A Picture Tells a Thousand Words

by Captain Jack Gumbert and Captaln Brad Gericke As Clausewitz so clearly stated 150 years ago, “Everything in war is very simple, but the simplest thing is difficult” Nowhere is this truth more evident on today’s battlefield than in the battalion CPs and on the front slopes of MlAl tanks as leaders attempt to convey operations orders to their subordinates. A valuable yet largely under-used tool to rapidly and visually convey information during the orders briefing is the maneuver sketch. A maneuver sketch is merely a graphic expression of how a commander wishes to conduct an operation. In essence, it is the operations order in picture form, a means to highlight whatever information the commander deems most important to convey. The sketch is flexible, simple, and limited only by the imagination of its users. Further, it may be drawn on virtually any surface available, from MRE box lids to elaborate map boards. The only requirement for a successful maneuver sketch is that it assist subordinates to see the battlefield as their commander does.

Specifically, the maneuver sketch improves the operations order briefmg process by providing the following advantages. I t.enables the commander to visually express his intent, concept of operation, and scheme of maneuver..is easy to see during the brief..is easier to create and use than a ohas unlimited ability to communi-sand table. cate information.

A maneuver sketch may be used any time the commander wishes to present directions to his unit and time permits a gathering of his orders group. The sketch is most effective during the initial orders brief. FM 71-123 specifies that, in issuing orders, the commander should, “use any aids that can help personnel to understand the conduct of the operation... such as sand tables, sketches, and graphics.“ The overriding goal of the orders meeting is that, “all personnel should leave the meeting with a clear understanding.” The maneuver sketch neatly fulfills both aspects of this doctrinal intent. Thus, with a sketch, everyone can see the drawing without straining to identify the relevant 1:50,000 graphics normally posted on walls and boards in operations order briefs. The sketch is a technique and does not reduce the required attention to detail necessary in ops graphics but serves to supplement and expand the operation order itself. This article will focus on preparation of a maneuver sketch at the companyheam level. The ideas presented apply at all levels of command (from company through brigade and beyond).

The maneuver sketch should contain a minimum number of essential elements. These elements may be different or offensive operations than for defensive operations. Divide the sketch area into whatever fashion fits the particular operation, or to reduce prepamtion time, create a Figure 1. Blank Shell generic blank shell (Figure

1) to complete upon receipt of the order. A suggested list of minimum elements of information follows in descending order of importance.

Offensive Operations:. Scheme of maneuver. Actions on the objective. Actions on contact. Mission statement. Task organization.critical events timeline. Execution matrix (Figure 2) (enemy or breach). L t +

This is particularly true during the briefing process when subordinates must quickly and accurately assimilate a variety of data and understand to the point of immediately being able to briefback the commander.

Timely questions are fleshed out and everyone leaves the brief with a clearer understanding of the commander’s intent for their unit.

A commander can prepare the maneuver sketch on a variety of mediums. A popular technique is to prepare the sketch on the reverse side of a map board using alcohol pens on acetate.

This technique works well if the map board is large enough to clearly show all the information the commander wishes to convey. However, map boards suffer from size restraints and inflexibility. Another technique is to create aboard specifically for maneuver sketches. While this may be preferred at battalion and above, space is a premium at the company level. An alternative that may work for the company commander is to use a flexible maneuver sketch drop. This is easily made by placing plain white butcher paper between flexible acetate and edging it in standard green (ducV100 mph) tape. The sketch in this form can be rolled up and carried just like any other set of graphics. The commander creates his sketch in one location, then rolls it up and briefs his order somewhere else, perhaps the front slope of his tank, overlooking the zone or sector. At battalion and above, a sketch p-pared from acetate overlaid on a butcher pad and hung on an easel or wall works well.

The heart of the maneuver sketch is those portions which specifically illustrate the upcoming fight in terms of movement of forces. This includes, for defensive operations, the scheme of maneuver, and for offensive opentions, the scheme of maneuver, actions on contact, and actions on the objective. As is the case with the overall sketch, the maneuver portion should contain a minimum amount of information to be most effective: Scheme of Maneuvet:. Operations graphics (axis of advance, objectives, TRps, counterattack axis, passage lanes, engagement areas, battle positions, etc.). Enemy situation template. Key terrain. Key decision support template graphics Actiom on the Objective: (Figure 4). Operations graphics (dismount. Enemy situation template. Key terrain P W Actions on Contact: (Figure 5). Decision graphics based on likely. Decision graphics based on actions contact at a breach Time permitting, a further enhancement is to include a brief execution matrix on one comer of the sketch. This is particularly helpful should the commander wish to brief the order directly from the sketch. To be effective, the matrix need not be burdened with detail, but rather highlight key information such as obstacle Flgure 4. Actkno on the Objective 1 I.---- % 1°K 74 '"3- "7 U \ \ / - # 0 e - / I ' I '

I f f

- - t Flgure IC. Actlono on Contact coverage, calls for fire, engagementidisengage-ment criteria, and TRP orientations.

The maneuver sketch is a valuable tool for leaders at all levels. The techniques presented here have proven successful during both field maneuvers at the Combat Maneuver Training Center and as a technique during numerous command post exercises conducted by students at the Armor Officer Advanced Course. Simply put, the maneuver sketch is a portable and longer-lasting sand table: easy to use, easy to understand, and easy to see. A properly prepared sketch adds immensely to the commander's ability to express his intent and show his mind's-eye view of the battlefield. Commanders or operations officers can clearly and concisely convey intent, concept of operation and scheme of maneuver using the maneuver sketch. The maneuver sketch is a better means of communication, a tool to further reduce our familiar adversary -the fog of war. Captain Jack L. Gumbert I1 enlisted In the Amy in 1981. He sewed as a tanker in the S3 shop of 2-37 Armor, Panzer Kaserne, Germany. A graduate of OCS, AOBC (Cav), IMPOC, Airborne, AOAC, AGOS, TC3 and ADIC, he holds a B. S. degree from KSU. He sewed as mortar platoon leader, tank platoon leader, company XO, and battalion maintenance officer for 3-37 Armor, Ft. Riley, Kan., and as S3 Air and company commander in 2-64 Armor, Schweinfurt, Germany. He is currently a small group instructor at the Armor School, Ft. Knox, Ky. Captain Bradley T. Gedcke is a 1988 graduate of the- U. S. Military Academy. A graduate of AOBC, AOAC, Airborne, Air Assault, and Jungle Operations schools, he served as a tank platoon leader, company XO, and battalion Sl with 2-67 Armor, Friedbeg, Germany. He is cunently the battalion maintenance officer for 2d Battalion, 72d Armor, Camp Casey, Korea.