mout actd program handbook #1 experimental tactics ... - SpecOps

OMEGA TRAINING GROUP, INC.
MOUT ACTD HANDBOOK #1
EXPERIMENTAL TACTICS, TECHNIQUES, AND PROCEDURES
FOR THE INFANTRY RIFLE PLATOON AND SQUAD IN URBAN COMBAT
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(2) Graphic control measures. The use of more graphic control measures and
understanding of the commander’s intent at all levels becomes even more important to
mission accomplishment in an urban environment. Phase lines such as streets and alleys
and railroad lines can be used to report progress or to control the advance of attacking
units. In large buildings, boundaries may be between different floors. Checkpoints aid
in reporting locations and controlling movement. Contact points are used to designate
specific, easily identifiable points where units make physical contact such as a mailbox
or doorway of a building.
R-40, Virtual Mission Planner: A virtual mission planner may be used to plan
missions and conduct platoon and squad briefbacks and rehearsals. The virtual
imagery of buildings and blocks may be especially useful in planning and rehearsing
offensive operations. Visualizing where all the elements of a unit are during the fight
will allow planning, increase situational awareness, and prevent fratricide.
NOTE: Conventional maps and overlays must be maintained and used as a back up
system if a virtual mission planner is used, in the event of a system failure.
(3) Standing operating procedures (SOP). These are actions to be executed
without command. They are developed and practiced during training. The SOP gets rid
of many commands and eases the platoon leader’s job. An example of what might be
included in a unit SOP is requirements for marking cleared rooms, floors, and buildings.
Another good example is direct fire control. The most common method a leader uses to
start and direct fire is by personal example:
• The men hear the leader fire and see where he fires.
• They fire at the same place.
• The leader can use tracers to help the other soldiers find the targets.
2-3. MISSION
The platoon leader must receive, analyze, and understand the mission before he begins
planning. The rules of engagement must be clearly stated. The platoon leader may
receive the mission as a warning order, a fragmentary order (FRAGO), or an operations
order (OPORD).
a. Mission Analysis. When conducting his analysis, the platoon leader must
consider the overall intent of the operation in regard to the requirement for clearance of
the urban area and he must analyze all specified and implied tasks. In the offense, the
platoon leader must understand if clearance means every building, block by block, or
the seizure of a key objective, which may only require clearing along the axis of
advance. The platoon leader must have these questions answered before he begins his
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VERSION 7, 1 APRIL 1999