text: Chapter 4
  Table4-1. Preparation activities
  (cid:120) Coordinate and establishliaison (cid:120) Initiate sustainment preparation
  (cid:120) Initiate information collection (cid:120) Initiate network preparations
  (cid:120) Initiate security operations (cid:120) Manage terrain
  (cid:120) Initiate troop movement (cid:120) Prepare terrain
  (cid:120) Complete task organization (cid:120) Conduct confirmation briefs
  (cid:120) Integrate new units and Soldiers (cid:120) Conduct rehearsals
  (cid:120) Train (cid:120) Conduct plans to operations transitions
  (cid:120) Conduct pre-operations checks and inspections (cid:120) Revise and refine the plan
  (cid:120) Supervise
  Conduct Rehearsals
  4-99. The BCT conducts rehearsals to prepare for upcoming operations. A rehearsal is a session in which
  the commander and staff or unit practices expected actions to improve performance during execution
  (ADP5-0). Four primary types of rehearsals are the backbrief,combined arms rehearsal,support rehearsal,
  and battle drill or SOP rehearsal. Methods for conducting rehearsals are limited only by the commander’s
  imagination and available resources. The BCT commander uses rehearsals as a tool to ensure the staff and
  subordinates understand the concept of operations and commander’s intent. The extent of rehearsals depends
  on available time. In cases of short-notice requirements,a detailed rehearsal may not be possible.
  4-100. The BCT commander often issues orders to subordinates verbally in situations requiring quick
  reactions. At battalion and higher levels, written fragmentary orders confirm verbal orders to ensure
  synchronization, integration, and notification of all parts of the force. If time permits, leaders verify that
  subordinates understand critical tasks. Methods for doing this include the backbrief—a briefing by
  subordinates to the commander to review how subordinates intend toaccomplish their mission (FM 6-0) and
  confirmation brief—a briefing subordinate leaders give to the higher commander immediately after the
  operation order is given to confirm understanding (ADP 5-0).It is their understanding of the commander’s
  intent, their specific tasks, and the relationship between their mission and the other units’ mission in the
  operation. Commanders conduct backbriefs and confirmation briefs between themselves and within staff
  elements to ensure mutual understanding.
  4-101. A mission command or command and control rehearsal ensures that all subordinate elements main
  CP and tactical CP locations,jump timelines,and battle handovers are synchronized with the maneuver plan.
  Additionally, the mission command or command and control rehearsal ensures that the locations of the
  commanders, succession of command, primary, alternate, contingency, and emergency (known as PACE)
  communicationplans,and priorities of signal maintenance and signal support are understood.
  4-102. Support rehearsals help synchronize each warfighting function with the BCT’s overall operation.
  Throughout preparation, the BCT conducts support rehearsals within the framework of a single or limited
  number of warfighting functions. These rehearsals typically involve coordination and procedure drills for
  sustainment, aviation, fires, engineer support, casualty evacuation, and medical evacuation. Support
  rehearsals and combined arms rehearsals complement preparations for the operation. Units may conduct
  rehearsals separately and then combine them into full dress rehearsals. Although these rehearsals differ
  slightly by warfighting function,they achieve the same result.
  4-103. A battle drill—rehearsed and well understood actions made in response to common battlefield
  occurrences (ADP 3-90)—orSOPrehearsal ensures that all participants understand a technique or a specific
  set of procedures. A battle drill is a collective action rapidly executed without applying a deliberate
  decision-making process. All echelons use these rehearsal types; however, they are most common for
  platoons, squads, sections, and teams. Units conduct rehearsals throughout preparation; rehearsals are not
  limited to published battle drills. Battle drills require a “go”order instead of a plan. All echelons can rehearse
  such actions as a CP shift change,an obstacle breach lane marking SOP,or a refuel on the move(known as
  ROM)site operation.