Chapter 1 ( Leadership )
Leadership, the most essential element of combat power, gives purpose, direction, and motivation in combat. The leader balances and maximizes maneuver, firepower, and protection against the enemy. This chapter discusses how he does this by exploring the principles of leadership (Be, Know, Do); the duties, responsibilities, and actions of an effective leader; and the leader's assumption of command.
1-1.1. PRINCIPLES. (Figure 1-1).
Figure 1-1. BE, KNOW, DO–THE PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP
Technically and tactically proficient
Able to accomplish to standard all tasks required for the wartime mission.
Courageous, committed, and candid.
A leader with integrity.
The four major factors of leadership and how they affect each other are—
Led
Leader
Situation
Communications
Yourself, and the strengths and weaknesses in your character, knowledge, and skills. Seek continual self-improvement, that is, develop your strengths and work to overcome your weaknesses.
Your Rangers, and look out for their well being by training them for the rigors of combat, taking care of their physical and safety needs, and disciplining and rewarding them.
Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions; exercise initiative; demonstrate resourcefulness; and take advantage of opportunities on the battlefield that will lead to you to victory; accept fair criticism, and take corrective actions for your mistakes.
Assess situations rapidly, make sound and timely decisions, gather essential information, announce decisions in time for Rangers to react, and consider the short- and long-term effects of your decision.
Set the example by serving as a role model for your Rangers. Set high but attainable standards; be willing do what you require of your Rangers; and share dangers and hardships with them.
Keep your subordinates informed to help them make decisions and execute plans within your intent, encourage initiative, improve teamwork, and enhance morale.
Develop a sense of responsibility in subordinates by teaching, challenging, and developing them. Delegate to show you trust them. This makes them want more responsibility.
Ensure the Rangers understand the task; supervise them, and ensure they accomplish it. Rangers need to know what you expect, when and what you want them to do, and to what standard.
Build the team by training and cross-training your Rangers until they are confident in their technical and tactical abilities. Develop a team spirit that motivates them to go willingly and confidently into combat.
Know your unit's capabilities and limitations, and employ them accordingly.
1-1.2. DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ACTIONS.
To complete all assigned tasks, every Ranger in the patrol must do his job. Each must accomplish his specific duties and responsibilities and be a part of the team (Figure 1-2).
Figure 1-2. DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ACTIONS
Is responsible for what the patrol does or fails to do. This includes tactical employment, training, administration, personnel management, and logistics. He does this by planning, making timely decisions, issuing orders, assigning tasks, and supervising patrol activities. He must know his Rangers and how to employ the patrol's weapons. He is responsible for positioning and employing all assigned or attached crew-served weapons and employment of supporting weapons.
Establishes time schedule using backwards planning. Considers time for execution, movement to the objective, and the planning and preparation phase of the operation.
Takes the initiative to accomplish the mission in the absence of orders. Keeps higher informed by using periodic situation reports (SITREP).
Plans with the help of the platoon sergeant (PSG), squad leaders, and other key personnel (team leaders, FO, attachment leaders).
Stays abreast of the situation through coordination with adjacent patrols and higher HQ; supervises, issues FRAGOs, and accomplishes the mission.
If needed to perform the mission, requests more support for his patrol from higher headquarters.
Directs and assists the platoon sergeant in planning and coordinating the patrol's sustainment effort and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) plan.
During planning, receives on-hand status reports from the platoon sergeant and squad leaders.
Reviews patrol requirements based on the tactical plan.
Ensures that all-round security is maintained at all times.
Supervises and spot-checks all assigned tasks, and corrects unsatisfactory actions.
During execution, positions himself where he can influence the most critical task for mission accomplishment; usually with the main effort, to ensure that his platoon achieves its decisive point
Is responsible for positioning and employing all assigned and attached crew-served weapons.
Commands through his squad leaders IAW the intent of the two levels higher commanders.
Conducts rehearsals.
Controls the movement of his fire team and the rate and placement of fire. To do this, leads from the front and uses the proper commands and signals. Maintains accountability of his Rangers, weapons, and equipment. Ensures his Rangers maintain unit standards in all areas, and are knowledgeable of their tasks and the operation. The following checklist outlines specific duties and responsibilities of team leaders during mission planning and execution. The TL leads by example:
ACTIONS DURING PLANNING AND PREPARATION
Warning Order
Assists in control of the squad
Monitors squad during issuance of the order
OPORD Preparation
Posts changes to schedule
Posts and updates team duties on warning order board
Submits ammunition and supply requests
Picks up ammunition and supplies
Distributes ammunition and special equipment
Performs all tasks given in the SL's special instructions paragraph
OPORD Issuance and Rehearsal
Monitors squad during issuance of the order
Assists SL during rehearsals
Takes actions necessary to facilitate movement
Enforces rear security
Establishes, supervises, and maintains security at all times
Performs other tasks as SL requires, and helps him in every way possible, particularly in control and security
ACTIONS IN THE ORP
Assists in the occupation of the ORP.
Helps supervise, establish, and maintain security.
Supervises the final preparation of Rangers, weapons, and equipment in the ORP IAW the SL's guidance.
Assists in control of personnel departing and entering the ORP.
Reorganizes perimeter after the reconnaissance party departs.
Maintains communication with higher headquarters.
Upon return of reconnaissance party, helps reorganize personnel and redistribute ammunition and equipment; ensures accountability of all personnel and equipment is maintained.
Disseminates PIR to his team.
Performs additional tasks assigned by the SL.
ACTIONS IN THE PATROL BASE
Inspects the perimeter to ensure team has interlocking sectors of fire; prepares team sector sketch.
Enforces the priority of work and ensures it is properly accomplished.
Performs additional tasks assigned by the SL and assists him in every way possible.
Assists the PSG in directing aid and litter teams; monitors the health and hygiene of the platoon.
DUTIES
Treats casualties, conducts triage, and assists in CASEVAC under the control of the PSG.
Aids the PL or PSG in field hygiene matters. Personally checks the health and physical condition of platoon members.
Requests Class VIII (medical) supplies through the PSG.
Provides technical expertise to and supervision of combat lifesavers.
Ensures casualty feeder reports are correct and attached to each evacuated casualty.
Carries out other tasks assigned by the PL or PSG.
1-1.3. ASSUMPTION OF COMMAND.
Any platoon/squad member might have to take command of his element in an emergency, so every Ranger must be prepared to do so. During an assumption of command, situation permitting, the Ranger assuming command accomplishes the tasks (not necessarily in this order) based on METT-TC shown in Figure 1-3.
Figure 1-3. TASKS FOR ASSUMPTION OF COMMAND
INFORMS
The unit’s subordinate leaders of the command and notifies higher.
CHECKS
Security.
CHECKS
Crew-served weapons.
PINPOINTS
Location.
COORDINATES and CHECKS
Equipment.
CHECKS
Personnel status.
ISSUES
FRAGO (if required).
REORGANIZES
As needed, maintaining unit integrity when possible.
MAINTAINS
Noise and light discipline.
CONTINUES
Patrol base activities, especially security, if assuming command in a patrol base.
RECONNOITERS
Or, at the least, conducts a map reconnaissance.
FINALIZES
Plan.
EXECUTES
The mission.
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