The author hopes that the Cavalry plan- ning process can be useful to squadron commanders and staffs as a framework to adapt off for their OE and organization. It is not intended to be a lockstep, cookie- cutter solution to solve all squadron plan- ning difficulties or to replace the MDMP in providing synchronization between multiple maneuver units, but to offer “a way” to be deliberate in planning R&S operations within a time-constrained environment. It should be adjusted by any squadron using it to fit their skill level, timeline, and operational requirements. The author is happy to provide slides de- tailing the CPP steps upon request.
MAJ Zachary Newman is an Armor officer and student at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS. MAJ Newman commissioned in 2015
from the United States Military Academy and most recently served as the Squad- ron Staff Trainer on Cobra Team at the National Training Center. He has served in both tank and armored cavalry forma- tions, commanding C Troop, 2-13 Cavalry in 1st Armored Division.
Bibliography
Headquarters, Department of the Army. Cavalry Squadron. Army Tactics and Procedures (ATP) 3-20.96. Army Publish- ing Directorate, 2016. https://armypubs.
army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN39 444-ATP_3-20.96-000-WEB-0.pdf
Headquarters, Department of the Army. Planning and Orders Production. Field Manual (FM) 5-0. Army Publishing Direc- torate, 2024.
https://armypubs.army.mil/ epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN44590-FM_ 5-0-001-WEB-3.pdf
Headquarters, Department of the Army. Reconnaissance and Security Operations. Field Manual (FM) 3-98. Army Publishing Directorate, 2023.
https://armypubs.army. mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN37194- FM_3-98-000-WEB-1.pdf
Notes 1 Dept. of the Army, Reconnaissance and Security Operations, 1-3.
2 Dept. of the Army, Cavalry Squadron, 2-5.
3 Dept. of the Army, Planning and Orders Production, 78.
4 Each step was validated by the Cobra Team of Operations Group, NTC dur- ing an Operations Group leader train- ing program (LTP) iteration in 2024.
5 Suitability, feasibility, acceptability, distinguishability, and completeness.
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