Tactical Decision Game #97-5 Solution A


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Tactical Decision Game Solution #97-5 A May 1997

Meeting at the 'Mounds'
The Platoon Commander

by Maj John F. Schmitt, USMCR

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Platoon Commander's Frag Order

"Cpl Davis (the fire team leader from 1st Squad): Get those machine guns over to this mound on the double and start engaging that movement between the mounds (pointing). I'm going to take 2d Squad and catch up with Sgt Baker (lst Squad leader). Remember that he's out in front of us with 3d Fire Team, so keep your eyes open and be sure what you're engaging. When 3d Squad shows up, send them to join us. If we get in trouble, green smoke will mark our forward positions (per SOP).

"2d Squad: Follow me! Keep your eyes open for Sgt Baker. He's reconnoitering out in front with a fire team."

To the company commander: "I'm trying to work my way around the enemy's right flank. Will keep you advised."

Explanation

I have moved the machinegun squad to where it can better support a move around the left side. I have not given 2d Squad very detailed instructions because I don't know exactly what I'll do yet. My immediate goal is to catch up with my squad leader and continue to develop the situation. I'll provide more information as the situation develops. Decisiveness is an important trait, but premature decisiveness is rashness. The situation has not developed to the point where a final decision is required or warranted. I will continue to develop the situation aggressively to see what it offers. I would not be surprised if the enemy also tries to make an envelopment around this flank, so trying to establish a hasty ambush may be one option. Another option that I hope to keep open, if I can get to an advantageous position, is a flank attack with whatever forces I am able to muster in time. If it looks like I may be able to get into a flanking position as the situation develops, I will contact the company commander with the recommendation to send reinforcements. This is an excellent example of the concept of "reconnaissance pull," in this case from squad to platoon and possibly to company.

As far as my squad leader's initial decision to move around the left, that seems like a good course of action. But even if it were not exactly what I would have wanted, the best course at this stage is to support his initiative. The only other alternative would be to try to pull him back; I can't just leave him out there unsupported Ñ that would be a violation of trust tactics. To try to pull back 1st Squad and initiate a different course of action from scratch will take too much time and will probably sacrifice any initiative we might have gained. This is not to say that a commander should never countermand a decision by a subordinate. But in the absence of a compelling reason to change, it is probably better to follow a reasonable course of action already underway. When time is of the essence, a good solution executed quickly is probably better than a better solution started late.

For more detailed information on the structure of Marine Corps units, Marine Corps equipment, and symbols used in Tactical Decision Game sketches, see Marine Corps Gazette, October 1994, pp. 53-56 and the modification reported in the January, 1995, edition on page 5.