Badger

SOP (Leadership) - S.M.E.A.C.

One of the more challenging elements of playing Ghost Recon, particularly in Cooperative Missions, is getting the opportunity to act as the platoon TL (Team Leader). The game itself permits players to "vote" different people into this role for individual missions, but often we see elected 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 Ghost Recon simulation, regardless of individual personality, is capable of becoming a first class on-line Tactical Gamer Ghost Recon TL by learning and applying some of these techniques.

The first one we'll introduce is called SMEAC.

S.M.E.A.C.
Situation ... Describe what the current situation is and what?s going on, including;
(1) enemy situation
(2) 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;
(1) a concept of the operation, which is a general statement of what we?re going to do;
(2) a maneuver plan, which in this case is the route we're going to take to and from the objective;
(3) 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);
(4) actions moving to the objective, which usually involves navigation;
(5) actions upon reaching objective;
(6) actions returning from the objective, which usually details the route back to extraction point, usually different from route getting to the objective;
(7) 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.
(1) What are medivac procedures?
(2) Is there any ammo resupply?
(3) Are there any special attachments (Arty, Air, Armor etc.)?
(4) What should teams carry (e.g., "Demo charges, AT capability, Extra ammo etc.")?
(5) Fire Condition upon LZ insertion and during mission phases?

Command & Signals ... (Describe command and communications events)
(1) What is the chain of command down to the last man?
(2) What radio channels are being used?
(3) Are there any special recognition signals, challenge and passwords needed?

SMEAC is a deliberately organized and structured process utilized by the designated TL to issue his initial "Orders Group" to his squad. It normally occurs in a "safe area" prior to embarking on an actual mission. In the Ghost Recon simulation, the best place for the "Orders Group" is at the game screen where players select their team, weapons types and click [X] for ready, however, it may occur at any time in the game. Some Team 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 TL 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 on the appropriate TeamSpeak channel 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 TL issue his mission "orders" according to the SMEAC format.

Note:In our virtual Ghost Recon world we don?t use actual military radios, but with TeamSpeak and other Internet voice technologies, the similarities to real world radio practices are quite a good fit. Although the TeamSpeak software 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 Ghost Recon public server, to make the effort to download, install and utilize the TeamSpeak Voice Software as a courtesy and for the benefit of all players on the server.

Let's demonstrate the use of the SMEAC on a hypothetical mission with |42nd| Eternal as the Squad TL (Team Leader).

|42nd| Eternal says over TeamSpeak: "42nd Squad, this is Eternal, Warning Order ... Prepare for Orders Group"

.... Team stops chatting or typing and prepare to listen ... taking notes if necessary ....

|42nd| Eternal says over TeamSpeak: "42nd Squad, this is Eternal, Orders Group"

Team members respond in a logical team/call-sign sequence (use name order as it appears on set-up screen) typing "CC", which |42nd| Eternal sees on his chat screen . This gives him direct confirmation that all team members are ready to receive his mission orders. It should be noted that in real life, team members would send over the Radio Net in call sign sequence the words "Orders ... Send", but for purposes of our GR virtual world with it?s visual interface, it is quicker with less confusion to revert to our "click-click" shorthand. Note: refer to SOP (Radio) - "cc" for details on use of radio acknowledgments.

|42nd| Eternal says over TeamSpeak: "Squad, this is Eternal, ORDERS ...

SITUATION ... Enemy broadcasting propaganda from radio station at grid D12 ... Intel reports enemy is also known to have troop concentrations in areas of E4 and L13 ... There also reports of roving patrols in section strength in vicinity of defiles at J3 and J15 ... Enemy thought to be armed with standard personal weapons, possibly supported by LMG?s with pockets of fixed HMG positions being reported ... It is unknown if enemy has armor support ... ROGER SO FAR?"

