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

Rehearsals
(artillery, air, and attack helicopters), probable main force objectives or engagement areas, and likely
commitment of reserve forces.
Step 4 – Decision Point
8-93. When the rehearsal director determines that a particular enemy movement or reaction is complete,
the commander assesses the situation to determine if a decision point has been reached. Decision points are
taken directly from the decision support template.
8-94. If the commander determines the unit is not at a decision point and not at the end state, the
commander directs the rehearsal director to continue to the next event on the execution matrix. Participants
use the response sequence (see paragraphs 8-81 through 8-84) and continue to act out and describe their
units’ actions.
8-95. When the rehearsal reaches conditions that establish a decision point, the commander decides
whether to continue with the current course of action or by selecting a branch. If electing the current course
of action, the commander directs the rehearsal director to move to the next event in the execution matrix. If
selecting a branch, the commander states why that branch, states the first event of that branch, and
continues the rehearsal until the organization has rehearsed all events of that branch. As the unit reaches
decisive points, the rehearsal director states the conditions required for success.
8-96. When it becomes obvious that the operation requires additional coordination to ensure success,
participants immediately begin coordinating. This is one of the key reasons for rehearsals. The rehearsal
director ensures that the recorder captures the coordination and any changes and all participants understand
the coordination.
Step 5 – End State Reached
8-97. Achieving the desired end state completes that phase of the rehearsal. In an attack, this will usually
be when the unit is on the objective and has finished consolidation and casualty evacuation. In the defense,
this will usually be after the decisive action (such as committing the reserve or striking force), the final
destruction or withdrawal of the enemy, and casualty evacuation is complete. In a stability operation, this
usually occurs when a unit achieves the targeted progress within a designated line of effort.
Step 6 – Reset
8-98. At this point, the commander states the next branch to rehearse. The rehearsal director resets the
situation to the decision point where that branch begins and states the criteria for a decision to execute that
branch. Participants assume those criteria have been met and then refight the operation along that branch
until they attain the desired end state. They complete any coordination needed to ensure all participants
understand and can meet any requirements. The recorder records any changes to the branch.
8-99. The commander then states the next branch to rehearse. The rehearsal director again resets the
situation to the decision point where that branch begins, and participants repeat the process. This continues
until the rehearsal addressed all decision points and branches that the commander wants to rehearse.
8-100. If the standard is not met and time permits, the commander directs participants to repeat the
rehearsal. The rehearsal continues until participants are prepared or until the time available expires.
(Commanders may allocate more time for a rehearsal but must assess the effects on subordinate
commanders’ preparation time.) Successive rehearsals, if conducted, should be more complex and realistic.
8-101. At the end of the rehearsal, the recorder restates any changes, coordination, or clarifications that
the commander directed and estimates how long it will take to codify changes in a written fragmentary
order.
AFTER THE REHEARSAL
8-102. After the rehearsal, the commander leads an after action review. The commander reviews lessons
learned and makes the minimum required modifications to the existing plan. (Normally, a fragmentary
order effects these changes.) Changes should be refinements to the operation order; they should not be
14 September 2011 ATTP 5-0.1 8-13