4 ms·

Proper orders include things like “why are we securing this objective”. Really hard to make good choices unless you understand the next-level goal. Also: is t

by donw 4y ago

Proper orders include things like “why are we securing this objective”. Really hard to make good choices unless you understand the next-level goal. Also: is the town hostile? Friendly? Unknown? Disposition kinda matters.

the_af 4y ago
They do explain why you're securing this objective: you are providing security for a mobile logistics force, which needs to secure Oasis because: > "[...] the logistics commander plans to move in that direction and establish a forward supply point at Oasis, some 40 kilometers north but still several kilometers south of the front" Making assumptions about the town's disposition is part of the challenge; if they spelled it out for you, then what's the point? These are the data points they give you: - "Irregular enemy forces mounted on small trucks and equipped with heavy machine guns are known to operate in the area." - "The local population is of the same ethnic group as both the enemy and the host nation." - "From experience, you know that each oasis has a small militia force consisting of the adult males of the settlement [...] the fighting skills of these outfits vary greatly but most will fight tenaciously to defend their homes and crops." You don't need to know anything else in order to think some assumptions and create a corresponding plan.
- donw 4y ago
  Okay, missing the objective in my quick read-though is on me. Still, the only real answer to this is: "Gather intelligence on the disposition of Oasis. If hostile, establish order of battle and engage. Otherwise, establish friendly relations and secure in cooperation with local leadership." Immediately jumping to combat is how you get more insurgents, not less.
  - the_af 4y ago
    > Immediately jumping to combat is how you get more insurgents, not less. Totally agreed, and in fact if you read the opinion of the experts (at the end of the exercise), the minority group comprised of people with Special Forces experience agreed with you.

by donw 4y ago

the_af 4y ago

They do explain why you're securing this objective: you are providing security for a mobile logistics force, which needs to secure Oasis because: > "[...] the logistics commander plans to move in that direction and establish a forward supply point at Oasis, some 40 kilometers north but still several kilometers south of the front" Making assumptions about the town's disposition is part of the challenge; if they spelled it out for you, then what's the point? These are the data points they give you: - "Irregular enemy forces mounted on small trucks and equipped with heavy machine guns are known to operate in the area." - "The local population is of the same ethnic group as both the enemy and the host nation." - "From experience, you know that each oasis has a small militia force consisting of the adult males of the settlement [...] the fighting skills of these outfits vary greatly but most will fight tenaciously to defend their homes and crops." You don't need to know anything else in order to think some assumptions and create a corresponding plan.

donw 4y ago
Okay, missing the objective in my quick read-though is on me. Still, the only real answer to this is: "Gather intelligence on the disposition of Oasis. If hostile, establish order of battle and engage. Otherwise, establish friendly relations and secure in cooperation with local leadership." Immediately jumping to combat is how you get more insurgents, not less.
- the_af 4y ago
  > Immediately jumping to combat is how you get more insurgents, not less. Totally agreed, and in fact if you read the opinion of the experts (at the end of the exercise), the minority group comprised of people with Special Forces experience agreed with you.