text: Mission Command
  Reporting and Tracking of Battles
  4-300. Having all platforms and units on the battlefield send spot reports digitally may result in mass
  confusion. However, to eliminate confusion, there should be one designated individual within the unit
  authorized to initiate digital spot reports. While the designated individual will be somewhat removed from
  the fight,that individual can assist those who execute the direct firefight by filtering multiple reports of the
  same event.
  4-301. Another technique,used at company level,to eliminate duplicate reporting problems is to limit the
  creation of enemy icons through digital spot reports to reconnaissance and security elements and the company
  leadership (commander, XO, or first sergeant) or other designated individual. Others report to their higher
  headquarters,which creates and manages the icon. At company level,the XO,first sergeant,or CP personnel
  become the primary digital reporters. These assignments cannot be completely restrictive. Unit SOPs and
  command guidance must allow for and encourage Soldiers who observe the enemy and know they are the
  sole observer (because there is no corresponding enemy icon displayed in the situational COP) to create a
  digital spot report. BCT and subordinate unit SOPs should define the schedule for report submissions, the
  message group for the reports,and the medium (digital system or verbal) used.
  4-302. Battle tracking is the process of monitoring designated elements of the COP tied to the commander’s
  criteria for success. Battle tracking requires special attention from all staff officers, and normally done
  digitally and manually with situation maps and boards. The XO and S-3 must continue to monitor the progress
  of the operation and recommend changes as required.
  4-303. The BCT XO establishes a schedule for routine systems updates. For example,the S-2 section should
  continuously update the DCGS-A database and should transmit the latest COP to the network every 30
  minutes during operations if the commander, S-3, or reconnaissance and security elements need it. Staff
  sections should print critical displays on an established schedule. These printed snapshots of the COP are
  used for continuity of battle tracking in the event of system failures and can contribute to after-action reviews
  and unit historical records.
  4-304. SOPs define the technical process for creating,collating,and transmitting orders and overlays,both
  analog and digital and in degraded environments. For interoperability and clarity,BCT SOPs should define
  the naming convention and filing system for all reports,orders,and message traffic. This significantly reduces
  time and frustration associated with lost files or changes in system operators or the environment. Information
  systems will inevitably migrate to a web-based capability. This allows information in a database to be
  accessed by users as needed or when they are able to retrieve it. For example, the S-2 may transmit an
  intelligence summary to all subordinates. Inevitably, some will lose the file or not receive it. The S-2 can
  simultaneously post that same summary to an established homepage so users can access it as required. If this
  technique is used,the following are a few things to consider—
  (cid:122) Posting a document to a homepage does not constitute communications. The right people are
  alerted when the document is available.
  (cid:122) Keep documents concise and simple. Elaborate digital slide presentationstake longer to transmit,
  causing delays in the tactical internet.
  (cid:122) The amount of information entered in a database and personnel who have access is carefully
  controlled,both to maintain security and to keep from overloading the tactical internet.
  (cid:122) Assign responsibility to personnel who are authorized to input and delete both friendly and enemy
  unit icon information.
  4-305. In combat against a peer enemy,the probability of losing digital connectivity for short and extended
  periods if high. The BCT commander and staff must be able to transition to pure analog means of battle
  tracking immediately upon loss of digital capability and degraded capability. Procedures for integrating
  digital and analog units and operations within degraded environments are essential and should consider the
  following:
  (cid:122) Frequency modulation and joint network node/CP node are theprimary communications mediums
  with the analog unit.
  (cid:122) Hard copy orders and graphics are required.