ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
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Chapter 2 40 ATP 5-0.2-1 07 December 2020 Table 2-8. Task organization symbols 2-121. Lastly, with the initial sketch developed, the staff can conduct an initial evaluation of relative combat power. Combat power is the total means of destructive, constructive, and information capabilities that a military unit or formation can apply at a given time (ADP 3-0). It combines the elements of intelligence, movement and maneuver, fires, sustainment, protection, command and control, information, and leadership. The goal is to generate overwhelming combat power to accomplish the mission at minimal cost. 2-122. To assess relative combat power, planners estimate maneuver unit force ratios two levels below their echelon. Planners then compare friendly strengths against enemy weaknesses and vice versa for each element of combat power. From these comparisons, planners may deduce particular vulnerabilities for each force that might be exploited or need protection. These comparisons provide planners with insight into employing forces effectively. 2-123. Assessing relative combat power is difficult; it requires applying both military art and science. Relative combat power analysis evaluates tangible factors (such as equipment, weapon systems, and units) and intangible factors (such as morale and training levels). It also considers the factors of mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available, time available, and civil considerations (METT-TC) that directly or indirectly affect the potential outcome of operations. Although relative combat power analysis uses some numerical relationships, assessing relative combat power is not only a mathematical correlation Function Symbol Function Symbol Air assault infantry Attack helicopter Airborne infantry Combined arms Air defense Engineer Air reconnaissance (cavalry) Field artillery Antitank Infantry Armored reconnaissance (cavalry) Note. This reconnaissance (cavalry) unit is both armored and tracked. Mechanized infantry Note. This infantry unit is both armored and tracked. Armor Medium infantry (Stryker) Assault or lift helicopter Mountain infantry Reconnaissance (cavalry or scout) Technique: Because a combined arms battalion can be either infantry heavy or armor heavy, a means to differentiate between them is needed. To indicate which type of CAB it is, write the type of unit above the symbol (see table 2-9). Table 2-9. Example type unit and symbol combination Unit Symbol Armor “heavy” combined arms battalion AR Infantry “heavy” combined arms battalion IN