Supporting the First Stryker Brigade in Iraq - Army Logistics ...

The Brigade Combat
Service Support Rehearsal
The brigade combat service support (CSS)
rehearsal is a vital part of every brigade mission.
Without conducting a CSS rehearsal, the brigade
cannot effectively link all of its CSS assets for
the fight. According to Field Manual (FM) 6–0, Mission
Command: Command and Control of Army Forces,
“Rehearsals allow staff officers, subordinate commanders,
and other leaders to practice executing the course of
action (COA) the commander chose at the end of the
military decisionmaking process (MDMP).”
Each of the five types of rehearsals—confirmation
brief, back brief, combined arms rehearsal, support
rehearsal, and battle drill or standing operating procedure
rehearsal—achieves a different result and should
be conducted at a specific time. The brigade CSS
rehearsal—a support rehearsal—brings together all
pertinent individuals and all units to discuss the
upcoming brigade combat team (BCT) mission. The
CSS rehearsal should ensure that the CSS units can
support the operation order and accomplish all of their
missions. It also should ensure that the CSS elements
are synchronized with the overall operation.
The brigade executive officer must ensure that
enough time is allotted for the brigade to conduct the
CSS rehearsal (during daylight if possible). CSS
rehearsal requirements include participants; a recorder
to take notes; an agenda and script; and a rehearsal
area, terrain board, or map.
For a rehearsal to be effective, it should follow a
prescribed agenda that everyone knows and understands.
An effective rehearsal includes—
• Roll call.
• Participant orientation to the terrain.
• Enemy situation brief.
• Friendly situation brief.
• Description of expected enemy advancement.
• Discussion of friendly unit actions.
• Review of notes made by the recorder.
An agenda for making this seven-step process an
effective rehearsal is shown on the chart at right.
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BY MAJOR DARREN S. HOLBROOK
A rehearsal is a session
in which a staff or unit practices
expected actions to improve
performance during execution.
—FM 6–0
The recorder’s role is vital to an effective rehearsal.
The recorder must capture all issues that arise
during the CSS rehearsal. The rehearsal does not
slow or stop unless an issue arises that is considered
a “war stopper.” If this happens, the participants
must stop the rehearsal and resolve the issue before
continuing the rehearsal.
The brigade CSS rehearsal is the final opportunity
for subordinates to identify and resolve issues. It is
critical that all subordinate units participate and come
to the rehearsal prepared to discuss their units’ actions
and the location of CSS assets. ALOG
MAJOR DARREN S. HOLBROOK IS THE MANEUVER
BRIGADE S–1 AND BRIGADE S–4 OBSERVER-CONTROLLER AT
THE NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER AT FORT IRWIN, CALI-
FORNIA. HE HAS A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY
FROM MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY IN KENTUCKY AND A
MASTER’S DEGREE IN COUNSELING FROM CARSON-NEWMAN
COLLEGE IN TENNESSEE. HE IS A GRADUATE OF THE ARMOR
OFFICER BASIC AND ADVANCED COURSES AND THE ARMY
COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLLEGE.
For units to be effective
and efficient in combat,
rehearsals need to become
habitual in training.
—FM 6–0
JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2005