Welcome to the TOC Operations Class.

1. TOC Operations • Welcome to the TOC Operations Class. • The references for this class are FM 5.0(101-5), FM 101-5-1, AR 220-15, AR 25-400-2, DA Form 1594, and CALL Newsletter 95-7. • Review the instructions below before proceeding with the lesson. This self paced course provides you with the knowledge needed to complete the TOC Operations Quiz. All quiz answers are found within this class. This course is designed to give you a basic understanding of TOC Operations. Once you’ve completed the class and are ready to take the quiz, CLICK on the quiz section to the left of this window to begin taking the TOC Operations Quiz.

2. The purpose of this class is to familiarize battle staff officers and NCOs with the six TOC functions, their roles and responsibilities in a TOC, and how to ensure their TOC is running as efficiently as possible. Battle staff officers and NCOs will be familiar with the six TOC functions, proper TOC layout, their duties and responsibilities in a TOC, battle tracking, and the appropriate labeling and use of maps, graphics, and overlays. Purpose End State

3. What is a Tactical Operations Center (TOC)? TOC Operations • The TOC serves as the unit’s command and control hub, assisting the commander in synchronizing operations. • The TOC is the location where the majority of the planning, staff coordination, and monitoring of key events occurs. • The personnel manning the TOC are responsible for ensuring that all resources are in the right place at the right time. • They must function efficiently and effectively as a team in a fast-paced, unforgiving environment - this is no simple task for an inexperienced staff officer or NCO to accomplish. • Each member of the TOC must understand the overall function of the TOC and how they individually and collectively contribute.

4. 1. Receive information. 2. Distribute information. 3. Analyze information. 4. Submit recommendations to the commander. 5. Integrate resources. 6. Synchronize resources. TOC Functions • Current manuals provide little detail on the specific doctrinal methods of running a Tactical Operations Center (TOC). • However, there are six basic TOC functions which we will focus on: • Each of these functions are critical and interrelated. The order in which these functions occur may vary at times.

5. 1. Receive information: TOC Functions • Receive messages, reports, and orders from subordinate units and higher headquarters. • Monitor tactical situation. • Maintain a journal of all significant activities and reports. • Maintain and update unit locations and activities. • Monitor enemy situation. • Maintain a status of critical classes of supplies.

6. 2. Distribute information: TOC Functions • Submit reports to higher HQs. • Serve as a communication relay between units. • Publish orders and instructions. • Process and distribute information to appropriate units or staff sections.

7. 3. Analyze information: TOC Functions • Key to effective TOC operations is situational awareness; the staff must know themselves, the enemy, and the terrain. • Anticipate events and activities, taking appropriate action as required. • Conduct predictive analysis based on the tactical situation. • Identify information that relates to the commander’s critical information requirements (CCIRs). • Conduct the Military Decision-Making Process. • Identify the need to execute contingency plans based on the current situation.

8. 6. Synchronize resources: 4. Submit recommendations to the commander: 5. Integrate resources: TOC Functions • Submit recommendations to the commander based on information available and analysis conducted. • The staff uses the Decision Support Template/Matrix (DST/DSM) to focus recommendations to the commander. • Coordinate the integration of combat multipliers. • Coordinate the synchronization of combat multipliers.

9. TOC functions summary: TOC Functions • These functions and tasks are not easily accomplished, nor can they be effectively accomplished by a single or small group of individuals. • Each individual within the TOC serves a role that ultimately contributes to the • accomplishment of these functions (especially NCOs and enlisted personnel). • Before personnel can contribute they must possess a clear understanding of the TOC mission. • Incorporate the six basic TOC functions into the TOC SOP. • Modify the existing TOC SOP, as required, to incorporate TOC functions. • Clearly define what you expect of the TOC. Be specific, translate expectations into viable procedures. • Train TOC personnel to perform their respective tasks in the execution of TOC functions and to understand how their tasks relate to the other TOC functions.

10. A TOC self assessment is a means to assist you in identifying your problems and where to focus your time and effort as you attempt to improve your TOCs effectiveness: TOC Self Assessment Do you have a current TOC SOP and are your people trained to use it? Do your Radio Telephone Operators (RTOs) know what the mission of the TOC is? Does your TOC SOP address and explain this mission? How often does your TOC deploy to the field? Do these deployments include your slice elements? On the current operations map, are both the enemy and friendly units posted two levels down?

11. TOC Self Assessment Does your TOC police the net, serving as the Net Control Station (NCS) and enforcing Radio Telephone Procedures (RTP) and net discipline? Who posts and updates your operations map? Officers, NCOs, or soldiers? During the peak of the battle, are incoming messages occasionally lost or misplaced? Do your RTOs know the meaning of the acronym CCIR? Do your NCOs have a detailed understanding of the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP)? Do they contribute to the MDMP?

