The Communication Handbook

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Communicators are experts in radio telephony, communicating vital transmissions across the battlefield in quick succession can often save lives, and lead to a successful mission.

• Member of J7 Staff responsible for overseeing a specific combat area, its training and training team
• Minimum of 1 and maximum of 2 per skill card; each staff member can oversee up to 4 skill cards in total
• Serves as the primary point of contact in the combat area for Training Command, Chief Instructors, Instructors, Observers, and the wider unit
• Ensures adequate training and practices are conducted through the training team
• Appoints and removes Training Instructors and Observers as needed, based on advice from Chief Instructors and in collaboration with Training Command
• Collaborates with Policy staff to implement changes and distribute them upon publication by Unit Command
• Holds the second highest weighted opinion among the roles involved
• Actively participates in training, application, and observation of combat area skills
• Accountable to Training Command and appointed at their discretion

• Designated member of the unit serving as a subject matter expert in a specific combat area
• Minimum of 1 and maximum of 2 may be assigned to any combat area
• Acts as a senior advisor to unit command, providing guidance on potential changes and advising on ongoing discussions
• Active participant in training, application, and observation of combat area skills
• Holds the highest weighted opinion among all other roles
• Accountable to both the Staff Instructor and Training Command
• Appointment made at the discretion of Training Command

The 'Training Team' is a specialised group within the unit responsible for overseeing and managing the evaluation and improvement of a specific combat area. Comprising appointed individuals including Chief Instructors, Staff Instructors, Training Instructors, and Observers, the team operates under the guidance of Training Command. Each member has distinct roles and responsibilities, ranging from providing subject matter expertise to facilitating training sessions and assessing skill levels. Together, they ensure that training standards are met, skills are effectively taught and practiced, and feedback is provided to enhance individual and unit proficiency in specific combat areas.

• Unit member appointed as a Training Instructor in a specific combat area, having transitioned from the role of Observer
• Recognized by the training team as a well-rounded individual capable of effectively teaching relevant combat area skills in group settings
• Possesses a solid understanding of the combat area skills
• Holds the third highest weighted opinion among the roles involved
• Limited to a maximum of 6 Training Instructors per combat area
• Actively engages in training, application, and observation of combat area skills
• Accountable to both the Staff Instructor and Chief Instructors

• A member of the unit who is appointed as an Observer in a specific combat area, who in the eyes of the training team is trusted to assess others in a non-teaching capacity in the combat areas skills.
• Typically a starting role on route to Training Instructor.
• Holds the lowest weighted opinion.
• Maximum of 8 per combat area
• Active in the training, application and observation of combat area skills.
• Accountable to the Training Instructors and Chief Instructors.

Your role access is determined by your skills, experience with those skills, and the specific roles that utilize them. With over 100 roles in UNITAF, creating detailed skill breakdowns for every role is a substantial undertaking that cannot be completed overnight. 

Estimated Role Cards

To ensure the entire unit can transition to the new system immediately, some roles are tagged as **"Estimated"**. These roles use a transitional approach:

• Temporary skill blocks simulate role-specific experience
• Estimated access levels are calculated based on these placeholder blocks
• Similar to LTS functionality but with improved accuracy and fewer limitations

Current State: Estimated roles provide functional access levels that closely mirror the previous LTS system while addressing many of its shortcomings. As development progresses, estimated role cards will be upgraded to the full FTS3 standard with detailed, role-specific skill requirements.

Important Note: When roles transition from "Estimated" to "Verified" status, your access level may change (either increase or decrease) as the requirements become more precise and role-specific.

This approach allows UNITAF to:

• Maintain operations during the transition period
• Provide immediate access to the improved FTS3 system
• Ensure continuity while detailed role cards are developed
• Gradually improve role accuracy over time

The estimated system serves as a bridge, ensuring no disruption to unit operations while we build toward the comprehensive FTS3 vision.

This is a temporary skill block, the skill block is being used to accumulate SP for time spent in Communication Roles until it's role card is completed.

Rules of engagement (ROE) are directives that dictate how and when military forces can engage in combat. ROE outline conditions for using force, including target identification, self-defence, and proportionality. They are designed to ensure lawful and ethical conduct in military operations, and vary depending on the mission and environment. ROE always take precedence in operational decisions.

Identify targets as legitimate targets before engagement. This is crucial to prevent harm to civilians and ensure adherence to the principles of distinction and proportionality in combat.

Combatants: Individuals who are actively engaged in hostilities or are members of armed forces.

