Time is rarely on the Soldier’s side. No matter how much time is given to them, a Soldier and their unit will almost always have one more thing they could do to prepare for their mission. This means that effective time management is crucial from the time the order is received and mission execution. The required level of efficiency can only be sharpened in the crucible of intense and deliberate training. In the cold of January, 2nd Squadron of the 11th Armor Cavalry Regiment climbed on their vehicles, packed their gear, and went into the desert to sharpen their blades.
After being dropped off in the training area of the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., 2nd Squadron Soldiers immediately went to work. They had not yet received their mission but there were critical tasks that they could accomplish in the time leading up to the Operations Order (OPORD). Preventive maintenance checks and services on vehicles, bore sighting key weapon systems, and continual refining of their load plans all occurred prior to receiving the OPORD. After receiving the order, the Platoon’s leaders began Troop Leading Procedures (TLP). The Platoon Leaders began developing the plan and prepared to brief their OPORD while the rest of the Troopers continued to work on the remaining TLPs. They rechecked vehicles, rehearsed basic maneuvers, and built terrain models to visualize the mission on a small scale. Finally, it was time for the OPORD. The Platoon gathered around the Platoon Leader and listened as every detail of the plan was laid out. Shared understanding is key because no matter what happens to the Platoon leadership in the chaos of battle, every Soldier must understand the intent and the mission in order to guarantee mission success. After the OPORD is completed, the Platoon conducted rehearsals until the plan was thoroughly ingrained in their minds. Only when all of these tasks are complete do the Soldiers conduct the last priority of work, sleep. The Platoon may only sleep for an hour, maybe two, or sometime not at all. Planning and preparation is everything.
After their last rehearsal, the Platoon climbed on to their vehicles and moved out to their start point. They were met with a Senior Officer that observed the execution of the mission and listened in on their radio communications. The Squadron did well to emphasize that this is a learning environment however, the Platoons’ resolution to accomplish the mission is still focused and strong. Permission was given to begin the mission from the assault position and the Platoon automatically moved into a tactical formation. These Soldiers needed very little instruction on things like moving and scanning for the enemy; they have rehearsed and practiced enough for it to be second nature. What cannot be planned for is what the enemy will actually do. With this in mind, each member of the Platoon constantly communicated with their Platoon Leader and each other. Movement techniques were adjusted in accordance with the hilly terrain, and soon, a Tank Commander saw an enemy vehicle. It is an entire kilometer further forward than expected but that does not matter because the Platoon knows has rehearsed how to react to contact. The Platoon closed with the enemy to engage and destroy. The tempo had to speed up, measured and sure, as the enemy reacted to our movement. Indirect fire, called on the Platoon’s objective, pounded the enemy and forced them to take cover. Two of the Platoon’s tanks began to crest a hill to engage the enemy from a hasty support by fire position. The enemy saw them and prepared to engage once they got closer. The enemy vehicle readied itself to fire but could not; he’d already been destroyed. He’d been outflanked by the other two tanks in the Platoon and never saw them. All four tanks reconsolidated on their freshly secured objective and moved to set into defensive positons. The engagement could have prompted an enemy counter attack but the Platoon was prepared for that too. This triggered the end to the Situational Training Exercise. The Platoon received feedback from their Senior Officer evaluator and prepared to do it all over again in just a few short hours. The training was meant to be fast, relentless and challenging. Soldiers were tired, hungry, and mentally exhausted. However, these skills are refined in this environment for a reason; someday their lives may depend on them.