12. TOC Self Assessment When responding to requests for information (such as unit locations or activities), does your TOC have to make numerous calls on the radio to get the information before providing an answer? Do the Commander, XOs, and Battle Captains have a spot in the front of the current operations map where they can talk on the radio and look at the map simultaneous? Can a newly assigned 2LT, SSG, or SPC read your TOC SOP and determine what their duties and responsibilities are in the TOC? How often do your RTOs get the hand mike pulled away from them by an officer? Who serves as a recorder while your staffs conduct the war-gaming process? NCOs, soldiers, or officers?

13. Most TOCs that function effectively have three factors in common: • A high degree of organization. • Configured in a manner that was functional to the unit and did not segregate staff sections. • Planning areas were segregated from TOC briefing and operations areas. The TOC layout contributes to how efficiently messages are passed from one staff section to another and how easily sections communicate with one another. There is no approved technique on how a TOC should be configured; however, O/Cs at all the CTCs have seen numerous techniques that work well and others that did not. TOC Layout

14. The Executive Officer: Duties and Responsibilities Of TOC Personnel • The XO’s primary responsibility is to synchronize and coordinate the efforts of all staff sections. • This responsibility normally requires him to operate from, and supervise all activities within, the TOC. • During the preparation phase of the mission, these duties can often be fulfilled by a battle captain. • However, the battle captain typically lacks the appropriate experience necessary to accomplish these duties during the battle.

15. The Executive Officer (cont): Duties and Responsibilities Of TOC Personnel • The XO supervises and coordinates the staff during the MDMP. • Supervises the analysis and assessment of all information and submits recommendations to the commander accordingly. • Supervises and ensures proper information flow within the TOC. • Anticipates and synchronizes operations from the TOC. However, the current situation may prevent the XO from focusing all of his time and effort at the TOC.

16. The Battle Captain: Duties and Responsibilities Of TOC Personnel • The Battle Captain assists the XO in synchronizing and coordinating the staff’s effort. • Supervises the efforts of staff NCO’s within the S3 section. • Conducts analysis and assessment of available information. • Assists in review and dissemination of information within the TOC. • Assists in monitoring the location and activities of friendly units.

17. The Battle Captain (cont): Duties and Responsibilities Of TOC Personnel • The Battle Captain ensures all reports and information entering the CP are complete and processed. • Serves as the TOC OIC during the absence of field grade officers. • Assists the S3 during the MDMP. Experience at the CTCs show that during the battle, the Battle Captain should focus his efforts on supervising the soldiers within the S3 operations cell, rather than synchronizing the efforts of other staff members.

18. CSM: Duties and Responsibilities Of TOC Personnel • Advise and counsel NCOs on their command post responsibilities. • Select and retain qualified NCOs for the TOC. • Monitor CP operations and NCO participation.

19. Operations SGM: Duties and Responsibilities Of TOC Personnel • Enforce standards in the TOC. • Ensure proper distribution of reports, messages, and information received. • Maintain operations map/combat power charts. • Supervise publication of OPLANs, OPORDs, warning orders, and FRAGOs. • Ensure that frequencies/call signs are posted and that radio frequencies and power settings are correct. • Coordinate with the HQ Commander for the defense of the TOC.

20. Operations SGM (cont): Duties and Responsibilities Of TOC Personnel • Supervise operations clerk and vehicle drivers. • Should be on quartering party to select future TOC site. • Ensure that S-3 TOC vehicles, radios, and generators are serviced/operational. • Enforce noise and light discipline. • Ensure shift change, IAW TOC SOP. • Advise and update battle captain, S3, or XO.

21. Operations NCO: Duties and Responsibilities Of TOC Personnel • Attend meetings with headquarters commander. • Act as night shift NCOIC. • Supervise internal TOC battle tracking systems. • Monitor FRAGO control book. • Ensure the TOC is policed prior to shift change. • Ensure vehicle maintenance is done.

22. Shift NCO: Duties and Responsibilities Of TOC Personnel • Review combat power board. • Review execution matrix. • Ensure all BOS representatives are present. • Ensure accuracy of status reports. • Update mission statement.

23. Shift NCO (cont): Duties and Responsibilities Of TOC Personnel • Update commander’s intent. • Update task organization. • Update unit locations. • Check communications net status. • Maintain current challenge and password.

24. Staff NCO: Duties and Responsibilities Of TOC Personnel • Collect, process, and disseminate information. • Prepare, review, and issue OPLANs and OPORDs. • Coordinate, synchronize, and integrate resources. • Battle track. • Conduct command post site selection, recon, and movement.

25. Staff NCO (cont): Duties and Responsibilities Of TOC Personnel • Assume duties of officers when they are absent. • Train junior soldiers and NCOs. • Maintain a folder depicting the duties, responsibilities, and specified tasks for each soldier. • Input/assist in developing TOC SOPs. • Ensure the good health and welfare of soldiers.

26. Radio Telephone Operators (RTOs): Duties and Responsibilities Of TOC Personnel • Maintain communications with all stations as net control station. • Receive reports and maintain journal from lower and higher units. • Submit reports to higher and lower units: must know and understand the CCIR so as to alert the Battle Captain. • Post current frequencies, call signs, challenges and passwords. • Assist S-3 driver in servicing and maintaining S-3 TOC vehicles, radios, and generators. • Ensure that S-3 radio antennas are properly positioned and orientated. • Assist in the maintenance and upkeep of the TOC.

