COMPANY COMMANDERS ORDER Practical Application 1

GENERAL ORIENTATION: (You are the 1st Platoon Commander, Golf Company 2/5.) All right Marines, gather around this terrain model. I want the Weapons Platoon Section Leaders on the South side, Co Gunny, HQ, and the Weapons Platoon Commander (Fire Support Team FST-Leader) on the West side, and on the North side, from West to East 1st Plt Cmdr, 2nd Plt Cmdr, and then 3rd Plt Cmdr. XO is everyone here? Break out your note taking materials. The BN has been in our current defensive position for the past three days, reconstituting combat power in order to renew the offensive toward the east. It is springtime with new vegetation out and sporadic wet weather still holding on from the recent rainy season. ORIENTATION: This direction is north (on terrain model). The terrain in our area includes: several hills (224, 207, 187, 185, 184, 183, 165, and 154) the Green River, MSR Gold, and the Bekal Village. The Green River runs from the West to East and is currently just below its banks from the rainy season. Usually the river is little more than a stream due to the low annual rainfall. The condition of the bridge in the town of Bekal is unknown but it is believed to be able to handle 70 tons. MSR Gold is an improved road that runs Southeast/ Northwest and is the primary avenue of vehicular traffic to the nearby capital Rega City. The enemy has besieged local government forces in Rega City. Bekal Village is uninhabited as the majority of the locals joined the tide of refugees when the violence began three weeks ago. The village is mainly comprised of one story brick and adobe houses that now serve as a weapons and supply cache for enemy forces operating in this area. The terrain is comprised of dry plains along with hills that rise steadily into the piedmont of the Halsob Mountain range 30km to the Northwest. The vegetation is made up of primarily grassy plains (that turn dusty after the summers heat) with low scrub brush and hardy forests with evergreen and hardwood trees. Visibility in the AO is approximately 1000m from the hilltops, 300m from the low lands, and not more than 100m in the forested areas. BN Scout/ Snipers have identified that hill 154 provides better than 2000m visibility West down the MSR. The terrain and vegetation is go for dismounted troops, slow-go for tracked vehicles, and no-go for wheeled vehicles except go on the MSR or plains. Our CO is located at the BN Assembly Area. Tactical control measures include our AA (GC 372825), Company Obj A (GC 327826), Company Objective B (GC 347835), Company Objective C (GC 335833), line of departure at Passage Point (PP) 1 (Foxtrot Companys BP, GC 364823), Platoon Release Point (PRP) (GC 360822), Co Aslt Position (GC 356838), Mortar Position (MP) 1 (GC 358826), and MP 2 (GC 328825). Preplanned targets: AE 2001 on a known enemy squad reinforced vic Hill 185, AE 2002 on a known enemy squad reinforced vic Hill 187, and AE 2003 on a known enemy squad reinforced vic Hill 207. Illumination data for today is as follows: Beginning Morning Nautical Twilight (BMNT) is 0540, Sunrise is 0635, Sunset is at 1905, and End of Evening Nautical Twilight is 2012. Moon rise is at 2340. Moon set is 0914 . 35% illum. The weather is going to remain gray and mostly cloudy with persistent rain showers for the next 48 hours. Highs in the low 60s, lows in mid 40s. It is currently 0630. 1. SITUATION: A. Enemy - SALUTE: There is an enemy platoon reinforced defending the weapons cache in the hills surrounding the town of Bekal. They are preparing defensive positions in order to block our offensive toward the northwest. They have the capability to reinforce to company strength in 3 hours. They are armed with Soviet Block small arms, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), light and medium machine guns and have limited indirect fire capability from 82mm mortars. The enemy is wearing woodland pattern utility uniforms. Yesterday BN Scout/Sniper teams identified three separate squads reinforced establishing deliberate defensive battle positions on the forward military crests of Hill 207 (Co Obj A), Hill 185 (Co Obj B) and Hill 187(Co Obj C). The defenses appear to have been improved for several days already. The squads each had working parties out improving the obstacles you can see on the terrain model. They appear to be setting up triple strand concertina wire obstacles. The defensive positions seem to be well supplied with sand bags and hardening materials. The Scout/Sniper teams also identified what appears to be a fire team reinforced LP/OP on Hill 183. That fire team reinforced also appeared to be digging in and appeared to have a radio. The Scout/Snipers were unable to determine if the enemy had any patrols out forward of their positions, but did identify possible supplementary positions on each flank. DRAWD: The platoon reinforced will defend when engaged and attempt to bring up reinforcements. EMPCOA: I believe the enemy has placed the majority of his focus on the MSR. I also believe that he has focused most of his efforts into improving his defense and not running security patrols. On contact, I believe the enemy will shift forces to

