CONTINGENCY PLANS

1
CONTINGENCY PLANS
The leader leaves for many reasons throughout the
planning, coordination, preparation, and
execution of his patrol mission. Each time the
leader departs without radio or wire
communication, he must issue a five-point
contingency plan. The contingency plan is easily
remembered by the acronym GOTWA!
2
GOTWA
G O T W A
Where the leader is going!
Who he is taking with him!
The amount of time he plans to be gone!
The actions taken if the leader does not return!
The units and the leaders actions on chance
contact with the enemy!
GOTWA is a 5 point contingency plan. Before a
unit separates a contingency plan needs to be
addressed.
3
G
Where you, the team leader are going.
It is very important to inform your team, squad,
section, or platoon, of where you are going.
4
O
Who he is taking with him!
It is very important to inform your team, squad,
section, or platoon, of who you are going to be
taking. This will also establish the chain of
command during your absense
5
T
The amount of time he plans to be gone!
It is very important to inform your team, squad,
section, or platoon, of the amount of time that
you will be gone. This will give both groups
involved a rough estimate of the length of time
that you will be gone.
6
W
The actions taken if the leader does not return!
It is very important to inform your team, squad,
section, or platoon, of the actions to take if
you do not return. Do you want them to wait for
hours for your return?
7
A
The units and the leaders actions on chance
contact with the enemy!
It is very important to inform your team, squad,
section, or platoon, of actions to take upon
enemy contact. What will they do if they come
under indirect fire?
8
CHECK ON LEARNING
WHAT DOES G STAND FOR?
Where the leader is going!
WHAT DOES A STAND FOR?
The units and the leaders actions on chance
contact with the enemy!
WHAT DOES T STAND FOR?
The amount of time the leader plans to be gone!
9
SAMPLE GOTWA
I AM GOING TO LINK UP WITH THE MEDICAL UNIT THAT
WE ARE GOING TO SUPPORT. I AM GOING TO TAKE SGT
BROWN AND SGT VOGEL WITH ME. I WILL BE GONE FOR
APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. IF I DONT RETURN IN
THAT 20 MINUTES, WAIT AN ADDITIONAL 10 MINUTES.
IF I STILL HAVE NOT RETURNED IN THAT AMOUNT OF
TIME, TAKE THE REST OF THE SQUAD AND RETURN TO
THE CP FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS. IF YOU COME
UNDER SNIPER FIRE, THROW RED SMOKE IN THE
DIERECTION OF THE SNIPER AND WE WILL ATTEMPT A
FLANK MANEUVER. IF YOU COME UNDER INDIRECT FIRE,
REACT NORMALLY AND BOUND OUT OF THE AREA.
ANYTHING ELSE, FOLLOW THE TACSOP.