Dear Old Bill

Dear Old Bill Successful recon and counter-recon at the NTC has been the obsession of scout platoon leaders for count-insights into achieving success in the replies from Old Bill to the hundreds of desperate scouts who write him for advice regularly. These are some of Old Bill’s favorite letters. less rotations. We can find many Dear Old Bill: My battalion commander is a hard-boiled old grunt who thinks the only effective way to gather detailed intelligence is through long-range dismounted operations by the scouts. Though I have never been to the NTC before, I don’t necessarily agree. What do you think? Sign me: -Lt. Blisterfoot Dear Lt. Blisterfoot: While, of course, the factors of MEW-T play an important role in your decisionmaking process, I can tell you from experience that there are very few instances where you should have to walk more than two or three Ks to put yourself inside enemy positions. Effective use of terrain and slow, deliberate, movement with the use of all available night observation devices (NODS) (or binoculars in daytime) can put you and your tracks undetected at the enemy’s front door. One other point that .might surprise you: You know how sometimes at night the scouts in your sister battalion get tired, and go to sleep, or get cold and hunker down in their vehicles? This happens to OPFOR soldiers, too. Zero illumination and the cold wind are your friends who want to help you. Let them! -Old Bill Dear Old Bill: I have a problem with my scout platoon leader. When our mission calls for dismounted infiltration into enemy positions for intel gathering only, he puts together a 12-man combat patrol that he invariably insists on leading himself. I have tried to tell him that a buck sergeant with a RTO can gather just as much intel with a lot more stealth. Help us settle this. We have a dehydrated pork patty riding on your opinion. -SFC Knapsack Dear SFC Knapsack: I’m with you for several reasons. First, as you brought out, is the matter of stealth. A large combat-loaded patrol will attract a lot more attention than a couple of guys strolling around as if they belonged in the area. Also, three two-man patrols can cover much more ground than one ten-man patrol. Effective management of resources (men, equipment, and time) will allow for greater mission accomplishment four or five missions later. If he takes all the scouts out dismounted, he is losing flexibility in combining mounted, dismounted, and air-inserted recon operations. One final piece of advice: If your lieutenant doesn’t start learning to count on his subordinates now, he is going to be NMC (not mission capable) after the second mission. -Old Bill Dear Old Bill: My battalion commander insists on deploying my scout platoon as a combat element instead of an intel-gathering asset. What can I do about this? Signed, -Lt. Doomed Dear Lt. Doomed: Nothing. He’s the boss. But he will see the on the first mission. On the other hand, he may not see the light, because he will have lost his -Old Bill eyes.” “ Dear Old Bill: I just want to pass on an experience I had from my last rotation. It had rained the night before I took my scout section, mounted, into a new area of interest for the task force. Although we infiltratedinto the OPFORposi-tion at night, mounted, with great success, guess what happened when the sun came up? A BMP followed my track prints in the sand right into my position and neutralized my entire section. That’s something to think about. -SSG Sharp Dear SSG Sharp: That certainly is worth passing on to our fellow scouts. Going back to cover tracks, stopping short of the position and going dismounted, or looking for rocky surfaces to drive on are three ways to combat this problem. -Old Bill ~ Dear Old Bill: I’m not a scout, but I work a lot like one when I can work. You see, at the NTC I frequently can’t work because my tracks don’t have fuel; my soldiers don’t get fed; I don’t receive realistic missions; and I get crummy maintenance support. Have you guessed who I am yet? Right! I’m the GSR section leader. Signed: light after you live up to your name -SGT Spook 22 ARMOR: The Magazine of Mobile Warfare September-October 1986

