ATTP 5-0.1 Commander and Staff Officer Guide - Army Electronic ...

Rehearsals
the warfighting functions should tie directly to the supported unit’s execution matrix and decision support
template. Examples include an intelligence synchronization matrix or fires execution matrix.
8-80. An effective rehearsal realistically and quickly portrays the enemy force and other variables of the
operational environment without distracting from the rehearsal. One technique for doing this has the G-2
(S-2) preparing an actions checklist. It lists a sequence of events much like the one for friendly units but
from the enemy or civilian perspective.
Response Sequence
8-81. Participants respond in a logical sequence: either by warfighting function or by unit as the
organization deploys, from front to rear. The commander determines the sequence before the rehearsal. The
staff posts the sequence at the rehearsal site, and the rehearsal director may restate it.
8-82. Effective rehearsals allow participants to visualize and synchronize the concept of operations. As the
rehearsal proceeds, participants talk through the concept of operations. They focus on key events and the
synchronization required to achieve the desired effects. The commander leads the rehearsal and gives
orders during the operation. Subordinate commanders enter and leave the discussion at the time they expect
to begin and end their tasks or activities during the operation. This practice helps the commander assess the
adequacy of synchronization. They do not “re-war-game” unless absolutely necessary to ensure subordinate
unit commanders understand the plan.
8-83. The rehearsal director emphasizes integrating fires, events that trigger different branch actions, and
actions on contact. The chief of fires (fire support officer) or fires unit commander states when to initiate
fires, who to fire them, from where the firing comes, the ammunition available, and the desired target
effect. Subordinate commanders state when they initiate fires per their fire support plans. The rehearsal
director speaks for any absent staff section and ensures the rehearsal addresses all actions on the
synchronization matrix and decision support template at the proper time or event.
8-84. The rehearsal director ensures that the rehearsal includes key sustainment and protection actions at
the appropriate times. (See Table 8-1.) Failure to do so reduces the value of the rehearsal as a coordination
tool. The staff officer with coordinating staff responsibility inserts these items into the rehearsal. Special
staff officers should brief by exception when a friendly or enemy event occurs within their area of
expertise. Summarizing these actions at the end of the rehearsal can reinforce coordination requirements
identified during the rehearsal. The staff updates the decision support template and gives a copy to each
participant. Under time-constrained conditions, the conducting headquarters staff may provide copies
before the rehearsal and rely on participants to update them with pen-and-ink changes.
Table 8-1. Example sustainment and protection actions for rehearsals
• Casualty evacuation routes
• Ambulance exchange point locations
• Refuel-on-the-move points
• Class IV and Class V resupply points
• Logistics release points
Ground Rules
• Support area displacement times and locations
• Enemy prisoner of war collection points
• Aviation support
• Military police actions
8-85. After discussing the rehearsal script, the rehearsal director—
� States the standard (what the commander will accept) for a successful rehearsal.
� Ensures everyone understands the parts of the operation order to rehearse. If the unit will not
rehearse the entire operation, the rehearsal director states the events to be rehearsed.
� Quickly reviews the rehearsal SOP if all participants are not familiar with it. An effective
rehearsal SOP states—
� Who controls the rehearsal.
� Who approves the rehearsal venue and its construction.
14 September 2011 ATTP 5-0.1 8-11