Military Police Platoon Command Post—A Platoon Sergeant's Role …

Military Police, May, 2001 by Allen G. Blanchette

An effective MP platoon command post (CP) demands special tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) to function effectively in the field. The platoon sergeant must be a master of those TTP, especially in combat. The CP has two primary functions: it battle-tracks soldiers and equipment to assist the platoon leader in the command and control of the unit, and it serves as a data center that processes enemy and friendly information. There are three basic building blocks for any CP: its internal work area, its physical setup, and its people. Assembling those blocks and making the resultant unit work are part and parcel of the platoon sergeant's art.

The success of a CP depends on its ability to battle track information in any situation, ranging from combat to peacekeeping. Battle tracking is no easy task. A platoon sergeant brings experience into the equation. The daily information flow, if not carefully managed, can rapidly overload a platoon headquarters. Knowing what is important, displaying that data, and analyzing the information are equally crucial tasks. Simple tracking tools can be used to get those jobs done if they are guided by experience. The CP must have a system in place to record and display basic message traffic regardless of its physical size. An effective CP flows vital battle-tracking information to a centralized heads-up display (HUD).

The concept of a platoon HUD is simple: provide a situational update at a glance. Anyone should be able to look at the HUD and understand what the platoon is doing, or what it plans to do, without asking a lot of questions. More is not necessarily better for a HUD. Too much information may confuse the viewer. The art is to determine what information is required regularly to determine how data from various sources can be combined effectively into one chart. Again, by lending the factor of experience, a platoon sergeant can help refine requirements and the physical layout of the HUD.

The following HUDs are examples. There are many possibilities, depending on a platoon's mission. A division MP platoon tracks issues that a corps MP platoon would not consider. A platoon HUD should be tailored to that platoon's mission, with an eye to clarity and content.

Combat Power

The chart below combines weapons platforms, personnel, and equipment. It should capture the essence of the MP team--the basic building block for MP operations. The chart should show the--

* Total number of teams.

* Total number of personnel.

* Teams that are non-mission-capable (NMC).

* Teams that are committed or task-organized to separate commands for specific purposes.

* Teams that are available.

* Status of liquid (water-fuel), ammunition (by type), casualties, and equipment.

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Class-of-Supply Status (CSS)

The chart at the top left column, page 20, breaks down the status of all nine classes of supplies, including combat load and sustainment load. A combat load is the amount of a class of supply needed to complete missions that are 24 to 72 hours in duration. A sustainment load is the amount of a class of supply needed to complete missions that are 72 hours or more in duration. This chart should be updated every 12 to 24 hours, depending on the OPTEMPO.

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Significant-Activities (SIGACTs) Board

The SIGACT chart below displays enemy and friendly activities, chronologically, that impact on the mission. It reflects the commander's critical information requirements (CCIR) and improves situational awareness for the platoon. The CCIR has three building blocks: the priority intelligence requirements, the friendly forces intelligence requirements, and the essential elements of friendly information.

The chart should include activities within the platoon's area of operation and the surrounding areas. Keeping this chart up to date ensures interaction between the S2 and S3 sections of the higher command and the MP platoon as a whole. One technique is to post a tracking number for each incident on the map to show trends and possibly predict enemy or civilian activity.

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Matrix or Mission Board

The mission chart below lists information such as who gets what mission and when the units rest.

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Tracking Chart

Information on the chart below should include who is in the EPW cage and where and when the EPW was captured. It should also include who has departed for the rear to be interned and when and how EPWs were transported.

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Route-Conditions Board

The chart below lists the route name and its classifications, obstacles, lane width, date last traveled, and surface materials (PV=paved, GV=gravel, SL=single lane, DL=dual lane, DT=dirt trail, FD=ford site, and BR=bridge). As an example, the colors of red-amber-green-black could be defined as--

Green--no restriction: route cleared, and cache is found and destroyed.

Amber--battalion approval is required for travel. The route is cleared, obstacles are breached, and cleared lanes are marked. Cache has not been found, reseeding is possible. Recent enemy activity has occurred within the last 48 hours.