Tactical Logistics Made Easy: Back to the Basics

© 2015 LTC James H. Henderson, USA (Ret.). All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse  03/10/2015

ISBN: 978-1-4969-7191-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-7190-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-7192-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015903789

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Contents

Preface

Introduction

Lesson 1: Tactical Standing Operating Procedure (TACSOP)

Task and Function

Developing a TACSOP

SOP Categories

ANNEX F (Sustainment) Instruction

Findings/Results

Lesson 2: Annex F (Sustainment)

Maintenance

Levels of Maintenance

Priority of Maintenance

Repair Time Limits

Evacuation Procedures

Maintenance Operating Procedures

Responsibilities

Procedures

Direct Support (DS)

Recovery

Maintenance Meeting

Transportation

Transportation Plan and Procedures

Routes

Traffic Control

Supply

Supply Plan and Procedures

Class I

Class II

Class III

Class IV

Class V

Class VI

Class VII

Class VIII

Class IX

Class X

LOGPAC Plan and Procedures

Field Services

Field Services Plan and Procedures

Distribution

Contract Support Integration

Mortuary Affairs

Personnel

Strength Management

Replacements

Postal Operations

Hospitalization

Medical Evacuation

Findings/Results

Lesson 3: Operations

Tactical Operations Center (TOC)

Set-Up

Security

TOC Configuration

TAC (Command Group)

TOC Advanced Party (Quartering Party)

TOC Displacement Checklist

TOC Radio Battle Handover

TOC Occupation and Priority of Work

TOC Movement (March Order)

TOC Operations Checklist

Continuous Operation

TOC Staff Functions

TOC Staff Tasks

TOC Personnel Knowledge Requirements

TOC Shift Knowledge Requirements

Shift Change

Pre-Shift Change Checklist

Battle Update and Shift Change Briefing

Request for Information (RFI) Procedures

Update Briefings Format

Command and Staff Briefings

Roles and Responsibilities:

Executive Officer (XO)

S-3, operations staff officer

Operations Sergeant (OPS SGM)

Battle Captain, S-3 section personnel

Assistant Operations NCO or Battle Staff NCO, S-3 section personnel

S-1, personnel staff officer

S-2, intelligence staff officer

S-4, logistics staff officer

Support Operations Officer (SPO), assigned to the Brigade Support Battalion (BSB)

S-5, plans officer

S-6, signal staff officer

S-7, inform and influence activities staff officer

S-9, civil affairs operations staff officer

Liaison Officer (LNO)

Findings/Results

Lesson 4: Planning

Sustainment Planning

Considerations for Sustainment Planners

Considerations for BSB Operations

Considerations for Security/Force Protection Operations

Considerations for Initial Staff Estimates

Mission Analysis

Battle Phases

Military Decision Making Process (MDMP)

Abbreviated MDMP Process

Findings/Results

Lesson 5: Concept of Support

Developing a Concept of Support

Events Check List

Concept of Support Diagram/Sketch

Sustainment Synchronization Matrix

Concept of Support Brief

Findings/Results

Lesson 6: Logistics Rehearsals

What is the purpose of a rehearsal?

What is a Support Rehearsal?

What makes up a BDE Support Rehearsal for sustainment?

Example of LOG Support Rehearsal

Findings/Results

Lesson 7: Reporting Cycle

Establishing Sustainment Battle Rhythm

Identifying Reporting Cycle

Concept

Logistical Reporting

Theory and Execution

Logistical Reporting Flow

Basic Consumption Factors

Formulas for Estimating Supply Requirements

Formulas for Estimating Fuel Requirements

Estimating Class V (Munitions) Requirements

GCSS-Army and Tactical Reporting

Reporting 101: Data Fields and Computation

Unit Reports

Class I Unit Bottled Water Report

Class I Unit Bulk Water Report

Class I Unit Group Rations Report

Class I Unit Individual Rations Report

Class I Unit Humanitarian Rations Report

Class I Unit Health and Comfort Report

Class I Unit Ice Report

Class II Supplies Unit Report

Class III Bulk Fuel Unit Report

Class III Packaged Unit Report

Class IV Construction and Barrier Materials Unit Status Report

Class V Unit Munitions Report

Class VI Personal Demand Items Unit Report

Class VII Air Equipment Unit Status Report

Class VII Ground Equipment Unit Status Report

Class VII Equipment Unit Status Report

Class VII Equipment Maintenance Unit Status Report

Class IX Repair Parts Unit Report

Supply Point Reports

Class I Supply Point Bottled Water (Cases) Report

Class I Supply Point Bottled Water (Liter) Report

Class I Supply Point Bulk Water (Product) Report

Class I Supply Point Bulk Water (Projection) Report

Class I Supply Point Bulk Water (Chemical) Report

Class I Supply Point Bulk Water (Equipment) Report

Class I Supply Point Bulk Water (Personnel) Report

Class I Supply Point Group Rations Report

Class I Supply Point Individual Rations Report

Class I Supply Point Humanitarian Rations Report

Class I Supply Point Health and Comfort Report

Class I Supply Point Ice Report

Class III Bulk Supply Point (Product) Report

Class III Bulk Supply Point (Facility) Report

Class III Bulk Supply Point (Equipment) Report

Class III Bulk Supply Point (Personnel) Report

Class III Packaged Supply Point Report

Class IV Construction and Barrier Materials Supply Point Report

Class V Supply Point Munitions Report (MUREP)

