ATP-4-90 Brigade Support Battalion Download
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Mission Command 18 June 2020 ATP 4-90 2-3 task. Instead, the orders provide the necessary information so company commanders and junior leaders can decide how to accomplish their assigned tasks to achieve the commander’s intent. DISCIPLINED INITIATIVE Disciplined initiative applies to all commanders and leaders in the BSB from the battalion commander to the platoon leaders. It is the understanding that commanders and leaders have a responsibility to follow orders and adhere to the original plan until such time they realize the orders and plan are not suitable for the current conditions and circumstances. When this situation presents itself, commanders and leaders take initiative to adjust to the current conditions to achieve the commander’s intent. They must, as soon as possible, report to the higher headquarters of the change in conditions and the new operational approach. RISK ACCEPTANCE Risk is inherent and unavoidable in large-scale combat operations. BSB commanders cannot conduct operations without exposing significant portions of unit personnel and equipment to extreme risk. It is unrealistic and detrimental to the mission to attempt to avoid all risk. Commanders and leaders analyze the risk, apply judgement, and determine if the risk is worth the perceived benefit in terms of mission accomplishment and potential capability loss. Commanders and leaders understand the greatest opportunity may come from the course of action with the most risk. Commanders use all information available in determining the amount of risk to accept understanding that there is never perfect or complete information or intelligence. COMMAND AND CONTROL C2 is the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission. C2 is more important than any other operational activity because it synchronizes and integrates all warfighting functions.. Effective C2 ensures activities are coordinated and synchronized toward a common objective to achieve maximum effect. The BSB commander is the focal point of C2 and provides the purpose, direction, and motivation to subordinates that enables BSB mission success. The operations process is the Army’s framework for executing C2. The BSB commander and staff employ the operations process to drive detailed planning necessary to direct, lead, and assess operations. C2 are interrelated and both are necessary for the BSB commander to direct, coordinate, and synchronize actions of subordinate commanders and leaders. C2 is dependent on multi-directional flow of information and feedback from all echelons to achieve shared understanding and to be able to adjust to rapidly changing circumstances. Command is the authority that a commander in the armed forces lawfully exercises over subordinates by virtue of rank or assignment. Command includes the authority and responsibility for effectively using available resources and for planning the employment of, organizing, directing, coordinating, and controlling military forces for the accomplishment of assigned missions. It also includes responsibility for health, welfare, morale, and discipline of assigned personnel (JP 1). The art of command is the creative and skillful exercise of authority through timely decision making and leadership. As an art, command requires the use of judgment. The BSB commander must constantly use judgment for such things as delegating authority, making decisions, determining the appropriate degree of control, and allocating resources. Facts like troop-to-task ratios may influence a commander but they do not account for the human aspects of command. A commander’s experience and training also influence their decision making. Proficiency in the art of command stems from schooling, self-development, and operational and training experiences. Control is the regulation of forces and warfighting functions to accomplish the mission in accordance with the commander’s intent. Aided by staffs, commanders exercise control over assigned forces in their area of operations. Staffs coordinate, synchronize, and integrate actions, inform the commander, and exercise control for the commander. Commanders impose enough control to mass the effect of combat power at the decisive point in time while allowing subordinates the maximum freedom of action to accomplish assigned tasks.