Lesson 1: Tactical Standing Operating Procedure (TACSOP)

I begin the first lesson talking about the most important document in a unit's kitbag, the Tactical Standing Operating Procedure (TACSOP). This is the unit's bible for conducting tactical operations; it provides continuity for new soldiers and guidance to supporting units. It should be the basis for the unit to plan and structure its tactical training in support of staff operations and subordinate command and control (C2). The TACSOP is a living document and can be adjusted to support new capabilities, change of mission, or any task/function that that requires detailed instruction. Most important, the TACSOP is the foundation a unit utilizes when it needs to restructure or retrain its staff processes.

The units TACSOP and its supporting Annex's are a set of instructions to standardize routine and recurring operational procedures within the brigade. The document provides commanders, supervisors, and leaders recommended concepts on procedures for brigade field operations. Its design is to lead you systematically through tactical standard operating procedures, which will assist in field operations, as well as help sustain command and control across brigade operations.

Task and Function

The Army thinks creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) for tactical operations is so important that they have established its own task and functions within The Army Universal Task List (FM7-15):

"FM 7-15 outlines Army tactical task 5.2.1.3, Establish or revise standard [or standing] operating procedures:

Create or modify a set of instructions covering those tasks and functions that lend themselves to a definite or standing procedure without a loss of effectiveness; the standing operating procedures is effective unless ordered otherwise to meet altered conditions.

Per FM 7-15, the overall goal for SOPs is to facilitate mission accomplishment and warfighting functions integration."

The tasks and functions depicted in FM7-15 provide measures to evaluate a unit's capability, as well as the scale the unit uses to identify its effectiveness (See Table 1).

Developing a TACSOP

A unit's SOP should always align with its higher headquarters existing documentation/SOPs, as well as meets the Army standardization policy requirements. There are certain questions the author needs to answer before they begin developing an SOP:

1. What is the objective?

2. What are the tasks and functions (procedure) that need delivering to meet the objective?

3. What is the method to achieve the objective?

4. How does the writer put in plain words the proper instructions?

The process in writing an SOP is fairly simple and straightforward the author develops a draft and then staffs the document for recommendations and ultimately approval to ensure the final SOP is accurate. The author should ensure that his writing style is concise, organized, and to the point ensuring the instructions are easy to read and follow. A good proof of principle to go by can junior enlisted soldiers understand exactly what to do after reading the instructions one time. The most important guidance the author of an SOP needs to remember is, "keep it simple and to the point".

SOP Categories

This section provides a listing of annexes by category and responsible staff officers. For the sustainment annex, I have provided the appropriate appendixes required and who is responsible for its substance. The staff positions are designated using the code "S" and a number relates to a functional area.

• S-1, personnel staff officer

• S-2, intelligence staff officer

• S-3, operations staff officer

• S-4, logistics staff officer

• S-5, plans staff officer

• S-6, signal staff officer

• S-7, inform and influence activities staff officer

• S-9, civil affairs operations staff officer

The following are the Army's suggested SOP categories. It is not required for a unit to create each category, for the unit may not have a need for that function, so utilize if it pertains to your organization. If you choose not to use a category simply, list it in the table of content as, "not required". Of course this listing is just a suggestion and is not all inclusive to each unit particular requirements so you will see some annexes are either labeled spares or not used designed for the user to add additional topics as deemed by the type unit and its commander.

• ANNEX A – Task Organization (S-3)

• ANNEX B – Intelligence (S-2)

• ANNEX C – Operations (S-3)

• ANNEX D – Fires (Fire Support Officer)

• ANNEX E – Protection (Protection Officer as designated by the commander)

• ANNEX F – Sustainment (S-4)

* Appendix 1 – Logistics (S-4)

* Tab A – Sustainment Overlay (automated or manual)

* Tab B – Maintenance

* Tab C – Transportation

* Tab D – Supply

• Events Check List

• Concept of Support Diagram

• Sustainment Synchronization Matrix

* Tab E – Field Services

* Tab F – Distribution

* Tab G – Contract Support Integration

* Tab H – Mortuary Affairs

* Tab I (Internment and Resettlement

* Appendix 2 – Personnel Services Support (S-1)

* Tab A – Human Resources Support

* Tab B – Financial Management

* Tab C – Legal Support

* Tab D – Religious Support

* Tab E – Band Operations

* Appendix 3 – Army Heath System Support (Surgeon)

* Tab A – Sustainment Overlay

* Tab B – Medical Evacuation

• ANNEX G – ENGINEER (Engineer Officer)

• ANNEX H – SIGNAL (S-6)

