FM 3-34.22 - Army Electronic Publications & Forms - U.S. Army

Chapter 2
2-57. Commanders avoid excessive analysis when assessing operations. The assessment process must be
tailored to meet the needs of the commander. It must provide useful feedback on the progress of the
operation that allows the commander to provide guidance and recommendations to the planning staff on
potential course corrections. The focus should be on providing information in a means useful to the
commander. Staffs should avoid developing systems that become all-consuming of resources and staff
effort. Generally, the echelon at which a specific operation, task, or action is conducted should be the
echelon at which such activity is assessed. This focuses assessment at each echelon and enhances the
efficiency of the overall operations process.
PREPARATION
2-58. Preparation consists of activities performed by the unit before execution to improve its ability to
conduct the operation. Preparation requires staff, unit, and Soldier actions. Mission success depends as
much on preparation as planning. Key preparation activities include—
� Planning refinement based on IPB updates and answering IR from ISR assets.
� Conducting rehearsals such as confirmation briefs, combined arms rehearsals, and back briefs.
� Implementing the task organization to include coordinating the linkup of engineer units with the
supported unit.
� Performing ISR operations.
� Moving troops.
� Performing precombat checks and inspections.
� Preparing for sustainment.
� Integrating new Soldiers and units.
2-59. In many cases, engineer units conduct these preparation activities integrated within the combined
arms task organizations required by the operation. Combined arms rehearsals are critical to the success of a
breaching, clearing, or gap-crossing operation. Rehearsals help staffs, units, and individuals to better
understand their specific role in upcoming operations, practice complicated tasks before execution, and
ensure that equipment and weapons function properly. The rehearsal is one of the most effective
synchronization tools available to commanders. Commanders must ensure that subordinate units have
enough time to conduct rehearsals.
2-60. Implementing the engineer task organization and linking up engineers with their supported unit is an
important and challenging activity. The ENCOORD (in the headquarters directing task organization)
initiates the coordination effort by ensuring that the necessary linkup instructions are in the maneuver unit
fragmentary order (FRAGO) or OPORD. Information needed to conduct linkup includes the date-time
group, primary and alternate linkup points, digital and voice communication procedures, and recognition
signals (vehicle markings and panels). The parent unit or controlling headquarters (BSTB, engineer
battalion, engineer company) conducts any required additional coordination with the gaining unit as early
as possible and provides further instructions (not contained in SOPs) to the subordinate engineer unit on
the linkup procedures in their unit FRAGO or OPORD.
2-61. The engineer unit conducting the linkup should report to their parent unit or controlling headquarters
when they depart for linkup and when linkup with the gaining unit is completed. Executing task
organization changes of critical engineer assets during mission execution may be required. This situation
presents even more challenges, especially with regards to terrain management, as unit positions and fire
control measures may have shifted. War-gaming these actions during mission planning and rehearsals and
implementing the necessary control measures and coordinating instructions are critical in managing the
risks of fratricide and the engineer unit effectively making the linkup. (See FM 3-90.5 and FM 3-90.6 for
more information on linkup operations.)
2-62. The commander and staff continuously review IPB products against the current situation and redirect
ISR assets to focus on the most important unknowns remaining, while emphasizing the CCIR. Plans are
continually refined based on IPB updates and ISR results (OBSTINTEL).
2-16 FM 3-34.22 11 February 2009