(UNCLASSIFIED)

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:

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:

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

AO COTTO covers the southern LTA along the Bradenton Avenue and Arcadia Street corridors, with OBJ HERRERA at the Arcadia/Bradenton junction (MP 0600 1523) (vicinity MP 0570 1515 to MP 0615 1540). The area of interest extends north along Bradenton Avenue past the unnamed east-west road, where REAPER reinforcements would stage, and south of Arcadia Street into the broader training area — the likely REAPER withdrawal corridor.

b. Area of Operations

1. Terrain. Flat sandy pine/hardwood forest cut by a paved road grid (see LTA Grid Reference). Canopy and palmetto limit observation to ~50m off the roads; the road grid provides the only extended fields of fire and the only wheeled mobility.

2. Weather.

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:

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. 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):

2. 2nd Squad (Independent Deliberate Attack — OBJ BAINTON):

3. 3rd Squad (Independent Deliberate Attack — OBJ BARLOW):

e. Coordinating Instructions

1. Rules of Engagement (ROE):

  1. Engage only confirmed enemy combatants.
  2. Use minimum force necessary to accomplish the mission.
  3. Avoid civilian casualties and collateral damage.
  4. Positively identify targets before firing.

2. Commander's Critical Information Requirements (CCIR):

Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR — enemy, terrain, weather, civil):

  1. Confirm REAPER CP locations and security positions at each objective.
  2. Identify REAPER CP infrastructure: antennas, vehicles, generator noise, or other indicators of CP activity.
  3. Identify any REAPER reinforcement routes between objectives.
  4. Assess civilian presence in the area of each objective; report civilians on or near any objective preventing planned actions.
  5. Enemy strength or disposition at any objective significantly different from the intelligence estimate.
  6. REAPER CP has displaced or been abandoned before the assault.
  7. REAPER CP staff observed destroying documents or equipment (indicates compromise — accelerate assault timeline).
  8. REAPER reinforcements approaching any objective.

Friendly Force Information Requirements (FFIR — our own force):

  1. Friendly casualty in any squad requiring immediate MEDEVAC.

3. Essential Elements of Friendly Information (EEFI):

  1. SP/LD times and locations
  2. Friendly unit positions and boundaries
  3. Intelligence collected on the objectives

4. Reporting:

5. This OPORD is effective immediately upon distribution.

4. SUSTAINMENT

a. Logistics

  1. Resupply not available for 24 hours.
  2. Meal Cycle: M-M-M.
  3. Water resupply is available at the PLT CP.
  4. Ensure adequate hydration prior to SP.

b. Health System Support

  1. PLT CCP at PLT Assembly Area.
  2. MEDEVAC available via Nine Line request at AXP 1 (MP 0610 1550).

5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL

a. Command

  1. Platoon Leader monitors from a position that maintains communications with all squads.
  2. Succession of Command: PL, PSG, 1st SL, 2nd SL, 3rd SL.

b. Control

  1. Command Posts: Platoon Assembly Area IVO _______.

c. Signal

1. PACE Plan:

2. Call Signs:

3. Challenge, Password, Running Password, Combination: