should maneuver simultaneously to confirm synchronization. Assign an individual, such as the company intelligence support team officer in charge (OIC)/NCO in charge (NCOIC), to play the ‘enemy.’ In this role, the enemy sets the enemy situation at the start of the phase and then ‘reacts’ to friendly actions. The enemy should first fight the most likely course of action (COA) and then rehearse once more against the most dangerous COA.

The company commander should influence the rehearsal to expose flaws in the plan and focus on coordination between subordinate units. All attachments, enablers, and combined partners should be present and participate equally. If combined partners are participating, additional time should be allotted for translations and explanations of varied TTP and national practices.

Once the company combined arms rehearsal is complete, all participants stay put while the first sergeant and platoon sergeants conduct a support rehearsal. While platoon leaders and the company commander may have limited participation, they should be present to ensure the support plan is nested with the operational plan. The first sergeant ensures the support plan meets the needs of the operational plan and that all platoon sergeants are prepared for casualty evacuation (CAS EVAC) and recovery operations. This rehearsal must get into the details of support; it is not enough to say “second platoon will provide a vehicle to assist with CASEVAC.” For example, an appropriate level of detail is “White 4’s vehicle will maneuver from the north to link up via FM, then VS-17 panel with the first sergeant at CP 3 to assist in CASEVAC.” At this point, the platoon leader is tracking; he is now without his platoon sergeant (and vehicle) and will adjust his posture as necessary.

The fires rehearsal, typically conducted at battalion level, but also a company-level combined arms rehearsal requirement, is often forgotten or not conducted to standard. At the battalion fires rehearsal, all fires discussed during the battalion combined arms rehearsal will be rehearsed with shooter and observer. This is a technical rehearsal during which shooters mark locations on the terrain model (or map) and rehearse procedures for ‘no fire area’ over observers and synchronizing fires (especially with aircraft), which includes units outside the priority of fires. Fires support is the most likely point for cross-attachment, therefore, the most likely point for SOP and TTP differences. A technical rehearsal with all participants (at the lowest level) ensures timely and accurate fires. This technical rehearsal should be repeated at the company-level combined arms rehearsal, especially to deconflict use of radio nets for fire missions or air-ground integration.

Once company-level rehearsals are complete, the company commander issues a FRAGO to account for changes to the plan based on the rehearsal. If a rehearsal is properly conducted, there will definitely be changes and refinements to the original plan. Platoons then conduct their rehearsals while company commanders and first sergeants supervise to identify additional issues, ensure standards are met, and units are prepared to complete the mission.

The most effective practice is to rehearse twice. For example, company commanders hold a reduced force rehearsal on a terrain model after all platoon OPORDs are complete. Adjustments to the plan are made, as necessary, based on the rehearsal. The platoons are given time to brief changes, then a full dress rehearsal is held until start point (SP) time to rehearse the newly agreed on plan, which also ensures SP is executed on time.

If executed properly, rehearsals make up for shortcomings in any plan. As time is compressed, rehearsals are often cut first; however, in actuality, they are the most vital component of TLP — the one moment when all elements are collectively executing the plan with all necessary coordination.

Notes 1Headquarters, Department of the Army, U. S. Army Field Manual 3-90.1, Tank and Mechanized Infantry Company Team, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, December 2002, para 3-172.

2Ibid.

3Ibid., para 3-173.

4Ibid., para 3-174.

5Ibid., para 3-175.

Major Robert Mahoney is currently a senior training analysis and feedback facility (TAFF) analyst, Scorpion Team, Operations Group, National Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA. He received a B. S. from the U. S. Military Academy. His military education includes the Armor Captain Career Course, Scout Leader Course, and Armor Officer Basic Course. He has served in various leader and staff positions, to include commander, C Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, Fort Carson, CO, and Mosul, Iraq; deputy J5 (Plans), Iraq Assistance Group, Baghdad, Iraq; logistics officer, 3d Squadron, 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR), Fort Polk, LA, and Iraq; and platoon leader, K Troop, 3d Squadron, 2d ACR, Fort Polk and Iraq.