Leadership Pages -Part 1

Steps to planning and conducting a mission

1) Receive the mission
In training this should be friends deciding what they want to do. This can be a decision among friends to take a hike in the woods or to meet for first aid training. In an actual situation it might be a group decision of something to be accomplished.

2) Issue a warning order
This is a quick message to everyone included that says when an operation will take place. It should also include any particulars about the mission that will help them get ready. Information as to what gear to prepare etc, are especially helpful.

3) Make a tentative plan
Decide on an order of actions… what you want to do and when. In training, if you don’t have a plan you probably won’t accomplish nearly as much as you think you will. In combat, if you don’t have a plan you are doomed.

Note #1: The army relies on a simple acronym for things to be considered when planning a mission. METT-T: This stands for Mission (what is to be accomplished) Enemy (what will be apposing the mission) Troops (available to accomplish the mission) Terrain and Time.

Note #2: In developing a tentative plan, refer to the tactical principles page of this web site. For combat operations remember Surprise, Simplicity, Speed and Violence of Action!

5) Conduct reconnaissance
It is beneficial, if not a complete necessity, for mission planners to have as much information about a target as possible. Reconnaissance can be an “eyes on” thing or a simple “map recon.” It is also important to remember that all steps in this outline of procedures are flexible in their location. A final “leaders recon” before an assault on a target can be conducted well after a mission has actually begun.

6) Complete the plan
Base on information from the recon, details fleshed out and input form subordinates finalize your plan. This may be the tentative plan fleshed out with all details covered or something completely new.

7) Issue an operations order
This is where you inform the members of the team the “who, what, when, where and how” of the mission. The operations order will be covered in greter detail below.

8) Rehearse
Rehearsal is critical for successful combat operations. This is where all members of the tea come together and mock out their rolls in the operation. It allows everyone to not only understand their roll but the rolls of others as well.

9) Conduct a pre operation inspection
This is where you see finally that all preparations for an operation/mission have been carried out and ensure that personnel and equipment are in working order.

10) Supervise
Supervision should actually be taken care of throughout the process outlined. But, while a mission is underway it is critical that you should insure that it is proceeding according to plan. Perhaps this step should be called “conduct the mission.”

11) Conduct and after action review (AAR)
After all operations, training and combat, the members of a team should be brought together to discuss what went wrong, what went right etcetera. This will help ensure that any mistakes made are not repeated.