The Troop Leading Procedures are 8 steps, which take place by the command to prepare his or her soldiers for the mission being given. These steps will better prepare the element for its mission. These steps are best explained in FM 3-21.8 starting on 1-29 of the Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad handbook. The steps discussed in this FM and this essay are as follows; Receive the mission, Issue a warning order (WARNO), Make a tentative plan, Initiate movement, Conduct Reconnaissance, Complete the plan, Issue the Order, Supervise and Assess. In a real life situation, time is of the essence and there will be little available to go over each step in depth. Steps 1 and 2 will be given clearly and efficiently, while steps 3-8 will seem to merge together, because these can be done at the same time. Step 1: Receiving the mission could come in the form of multiple different orders; a WARNO or warning order, an OPORD or operations order, or a FRAGO or fragmentary order. After receiving the mission, the leaders give a confirmation brief to other higher command to ensure they understand higher commanders intent, the role that their own squad or group plays, and overall concept of the operation. This is important so that the leader giving the combat order can clarify any misconceptions or misunderstandings before it is given to the rest of the group. After clarifying any misunderstandings, the command performs an initial assessment of the situation using the principles of METT-TC. This acronym represents a quick summary of what it is that will need to be done in order to accomplish this mission. The M stands for the mission; the intent and concept of the 1 up 2 up rule and purpose. 1 up 2 up represents the higher command purpose and tasks or the big picture. The E represents the enemy; their general situation, disposition, composition, and capabilities. The first T stands for terrain; the weather conditions are not enough to prepare for a mission. The visibility and how it affects the mission, wind speed and direction, precipitation effects on traffic ability, cloud cover, and temperature. The term OAKOC should also be used to further break down the possible affects of terrain on the mission. The obstacles both existing and man made specifically those on or around the objective. The Avenues of approach whether air, ground, mounted, or dismounted of attacking forces. Key terrain that provides a marked advantage to whomever controls it and decisive terrain that must be captured in order to guarantee mission success. Observation and fields of fire provide observation and engagement possibilities for direct and indirect fire systems. Cover and concealment are positions that provide protection from weapons fire or bushes or wooded areas to deny visible movement. Referring back to METT-TC, the 2nd T stands for Troops and support available, the assets and capabilities of these troops in reference to the mission. The 3rd T represents the Time available, which falls back upon the 1/3 – 2/3 rule. The C represents Civil considerations in the area. The best defense for civilians on the battlefield is planning for them and making it clear to troops there are friendlies in the area. This initial assessment is given a once over and briefed to the team or squad leaders. This is known as a Warning Order. Step 2 is the issuing of the WARNO or warning order. This warning order is just the initial assessment of information gathered from step one. At a minimum the WARNO normally includes: The mission or nature of the operation, Time and place for issuing the OPORD or op order, units or elements participating in the operation, specific tasks not addressed by unit S.O.P., timeline for the operation, and rehearsal guidance. The WARNO will follow a 5 paragraph field order format and will include as much information as possible. Parallel planning takes place during the WARNO when the squads or team leaders are given battle drills to accomplish until the tentative plan is completed. Step 3 is the making of the Tentative plan. The course of action development, analysis, comparison, and selection takes place during this step. This step is a much more in depth look into the mission. The WARNO is an initial assessment of what will need to be done in order to accomplish the mission and this step is the in-depth look. METT-TC and OAKOC are better developed and possible enemy plans are taken into account. The P.A.C.E. is developed in this step; primary, alternate, contingent, and the emergency plans to better prepare for what the enemy will show. Step 4 is the initiate movement phase. This movement may occur simultaneously with the troop leadership procedures. This movement may be to an A.A. (assembly area), A.O. (Area of operation), an attack position, or to begin conducting the reconnaissance phase. Step 5 is the conducting of reconnaissance. The point of step 5 is to confirm the P.I.R.’s or priority intelligence requirements that support the tentative plan. The S.L. or P.L. will take 2 other soldiers, after leaving a GOTWA, to the objective. They will make a cloverleaf around the objective to determine if intelligence collected by command was correct. There are a vast amount of reasons as to why a reconnaissance would take place, besides the eyes on view of an objective; the determination of known enemy in the area, to establish OP’s, and to better create alternate plans. Reconnaissance can also help in the development of OAKOC to better understand the terrain and its conditions. Step 6 is the completion of the plan. This step is the combination of the reconnaissance and tentative plan. These two steps better create a course of action for determining the most likely action to take; as well as the best action the enemy will take. During this step the graph could be further developed along with the command and control requirements. Redefining the indirect target list and preparing overlays should also be accomplished during this step. Step 7 is the issuing of the order. The order will be delivered orally with the use of graphics and whatever else the AO offers. If time allows this step will be given in a briefing room using a sand table, detailed sketch, maps, aerial photos, and images. The order is given in the 5 paragraph format while the squad or platoon takes notes. During the execution paragraph the group will be pointed to the terrain model for a step by step approach to the objective. The group will then pick their notepads by up and continue writing. Step 8 is the supervise and assess phase. This is an important step, because a large amount of tasks must be completed in a timely manner. A detailed back brief should be done to determine the 2nd and 3rd in commands abilities to take over the mission should the SL or PL be injured. Each subordinate should be questioned of his tasks and drills. These questions should be pertinent of each soldier’s individual jobs or actions on the objective. There should be rehearsals pertinent with the mission to give soldiers possible outcomes or alternative plans should they arise. After these tasks are completed the leadership should walk around and check his soldiers for missing equipment i.e…. eyewear, weapon functionality, ammo, and hearing protection. The crossing of the L.D. and the start of movement towards the objective would follow this.