THIS IS A TRAINING OPERATION ORDER. FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
References: ATP 3-21.8, FM 3-90-1, ADRP 1-02
OPERATIONAL PLAN / ORDER #014 / CODE NAME: "BRAIN BUG"
CADRE / OPFOR NOTES
Complexity: Moderate | Recommended Phase: WALK (Blocks 3-4), RUN (Day Iterations)
Mission Summary: 1st Platoon conducts three independent squad deliberate attacks against small REAPER command post positions in AO COTTO. Each squad destroys its own CP target and conducts a hasty sensitive site exploitation (SSE).
Training Focus: This OPORD is designed to evaluate individual squad leader planning and decision-making for a squad-sized deliberate attack. The PL issues the platoon OPORD, but each squad leader must conduct their own TLP — planning isolation, a support element, an assault element, actions on the objective, and a hasty SSE. Cadre should assign one evaluator per squad to observe the SL's planning process and tactical decisions.
Destinations:
- 1st Squad → OBJ HERRERA (vic MP 0600 1523) — small REAPER CP at Arcadia / Bradenton junction
- 2nd Squad → OBJ BAINTON (vic MP 0602 1565) — small REAPER CP at Bradenton / Jacksonville junction
- 3rd Squad → OBJ BARLOW (vic MP 0611 1530) — small REAPER CP in Conex City center
Actions on Objective: Each squad independently establishes a squad ORP, conducts leader's reconnaissance, sets a squad-internal support element, assaults through the CP, destroys REAPER personnel and equipment, conducts a hasty SSE of documents and comms materials, and consolidates. Squads do not depend on or wait for adjacent squads.
Evaluation Timeline: For evaluated iterations, candidates will receive this OPORD and have 75 minutes to complete TLP Steps 1-8 before SP. Execution window is 60 minutes. AAR is 15 minutes.
OPFOR/Training Wrinkles:
- Deploy one small REAPER CP (3-4 personnel) per objective: 1-2 CP staff (seated at field desk with maps/radios) and 2 in fighting positions around the CP. Keeps the assault manageable for a single squad.
- Props recommended per site: field desk or table, antenna simulator (pole with wire), map boards, and a radio.
- CP staff should attempt to destroy documents if given time during the assault.
- Introduce a civilian or non-combatant near one CP to test ROE.
- If manning is limited, rotate one OPFOR CP set across sites between iterations.
- See OPFOR Card for full details.
NOTE: UAS/Counter-UAS injects are OPTIONAL and should only be used if authorized by the Commandant and incorporated into the approved POI.
See Also: LTA Grid Reference | Walkthrough | OPFOR Card
Iteration Guidance: This is the detailed version with specific approach guidance and scaffolding for each squad. For evaluated iterations and later runs where squad leaders should plan independently, use 014-deliberate-attack.md instead.
Time Zone Used Throughout the Plan/Order: EASTERN STANDARD TIME
Task Organization:
1st Platoon, A Co. 4th BN-211th INF Platoon Leader Platoon Sergeant 1st Squad 2nd Squad 3rd Squad
1. SITUATION
a. Area of Interest
Clay County, Florida, in the vicinity of Camp Blanding Joint Training Center. AO COTTO encompasses the area bounded to the north by Highway 16, to the east by the Starke city limits, to the south by the old railroad bed, and to the west by the pine forest edge.
b. Area of Operations
1. Terrain. The AO consists of flat terrain with sandy soils and dense pine and hardwood forests throughout. Thick vegetation and tree canopy severely limit observation and fields of fire except along improved roads and clearings. Bradenton Avenue runs north-south through the AO, intersecting Arcadia Street in the south and Jacksonville Street in the north. Conex City sits on the east side of the AO with small structures providing cover and concealment. Woodlines surrounding each objective provide covered and concealed avenues of approach for dismounted elements; visibility off the improved roads is under 50 meters in most areas.
- Key Terrain: The Arcadia Street / Bradenton Avenue road junction controls north-south and east-west movement through the southern portion of the AO. The Bradenton Avenue / Jacksonville Street road junction controls movement in the northern portion. The Conex City center provides cover and concealment for any element using the structures for observation and control of the eastern built-up area. Each junction and the Conex City structures are positions REAPER exploits for line-of-sight and local movement control.
