Applying the Battlefield Operating Systems at Platoon Level

Applying the Battlefield Operating Systems at Platoon Level by Sergeant First Class C. R. Johnson Like most NCOs in the Army, I invested some time studying for the new Self Development Test (SDT) during the past year. One field manual I was required to know - FM 25-101, Battle focused Training - discusses making assessments of a unit using the battlefield operating systems (BOS). This process, done at both the company and battalion levels, results in ratings of Trained, Needs Practice, or Untrained. The purpose of this article is to illustrate some of the techniques I have used as an observer/controller at the National Training Center to explain how the seven BOS categories may be applied at platoon level. I WPS introduced to the BOS several years ago while attanding an informal unit After Action Review (AAR) led ',y my squadron commander. He made no attempt to explain what he was talking about, and I found it somewhat confusing as he ran down our unit's good and bad points in terms of each of the seven systems. Needless to say, the comments I retained after the AAR were limited at best.

Since becoming an OC, I use the BOS almost daily when observing the operations of tank platoons. The experience level of most platoons in using the BOS is minimal, and usually includes only the platoon leader and platoon sergeant. So, prior to using the BOS categories in an AAR, I take a few minutes to explain what they are and give some examples of how they apply to the platoon.

First, I list them so that they are easier to remember. Both fW 25-100 and FM 71-2 start off with the maneuver system and carry on from there. Instead, I list them in the following order, which mirrors how they are addressed in a platoon operations order (OPORD): Intelligence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Para. I Situation Manuever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Para. II & 111 Fire Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MissionlExecution Mobility/Countermobility/Survivability . . . . . . . . . . Air Defense ....................... Combat Service Support . . . Para. IV Service Support Command & Control . . . . . . Para. V Cmd & Signal This makes them just a rile easier to remember and ensures that none get left out of a discussion. 42 The next step is to find specific examples of tasks performed at the platoonkoldier level that fall into one of the seven systems. Intelligence is usually somewhat intimidating at first, since most soldiers think that intelligence is something done by that officer who gives out maps and conducts arms room inspections back in garrison. So, I talk about spot reports generated by the platoon, which become intelligence when passed back up the chain of command. Also, I mention how the platoon leader usually gets an intelligence update prior to the start of a mission and passes this information out to the tank commanders. By this time, most people begin to realize that intelligence does apply at platoon level. Before l move on to the next system, l talk about how good noise, light, and litter discipline keep the platoon from becoming an enemy spot report (counterintelligence). Of the seven BOS systems, maneuver is probably the easiest one for the platoon to apply. Examples in this BATflEFIELD OPERATING SYSTEMS

1. lntdligsnce (Spot reports, noise 8 light discipline. intel updates)

2. Mansuver (Movement techniques, fmations)

3. Firesupport (Employing as cambat multiplier, All personnel able to call for fire)

4. MobilitylCountermobility/Survivability (Employ ENG assets, breach obstacles, crew drills, NBC tasks)

5. Air Defense (Passive vs. active, react to air drill)

6. Combat Ssrvics Support (Casualty evacuation, LOGPAC operations, vehicle main-tsnance)

7. Command and Control (Communications. TACSOP. EW plan, rehearsals) Figure 1. Chart used to introduce the BOS to the platoon.

ARMOR - May-June 1993 ~

SYSTEM

TASWAREA

% OF PLTS

SnNTEL

IIINTEL

S/MANEUVER

IIMANEUVER

WIRE SUPPORT

IIFIRE SUPPORT

ShIOB-CNTR SURV

IIMOB-CNTR SURV

S/AIR DEFENSE

IIAIR DEFENSE

S/CBT SERV SPT

VCBT SEW SPT

IICMD 8 CTL

SCMD 8 c n Dissemination of Intel Spot Reports Formations Movement Techniques Employment Call for Fire Use of Engr. Assets NBC Skills Active Reaction Fire Control Casualty Evacuation Logistics Reporting Operations with No Cornmo Establish or Revise PLT SOP 41.7% 41.7% 66.6% 25.0% 33.3% 41.7% 25.0% 58.3% 50.0% 33.3% 4 1.7% 33.3% 33.3% 75.0% Figure 2. “S” indicates a sustain area and “I” indicates an improve area. system are vehicle formations and movement techniques. I use anything that involves how the platoon moves across the battlefield as an example. However, some events are more suited to analysis within other systems. For example, very often an issue will surface that affects the maneuver of the platoon, but was actually more of a command and control problem. Most platoons have little or no control over fire support. The examples I use here are planning for employment and calling for indirect fire before getting into physical contact with the enemy. I also discuss the use of smoke during obstacle breaching. Given the opportunity to employ artillery, do all personnel in the platoon know the basics of calling for fire?

The next system, mobility/countermobility/survability (M-C-S), is usually found in that portion of the OPORD that deals with work priorities for the engineer effort. I tie this in with platoon-level operations by discussing it in two parts. Mobility and countermobility examples are obstacle breaching, especially when the platoon has tanks equipped with mine plows, and employing hasty protective minefields. Once we discuss these areas, I explain that survivability includes all the tasks that help them to survive on the battlefield. These include NBC skills as well as the battle drills that are supposed to be “second nature“ to any tank crew. Construction of fighting positions is another essential subject. Usually, when I talk about survivability, I qualify things ahead of time and do not discuss those skills which fall under the air defense system. Examples for this category generally fall under one of two subjects, passive or active air defense. Early warning dissemination within the platoon is another area that applies at their level. Combat service support is an area that is usually quite familiar to the platoon, although it normally takes a serious shortfall in maintenance, LOGPAC, or emergency resupply before its importance hits home. This is also a system where it is easy to point fingers at the support assets, so I make every attempt to use examples where the platoon has direct control. These include logistics re-ARMOR - May-June 7993 ~ porting, crew level maintenance, and dissemination of paragraph IV information to the platoon.

The last system, command and control, overlaps with all the other systems because a breakdown here can have severe effects on mission accomplishment. At the platoon level, I use communications with and without radios as an example. Another major point in this system is that a well written SOP can assist when command and control is either difficult or lost completely. This helps to emphasize why all tank commanders need to have all the operational graphics posted on their maps.

Now that the platoon has some solid examples of how the BOS apply to them (See Figure l), the next logical step is to determine what they are doing well and where they need to concentrate extra effort. During the last half of the platoon’s final AAR, they use the BOS to determine at least one skill or task in each system that they need to sustain and one they need to improve. This selfsvaluation is strictly at platoon level and has a majority consensus among those soldiers present. The end result is kind of a report card of their NTC experience, and, hopefully, they put it to use when they return to home station. Figure 2 shows some of the tasks identified by the tank platoons since I began using this system. Some of the tasks are individual in nature and others are collective tasks. Even though I have used this process with only 12 platoons, there are some trends in certain areas. Considering the random way in which OCs are assigned to platoons, this data could represent what might be found in a typical armor battalion. In conclusion, 1 realize that, in some instances, I have oversimplified the BOS in order to adapt it to platoon operations. As stated earlier, all NCOs are now familiar with it because of the study requirements for the SDT. Applying the BOS to the lowest levels should help to reinforce its use and understanding. Use of BOS assessments from battalion through platoon level can also assist in tracing training deficiencies back to their roots. Sergeant first Class Christopher R. Johnson entered active duty at Ft. Knox in 1975. Since then, he has served with the 33d, 68th, 73d, and 35th Armor Regiments. His last TOE assignment was with G Troop, 2/11 ACR. He is presently assigned as a tank platoon observer/controller at the National Training Center.