• ANNEX I – Not Used

• ANNEX J – Inform and Influence Activities (S-7)

• ANNEX K – Civil Affairs Operations (S-9)

• ANNEX L – Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (S-3)

• ANNEX M – Assessment (S-5 or S-3)

• ANNEX N – Space Operations (Space Operations Officer)

• ANNEX O – Not Used

• ANNEX P – Host-Nation Support (S-4)

• ANNEX Q – Spare

• ANNEX R – Reports (S-3, S-5, Knowledge Management Officer)

• ANNEX S – Special Technical Operations (Special Technical Operations Officer)

• ANNEX T – Spare

• ANNEX U – Inspector General (Inspector General)

• ANNEX V – Interagency Coordination (S-3 and S-9)

• ANNEX W – Spare

• ANNEX X – Spare

• ANNEX Y – Spare

• ANNEX Z – Distribution (S-3 and Knowledge Management Officer)

ANNEX F (Sustainment) Instruction

The S-4 is responsible for the development of Annex F (Sustainment) to describe how sustainment operations support the concept of operations described in the base plan or order. In Annex F (Sustainment) for the TACSOP, the S-4 describes basic operations for his staff and subordinate units in the support of sustainment operations across the Brigade to support not only training, but to be an all-encompassing framework for sustainment operations for the Brigade in a tactical environment. The S-4 receives assistances in the annex development from the Support Operations Officer (SPO) for logistics (Appendix 1), S-1 for Personnel Services Support (Appendix 2), and the Surgeon Army Heath System Support (Appendix 3). Things to consider when developing the annex are staff procedures, reports and times, supply, maintenance, transportation, medical, personnel, rehearsals, briefings, shift change standards, battle drills, as well as examples of staff products like logistical synchronization matrix, event check lists, and concept of support sketch. Bottom-line whatever task and functions is important for the sustainment operations in support of the unit to be successful it needs to be explained in this annex, appendixes, and associated tabs.

ATTP 5-0.1, Commander and Staff Officer Guide, provides the best example of how to develop Annex F (Sustainment) and I was inclined to include it in this lesson.

"The following annex provides fundamental considerations, formats, and instructions for developing Annex F (Sustainment) to the base plan or order from ATTP 5-0.1, Commander and Staff Officer Guide."

[CLASSIFICATION]

Place the classification at the top and bottom of every page of the attachments. Place the classification marking (TS), (S), (C), or (U) at the front of each paragraph and subparagraph in parentheses. Refer to AR 380-5 for classification and release marking instructions.

Copy ## of ## copies Issuing headquarters Place of issue Date-time group of signature Message reference number

Include the full heading if attachment is distributed separately from the base order or higher-level attachment.

ANNEX F (SUSTAINMENT) TO OPERATION PLAN/ORDER

[number] [(code name)]—[issuing headquarters] [(classification of title)]

(U) References: List documents essential to understanding the attachment.

a. List maps and charts first. Map entries include series number, country, sheet names, or numbers, edition, and scale.

b. List other references in subparagraphs labeled as shown.

c. Doctrinal references for sustainment include the FM 4-0 series.

(U) Time Zone Used Throughout the Order:Write the time zone established in the base plan or order.

1. (U) Situation.Include information affecting the sustainment operations that paragraph 1 of the OPLAN or OPORD does not cover or that needs expansion.

a. (U) Area of Interest. Describe the area of interest as it relates to the sustainment. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

b. (U) Area of Operations. Refer to Appendix 2 (Operation Overlay) to Annex C (Operations) as required.

(1) (U) Terrain. Describe the aspects of terrain that impact sustainment operations. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

(2) (U) Weather. Describe the aspects of weather that impact sustainment operations. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

[page number]

[CLASSIFICATION

[number] [(code name)]—[issuing headquarters] [(classification of title)]

c. (U) Enemy Forces. List known and templated locations and activities of enemy sustainment units for one echelon up and two echelons down. List enemy maneuver and other capabilities that will impact friendly sustainment operations. State expected enemy sustainment courses of action and employment of enemy sustainment assets. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

d. (U) Friendly Forces. Outline the higher headquarters' sustainment plan. List designation, location, and outline of plan of higher, adjacent, and other sustainment assets that support or impact the issuing headquarters or require coordination and additional support.

e. (U) Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Nongovernmental Organizations. Identify and describe other organizations in the area of operations that may impact the conduct of sustainment operations or implementation of sustainment-specific equipment and tactics. Refer to Annex V (Interagency Coordination) as required.

f. (U) Civil Considerations. Describe the aspects of the civil situation that impact sustainment operations. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) and Annex K (Civil Affairs Operations) as required.

g. (U) Attachments and Detachments. List units attached or detached only as necessary to clarify task organization. Refer to Annex A (Task Organization) as required.

h. (U) Assumptions. List any sustainment-specific assumptions that support the annex development.