2. Weather.
- Skies: ________
- Temperature: ____°F (heat cat ____)
- Winds: ____ at ____ mph
- Chance of precipitation: ____%
- BMNT: ____
- Sunrise: ____
- Sunset: ____
- EENT: ____
c. Enemy Forces. REAPER: Resistance Elements of Atropia's People's Revolutionary Front
REAPER has established three small forward command post positions across AO COTTO to coordinate local operations. Each CP includes communications equipment, operational maps and overlays, and a minimal security element. CPs are positioned at key road junctions or built-up areas to exploit line-of-sight for antennas and to control local movement. The three CPs operate independently and are not mutually supporting.
1. Composition. Three small REAPER CPs, each 3-4 personnel: 1-2 CP staff (commander and RTO) with radios, maps, and planning materials, plus 2 in hasty fighting positions around the CP. CP staff are not primarily fighters. Total 9-12 combatants distributed across AO COTTO.
2. Disposition. REAPER CPs are dispersed across the AO:
- A CP element on the north side of Arcadia Street at the junction with Bradenton Avenue (vic MP 0600 1523). Security fighting positions oriented south and southwest along Bradenton Avenue and east-west along Arcadia Street. Antenna equipment visible above the treeline.
- A CP element at the Bradenton Avenue / Jacksonville Street intersection (vic MP 0602 1565). Security oriented south along Bradenton Avenue and east-west along Jacksonville Street. Dense woods to the north provide cover and a withdrawal route.
- A CP element working out of a structure in the Conex City center (vic MP 0611 1530). Security positioned at entrances and in adjacent structures. Limited observation beyond the immediate built-up area. CPs operate independently with no lateral coordination.
3. Most Probable Course of Action (MPCOA). Each REAPER CP defends from its current position while CP staff attempt to destroy sensitive materials (maps, documents, encryption) and displace into covered terrain with communications equipment. CPs do not reinforce each other. If the assault is rapid, CP staff may not have time to destroy all materials before being overrun.
4. Most Dangerous Course of Action (MDCOA). REAPER CPs detect friendly movement early, alert each other by radio, and successfully transmit a warning plus destroy sensitive materials before the assault elements reach them. A REAPER QRF from an unknown location rapidly reinforces one of the objectives.
d. Friendly Forces
1. Higher Headquarters: A Co. 4th BN – 211th INF.
2. Mission. A Company attacks to destroy REAPER distributed command and control nodes in AO COTTO to disrupt enemy operations and enable follow-on offensive action.
3. Commander's Intent. Destroy REAPER CPs across AO COTTO to eliminate distributed command and control, seize intelligence materials, and enable follow-on operations.
e. Civil Considerations
Civilians may be present in the area. Avoid civilian casualties and collateral damage.
f. Attachments and Detachments
None.
2. MISSION
1st Platoon attacks in AO COTTO NLT ____ in order to destroy REAPER command post positions, collect intelligence materials, and disrupt REAPER command and control throughout the AO.
3. EXECUTION
a. Commander's Intent
Purpose: Destroy REAPER distributed command and control across AO COTTO to eliminate enemy ability to coordinate operations and enable follow-on offensive action.
Key Tasks: (1) Each squad destroys the small REAPER CP at its assigned objective. (2) Each squad conducts a hasty SSE to collect documents, maps, and communications materials. (3) Squads consolidate after actions on the objective and report findings.
End State: All three REAPER CPs destroyed, intelligence materials collected and reported, squads consolidated and prepared for follow-on operations, no friendly forces decisively engaged.
b. Concept of Operations
1st Platoon conducts a decentralized deliberate attack on three independent small REAPER command post positions in AO COTTO. Each squad executes its own squad-level attack on its assigned CP: establish a squad ORP, conduct leader's reconnaissance, set a squad-internal support element, assault through the CP, conduct a hasty SSE, and consolidate. 2nd Squad is the main effort. Speed is critical at each site: the assault must overrun the CP before staff can destroy intelligence materials or displace. Squads do not wait on adjacent squads; each executes its own actions on contact per SOP and reports.
c. Scheme of Fires
Priority of fires to 2nd Squad. Mortar support is available through company on request; any squad may request fires through the PL.
d. Tasks to Subordinate Units
1. 1st Squad (Independent Deliberate Attack — OBJ HERRERA):
- TASK: Conduct a deliberate attack to destroy the small REAPER CP at OBJ HERRERA (MP 0600 1523). Establish a squad ORP in the woodline west or southwest of the objective. Conduct leader's reconnaissance. Designate a squad-internal support element to suppress REAPER fighting positions from the south along Bradenton Avenue. Assault east through the objective from a covered approach in the western woodline, clearing through REAPER positions on the north side of the junction. Conduct a hasty SSE of documents, maps, and communications materials. Consolidate and report.