• Enemy soldiers in uniform not surrendering or wounded
• Armed militants
• Persons directly participating in hostilities
• A person posing an immediate threat (e.g., aiming a weapon) can be considered a combatant
• Parachuting active airborne infantry

Non-Combatants: Individuals who are not actively participating in hostilities. These are not legitimate targets.

• Civilians not taking direct part in hostilities
• Unarmed medical and religious personnel
• Wounded/surrendering soldiers who are not participating combat in any way, and prisoners of war
• Parachuting crew from a downed aircraft

Do not intentionally engage non-combatants as defined in FM/BS-349 - Identify legitimate targets

Do not cause damage to civilian infrastructure, unless necessary to archieve a military purpose. In general, preserving life should be prioritised over the avoidance of damage, but the destruction must be proportional to the purpose.

Examples:

• Acceptable situations:
  • Using explosives on a civilian house used as a military HQ
  • Dropping a bomb on an actively engaging enemy tank next to a house
• Unacceptable situations:
  • Cluster-bombing an enemy-held town
  • Destroying a house to take out a single shooter

Do not intentionally cause collateral damage to civilian infrastructure as defined in FM/BS-350 - Minimize collateral damage against civilian infrastructure

During operations, always be mindful of your voice volume, as the enemy can hear you, and your choice could impact the success or failure of the mission. 

Generally, use a normal voice when you have radios and the situation is calm. Switch to yelling when urgent communication is needed, like when throwing a grenade, overcoming loud external noise, or if radios aren't available. Use whispering to keep your position concealed when infiltrating behind enemy lines, setting up and coordinating ambushes or simply when you don't want the guy on the other side of the wall hear you approach him as you coordinate with your team.

When throwing a grenade, shout:

[type of grenade] out

When you see a grenade landing or being thrown in your direction, shout: 

grenade

When hearing or observing incoming indirect fire, shout: 

IDF incoming

During any operation that requires it, you'll be provided with an AN/PRC-152. It is the short range radio used by all elements. The main frequency is the channel (C1, C2,…) that is currently selected on the radio.

To set up your main frequency:

1. Check with your leader or in the ORBAT what frequency you should be on
2. Hover with your mouse on your current frequency (2) and type the desired frequency; eg. 271
3. Click the ENT (4) button to enter (save) the frequency
4. Check in with your team to see if the radio is working properly

Using the AN/PRC-152 you can also set up an additional frequency to communicate with other elements that aren't your own. The additional frequency is set manually and will show as “A#” in place of the channel name e.g. If channel 2 is selected as the alternate frequency, it will become A2.

To set up an additional frequency:

1. Click the + button (5) to select the desired channel.
2. Click the left arrow button (8) to set an additional channel. 
   1. At this point you should read A# (# being the channel number) instead of C#, next to the frequency number.
3. Type the wanted frequency you want to use as additional; eg. 270
4. Click the ENT (4) button to enter the frequency
5. Click the - button (6) to return to your main frequency

If you want to dictate which ear you want the audio for your main and alternate channels to come out from, select the frequency you want to adjust and click the 0(9) button to modify the stereo settings. On the bottom right of the screen, you'll see an indicator that says either "left", "right" or "left and right". Ensure you do this for both your main and alternate channels on any radios you're using.

Now you should be able to hear both frequencies in different ears.

Above: The BLUFOR issued AN/PRC-152 and its buttons explained.

A radio is a specialized communication device designed for use by armed forces to facilitate secure and reliable communication on the battlefield and during military operations.

The primary purpose of a radio is to enable effective coordination and command among elements, allowing for the swift transmission of orders, intelligence, and situational updates. This real-time communication capability is crucial for coordinating maneuvers, calling for support, reporting enemy positions, and ensuring overall operational efficiency and safety of personnel during operations.

When pronouncing individual letters over a radio channel, replace the letter with the corresponding word from the following table:

When pronouncing individual numerals over a radio channel, pronounce the numeral according to the following table:

A callsign is the identifier that is used to address another unit over radio. Every unit down to the fireteam level has a unique callsign to identify it.

Some individuals also have their own callsigns. These are generally for people with leadership or specialised roles, like the platoon commander, platoon seargeant or forward air controller.

Deployment ORBATs in UNITAF have callsigns which are assigned by the deployments Field Leader, callsigns come from a pre-approved callsign list. Some callsigns are from the phonetic alphabet, ALPHA, BRAVO CHARLIE etc. However many other callsigns exist, and can carry themes such as birds, animals and chess pieces. Callsigns are usually words which are short, easy to say, remember and to understand.