Team members respond in a logical team/call-sign sequence (use name order as it appears on set-up screen) typing "CC", which |42nd| Eternal sees on his chat screen . This gives him direct confirmation that all team members have received and understood his "Orders Group" to this point. Any questions for clarification may be asked by any team members over TeamSpeak. It should be noted that in real life, team members would send over the Radio Net in call sign sequence the words "Roger so far", but for purposes of our GR virtual world with it's visual interface, it is quicker with less confusion to revert to our "click-click" shorthand. Note: refer to SOP (Radio) - "cc" for details on use of radio acknowledgments.

|42nd| Eternal says over TeamSpeak: ... "ORDERS CONTINUE

MISSION ... Squad will secure Radio Station at D12 and neutralize all enemy forces in vicinity.

EXECUTION ... Alpha ... Left Flanking maneuver ... advance to contact though defile at J3 ... engage and neutralize any threats in the built-up area at E4 ... send SITREP when area secure ... deploy in line facing East and take up defensive position on ridge running North-South along grid line C8 to G8 ... observe and report enemy activity in area of objective at D12 ... prep for final assault on Radio Station ... send SITREP when ready and wait for further orders ... attack on my command only ... ROGER SO FAR?"

Team members respond in a logical team/call-sign sequence (use name order as it appears on set-up screen) typing "CC", which |42nd| Eternal sees on his chat screen . This gives him direct confirmation that all team members have received and understood his "Orders Group" to this point. Any questions for clarification may be asked by any team members over TeamSpeak.

|42nd| Eternal says over TeamSpeak: ... "ORDERS CONTINUE

... Bravo and Charlie ... Right Flanking maneuver ... advance to contact though defile at J15 ... engage and neutralize any threats in tent camp area at L13 ... send SITREP when area secure ... deploy in line and take up defensive position facing West on ridge running North-South along grid line C14 to G14 ... observe and report enemy activity in area of objective at D12 ... prep for final assault on Radio Station ... send SITREP when ready and wait for further orders ... attack on my command only ... ROGER SO FAR?"

Team members respond in a logical team/call-sign sequence (use name order as it appears on set-up screen) typing "CC", which |42nd| Eternal sees on his chat screen . This gives him direct confirmation that all team members have received and understood his "Orders Group" to this point. Any questions for clarification may be asked by any team members over TeamSpeak.

|42nd| Eternal says over TeamSpeak: ... "ORDERS CONTINUE

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 ... insertion point is N9 facing north with Fire Condition RED ... extraction point is D15 facing west with Fire Condition GREEN ... ROGER SO FAR?"

Team members respond in a logical team/call-sign sequence (use name order as it appears on set-up screen) typing "CC", which |42nd| Eternal sees on his chat screen . This gives him direct confirmation that all team members have received and understood his "Orders Group" to this point. Any questions for clarification may be asked by any team members over TeamSpeak.

|42nd| Eternal says over TeamSpeak: ... "ORDERS CONTINUE

COMMAND & SIGNALS .... all teams use Default Channel ... command succession to Bravo Team Leader, then Charlie Team Leader ... End of Orders .... ROGER SO FAR?"

Team members respond in a logical team/call-sign sequence (use name order as it appears on set-up screen) typing "CC", which |42nd| Eternal sees on his chat screen . This gives him direct confirmation that all team members have received and understood his "Orders Group" to this point. Any questions for clarification may be asked by any team members over TeamSpeak.

|42nd| Eternal says over TeamSpeak: ... "Commence Mission"

All players check [X] READY box and mission begins.

Note: refer to SOP (Radio) - Phonetic Alphabet for details on pronouncing grid references over radio net.
Note: refer to SOP (Radio) - The SITREP (Situation Report) for details on sending SITREPS over radio net.
Note: refer to SOP (Radio) - "cc" for details on use of radio acknowledgments.
Note: refer to SOP (Tactics) - Fire Discipline for details on use of GREEN/YELLOW/RED RoE.

After a bit of practice using SMEAC 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.

__________________
Regards,
|42nd| Badger
badger@tacticalgamer.com
"My Strength is My Team"
"Duty, Honor, Courage"