DIVISION BATTLE COMMAND Part 1

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DIVISIONBATTLE COMMANDPart 1

• CPT Jeanne B. Jones
• Information Briefing
• nonclassified

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Purpose

• To provide you an overview of division battle
  command, role of the commander and staff, types
  of command posts and split based operations

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References

• FM 71-100 Division Operations
• 28 August 1996
• Web site http//www.fortlee.mil

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Outline

• Role of command and control in battle command
• Role of Commander and Staff
• Division command posts
• Split based operations
• Summary
• Questions
• Conclusion

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Battle Command

• Definition Battle command is the art and
  science of battlefield decision making, leading
  and motivating soldiers and their organizations
  into action to accomplish missions at least cost
  to soldiers.

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Battle Command

• Consists of three elements
• 1. Decision making
• 2. Leading
• 3. Controlling operations

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Battle Command

• Commanders must have the ability to make right
  and timely decisions even under difficult
  circumstances or with incomplete information

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Battle Command System
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• Allows division commanders to lead their forces
• Provides commanders and staff timely and accurate
  information and orders
• Allows commanders to clearly sense the total
  battle, then transmit orders to adjust quickly
  and take advantage of battlefield opportunities

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Battle Command System
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• Is responsive throughout the divisions area of
  operations, controlling units in deep, close and
  rear areas simultaneously
• Provides the commander with a capability to move
  and mass the effects of combat power from
  anywhere on the battlefield

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Role of Commander Staff
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Division Commanders Leadership

• Provides purpose and direction to both soldiers
  and units
• Responsible for everything his unit does or fails
  to do
• Accountable to senior commanders for
  accomplishing assigned missions
• Central to the success of the division, and his
  actions have far reaching impact

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The Division Commander
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• Motivates his/her soldiers and staff to
  accomplish difficult tasks in both war and
  operations other than war
• Inspire and mentors subordinates through their
  presence and face-to-face communications
• Positions themselves where they can see the
  battlefield
• Sets into motion forces on the battlefield to win
  battles

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Staff Officers

• Are responsible for the broad category of
  assistance and support
• Ensures that all activities of subordinate staff
  sections and supporting and augmenting units are
  integrated and coordinated within their
  particular staff area
• Rely on automation and higher HQ for many types
  of support
• From info available, determine what is essential
  to the commanders decision making process

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Staff members in sync with the Commander can
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• Accurately determine the current situation
• Anticipate what the commander feels needs to be
  done
• Develop sound course of action
• Assesses courses of action for the commander
• Issue the necessary orders and instructions

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Staff Members in sync with the Commander page
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• Monitor how well the orders and instructions are
  being executed
• Alter the plan in accordance with unit feedback,
  commanders guidelines intent
• Plan future operations
• Synchronize actions prior to combat operations

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Division Command Posts
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Division Command Posts

• Allow the commander to go where they can best
  influence actions while maintaining continuity of
  the overall division operation
• Divisions command and control operations through
  a command group and three command post (CP)
  facilities

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Three division command posts

• Division tactical (TAC CP)
• Division main (main CP)
• Division rear (rear CP)

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Division tactical (TAC CP)

• A small, highly mobile, and survivable CP
  normally located close to the forward brigades
• Synchronizes combat, combat support (CS) and
  combat service support (CSS) in support of close
  operations
• Contains only those elements and information that
  directly contribute to the conduct of current
  close operations
• Provides minimum necessary staff support

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Division main (main CP)

• Divisions primary command post
• Maintains pulse of the division battle by
  receiving input from the TAC CP, rear CP and
  higher, lower and adjacent units
• Located out of the range of the enemys medium
  artillery
• Is mobile and can quickly displace but can
  maintain continuity of operations

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Division rear (rear CP)

• Controls all elements functioning in, residing in
  or transiting through the division rear area
• Synchronizes rear operations for the division
  battle
• Clarifies and approves routes and locations of
  proposed bases or base clusters

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Split Based Operations
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Split based operations concept

• Provides versatile, deployable, and expansible
  unit configurations to support the deployed force
• Requires robust long haul, high volume
  communications. Without such support, it will
  not be feasible

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Split based operations

• The army is now focusing towards this concept in
  battle command while we are seeing an increased
  access to automation and satellite-based
  communications and intelligence systems, the
  constraints of deployment assets, reduction of
  forces and resources and fast based operational
  tempos

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Features

• Provides tailored and flexible logistics in
  multiple locations
• Rear remains in fixed base location
• Rear provides continuous support
• Forward elements deploy to area of operation

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Benefits of split based operations
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• Reduces strategic airlift requirements for
  personnel and equipment
• Increases materiel management effectiveness
• Reduces in-theater footprint
• Provides essential material management at early
  stage of entry into theater

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Benefits continued Page 2 of 2

• Provides capability tailored to actual
  requirements
• Provides material management capability in
  multi-locations

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Summary

• Role of command and control in battle command
• Commander and staff interaction
• Command posts
• Split-based operations

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Questions?
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Conclusion

• Battlefield leadership at all levels is an
  element of combat power. It it is difficult to
  measure but, none the less, is present and a
  decisive contributor to victory in battle
• General Frederick M. Franks, Jr.