FM 5-0, The Operations Process - Federation of American Scientists

Rehearsals
• Operations security risk. This rehearsal can present operations security vulnerabilities if the
area around the rehearsal site is not secured. Assembled commanders and their vehicles can
draw enemy attention. Units must sanitize the terrain model after completing the rehearsal.
• Terrain. Terrain management is less difficult than with the previous techniques. A good site is
easy for participants to find yet concealed from the enemy. An optimal location overlooks the
terrain where the unit will execute the operation.
I-23. With today’s digital capabilities, users can construct terrain models in virtual space. Units drape high
resolution imagery over elevation data thereby creating a fly-through or walk-through. Holographic
imagery produces the view in three dimensions. Often, graphics, detailed information, unmanned aircraft
systems, and ground imagery are hot linked to key points in the model providing more insight into the plan.
Digital terrain models reduce the operations security risk because real terrain is not used. The unit
geospatial engineers or imagery analysts can assist in digital model creation. Detailed city models already
exist for many world cities.
I-24. Digital terrain-model rehearsals have the following implications:
• Time. The time it takes to create the three-dimensional model depends on the amount of
available data on the terrain being modeled.
• Echelons involved. This type of rehearsal best suits small units, although with a good local area
network, a wider audience can view the graphics. All echelons may be provided copies of the
digital model to take back to their headquarters for a more detailed examination.
• Operations security risk. If not placed on a computer network, there is limited security risk
because no site is secured and the rehearsal can be conducted under cover. However, if placed on
a computer network, digital terrain models can be subject to enemy exploitation due to inherent
vulnerabilities of networks.
• Terrain. This space requires the least space of all rehearsals. Using tents or enclosed areas
conceal the rehearsal from the enemy.
SKETCH-MAP REHEARSAL
I-25. Commanders can use the sketch-map technique almost anywhere, day or night. The procedures are
the same as for a terrain-model rehearsal except the commander uses a sketch map in place of a terrain
model. Effective sketches are large enough for all participants to see as each participant walks through
execution of the operation. Participants move markers on the sketch to represent unit locations and
maneuvers.
I-26. Sketch-map rehearsals have the following implications:
• Time. Sketch-map rehearsals take less time than terrain-model rehearsals and more time than
map rehearsals.
• Echelons involved. Because a sketch map is geared to the echelon conducting the rehearsal,
multiechelon rehearsals using this technique are difficult.
• Operations security risk. This rehearsal can present operations security vulnerabilities if the
area around the rehearsal site is not secured. Assembled commanders and their vehicles can
draw enemy attention. Units must sanitize, secure, or destroy the sketch map after use.
• Terrain. This technique requires less space than a terrain-model rehearsal. A good site is easy
for participants to find yet concealed from the enemy. An optimal location overlooks the terrain
where the unit will execute the operation.
MAP REHEARSAL
I-27. A map rehearsal is similar to a sketch-map rehearsal except the commander uses a map and operation
overlay of the same scale used to plan the operation.
I-28. Map rehearsals have the following implications:
26 March 2010 FM 5-0 I-5