ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
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Appendix C 196 ATP 5-0.2-1 07 December 2020 C-12. For example, guidance for units conducting security includes the following: Force or area to secure. Location and orientation of the security area. Initial location and types of OPs, if applicable. Time allocated to establish the security operation. Criteria for transitioning from the security operation to the decisive operation (DO). Task organization and augmentation of security forces. Level of protection and minimum warning time requirements. Threat considerations, such as the smallest enemy element allowed to pass without engagement or the threat's capability to influence main body activities. Displacement Criteria C-13. Displacement criteria define triggers for planned withdrawal, passage of lines, or reconnaissance handover between units. As with engagement and disengagement criteria, the conditions and parameters established in displacement criteria integrate the commander's intent with tactical feasibility. Conditions are either event driven (for example, associated PIRs met, threat contact not expected in the area, and observed NAIs or avenues of approach denied to the enemy); time driven (for example, LTIOV time triggers met); or threat driven (observation posts compromised). Failure to specifically dictate conditions for displacement within the higher scheme of maneuver likely will result in either: (1) reconnaissance and security assets leaving too early or (2) becoming decisively engaged. RECONNAISSANCE C-14. Reconnaissance is a mission undertaken to obtain, by visual observation or other detection methods, information about the activities and resources of an enemy or adversary, or to secure data concerning the meteorological, hydrographic, or geographic characteristics of a particular area. Also called RECON (JP 2-0). Reconnaissance is a focused collection effort, not a means to initiate combat, and may involve fighting for information. It is performed before, during, and after other operations to provide information used in the intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB) process. The commander uses reconnaissance to formulate, confirm, or modify a course of action (COA). C-15. Seven fundamentals assist commanders in successful reconnaissance operations: Ensure continuous reconnaissance. Do not keep reconnaissance assets in reserve. Orient on the reconnaissance objective. Report information rapidly and accurately. Retain freedom of maneuver. Gain and maintain enemy contact. Develop the situation rapidly. C-16. The two reconnaissance techniques commanders may employ to answer information requirements are reconnaissance pull or reconnaissance push. Commanders employ these techniques based on their level of understanding of the operational environment combined with the time available to refine their understanding. In selecting one technique over the other, the commander considers the following: Degree of the situational understanding of the enemy. Time available to collect the information. Leadership ability of subordinate commanders. Proficiency of subordinate units to plan and rapidly react to uncertain situations. C-17. Reconnaissance pull is used when commanders are uncertain of the composition and disposition of enemy forces in their areas of operations, information concerning terrain is vague, and time is limited. In these cases, reconnaissance assets initially work over a broad area to develop the enemy situation. As they gain an understanding of enemy weaknesses, they then 'pull' the main body to positions of tactical advantage. Reconnaissance pull knowingly emphasizes opportunity at the expense of a detailed,