Decision making - UNITAF Force Manual (FM)

FM/G316 - Decision making

Skill

FM/BS-1418 - Set the correct pace of combat

Skill

Maintain a movement pace that preserves the element’s ability to react, manoeuvre, and fight.

This requires ensuring the following conditions are met:

The element can immediately transition to fire and manoeuvre without delay due to exhaustion.
Sufficient stamina is retained to cross danger areas at speed when required.
Personnel are not degraded to reduced combat effectiveness due to unnecessary fatigue.
The element can sustain tempo for the expected duration of the task.
Movement speed does not cause fragmentation or loss of cohesion within the element.

Skill

FM/BS-1419 - Maintain a reasonable supporting distance

Skill

Keep the distance between supporting elements small enough that in case of a bad situation, support can be given.

This roughly means the following:

Fire support can be provided before the unit needing support is unable to sustain the engagement
Medical support can be provided before the organic medical capability of the unit needing support is unable to keep people alive

Skill

FM/BS-1420 - Take initiative

Skill

When a situation develops, don’t wait for orders to act on it. Unless given a direct and explicit order, do what would be advantageous, and inform the superior element of your actions.

When taking initiative, it is important to consider the overall situation, and not only focus on your own element. Take into account factors like phasing/timing, the combat effectiveness of other elements, the current objective and risk factors.

Skill

FM/BS-1421 - Allow for initiative

Skill

Allow room for subordinate elements to take initiative. When sceptical, give them the benefit of the doubt, as they often have a better understanding of the situation relevant to them.

When countermanding initiative from a subordinate element, give reasoning as to why: this gives the element the context they need to judge when to take initiative in the future.