Dear SGT Spook I have a solution to your problem. Talk to your chain of command about having your section attached to the scout platoon. This relationship will hold the scout platoon leader’s feet to the fire on including you in his logistical support plan. It will also allow you to work together on the ground in integrating the forward intel-gathering effort. I’m not suggesting the scout should take over the S2’s duties, but the S2 is not going to be forward with you in all likelihood. Note to the scout: Before you deploy, you had better do your homework on GSR employment. -Old Bill Dear Old Bill: My battalion has trouble passing intel that my platoon gathers in a timely manner so that everyone who needs it can use it. I’ve tried reporting several different ways. What do you recommend? Signed, -SFC Hollerloud Dear SFC Hollerloud You should definitely report on the battalion command net for three main reasons. First, all of the key consumers of intel (TF Cdr, team commanders, key staffers) monitorthis net. They can get the info first-hand and act now if it has immediate impact on them. Secondly, these same “intel consumers” can request clarification or elaboration directly from the source and minimize the risk of convoluted, hand-me-down messages. Finally, reporting on the battalion command net allows the TF commander to talk directly to his A good idea is for the S2 to eavesdrop on the scout internal net if possible. This action allows him to monitor reports coming directly to the scout platoon leader from his subordinate sections firsthand, and gives him the opportunity to request clarification immediately. Also, don’t forget other sources from which you can gain information. It is a good idea (particularly in the defense) to drop down to the air defender’s net and find out if they have seen anything. Since they should always be scanning skyward, they may spot the OPs that the OPFOR characteristically places on hilltops with observation into the friendly positions. The engineers are also a good source as they are usually around the obstacles eyes.” “ that the OPFOR is seeking. Support elements moving along the roads might also spot enemy activity. Don’t overlook any possible. source of intel. That may sound basic, but remember to send periodic negative sitreps. Where the bad guys ain’t is just as important to the commander as where they are. It also serves to reassure the commander that his SGT Hollerloud, remember your COMSEC. The OPFOR can and will find your internal net and glean valuable intel from you if you let him. Your net is one of his favorite sources of intel. If your platoon is not operating secure, with Vinson, ask your boss why not. eyes are open.” “ -Old Bill Dear Old Bill: I just joined a scout platoon. One of my first missions was to set up a screen forward of the defending force, and I set up my OPs on line, just like the overlay showed. My platoon sergeant wanted to shift them to some high ground, but anybody could see that the line on the overlay didn’t go where he wanted the OPs. Where did you put your OPs when you were scouting? -2LT Shinybar Dear 2LT Shinybar: OK, here’s your criteria for selecting OP sites. OPs should be on high ground from where you can observe the greatest area of the battlefield, not necessarily the maximum distance forward of the task force. There is no reason to make an already tough logistical problem tougher and increase your risk if you don’t need to do so. In some instances, OPs may be lateral to, or even behind, some team battle positions. In general, high and forward, as a combination, works best. Also, be sure to place yourself in a position from which you can best see the battlefield and from where you can best manage your resources. The “John Wayne” approach, always placing yourself furthest forward or in the riskiest position, can get you killed early or place you in a position where you lose flexibility in managing the task force’s most important single asset. -Old Bill Dear Old Bill: On my first NTC rotation, my scout platoon got shot everytime we displaced off of a screen. Sometimes it was hostile fire, sometimes friendly, but “dead” is “dead” regardless of who shoots. Regardless of how well the coordination was effected, we never could conduct a successful passage. I know you have high-tailed it with Injuns hot on your trail back toward the main body many times. How did you survive it? Sign me: -Frustrated Dear Frustrated: Massive amounts of coordination and rehearsal are necessary for the successful displacement of the scout platoon from the forward screen of the defending task force. Lanes through obstacles, recognition signals, direct- and indirect-fire coordination, logistical support, and alternate positions are just a few considerations. You must repeatedly rehearse this precise coordination to achieve even marginal levels of success. A little known fact is that I did not always “high-tail it.” Sometimes me and my trusty mount would let the Injuns pass us by, and we would continue our mission undetected. How can this apply to you? Don’t displace. By placing your tracks in well-concealed positions and digging in your dismounted OPs on high ground, the OPFOR will pass and never see you. For this technique to work, the task force commander must be committed to the principal of employing you as an intel-gathering asset and not as a combat force. This means, of course, that you will not engage the enemy with direct fires. There are numerous advantages to this technique. You can continue to call fires on all follow-on units, and continue to report on them. You can continue to call fires and report the enemy’s movement after they have passed your position and the task force is in contact. In all likelihood, the view to the task force commander’s front is obscured by smoke and dust. The intel that you can provide on the enemy’s movements will be invaluable to the commander. After the friendly defense has succeeded, you still have many options. You can call fires in on the retreating enemy. You can move under cover of darkness to gather intel on the now defending enemy in preparation for the friendly September-October 1986 ARMOR: The Magazine of Mobile Warjf;are 23 counterattack, or conduct operations to disrupt operations to destroy enemy elements with your assets. Sounds risky? I never said scouting was easy, only fun! -Old Bill Dear Scouts: In closing, I want you to reconsider some key pointa First, use the factors of METT-T to lead your resources. Don't use too much or too little; don't walk too far or too short, or work too hard. The NTC will beat you physically as hard as you let it. Second, intel that is late and inaccurate i s no good, Train your scouts to send timely, accurate, reports in a set format (SALUTE or SALT) everytime. A faulty grid now i a worse than a correct grid in 30 seconds. Third, build a relationship between yourself, the S2, and your commander. The more teamwork you you develop, the more you will earn the trust to tell them you are working too hard, OT not hard enough. Sell your product. Commit yourself to the principle of acting as anintel asset and not a fighting force. Instill this principle in your scouts and convince them that "real scouts don't shoot" (unless they have to). Finally, be bold, aggressive, and creative, and instill these charac-teristicsin your subordinates. Look for the untried, smart way to accomplish the mission. Don't be afraid to attempt the easy, obvious way. It will probably work. Do you want to be supplemented with an infantry squad or a tank section for the next mission? How about a Blackhawk? You won't get it if you don't ask. Have Fun! scouts out! Old Bill "Old Bill" received extensive help in preparing this article from First Lieutenant Michael S. Todd. Armor Leadership Writing Award I

ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS

FOR THE BEST PLANlll dl Prize Essay Contest I Prirss. S100.~S60."o-S40.m The 1924 Cavalry Journal announced a "Prize Essay Contest" that led to present Draper Award. ARMOR Magazine is proud to announce an essay contest to promote leadershipin Armor and Cavalry units. A $1,000 prize will be awarded to the best essay on leadershipsubmittedfor consideration. Essays not over 2,000 words are to be submitted to the editor of ARMOR Magazine not later than 1 April 1987, in triplicate, typed, double-spaced, with two-inch margin all around. Illustrations may accompany the essay. It must be an original manuscript, written solely for separate publication. The manuscript cannot be submitted if the article was initially written for official publication (Le., ARs, FMs, etc.). The exception to this will be outstanding writing requirements submitted on the subject of leadership while fulfilling the Armor Officer Advanced Course or Command and General Staff College writing requirements. Essays will be signed with a pen name. The pen name and writer's name and address should be en-

FIRST LIEUTENANT MI-

CHAEL S. TODD was commissioned from ROTC as a Distinguished Militan/ Graduate at MiddleTennesseestate University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1983. He at-tendedthe Armor Officer Basic Course and has been a tank platoon leader and scout platoon leader with the 64th Armor, Fort Stewart, GA, before being assigned as aide-de-camp to the Assistant Division Commander - Support, at Fort Stewart. He has participated in three NTC rotations as a tank platoon leader, antitank platoon leader, and scout platoon leader. closed in a seated, separateenvelope attached t o the manuscript. The author's true name should not appear on the manuscript or elsewhere, except in the sealed, separate envelope. Essays will be judged by the Draper Combat Leadership Trust Fund Council and the Editor-in-Chief of ARMOR Magazine. The contest is open to all officers, warrant officers, and enlisted men in the Active, Reserve, or National Guard components who are members of an Armor, Cavalry, or Air Cavalry (assigned to a ground Armor or Cavalry organization) unit or who hold an Armor military occupational specialty (MOS), regardless of current assignment. This contest is sponsored by the Draper Combat Leadership Award Fund and is intended to promote leadership in Armor and Armored Cavalry. The Draper Combat Leadership Award, which recognizes excellence in Armor and Cavalry, began in January, 1924, with the announcement of a similar essay contest in the Cavalry Journal. 24 ARMOR: The Magazine of Mobile Warfare September-October 1986