071-410-0012 (SL3) - Conduct Occupation of an Assembly Area

1.   Conduct preparation for occupation of the assembly
area (AA).

a.
Perform the required
troop-leading procedures (a series
of eight interrelated, overlapping
processes that are often
accomplished concurrently and do not
follow a rigid sequence). Use the
procedures as outlined, if only in
abbreviated form, to ensure that
nothing is left out of planning and
preparation and that soldiers
understand the mission and prepare
adequately.

(1) 
Receive the mission and
the company OPORD.

(2) 
Issue the warning order
to subordinate leaders. Include
location, special equipment
required, and the earliest time
for movement.

(3)  Make a tentative
plan for moving to the position
and preparing the position based
on the estimate of the situation
and an analysis of METT-TC. Your
plan must support the company plan
for occupation of the AA.

(4) 
Start necessary
movement. Movement may need to
begin while you are still
planning. This step could occur at
any time during the troop-leading
procedures.

(5) 
Reconnoiter the
position and the route(s) to it.
This may not be possible due to
the situation. As a minimum,
conduct a map reconnaissance to
confirm or deny assumptions made
during the estimate of the
situation.

(6) 
Complete the plan.

(7) 
Issue the order to
subordinate leaders. Use the
standard OPORD format. As a
minimum, the order should
include-

(a)  
Situation.

(b)  
Mission and purpose
for occupation of the AA.

(c)  
Each squad position
(left, right, center) in the
platoon sector.

(d)  
Security plan
(passwords, observation posts,
percent of personnel on alert).

(e)  
Times for movement or
occupation of the AA.

(f)   
Other pertinent
information such as location of
the command post, waste
disposal, and environmental
hazards.

(8) 
Supervise continuously.

b.
Make necessary
coordination with elements that will
be attached or adjacent to your
position in the AA.

c.
Provide platoon
representatives for company
quartering party as required.
Instruct them to perform the
following tasks or other tasks, as
required.

(1) 
Reconnoiter the AA to
ensure it is clear of enemy.

(2) 
Establish initial
security.

(3) 
Select initial
positions for all platoon
elements.

(4) 
Identify, clear, or
mark obstacles in the platoon
sector of the AA.

2.   Direct platoon
movement to designated platoon release
point. Use appropriate movement
techniques based on the terrain and
the situation.

3.   Prepare your sector of the AA in accordance with
the company plan.

a.
Link up with guides and
move the platoon to its initial
position.

b.
Establish and maintain
local security.

c.
Assign squad sectors.
Ensure sectors are mutually
supporting and that all gaps are
covered by fire and observation.

d.
Designate observation
post(s) locations and the elements
responsible for establishing and
maintaining them.

e.
Ensure communication is
established within the platoon and
company.

f. 
Submit timely progress
reports to company headquarters.

g.
Establish and enforce
priority of work. The following is
an example of work priority and may
vary based on unit SOP, mission, or
METT-TC.

(1) 
Position vehicles,
crew-served weapons, and
chemical-agent alarms, and
designate PDF, FPL, and FPF.

(2) 
Construct fighting
position.

(3) 
Set up wire
communications.

(4) 
Prepare range cards.

(5) 
Distribute ammunition,
rations, water, supplies, and
special equipment.

(6) 
Conduct preventive
maintenance checks and services on
equipment.

(7) 
Inspect personnel and
equipment.

(8) 
Rehearse critical
aspects of the upcoming mission.

(9) 
Test small arms (if
situation permits).

(10)
Conduct personal hygiene and
field sanitation.

(11)
Institute a rest plan.

h.
Coordinate with adjacent
units and others, as required.

(1) 
Coordinate for security
patrols (if applicable).

(2) 
Establish
responsibility for overlapping
enemy avenues of approach between
adjacent units.

(3) 
Ensure there are no
gaps between elements.

(4) 
Exchange information on
OP locations and unit signals.

(5) 
Coordinate for local
counterattacks.

(6) 
Complete and forward a
copy of the platoon sector sketch
to company headquarters.

1.   Conducted preparations for occupation of the AA.

—

—

2.   Directed platoon movement to designated release
point. Used appropriate movement
technique based on terrain and
situation.

—

—

3.   Prepared assigned sector of AA in accordance with
company plan.

—

—

FM
7-7

FM
3-21.71

FM
7-8