ATP-3-09-24 The Field Artillery Brigade Download
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Operations and Integrating Processes 30 March 2022 ATP 3-09.24 3-5 3-17. Several preparation activities begin during planning and continue throughout an operation. Uncommitted forces prepare for identified contingencies and look to the operation's next phase or branch. Committed units revert to preparation when they reach their objectives, occupy defensive positions, or pass into reserve. Rehearsals 3-18. Rehearsals allow leaders and their Soldiers to practice key aspects of the concept of operations. These actions help Soldiers orient themselves to their environment and other units before executing the operation. Rehearsals help Soldiers build a lasting mental picture of the sequence of key actions within the operation. A rehearsal is an effective organizational tool in ensuring staffs and subordinates gain a tactical understanding of the commander’s intent and the concept of operations, understanding, and fostering mutual trust within a commander's sphere of control. The commander and staff are able to visualize the terrain, and enemy and friendly units arranged by military action in time, space, and purpose. For more detailed information on rehearsals see FM 6-0. 3-19. Each rehearsal type achieves a different result and has a specific place in the preparation timeline. The four types of rehearsals are the: Backbrief. Combined arms rehearsal. Sustainment rehearsal. Battle drill or standard operating procedure (SOP) rehearsal. 3-20. FS personnel are involved in every type of rehearsal. Multiple rehearsals ensure that maximum integration and synchronization in supporting the scheme of maneuver with fires. When time is limited, the number and scope of rehearsals are reduced. In these cases, rehearsals may focus on FS tasks or particular aspects of the maneuver plan and the associated FS plan. The FS rehearsal, in coordination with the FA technical rehearsal, should be conducted prior to the combined arms rehearsal and if possible, include members of the operations and intelligence staff and other members of the targeting team. 3-21. Rehearsals are based on a warning order (referred to as a WARNORD) or OPORD. Units may rehearse a contingency plan to prepare for an anticipated deployment. The rehearsal is a coordination event, not an analysis. It does not replace war-gaming. Commanders avoid making major changes to OPORDs during rehearsals. They make only those changes essential to mission success and risk mitigation. Risk management is the process to identify, assess, and control risks and make decisions that balance risk cost with mission benefits (JP 3-0). For more information on risk management see ATP 5-19. Backbrief 3-22. A backbrief is a briefing by subordinates to the commander to review how subordinates intend to accomplish their mission (FM 6-0). The backbrief allows the FSCOORD to clarify the commander's intent early in subordinate planning. Commanders use the backbrief to identify any problems in the concept of operations and to increase understanding and synchronization through the passage of information. At a minimum the FSCOORD should cover the following items during the backbrief: Commander's guidance for fires. Initial scheme of fires. Priorities of fires. High-payoff targets (HPT). Initial FSCM recommendations. Command and support relationship recommendations. 3-23. Backbriefs should not be confused with confirmation briefs that commanders use immediately after issuing a plan to determine how well a subordinate commander understands the mission, task, and/or directive. It differs from a confirmation brief in that leaders are given time to complete their plan rather than briefing the commander immediately following receipt of an order. Typically, the confirmation brief occurs at the conclusion of the orders or OPLAN brief when all subordinate commanders are available. The commander adjourns the session only when they are confident their subordinates understand their mission,