ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
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Chapter 4 142 ATP 5-0.2-1 07 December 2020 of procedures. Throughout preparation, units and staffs rehearse battle drills and SOPs. Leaders place priority on drills or actions they anticipate occurring during the operation. For example, a transportation platoon may rehearse a battle drill on reacting to an ambush while waiting to begin movement. 4-20. All echelons use battle drills, but they are most common for platoons, squads, and sections. The rehearsals are conducted throughout preparation and are not limited to published battle drills. All echelons can rehearse such actions as a CP shift change, an obstacle breach lane-marking SOP, or a refuel-on-the-move site operation. COMMAND POST BATTLE DRILLS 4-21. Each CP requires the implementation of battle drills to react to a variety of situations that may be encountered while conducting operations. A battle drill is initiated on a cue, such as enemy action or a leader's command, and is a trained response to the given stimulus. A battle drill requires minimal leader orders to accomplish. Synchronization and reaction speed are enhanced when battle drills are identified and the required reactions are defined in the unit SOP and rehearsed during training. Typical CP battle drills include, but are not limited to— React to an air, ground, or chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack. React to indirect fire. React to jamming or suspected communications compromise. Execute dynamic targeting. Execute a close air support mission. React to a cyber intrusion or attack. React to a mass casualty incident. React to a civil riot or incident. React to significant collateral damage. React to incorrect information affecting an operational environment. React to a degraded network. React to a duty status and whereabouts unknown incident. 4-22. CP battle drills are very similar to SOPs, however, there is a key difference in that battle drills require an immediate response when the trigger is initiated for a given stimulus. For example, a CP has an SOP that guides the execution of CP security operations. A battle drill addresses the immediate actions required in reacting to an enemy attack when conducting security operations. 4-23. Situations that require the implementation of CP battle drills generally fall into two categories: (1) direct action against the CP itself and (2) actions that occur away from the CP that require rapid decision making and collective support across the CP functional cells. To understand battle drills and how to employ them, it is important to know their purpose and characteristics. PURPOSE OF COMMAND POST BATTLE DRILLS 4-24. The purpose of conducting CP battle drills is to achieve an advantage in controlling the tempo of routine collective tasks routinely executed in a time-constrained environment. CP battle drills allow units to perform basic functions without hesitation or need for further coordination, assistance, or delay. CP battle drills are not designed for a specific unit type but rather represent a common methodology for executing common recurring tasks. CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMAND POST BATTLE DRILLS 4-25. CP battle drills have the following characteristics: Require speed in execution. Require minimal leader orders to accomplish. Based on mission variables and can be changed to fit the needs of the unit. Sequential actions vital to success in combat or critical to preserving life.