2. (U) Mission.State the mission of sustainment in support of the base plan or order.

3. (U) Execution.

a. (U) Scheme of Sustainment Support. Describe how sustainment supports the commander's intent and concept of operations. Establish the priorities of sustainment support to units for each phase of the operation. Refer to Annex C (Operations) as required.

b. (U) Tasks to Subordinate Units. List sustainment tasks assigned to specific subordinate units not contained in the base order.

c. (U) Coordinating Instructions. List only instructions applicable to two or more subordinate units not covered in the base plan or order.

4. (U) Sustainment.Identify priorities of sustainment for key tasks and specify additional instructions as required.

a. (U) Materiel and Services. Provide materiel and services information in the following subparagraphs.

(1) (U) Maintenance. Provide maintenance information for each subparagraph, to include priority of maintenance, location of facilities and collection points, repair time limits at each level of maintenance, and evacuation procedures. Post maintenance collection points and command posts to the sustainment overlay at Tab A (Sustainment Overlay) to Appendix 1 (Logistics) to Annex F (Sustainment). Refer to Tab B (Maintenance) to Appendix 1 (Logistics) to Annex F (Sustainment) as required.

(a) (U) Ground. Identify the proper procedures to request ground recovery and maintenance.

(b) (U) Watercraft. Identify the proper procedures to request watercraft recovery and maintenance.

(c) (U) Aircraft. Identify the proper procedures to request aircraft recovery and maintenance.

[page number]

[CLASSIFICATION]

[number] [(code name)]—[issuing headquarters] [(classification of title)]

(d) (U) Field Maintenance. Identify, list, and describe the recovery plan and types of recovery vehicles available; Class IX parts support; the locations of maintenance collection points; logistics civil augmentation program (LOGCAP) capabilities and availability; and field maintenance support relationships at each phase of the operation.

(e) (U) Sustainment Maintenance. Identify, list, and describe the location of sustainment maintenance units and services; the locations of maintenance collection points; the LOGCAP capabilities and availability; and sustainment maintenance support relationships at each phase of the operation.

(2) (U) Transportation. Provide transportation information for each subparagraph. Identify facility locations, traffic control, regulation measures, main supply routes, alternate supply routes, transportation critical shortages, and other essential transportation data not provided elsewhere. Post main supply routes, alternate supply routes, and transportation facilities to the logistics synchronization matrix and the overlay at Tab A (Sustainment Overlay) to Appendix 1 (Logistics) to Annex F (Sustainment). Identify and list transportation request procedures. Refer to Tab C (Transportation) to Appendix 1 (Logistics) to Annex F (Sustainment) as required.

(a) (U) Ground. Identify the proper procedures to request ground transportation.

(b) (U) Sea/River/Water. Identify the proper procedures to request sea, river, and water transportation.

(c) (U) Air. Identify the proper procedures to request air transportation.

(d) (U) Container Management. Describe the container management plan.

(3) (U) Supply. Provide information by class of supply in each subparagraph. Identify and list maps, water, special supplies, and excess and salvage materiel, as applicable. For each subparagraph, list supply point locations and state supply plan and procedures. Post supply points and facilities to the logistics synchronization matrix and the overlay at Tab A (Sustainment Overlay) to Appendix 1 (Logistics) to Annex F (Sustainment). Refer to Tab D (Supply) to Appendix 1 (Logistics) to Annex F (Sustainment) as required.

(a) (U) Class I Rations. Identify and list the issue and ration cycle, ration stockage objectives, and the bulk water locations.

(b) (U) Class II Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment and Maps. Identify and list organizational clothing and individual equipment available for this operation. Submit classified map requests through G-2 (S-2) channels.

(c) (U) Class III Bulk Fuel; Class III Package Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants. Identify and list quantities of petroleum, oil, and lubricant; locations of the retail and bulk fuel points; and types of products available at each site available to support the operation.

(d) (U) Class IV Construction and Fortification Material. Identify and list construction and fortification or barrier material available for this operation including command-controlled items.

(e) (U) Class V Munitions. Identify and list available ammunition and the controlled supply rates. List the procedures to request explosive ordnance disposal support. Refer to Annex E (Protection) as required for explosive ordnance disposal support.

(f) (U) Class VI Personal Demand Items. Describe the Class VI plan. Identify and list items available.

(g) (U) Class VII Major End Items. Identify and list major end items available for this operation.