Class VII Equipment Supply Point Report

Class IX Repair Parts Supply Point Report

Findings/Results

Lesson 8: Sustainment Mission

Mission Support

Offense

Theory and Execution

Defense

Theory and Execution

Findings/Results

Lesson 9: Sustainment Cycles

Establishing Sustainment Cycles

Sustainment Support Areas

Company Trains

Battalion Trains

Combat Train

Field Trains

Brigade Support Area

Methods of Support

Combat Logistics Patrols (CLP)

Logistics Release Point (LRP)

Logistics Packages (LOGPACs)

Refuel on the Move (ROM)

Unit Maintenance Collection Point (UMCP)

Aerial Resupply

Ambulance Exchange Point (AXP)

Theory and Execution

CPLS vs. LRP

Support Areas Particulars

Findings/Results

Lesson 10: Battle Drills

Staff Battle Drills

BD: React to Emergency Resupply

BD: Process and Track Wounded and Killed in Action (KIA) Personnel Reported

BD: React to a Mass Casualty (MASCAL) Report

BD: React to MSR/ASR Blocked (Enemy/Civilian Activity) Report

Findings/Results

Lesson 11: Training Rotations

General Rotation Requirements

Prep/Planning

Long Range Planning (D-420 to D-91)

Short Range Planning (D-90 to D-31)

Near Term Planning (D-30 to D-Day)

Theater Preparation (D-11to D-2)

Theater Opening (D-3 to D+5)

Theater Distribution (14 Days)

Support Battalion Training Team

Evaluation Considerations

Theater Closure (12 Days)

Findings/Results

Begin the Battle Rhythm Early

Prepare Pre-Configured Loads

Policing up the Battlefield

Plan for Additional Pushes

Summary

Bibliography

Glossary

About the Author

Figures

Figure 1: Example of Repair Time Limits at each Level of Maintenance

Figure 2: LOGPAC Layout

Figure 3: Example of a Battalion Aid Station Set-up

Figure 4: Example of a Hasty Lean-to Aid Station Set-up

Figure 5: Example of a Deliberate Field Aid Station Set-up

Figure 6: Example of a Medical Treatment Platoon Set-up

Figure 7: Abbreviated MDMP Process

Figure 8: Example of an Events Check List

Figure 9: Example of a Concept of Support Diagram

Figure 10: Example of a Sustainment Synchronization Matrix

Figure 11: Rehearsal Techniques

Figure 12: Example of Rehearsal Script utilizing the Events Check List and Sustainment Synchronization Matrix

Figure 13: Option 1 - lower to higher Logistical Reporting Flow

Figure 14: Option 2 - lower to higher Logistical Reporting Flow

Figure 15: Maneuver Battalion Reporting Flow

Figure 16: Brigade Combat Team Reporting Flow

Figure 17: Division Reporting Flow

Figure 18: Corps Reporting Flow

Figure 19: Theater Sustainment Command (TSC)

Reporting Flow

Figure 20: Expeditionary Sustainment Command

(ESC) Reporting Flow

Figure 21: Sustainment Brigade Reporting Flow

Figure 22: Combat Service Support Battalion (CSSB) Reporting Flow

Figure 23: Example of applying computation to a summary line

Figure 24: Example of applying AutoSum to the summary line

Figure 25: Reporting Cycle and 24-Hour Requirement Cycle

Figure 26: Three Refueling in a 24-Hour Period

Figure 27: Planning CLP and LRP

Figure 28: Support Areas General Locations

Figure 29: BD: React to Emergency Resupply

Figure 30: BD: Process and Track Wounded and KIA Personnel Reported

Figure 31: BD: React to a Mass Casualty (MASCAL) Report

Figure 32: BD: React to MSR/ASR Blocked (Enemy/Civilian Activity) Report

Figure 33: CCL = Triple Standard Concertina, 100 Meters

Figure 34: CCL = 300m Triple Standard Concertina

Figure 35: CCL = 20 each 2- Man Fighting Positions

Figure 36: CCL = 250m Fix / Disrupt Minefield

Figure 37: CCL = 250m Block / Turn Minefield

Tables

Table 1: ART 5.2.1.3 Establish or Revise Standard Operating Procedures

Table 2: Ration Pallet Planning Factors

Table 3: Ground Vehicle Ration Pallet Positions

Table 4: Pallet Planning Factors for 463L Pallets

and ISO Containers

Table 5: ART 5.2.1 Conduct Command Post Operations to Support Tactical Operations

