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

Chapter 3
� Assessing the overall progress of operations.
� Preparing reports required by higher headquarters and receiving reports for subordinate units.
� Providing a facility for the commander to control operations, issue orders, and conduct
rehearsals.
TACTICAL COMMAND POST
3-5. The tactical command post is a facility containing a tailored portion of a unit headquarters
designed to control portions of an operation for a limited time. Commanders employ the tactical CP as
an extension of the main CP to help control the execution of an operation or a specific task, such as a gap
crossing, a passage of lines, or an air assault operation. Commanders may employ the tactical CP to direct
the operations of units close to each other, such as during a relief in place. The tactical CP may also control
a special task force or a complex task, such as reception, staging, onward movement, and integration.
3-6. The tactical CP is fully mobile and includes only essential Soldiers and equipment. The tactical CP
relies on the main CP for planning, detailed analysis, and coordination. A deputy commander or operations
officer leads the tactical CP.
3-7. When employed, tactical CP functions include the following:
� Monitoring and controlling current operations.
� Providing information to the common operational picture.
� Assessing the progress of operations.
� Monitoring and assessing the progress of higher and adjacent units.
� Performing short-range planning.
� Providing input to targeting and future operations planning.
� Providing a facility for the commander to control operations, issue orders, and conduct
rehearsals.
3-8. When the commander does not employ the tactical CP, the staff assigned to it reinforces the main
CP. Unit standard operating procedures (SOPs) should address the specifics for this, including procedures
to quickly detach the tactical CP from the main CP.
COMMAND GROUP
3-9. A command group consists of commander and selected staff members who assist the
commander in controlling operations away from a command post. The command group is organized
and equipped to suit the commander’s decisionmaking and leadership requirements. It does this while
enabling the commander to accomplish critical mission command tasks anywhere in the area of operations.
3-10. Command group personnel includes staff representation that can immediately affect current
operations, such as maneuver, fires (including the air liaison officer), and intelligence. The mission and
available staff, however, dictate the command group’s makeup. For example, during a deliberate breach,
the command group may include an engineer and an air defense officer. When visiting a dislocated
civilians’ collection point, the commander may take a translator, civil affairs operations officer, a medical
officer, and a chaplain.
3-11. Divisions and corps headquarters are equipped with a mobile command group. The mobile command
group serves as the commander’s mobile CP. It consists of ground and air components equipped with
information systems. The mobile command group’s mobility allows commanders to move to critical
locations to personally assess a situation, make decisions, and influence operations. The mobile command
group’s information systems and small staff allow commanders to do this while retaining communication
with the entire force.
EARLY-ENTRY COMMAND POST
3-12. While not part of the unit’s table of organization and equipment, commanders can establish an earlyentry
command post to assist them in controlling operations during the deployment phase of an operation.
3-2 ATTP 5-0.1 14 September 2011