SSgt Moore tells you about "decentralized command." What is decentralized command? It's a characteristic of Marine Corps fighting, where higher units give subordinate units basic overall objectives, but it is up to the subordinate units to come up with the strategies and tactics to achieve the mission. On the one hand, this is good, because this gets rid of micromanaging and speeds up the battle rhythm, because you're not bogged down by too much communication. On the other hand, this means that YOU need to be familiar with your unit's capabilities and limitations and need to come u with a plan that will be successful.
SSgt Moore tells you that he cannot tell you what to do for your execution, but he will review your plan and make necessary suggestions. You consult Captain Hook's order again, but in smaller pieces.
[EXECUTION.
Commander's Intent:
Purpose*. In order to clear Kensington Heartland of enemy forces.
Method.* Offensive attack
Endstate* Enemy is destroyed, Kensington Heartland is cleared of all enemy forces, and Friendly Forces can move freely in the AO.]
You come up with:
EXECUTION.
Commander's Intent:
Purpose*. In order to clear Kensington Heartland of enemy forces.
Method.* Offensive attack
Endstate* Enemy is destroyed, Kensington Heartland is cleared of all enemy forces, and Friendly Forces can move freely in the AO.]
[Concept of Operations:
Scheme of Maneuver: We will have one main effort and two supporting efforts. We will depart from the AO in a platoon column until we have reached the attack position located at C St and Cambria St. One squad will travel northwest to the drug house. One squad will move north to Needle Park in support of the main effort. The other supporting effort will travel west to the gulch in anticipation of enemy withdrawal to the South. After destroying enemy forces, we will consolidate in the drug house.
Fire Support Plan: NONE]
You think back to your OCS days, and come up with:
Concept of Operations:
Scheme of Maneuver: We will have one main effort and two supporting efforts. We will depart north from the the in a squad column, fire team column until we have reached our attack position located at D St and Indiana Ave. We will cross the line of departure and continue west in a Squad Column, Fire Team Wedge until we have reached the assault position at C and Indiana. We will continue west in Squad Column, Fire Team Wedge until we have reach our objective, where we will transition into Squad Online, Fire Team Online. After destroying enemy forces, we will consolidate in the drug house where you will wait for further instruction.
Fire Support Plan: NONE]
For tasks, you consult Captain Hook's order again.
[Tasks:
2nd SQUAD, you are the main effort. On order, you will depart from the attack position and destroy enemy forces located at the abandoned house in order to clear Kensington Heartland of enemy forces.
1st SQUAD, you are supporting effort 1. On order, you will depart from the attack position and occupy Needle Park in order to clear Kensington Heartland of enemy forces.
3rd SQUAD, you are supporting effort 2. On order, you will depart from the attack position and occupy the gulch in order to clear Kensington Heartland of enemy forces.]
Since you have surveyed the map and realized that the drug house is right up against a huge wall, and only has one door, a frontal attack will suffice (you will only use frontal attack at OCS). If the enemy withdraws, which you don't think they will, they will only be able to withdraw into your line of fire.
You come up with:
Tasks:
1st FT, you are the main effort. On order, you will destroy all enemies in the back room of the house in order to clear Kensington Heartland of enemy forces.
2nd FT, you are supporting effort 1. On order, you will destroy all enemies on the left side of the house in order to clear Kensington Heartland of enemy forces.
3rd FT, you are supporting effort 2. On order, you will destroy all enemies on the right side of the house in order to clear Kensington Heartland of enemy forces.
Now all that is left for the execution is the coordinating instructions. You consult Captain Hook's order again:
[Coordinating Instructions:
Time of Attack 0800
Base Unit 2nd Squad
Order of Movement 2nd Squad, 1st Squad, 3rd Squad
Tactical Control Measures
Assembly Area: D St & Somerset St
Attack Position: C St & Cambria St
Line of Departure: Cambria St
Assault Position: C St & Indiana Ave
Objective: B St & Indiana Ave
You come up with:
Coordinating Instructions:
Time of Attack 0800
Base Unit 1st FT
Order of Movement 1st FT, 2nd FT, 3rd FT
Tactical Control Measures
Assembly Area: D St & Somerset St
Attack Position: D St and Indiana Ave
Line of Departure: D St
Assault Position: C St & Indiana Ave
Objective: Indiana Ave & B St