Table 6: Example of TOC Configuration Coding

Table 7: Example of Shift Change Brief

Table 8: Steps of the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP)

Table 9: MDMP Timeline Worksheet

Table 10: Dry Goods Supply Formulas

Table 11: Fuel Supply Formulas

Table 12: Examples of GCSS-Army Terminology Changes

Table 13: Class I Unit Bottled Water Report

Table 14: Class I Unit Bulk Water Report

Table 15: Class I Unit Group Rations Report

Table 16: Class I Unit Individual Rations Report

Table 17: Class I Unit Humanitarian Rations Report

Table 18: Class I Unit Health and Comfort Report

Table 19: Class I Unit Ice Report

Table 20: Class II Supplies Unit Report

Table 21: Class III Bulk Fuel Unit Report

Table 22: Class III Packaged Unit Report

Table 23: Class IV Construction and Barrier

Materials Unit Status Report

Table 24: Class V Unit Munitions Report

Table 25: Class VI Personal Demand Items Unit Report

Table 26: Class VII Air Equipment Unit Status Report

Table 27: Class VII Ground Equipment Unit Status Report

Table 28: Class VII Equipment Unit Status Report

Table 29: Class VII Equipment Maintenance Unit Status Report

Table 30: Class IX Repair Parts Unit Report

Table 31: Class I Supply Point Bottled Water (Cases) Report

Table 32: Class I Supply Point Bottled Water (Liter) Report

Table 33: Class I Supply Point Bulk Water (Product) Report

Table 34: Class I Supply Point Bulk Water (Projection) Report

Table 35: Class I Supply Point Bulk Water (Chemical) Report

Table 36: Class I Supply Point Bulk Water (Equipment) Report

Table 37: Class I Supply Point Bulk Water (Personnel) Report

Table 38: Class I Supply Point Group Rations Report

Table 39: Class I Supply Point Individual Rations Report

Table 40: Class I Supply Point Humanitarian Rations Report

Table 41: Class I Supply Point Health and Comfort Report

Table 42: Class I Supply Point Ice Report

Table 43: Class II Supplies Supply Point Report

Table 44: Class III Bulk Supply Point (Product) Report

Table 45: Class III Bulk Supply Point (Facility) Report

Table 46: Class III Bulk Supply Point (Equipment) Report

Table 47: Class III Bulk Supply Point (Personnel) Report

Table 48: Class III Packaged Supply Point Report

Table 49: Class IV Construction and Barrier Materials

Supply Point Report

Table 50: Class V Supply Point Munitions Report (MUREP)

Table 51: Class VII Equipment Supply Point Report

Table 52: Class IX Repair Parts Supply Point Report

Preface

Back to the Basics

The talk I hear to date is that our young soldiers are lacking in the basic skills developed over the years supporting field and staff operations, and the loss of these technical competencies will affect the future of our Army over time. Senior leaders are heeding the call for training to move in a more back to the basics mentality supporting a more formal and detailed understanding of proper field and staff procedures, processes, relationships, and development that encompass the before, during, and after combat operations. It is utmost important for young logisticians to understand and acquire technical competencies of regulations, logistical reporting, sustainment cycles and development, basic logistical skills by class of supply, as well as concept of support and orders development process just to name a few. Therefore, if this book is truly going back to the basics then the only place to start is the creation of the Tactical Standing Operating Procedure (TACSOP) document. For in my opinion it is the basis for a units training development in the area of field and staff operations. Over the years, I have heard it described as the unit’s bible for conducting tactical operations providing continuity for new soldiers and guidance to supporting units. A living document that can be adjusted to support new capabilities, change of mission, or any task/function that requires detailed instruction. However, most important it is the foundation a unit utilizes when it needs to restructure or retrain its field and staff processes.

This book outlines a unit TACSOP and its supporting annex development, as well as provides examples of content and its importance. The book consists of a series of lessons formatted in a fashion that offers the reader a doctrinal concept in developing a TACSOP and its components, but with a logistical flavor presenting old and new theories/concepts on how to better execute the logistical functions and capabilities as it relates to the operation. The document designs leads the reader systematically through the development of a TACSOP and its detailed instructions to standardize a complicated routine and recurring field and staff procedure that can enhance the overall logistical functions and capability of every mission.

Special thanks to LTC Robert M. Sears, USA (Ret.)