27. What is battle tracking? Battle Tracking • Consists of monitoring current location, activity, and combat power of friendly/enemy elements. • Comparing planned or adjusted planned activities to reported actions. • Monitoring the progress of adjacent and supporting units. • Updating templates. • Maintaining and monitoring: • Operations map • Adjacent unit activities • Status charts

28. Identify and prioritize critical information to be tracked. Develop a system to track both friendly and enemy units. Successful techniques include using color-coded stickers, color-coded thumb tacks, or color-coded dot-type stickers. Develop a system to track the information determined necessary to track. This may include charts, matrices, unit symbols, or a butcher board. Battle Tracking Technique

29. Ensure all participants understand and use the system. Keep the noise level in the TOC to an absolute minimum. This will contribute significantly to the overall effectiveness of the TOC. Ensure everyone plays a role. Do not let two or three personnel conduct all of the work while another ten people drink coffee. Battle Tracking Technique

30. For all TOC map Wing Boards: Recommended Wing Board Charts • Task organization: current and future. • Combat power status of all assets. • Decision support template with decision support matrix. • Enemy situation. • Current mission/proposed future mission.

31. For all TOC map Wing Boards (cont): Recommended Wing Board Charts • Mission of unit and higher HQ. • Commander’s intent and higher HQ intent. • Commander’s critical information requirements (PIR and FFIR)- unit’s and higher HQs. • High Priority Targets (HPT). • Weather conditions. • SOI data.

32. Status charts: Recommended Status Charts • Specified, implied, and mission-essential tasks. • Higher headquarters mission statement and intent. • Weather data. • Constraints and limitations. • Task organization. • Commander’s guidance. • Synchronization matrix.

33. Status charts (cont): Recommended Status Charts • CCIR • EEFI • Class III,V, IX • Unit locations and activities • Combat power • Enemy contacts, locations, and movements • Enemy BDA

34. Proper information management is a difficult task in any TOC. It is essential that units have a dedicated and deliberate process for information flow. The following are eight steps recommended for managing information in your TOC: Step 2 Record & Post Step 3 Understand The Info Step 1 Step 4 Process Receive Info Check for completeness and reasonableness (grid zone designator check, wrong units, etc.) Step 8 Follow Up Step 5 Analyze Step 6 Disseminate Step 7 Safeguard Information Management

35. The following is a sample distribution flow of a single message form: Information Management There are three types of information that flow into a TOC: Routine, Exceptional, and CCIR. The Battle Captain must be capable of discerning the different types of information and distributing appropriately. When a CCIR has been identified it should be announced in the TOC in the form of a TOC alert.

36. Journals are the historical documents for the events of your TOC: TOC Journals • Should cover a 24 hour period (0001-2400) and be IAW AR 220-15. • Should be legible. • Include complete administrative data to include supporting documents. • Include: copies of orders, periodic reports, messages, memorandums, conference notes, maps, overlays, and other data. • Capture subject headings and conclusions of TOC conferences. • Keep lists of all command decisions made.

37. Journals (cont): TOC Journals • Movement of units and change in unit status. • Synopsis of all liaison activities, orders, and messages. • Plans for the following period. • Visitors from other headquarters. • Summary of plans.

38. Ops map in the center, flanked by the Intel and Fire Spt maps has been the trend for successful TOCs. 1:50,000 scale military maps should be the standard in the TOC. Use smaller or larger scale maps as additions, not substitutes. Maps, Graphics, and Overlays

39. Overlays should be created to one standard size and include: Maps, Graphics, and Overlays • Security classification. • Title, map reference (series, sheets, edition, scale). • Overlay and map reference points. • Proper symbols IAW FM 101-5-1. • Symbols on doctrinally correct locations. • Store with classification, title, and map reference visible on the outside.

40. Effective TOC operations require frequent training under realistic conditions. Skills that lead to effective TOC operations are perishable and require constant attention. The following is a list of proven TTP that are used by numerous successful TOCs and will lead to more effective operations: TOC Operations TTP • Include in the TOC SOP who should post maps. • Check maps periodically for “as of time”, accuracy, etc. • NCOIC checks journals periodically.

41. TOC Operations TTP (cont): TOC Operations TTP • Set up maps and RTOs near radios. • Talk to and monitor forward, rear, and adjacent units. • Make sufficient room to work. • Keep non-essential personnel out of the TOC. • Prepare tracking tools before the action.

42. TOC Operations TTP (cont): TOC Operations TTP • Conduct staff huddles at important events or periodically. • Shift changes (not at height of battle) include thorough briefings/updates. • Log all incoming messages and have a method to track OPORDs, WARNOs, and FRAGOs. • Use NCO abilities, include them, and make them responsible. Congratulations! You have completed the TOC Operations class! CLICK on the quiz section to the left of the window to begin taking the TOC Operations Quiz.