FM 3-19.4 - Army Electronic Publications & Forms - U.S. Army

FM 3-19.4
• Prepare an estimate of the situation, specifying
the organization of the march column.
• Organize and dispatch reconnaissance and
quartering parties.
• Prepare detailed movement plans based on the
organization of the march column and a review
of the available reconnaissance information.
• Use the reconnaissance information to—
■ Choose sites for halts and RPs.
■ Spot problem areas along the route.
■ Select bypasses or alternate routes.
• Select fairly secure locations for halts.
• Choose areas that provide cover and
concealment.
• Avoid choosing highly populated areas, curves in
the road, or other hard-to-secure areas.
• Plan the timing so that the unit arrives at the
SP just before it is scheduled to cross it. The
time a unit must cross the SP is provided to the
unit. As other units may be planning to use the
route, each unit must cross the SP on time.
• Prepare and issue the march order.
• Prepare the overlays and issue them to the
vehicle commanders and subordinate leaders.
The road march overlay includes, at a minimum,
the location of the SP, RP, scheduled halts, and
checkpoints at critical points along the route.
COORDINATE AND DIRECT THE MARCH
4-6. The chain of command controls the column. The
march leader—
• Coordinates the road march through the chain of
command with the local movement control unit.
• Determines if the convoy needs a movement
credit or a clearance to use the given route. If so,
the march leader submits a Department of
Combat Operations 4-3