Introduction

When I think about the topic, Back to the Basics, I think about training, which always leads me to the following questions:

How do you structure the training?

What platform do you use to formulate the method of instruction?

What information is important?

This book gives the reader detailed information on Army doctrine consisting of fundamental principles, as well as tactics and procedures relevant to tactical brigade level logistics operations. It offers the reader with old and proven, as well as new, staff and field concepts and procedures that guides and instructs them in some of the best ways to manage and execute sustainment operations in a tactical environment. This book assists leaders in the development of a functional tactical standard operating procedure (TACSOP) document that builds the basis for all individual and collective training, as well as continuity for new soldiers and guidance to supporting units. This book identifies the important elements required in establishing a workable framework that supports the critical role sustainment plays in the success of tactical operations, as well as providing valuable information to build a units sustainment training around.

The work is formatted utilizing lessons rather than chapters, with each lesson providing the reader with valuable information and procedures required for the development of today’s logisticians. The lessons are organized in a systematic order as I feel they should be used when developing a TACSOP, or using as the backbone for training. Each lesson tackles important topics concerning either staff or field sustainment operations. Moreover, the books structure offers the reader the essential tasks, functions, roles, responsibilities, concepts, and procedures, as well as the authors’ bottom line revealed within the findings and results of each lesson.

Of course, these are just my ideas of what is important, but over my twenty-years plus experiences, they have assisted me in the training and execution of my units and staff elements, as well as the basis for training deploying units going down range over the past years in tactical sustainment operations.

So let us get back to the basics, by beginning Lesson 1.

Lesson 1: Tactical Standing Operating Procedure (TACSOP)

I begin the first lesson talking about the most important document in a unit’s kitbag, the Tactical Standing Operating Procedure (TACSOP). This is the unit’s bible for conducting tactical operations; it provides continuity for new soldiers and guidance to supporting units. It should be the basis for the unit to plan and structure its tactical training in support of staff operations and subordinate command and control (C2). The TACSOP is a living document and can be adjusted to support new capabilities, change of mission, or any task/function that that requires detailed instruction. Most important, the TACSOP is the foundation a unit utilizes when it needs to restructure or retrain its staff processes.

The units TACSOP and its supporting Annex’s are a set of instructions to standardize routine and recurring operational procedures within the brigade. The document provides commanders, supervisors, and leaders recommended concepts on procedures for brigade field operations. Its design is to lead you systematically through tactical standard operating procedures, which will assist in field operations, as well as help sustain command and control across brigade operations.

Task and Function

The Army thinks creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) for tactical operations is so important that they have established its own task and functions within The Army Universal Task List (FM7-15):

"FM 7-15 outlines Army tactical task 5.2.1.3, Establish or revise standard [or standing] operating procedures:

Create or modify a set of instructions covering those tasks and functions that lend themselves to a definite or standing procedure without a loss of effectiveness; the standing operating procedures is effective unless ordered otherwise to meet altered conditions.

Per FM 7-15, the overall goal for SOPs is to facilitate mission accomplishment and warfighting functions integration."¹

The tasks and functions depicted in FM7-15 provide measures to evaluate a unit’s capability, as well as the scale the unit uses to identify its effectiveness (See Table 1).

Table 1: ART 5.2.1.3 Establish or Revise Standard Operating Procedures²

Developing a TACSOP

A unit’s SOP should always align with its higher headquarters existing documentation/SOPs, as well as meets the Army standardization policy requirements. There are certain questions the author needs to answer before they begin developing an SOP:

1. What is the objective?

2. What are the tasks and functions (procedure) that need delivering to meet the objective?

3. What is the method to achieve the objective?

4. How does the writer put in plain words the proper instructions?

The process in writing an SOP is fairly simple and straightforward the author develops a draft and then staffs the document for recommendations and ultimately approval to ensure the final SOP is accurate. The author should ensure that his writing style is concise, organized, and to the point ensuring the instructions are easy to read and follow. A good proof of principle to go by can junior enlisted soldiers understand exactly what to do after reading the instructions one time. The most important guidance the author of an SOP needs to remember is, "keep it simple and to the point".

SOP Categories

This section provides a listing of annexes by category and responsible staff officers. For the sustainment annex, I have provided the appropriate appendixes required and who is responsible for its substance. The staff positions are designated using the code S and a number relates to a functional area.

• S-1, personnel staff officer

• S-2, intelligence staff officer

• S-3, operations staff officer

• S-4, logistics staff officer

• S-5, plans staff officer

• S-6, signal staff officer

• S-7, inform and influence activities staff officer

• S-9, civil affairs operations staff officer

The following are the Army’s suggested SOP categories. It is not required for a unit to create each category, for the unit may not have a need for that function, so utilize