supplementary positions using his interior lines to cover a perceived weakness. I believe he will not expect us to come from multiple avenues of approach. B. Friendly: (1) Higher O/O, 2/5 clears in zone along MSR Gold in order to open up a supply route to the besieged capital of Rega City. Battalion Commanders end state is all enemy forces in vicinity of MSR Gold destroyed MSR open, supplies able to reach Rega City. (2) Adjacent: RearFoxtrot Company remains at BP Foxtrot (BN AA) as motorized reserve, and will BPT to continue the attack. Echo Company reinforced (Team Mech), assumes advance guard of BN movement to contact following our consolidation. They will clear in zone up MSR Gold in order to open a supply route into Rega City. The CAAT Platoon screens to the south in order to support the BN ME. The Javelin Platoon detaches one squad to Foxtrot Company and two squads to Echo Company effective one hour ago. H & S Company provides perimeter security for BN CP in BN AA. (3) Supporting (a) The 81mm Mortar Platoon is located at the BN AA in vicinity GC 372825 in General Support (GS) of the Battalion. Direction of Fire is 5200 mils grid. Priority of Fire is Golf Company, Echo Company, CAAT Platoon, then Foxtrot Company. (b) Alpha Battery, 1/11 is located in vicinity of GC 385810 in Direct Support (DS) of the Battalion. Direction of Fire is 5800 mils grid. Priority of Fire is Golf Company, Echo Company, CAAT Platoon, then Foxtrot Company. C. Attachments/ Detachments - None. 2. MISSION: No earlier than (NET) 1000, Golf Company destroys the enemy on Company Objective A, B, and C in order to open up a supply route to the besieged capital of Rega City 3. EXECUTION: A. Commanders Intent: The enemy is attempting to use his preparations to counteract the dispersion between his forces. Although he has achieved some limited mutual support, the enemy lacks mass and concentration. The enemys CG is his well prepared and hardened defensive positions. His CV is his passive security posture (lack of patrolling to provide forward security) that has allowed us to find his flanks. I intend to exploit this vulnerability by attacking him on each flank thus isolating his forces for destruction. End State: Enemy destroyed, Bekal Village secured, and forward passage of lines with Echo Company complete. B. Concept of Operations: (1) Scheme of Maneuver Direction of Attack is West. We will conduct a two axis attack on the platoon reinforced enemy with two platoons reinforced and mortar section on the northern axis and one independent platoon reinforced on the southern axis. From the AA we will move in company column through PP1 departing Foxtrot Companys BP to the LD. From the LD we will move in company column to the PRP where the independent platoon and the mortar section will break off. The independent platoon will execute an independent attack into Company Objective A. The mortar section will move by independent route to occupy MP 1. From the PRP the Company (minus) will continue in column until the lead platoon reaches the Co assault position. Stage one of the assault begins with the independent platoon making contact with the enemy south of the MSR, and ends when the lead platoon initiates suppressive fire on Co Obj B and the FST initiates suppressive fires on Co Obj C. Stage two begins with suppressive fire on Co Obj B, suppression run by FST continues on Co Obj C, and ends with the independent platoon consolidating on Co Obj A and lead platoon consolidating on Co Obj B. Stage three begins with Co Obj A and B secure and includes the forward passage of the trail platoon through the lead platoons position on Co Obj B into a supported attack on CO Obj C. Stage three concludes with the Co Obj C secure.

