SOP (Leadership) - S.M.E.A.C.
Why use S.M.E.A.C. Techniques?
One of the more challenging elements of playing
BF2 is getting the opportunity to act as the Commander (CO) or Squad Leader (SL). The game itself permits players create their own squad and become SL or apply for the CO chair, but often we see players defer to others indicating that they are not comfortable in handling that role.
Are some people better leaders then others? I will grant you that some people possess a natural strength of confidence and leadership style, but truly excellent military leaders are developed by using a standardized training regime. Small unit leaders are taught to draw upon a standard set of communication tools, tactics and motivational methods to help them guide their teams to completing successful missions. Any proficient player in the
BF2 simulation, regardless of individual personality, is capable of becoming a first class on-line Tactical Gamer
BF2 CO/SL by learning and applying some of these techniques.
S.M.E.A.C. is a deliberately organized and structured process utilized by the designated CO/SL to issue his initial "Orders Group" to his squad. It normally occurs in a "safe area" prior to embarking on an actual mission. Some Squad Leaders may prefer to wait until their squad has dropped into the LZ (landing zone or insertion point) in order to better assess the tactical situation, particularly if they are entering a map mission that they are unfamiliar with the terrain and actual location of objectives. Finally, the SL may re-issue a new "Orders Group" at anytime during the actual mission, adapting to the fluidness of the tactical situation as it changes. Therefore, all team members should always be listening for the verbal phrase "Orders Group". This is an instant signal for the team to "go quiet" and listen (take notes if necessary) to the SL issue his mission "orders" according to the SMEAC format.
In our virtual
BF2 world we don't use actual military radios, but with VoIP, the similarities to real world radio practices are quite a good fit. Although VoIP is not strictly required to actually play, it is very difficult to communicate effectively as a team without it. Since "Orders Groups" are verbal, we would encourage all players on any Tactical Gamer
BF2 public server, to make the effort to utilize VoIP as a courtesy and for the benefit of all players on the server.
The first one we'll introduce is called S.M.E.A.C..
Situation ... Describe what the current situation is and what?s going on, including;
- enemy situation
- friendly situation
Mission ... Describe the GOALS of the current mission, complete with primary, secondary and optional objectives.
Execution ... Describe how the mission will be carried out. This consists of;
- a concept of the operation, which is a general statement of what we're going to do;
- a maneuver plan, which in this case is the route we're going to take to and from the objective;
- a formation or order of march, which will usually be a file or column for a small unit, sometimes spread into skirmish line (that is, where everybody will be as we move);
- actions moving to the objective, which usually involves navigation;
- actions upon reaching objective;
- actions returning from the objective, which usually details the route back to extraction point, usually different from route getting to the objective;
- actions on enemy contact (Action on enemy contact is critical. Every member of the team must know what to do)
Administration & Logistics ... Describe how administrative details and any logistical support will be handled.
- What are medivac procedures?
- Is there any ammo resupply?
- Are there any special attachments (Arty, Air, Armor etc.)?
- What should teams carry (e.g., "Demo charges, AT capability, Extra ammo etc.")?
- Fire Condition upon LZ insertion and during mission phases?
Command & Signals ... (Describe command and communications events)
- What is the chain of command down to the last man?
- What radio channels are being used?
- Are there any special recognition signals, challenge and passwords needed?
Example
Let's demonstrate the use of S.M.E.A.C. on a hypothetical mission.
Squad Leader: "Squad, this is Squad Leader, WARNING ORDER... prepare for ORDERS GROUP."
... TEAM STOPS CHATTING / TYPING AND PREPARES TO LISTEN ...
Squad Leader: "Squad, this is Squad Leader, ORDERS GROUP."
... TEAM MEMBERS RESPOND USING THE AFFIRMATIVE / NEGATIVE HOTKEYS ...
Squad Leader: "Squad, this is Squad Leader, ORDERS."
Squad Leader: SITUATION ... Intel reports enemy is known to have troop concentrations north (or at construction site) ... There are also reports of roving patrols to the south ... Enemy thought to be armed with standard personal weapons, possibly supported by APC's... ROGER SO FAR?"
... TEAM MEMBERS RESPOND USING THE AFFIRMATIVE / NEGATIVE HOTKEYS ...
Squad Leader: "ORDERS CONTINUE."
Squad Leader: MISSION ... Squad will secure Construction Site and neutralize all enemy forces in vicinity.
Squad Leader: EXECUTION ... fire team Alpha ... Left Flanking maneuver ... advance to contact from the east ... engage and neutralize any threats in the built-up area in the building north east of site ... send SITREP when area secure ... deploy in line facing West and take up defensive position on ridge running North-South ... observe and report enemy activity in area ... prep for final assault on Construction Site ... send SITREP when ready and wait for further orders ... attack on my command only ... ROGER SO FAR?"
... TEAM MEMBERS RESPOND USING THE AFFIRMATIVE / NEGATIVE HOTKEYS ...
Any questions for clarification may be asked by any team members over VoIP.
Squad Leader: "ORDERS CONTINUE."
Squad Leader: "... Fire team Bravo ... Right Flanking maneuver ... advance to contact from the south ... engage and neutralize any threats in tent camp area ... send SITREP when area secure ... deploy in line and take up defensive position facing West on ridge running North-South ... observe and report enemy activity in area ... prep for final assault on Construction Site ... send SITREP when ready and wait for further orders ... attack on my command only ... ROGER SO FAR?"
... TEAM MEMBERS RESPOND USING THE AFFIRMATIVE / NEGATIVE HOTKEYS ...
Any questions for clarification may be asked by any team members over VoIP.
Squad Leader: "ORDERS CONTINUE."
Squad Leader: ADMIN & LOG ... weapons and load-outs at discretion of team leaders ... no medi-vac ... casualties left in-place until mission complete ... NO arty support ... NO air support ... NO other friendlies reported in area ... Fire Condition RED ... extraction point northern beach with Fire Condition GREEN ... ROGER SO FAR?"
... TEAM MEMBERS RESPOND USING THE AFFIRMATIVE / NEGATIVE HOTKEYS ...
Any questions for clarification may be asked by any team members over VoIP.
Squad Leader: "ORDERS CONTINUE."
Squad Leader: COMMAND & SIGNALS ... command succession to Bravo Squad Leader... END OF ORDERS .... ROGER SO FAR?"
... TEAM MEMBERS RESPOND USING THE AFFIRMATIVE / NEGATIVE HOTKEYS ...
Any questions for clarification may be asked by any team members over VoIP.
Squad Leader: "COMMENCE MISSION."
... TEAM MEMBERS RESPOND USING THE AFFIRMATIVE / NEGATIVE HOTKEYS ...
Additional Notes
Refer to
SOP (Radio) - The SITREP (Situation Report) for details on sending SITREPS over radio net.
Refer to
SOP (Tactics) - Fire Discipline for details on use of GREEN / YELLOW / RED RoE.
After a bit of practice using
S.M.E.A.C. as a format for issuing mission orders, it becomes almost second nature and makes it much easier to cover all of the elements required to effectively communicate and handle your squad with confidence.