- PURPOSE: Destroy REAPER command and control in the southern portion of AO COTTO and deny REAPER the ability to coordinate operations from the Arcadia / Bradenton junction.
2. 2nd Squad (Independent Deliberate Attack — OBJ BAINTON):
- TASK: Conduct a deliberate attack to destroy the small REAPER CP at OBJ BAINTON (MP 0602 1565). Establish a squad ORP in the woodline west of the objective. Conduct leader's reconnaissance. Designate a squad-internal support element to suppress REAPER fighting positions from the south along Bradenton Avenue. Assault east through the objective from a covered approach, clearing through REAPER positions at the Bradenton / Jacksonville junction. Conduct a hasty SSE of documents, maps, and communications materials. Consolidate and report.
- PURPOSE: Destroy REAPER command and control in the northern portion of AO COTTO and deny REAPER the ability to coordinate operations from the Bradenton / Jacksonville junction.
3. 3rd Squad (Independent Deliberate Attack — OBJ BARLOW):
- TASK: Conduct a deliberate attack to destroy the small REAPER CP at OBJ BARLOW (MP 0611 1530) in the Conex City center. Establish a squad ORP in covered terrain west or south of Conex City. Conduct leader's reconnaissance. Designate a squad-internal support element to suppress REAPER fighting positions and cover entrances to the CP structure. Assault through the structure, clearing REAPER personnel and destroying equipment. Conduct a hasty SSE of documents, maps, and communications materials. Consolidate and report.
- PURPOSE: Destroy REAPER command and control in the eastern portion of AO COTTO and deny REAPER the ability to coordinate operations from the Conex City built-up area.
e. Coordinating Instructions
1. Rules of Engagement (ROE):
- Engage only confirmed enemy combatants.
- Use minimum force necessary to accomplish the mission.
- Avoid civilian casualties and collateral damage.
- Positively identify targets before firing.
2. Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR):
- Confirm REAPER CP locations and security positions at each objective.
- Identify REAPER CP infrastructure: antennas, vehicles, generator noise, or other indicators of CP activity.
- Identify any REAPER reinforcement routes between objectives.
- Assess civilian presence in the area of each objective.
3. Commander's Critical Information Requirements (CCIR):
- Enemy strength or disposition at any objective significantly different from the intelligence estimate
- REAPER CP has displaced or been abandoned before the assault
- REAPER CP staff observed destroying documents or equipment (indicates compromise — accelerate assault timeline)
- REAPER reinforcements approaching any objective
- Friendly casualty in any squad requiring immediate MEDEVAC
- Civilian presence on or near any objective preventing planned actions
4. Essential Elements of Friendly Information (EEFI):
- SP/LD times and locations
- Friendly unit positions and boundaries
- Intelligence collected on the objectives
5. Reporting:
- Report to higher when SP'ing or crossing the line of departure.
- In Position Report: Upon occupying a squad ORP.
- SALUTE Report: Upon visual confirmation of enemy.
- Intelligence Report: Upon completion of hasty SSE.
- LACE Report: Upon seizure and consolidation on the objective.
6. Coordination Between Squads:
- Squads operate independently at their assigned objectives.
- Squads report contact via SALUTE on the platoon net; adjacent squads monitor but continue their own missions unless directed otherwise by the PL.
- Squads requiring support request it through the PL.
7. This OPORD is effective immediately upon distribution.
4. SUSTAINMENT
a. Logistics
- Resupply not available for 24 hours.
- Meal Cycle: M-M-M.
- Water resupply is available at the PLT CP.
- Ensure adequate hydration prior to SP.
b. Health System Support
- PLT CCP at PLT Assembly Area.
- MEDEVAC available via Nine Line request at AXP 1 (MP 0610 1550).
5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL
a. Command
- Platoon Leader monitors from a position that maintains communications with all squads.
- Succession of Command: PL, PSG, 1st SL, 2nd SL, 3rd SL.
b. Control
- Command Posts: Platoon Assembly Area IVO _______.
c. Signal
1. PACE Plan:
- Primary: Radio — 36.625 SC/PT (Platoon Net)
- Alternate: Radio — 36.425 SC/PT (Company Net)
- Contingency: Red star cluster (pre-planned signal: shift/lift fires)
- Emergency: Runner
2. Call Signs:
- PL – Thunder 1-6
- PSG – Thunder 1-7
- 1st Squad Leader – Thunder 1-1
- 2nd Squad Leader – Thunder 1-2
- 3rd Squad Leader – Thunder 1-3
3. Challenge, Password, Running Password, Combination:
- Challenge: Gator
- Password: Swamp
- Running Password: Blanding
- Combination: 11