1966 US Army Vietnam War ARMOR ... - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COM(3) His operations duties include the fol- cation officer). Although the comlowing:mander normally issues the opera-(a) Informs his commander and othertion order verbally, a completestaff officers of the tactical situa-order, often in pencil form only,tion and is prepared to recommendshould be written and filed forto the commander actions to be tak-record. Frequently this done durenby the unit.ing lulls in combat after the action(b) Studies the situation as affected byinvolved has been completed.the enemy, orders from higher (j) Transmits the commander's ordersheadquarters, actions of adjacentand instructions to organic, atandsupporting units, and locationtached and supporting units.and capabilities of the battalion or (k) Prepares for future operations,squadron. He studies the effects ofguided by information obtainedcasualties and replacements, ter-from the commander and S2 and byrain and weather, and the status ofknowledge of the present situation.supply and equipment, as they ap- (1) Prepares operational and after-acplyto the mission.tion reports, and recommends train-(c) Maintains up-to-date informationing to correct combat deficiencies.on the battalion or squadron and g. The Battalion or Squadron Logisticsfriendly units; supervises the post- Officer (S4). The logistics officer (S4) is reingof friendly and enemy informa- sponsible to the commander for the formulationon the situation map.tion of logistical policy and for planning, coor-(d) Recommends the general location dinating, and supervising the logistical effort.of command post sites.The S4 is a logistical operator at battalion or(e) Plans troop movements, including squadron level. His duties are generally as deunitsinvolved, formation, and type scribed for the G4 in FM 101-5 and include--of transportation required (coordi- (1) Advising and keeping the commandernating with S4). He prepares theinformed on logistical matters.march order after the plan ofmovement is approved.(2) Planning, coordinating, and supervisingsupply, maintenance, and evacua-(f) Recommends the tactical employ-tion.ment of units after a study of thefactors of METT and after confer- (3) Coordinating with the higher headencewith other staff officers andquarters on logistical matters.unit commanders. (4) Assisting subordinate commanders(g) Recommends tactical and counter-with logistical matters.intelligence measures to attain se- (5) Controlling the battalion or squadroncrecy and effect surprise (coordi-combat trains.nating with S2).(6) Submitting logistical reports as di-(h) Coordinates with the communica-rected.tion officer in the preparation ofthe signal communication plan toplanning.maintain communication betweenthe commander, battalion or squad- (8) Preparing paragraph 4 of the operaronheadquarters, and subordinatetion order.units.(9) Exercising staff supervision over re-(i) Prepares the operation order forceiving, storing, and issuing supplies.the commander's approval. Materi- h. The Battalion or Squadron CBR Officer.al for inclusion in the order is ob- The armor battalion or armored cavalry squadtainedfrom other staff officers (S1, ron CBR officer is appointed by the battalionS2, S4, FSCOORD, and communi- or squadron commander from his staff. His39