(2) Fire Support Plan The task and purpose of my fire support is to suppress the enemy in order to isolate each objective. I have established the following pre-planned targets that will be priority targets for the company: Target Description AE 2001 Known enemy Sqd (+) AE 2002 Known enemy Sqd (+) AE 2003 Known enemy Sqd (+) Agency 60mm A 1/11 81mm Ammo HE/VT+ D Mix HE/VT+D Mix HE/VT+D Mix Location GC 347835, (Co Obj B) GC 335833 (Co Obj C) GC 347835 (Co Obj A) Observer/ Controller Pri: 2nd Plt, Alt: FST Pri: FST, Alt: 3rd Plt Pri: 1st Plt, Alt FST

81mm mortars and artillery will cover our movement, assault and consolidation. Since our company is first in BN for 81s here is the companys priority of fires for 81s: 1st Platoon, 2nd platoon 3rd platoon. Our company is also 1st in the BN for Artillery so the company priority of fires for Artillery is 3rd platoon, 1st platoon, 2nd platoon. Fires allocation for 1st stage of attack: 81s to 1st Platoon, 60s to 2nd and Artillery to FST. Fires for 2nd stage of attack: 81s to 1st, 60s to 2nd, and Arty to FST. Fires for 3rd stage of attack: 81s and 60s to 3rd, Arty to 1st Platoon. C. Tasks: (1) 1st Platoon -- You are a SE. On order (O/O) you will destroy the enemy on Co Obj A in order to prevent the enemy from interfering with the company main effort attack. You have one medium Machine Gun squad and two SMAW teams attached effective immediately. (Walkthrough) From the assembly area to the PRP you will be the lead of the company column. From the PRP you will be you will take a route of your own choosing and establish tactical control measures to get through your objective. Three 81mm preplanned targets are available for you to support your attack. BPT support by fire from Hill 207 on Co Obj C. O/S cease fire. Back brief me on your SOM, FSP, and Signal Plan in accordance with (IAW) the timeline. (2) 2nd Platoon-- You are a SE. O/O you will destroy the enemy on Co Obj B in order to open up a supply route to the besieged capital, Rega City. You have one medium Machine Gun squad and two SMAW teams attached effective immediately. (Walkthrough) From the assembly area to the PRP you will be second in the company column. From the PRP you will be the lead in the company (minus) column. In the assault position, coordinate your fire support through the FST on the Company Tactical net to initiate indirect fire suppression. Once you have consolidated on Co Obj B BPT support by fire on Co Obj C. O/S Cease fire. (3) 3rd Platoon-- You are the ME. O/O you will destroy the enemy on Co Obj C in order to open up a supply route to the besieged capital, Rega City. You have one medium Machine Gun squad and two SMAW Teams attached effective immediately. (Walkthrough) From the assembly area to the PRP you will be the rear in the company column. From the PRP to the Co Asslt Position you will be the rear of the company (minus) column. You will remain in the Co Asslt Position unengaged during 2nd platoons attack on Co Obj B. Once Obj B is secure, O/O you will conduct a forward passage of lines with 2nd Platoon and conduct your attack on Co Obj C. The FST and 1st platoon will provide suppressive fire on your objective until youve completed the forward passage of lines with 2nd. You will then have control of fires on Obj C. (4) SMAW Section: Two Teams attached to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Platoons effective immediately. (5) MG Section: One Machine Gun Squad attached to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, Platoons effective immediately. (6) 60mm Mortar Section: You are in General Support (GS) of the company. O/O suppress the enemy in order to isolate the enemy positions for the maneuver elements to destroy. O/O establish MP 1 in vicinity of (GC 358826) with a direction of Fire of 4800 mils grid. O/S Displace forward by squad on a route of your choosing to establish MP 2. Priority of Fire is 2nd Platoon, 3rd Platoon, then 1st Platoon. (Walkthrough) From the AA to the PRP you will be third in the company column. From the PRP take a route of your own choosing to MP 1. (7) Fire Support Team (FST) Leader (Weapons Platoon Commander): On contact, suppress the enemy on Co Obj C in order to isolate objectives A and B for destruction. Establish an OP in vicinity of Hill 154. Position the FST to best observe and control fires in relation to maneuver during movement, assault, and consolidation.

D. Coordinating Instructions: (1) Base Unit 2nd Platoon (2) DOA is west (3) TOA is 1530 (4) BPT continue the attack into the village of Bekal. BPT destroy the weapons cache located in the village. BPT defend Bekal Village against enemy counterattack IOT open up a supply route into the capital, Rega City. BPT mount up in trucks and continue the attack to the Northwest as part of the Battalion movement to contact main body. (5) Tactical Control Measures: (As briefed in Orientation) (6) Timeline: (a) Start of Order (b) Order complete is (c) Platoon/ Section/ FST warning orders (d) Initial inspections and back briefs (e) Leaders recon/ logistics draw (f) Leaders recon cont/ basic rehearsals (g) Leaders recon returns (h) Platoon/ Section/ FST Orders (i) Platoon/ Section FST rehearsals (j) Company rehearsals (k) Final inspections and back briefs (l) Depart Friendly lines (m) Time of Attack (TOA) - cross LD

0630 X X + 15min X + 30min X + 60min X + 120min X + 240min X + 270min X + 300min X + 390min X + 450min X + 480min 1530

(7) Priority of Rehearsals: (a) Fire and Movement - Fighter Leader Concept - Magazine Changes/ Reload Drills - Stoppages and Immediate/ Remedial Action - Lateral Communication (b) Actions On the Objective (c) Fire and Maneuver (d) Signal Plan (e) Fire Support (f) Formations For Movement (g) Aid/ Litter Team drills (h) EPW Handling (8) MOPP level: 0 4. ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS: A. Administration: Routine WIA and KIA will be retained by each platoon until Co Obj C is secure. On consolidation, the causality collection point for KIAs and WIAs will be established on the Southeast side of Co Obj C. The point of contact is the Company Corpsman. Each Platoon Corpsman will triage the WIA and treat prior to delivery to the Company Collection point.. Urgent and Priority Medevacs will be coordinated through the company 1st Sgt and will be conducted primarily by vehicle in vicinity of Co Obj C. EPWs will be brought to the Co Gunny after consolidation on the Southeast side of Co Obj C. All EPWs will be handled with 5S and a T (Search, Silence, Secure, Segregated, Speed to the rear and Tagged).

B. Logistics: Every member will draw 2 days of supply (per SOP) for ammo, chow and water, after this order. Each platoon will have 9 sets of flex cuffs for EPWs and 6 pole-less litters for WIAs. The next resupply will go after all three objectives are secure. The Co Gunny will bring up the companys vehicle and a Battalion Aid Station (BAS) ambulance along MSR Gold. Each platoon has the following pyro for signals: 2 Green Star Clusters (GSC), 2 White Star Clusters (WSC), 2 Yellow Smoke Grenades (YSMK), and 2 Green Smoke Grenades (GSMK). 5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL: A. Signal: Call Signs and Frequencies IAW CEOI (Communicator Electronic Operating Instructions). Company RTO and all units have a copy. All will carry it in their left breast pocket. Challenge is Third, Password is Order. Each word will be used in a sentence. Alternate is #s adding to 5. Odd number is used so that the enemy cant say the same number back in a sentence and be correct. Running Password is Boxcar. Signal Plan Commence on C Cease on C 3rd Plt commences on C Consolidate Primary Radio Radio Red Socks Radio Yankees Radio Orioles Alternate Indirect lifts 1 WSC 1 GSC 1 YSMK Tertiary Enemy firing Visual Messenger Voice

1st Plt Cmdr, 2nd Plt Cmdr, and 3rd Plt Cmdr will determine own signal plan for any internal SBFs commence, shift, cease, displace, and consolidate. B. Command: (1) Location of Key Leaders: I will travel with 2nd Platoon. Co 1st Sgt will be with me. Co Gunny will be with the Mortars Section. XO will be with 3rd platoon. Co Corpsman will be with 2nd Platoon. (2) Succession of command: 2nd Platoon Commander, XO, 3rd Platoon Commander, Wpns Platoon Commander, 1st Platoon Commander, Co 1st Sgt, Co Gunny, The time is now 0730. Are there any questions?