Wind Direction

% Illumination

BMNT (begin morning nautical twilight)

Prayer Times

Wake Times

Sleep Times

_______

Note: Activity levels vary with the season. For example, persons may sleep on the roof in the summer, retire early in the winter, and sleep in the fields during the planting season. During Ramadan, the population lives on a reverse schedule, sleeping during the day and staying up late at night.

Terrain and effects on friendly and enemy forces

OAKOC + water:

Obstacles; Avenues of approach; Key terrain; Observation and fields of fire; Cover and concealment; Water sources

1. Situation

Enemy forces:

Composition; Identification (clothing, weapons, tactics); Location (known and suspected); Activity (recent or past that apply); Strength; Morale; Capabilities (tactics, equipment); Reaction time for reinforcements; Probable locations and ingress routes of reinforcements; Civilians on the battlefield; Most dangerous course of action; Most probable course of action

Note: The rules of engagement are derived from this information, and it is vital in case of a critical incident.

Friendly forces:

Commander’s intent one and two levels up (overall picture); Locations of units to the left, right, front, and rear; Location of checkpoints and the procedure to pass; Other forces’ operations in the objective, task, and purpose; Effect on the operation

Units providing fire support:

Close-air support; Emergency close-air support; Indirect-fire support; Direct-fire support; Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); Quick reaction force (QRF)

Attachments (state at what point persons will become attached):

Liaison officer for joint-unit operations; Interpreters; Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD); Medical; Battlefield interrogation team (BIT); Civil affairs (CA); Psychological operations; Host nation government representatives; Host nation troops; Host nation females (for women and children on target)

Detachments (state at what point persons will become detached):

Cross-loading of personnel; Liaison officer (L/O) for joint-unit operations; Unit members in support of host nation troops; Any changes to unit manning SOP

2. Mission

Who; What (task); Where; When; Why (purpose)

Note: State the mission twice.

3. Execution

Concept of the Operation. This is a brief snapshot explanation of the mission, based on the COA. Use all available maps, imagery, sketches, and terrain models and include the following:

Describe the operation without in-depth details:

Main effort; Major maneuver units; Special teams; Intelligence; Reconnaissance; Infiltration; Security; Actions on the objective; Exfiltration

Determine the fire support plan:

How is it going to support the maneuver? What fire support assets are available?

Prepare for follow on missions

Maneuver. This section describes in detail what is going to happen on the mission. If possible, it should be briefed by the element leader in charge of the portion. This section should include:

Detailed responsibilities and mechanics for subordinate unit leaders

Routes (primary/alternate)

Travel time to the target

Main assault effort

Supporting assault, breaching, and snipers

Outside target security, command and control, and casualties

Cordon security

Special teams

Attachments (task and purpose)

Engagement and disengagement criteria

Alternate plan:

Compromise; Unplanned movement of the enemy

Withdrawal plan

Travel time back to friendly lines

GOTWA 5-point contingency plan, issued any time an element leaves the main body:

Going (location the parting element is going to); Others (all personnel that are going); Time (estimated time of return); What (what should be done if unit does not return); Actions (if enemy contact, what both parties will do)

Fires:

Identify the forward observer (FO)

Identify the controller (CAS)

Identify supporting unit(s)

CAS availability:

Dedicated? ECAS (Emergency)?

Scheme of fire to support overall mission

Purpose of fires

Types of available fire support

How much time to receive fire support?

Types of available ammunition

Special equipment needed (laser designator, strobe light, VS-17 panel, etc.)

Priority of fire (main effort)

Allocations of fire

Target list/worksheet/overlay—target reference points (TRP) and known position

Control measures:

Checkpoints; Boundaries; Phase lines; Coordination measures; Restrictions of fire; No-fire areas

Specific targets, if any (before, during, and after the operation)—pre-assault and post-assault fires

Precoordinated authentication

Communication frequencies (primary and alternate)

Coordinating Instructions. This section should describe the following five key phases:

Phase 1: Infiltration

Start time (occupy the assembly area)

Order of movement (OOM)

Movement technique/means/formation

Departure of friendly lines time and method

Routes (primary and alternate)

Grid to the initial rally point (IRP)

Actions at halts

Actions on enemy contact

Bump plan

Vehicle recovery technique (SOP)

Actions at danger areas

CASEVAC technique

Success criteria

Abort criteria (minimum personnel/equipment essential)

Phase 2: Actions on the Objective

Times (H-hour)

Vehicle drop-off (VDO)

Objective rally point (ORP)

Leader reconnaissance/AFO

Order of movement (OOM)

Movement technique/means/formation

Last covered and concealed position (LCC)

Security positions (five-point contingency plan)

Support positions (five-point contingency plan)

Fratricide reduction measures (phase lines, friendly ID, etc.)

Rules of engagement (ROE)

Assault

C4 (command, control, commo, casualties):

Location; Activities

Approach target

Entry

Compromised assault

Actions on enemy contact

Casualty collection point (CCP)

Persons under control (PUC) handling

Success criteria

Abort criteria

Phase 3: Consolidate on the Target

Secure the target

Limit of advance (LOA)

Status reports (all elements check in)

Ammo, casualties, equipment (ACE) report

PUCs, EPWs, KIAs, CCPs

Phase 4: Sensitive Site Exploitation (SSE)

Search techniques

Sensitive material description and marking procedures

Primary intelligence requirement (PIR)

Battlefield interrogation team (BIT)

Cataloging process for persons on target (photos, fingerprints)

Time on target (TOT) and time constraints

Success criteria

Abort criteria

Phase 5: Withdrawal Plan

Predetermined time to withdraw

Exiting procedures

Order of movement (OOM)

Movement technique/means/formation

Movement of EPWs, KIAs, WIAs:

Accountability of men, weapons, and equipment; Routes (primary and alternate); Actions at halts; Enemy contact action plan; Actions at danger areas; Re-entry of friendly lines (SOP to pass through lines); Anticipated time of return; Linkup procedures (passing checkpoints, convoys, etc.)

Fratricide reduction measures (phase lines, friendly force ID)

Escape and evade (E&E), go-to-hell plan (safe haven location)

Detailed time schedule posted:

Inspections; Rehearsals; Time of rehearsals and of departure; Time of operation; Time of return