text: Chapter 18
  composition of obstacles drive the amount and type of reduction assets needed by the breach force. The
  engineer staff officer and other planners use reverse planning to determine how best to allocate mobility
  assets within the arrayed forces to facilitate the scheme of movement and maneuver for each COA. The
  engineer staff officer focuses on the allocation of reduction assets. The situational template depicting enemy
  direct- and indirect fire coverage of template enemy obstacles determines the size and composition of the
  support force. Reverse planning for breaching is performed using the following steps:
  * Step 1. Identify available reduction assets.
  * Step 2. Template enemy obstacles.
  * Step 3. Understand the scheme of movement and maneuver.
  * Step 4. Identify the number of required breach lanes.
  * Step 5. Identify the assets required to reduce, proof, and mark lanes.
  * Step 6. Task-organize reduction assets within the maneuver force.
  See ATP 3-90.4/MCTP 3-34A for more information on the reverse planning process for a breach.
  18-34. Successful breaching depends on preparation and planning. During preparation, units continue to
  review IPB products against the current situation and redirect information collection assets to focus on the
  most important requirements remaining, while emphasizing the commander’s critical information
  requirements. Plans are continuously refined based on IPB updates and reporting from information collection
  assets.
  18-35. Key preparation activities for breaching include—
  * Planning refinement based on IPB updates and reporting from information collection assets, to
  include adjustments to the breach organization (support, breach, and assault forces), the scheme
  of movement and maneuver, and the fire support plan.
  * Implementing the task organization (breach organization), to include coordinating the linkup of
  breaching assets (units and equipment) with the supported unit to allow combined arms breaching
  rehearsals to be conducted.
  * Performing pre-combat checks and inspections.
  * Rehearsals with key breaching assets.
  * Position and staging of breaching assets.
  18-36. A breaching rehearsal site should reflect the actual obstacle system in as much detail as possible
  based on obstacle intelligence. At a minimum, rehearsals should include a leader and key personnel walk-
  through and individual rehearsals by support, breach, and assault forces. As time permits, full-scale rehearsals
  should be conducted. When possible, friendly forces rehearse the mission under the same conditions
  (obscuration and darkness) expected during the actual mission. Rehearsals should also include contingencies
  such as enemy counterattacks and attacks by enemy indirect-fire systems, attack helicopters, other air assets,
  and enemy use of CBRN material. If updates become available after the last possible rehearsal, the
  information should be immediately passed on to affected elements. A key output of rehearsals is that all
  participants understand unit-specific brevity codes, and signals associated with the breach.
  18-37. Executing task organization changes of critical reduction assets during mission execution may be
  required. This situation presents even more challenges, especially with regard to terrain management, because
  unit positions and fire control measures may have shifted. War gaming these actions during mission planning
  and rehearsals, implementing the necessary control measures, and coordinating instructions are critical to
  avoid fratricide.