In UNITAF Callsigns are assigned to Platoons or to Companies. When a Platoon is assigned a callsign, all subordinate elements of the Platoon also adopt that callsign. A simple example of how this works is outlined below.

• Platoon HQ (ALPHA 9)
• Platoon Sergeant (ALPHA 8)
• Platoon RTO (ALPHA 7)
• Platoon Medic (ALPHA 6)
• 1st Squad (ALPHA 1-0)
  • 1st Squad 1st Fireteam (ALPHA 1-1)
  • 1st Squad 2nd Fireteam (ALPHA 1-2)
• 2nd Squad (ALPHA 2-0)
  • 2nd Squad 1st Fireteam (ALPHA 2-1)
  • 2nd Squad 2nd Fireteam (ALPHA 2-2) 
• 3rd Squad (ALPHA 3-0)
  • 3rd Squad 1st Fireteam (ALPHA 3-1)
  • 3rd Squad 2nd Fireteam (ALPHA 3-2)

When needing to speak to the leader of an element specifically, and not anyone else on net who may take transmissions for the callsign (platoon sergeant/radio operators etc.), append ACTUAL after the element's callsign.

ACTUAL is never combined with a personal callsign as defined in FM/BP-1137 - Personal callsigns

To keep radio communications brief, shorten callsigns whenever possible, according to the following rules:

• Drop the common section of the callsign of all stations on the net (ALPHA 1-1 ←→ ALPHA 1-2 becomes (1 ←→ 2)
• Drop the numerals when only a single station of that callsign is on the net (ALPHA 1 ←→ BRAVO 1 becomes ALPHA ←→ BRAVO)

When addressing a specific person in the HQ element, use their personal callsign. The assignment of HQ personal callsigns works in reverse from the number 9, where 9 is the commander of that callsign. Typically, the second-in-command will be 8, forward air controllers, observers or medics can be 7, 6 and so on.

• The personal callsign will be displayed on the ORBAT.
• Personal callsigns are never transferred to another person, even when said person is incapacitated.

When adressing all callsigns on a network, use ALL STATIONS instead of listing all callsigns separately.

A transactional radio network is a network based on a transaction: a back and forth set of messages between a defined set of participants. It is bases on the following principles:

1. Radio handshake: Every transaction (conversation) begins with a handshake that defines who will participate in the transaction. The handshake is initiated by the sending party and acknowledges by the receiving parties. This way, all parties are confident all other parties are ready to transmit and receive information. See FM/BS-822 - Initiate a conversation on a transactional network for how to perform the handshake. 
2. Convey meaning through standardised words: To maximise understanding and minimise mixups, standardised words are used to convey a defined meaning. These words are choses so they cannot easily be confused with other words, especially when interacting with non-native English users. 
3. Transaction end: Every transaction should be ended according to FM/BS-824 - End a conversation on a transactional network. This ensures everyone on the radio network is aware the transaction is over, and that another transaction may be started.

In transactional nets callsigns must first identify with one another and once ident has been completed, a series of tranmissions may take place, and then the transaction is ended with the proword "OUT". 

• When a transaction is taking place between two callsigns, only those callsigns can use the net, other callsigns on the net must remain silent until they hear "OUT" which indicates that the transaction is completed.
• UNITAF does not use the pro-word "OVER".
• If a callsign who is not part of the ongoing transaction has urgent information to send, they can use the proword "BREAK BREAK BREAK" to break into a transaction.
• Once a series of transmissions in a transaction are underway, IDENT does not need to happen for each message, just at the start and end of the transaction.

The below table shows the types of nets and their usage of IDENT and transactional communication procedures.

Join a transactional network by saying:

[your full callsign], checking into the net

or shortened as:

[your full callsign], checking in

When starting a conversation on a transactional network, state:

[reciever callsign(s)], 

(this is) [sender callsign], 

(priority)

The other party(ies) respond, in order of their callsign, with:

[sender callsign], 

(this is) [reciever callsign]

When ending a conversation on a transactional network, append OUT at the end of the transmission.

A transmission can only be ended by the party that has the initiative in the conversation.

When unable to respond to a transmission, use either of the following:

When indicating your understading of a transmission use either of the following:

Never use these together, as WILCO implies ROGER.

If a callsign is not answering you, try to reach them for a total of three times with several seconds passing in between. Each additional time they may add the information that they haven’t received anything, to make other stations aware of it.

If the suspected station is your superior you may assume that they may be incapacitated and/or killed and the next station in the Chain of Command needs to take command in their place.

Example

This example will cover a squad net on channel 250 consisting of Outlaw 1-0, 1-1, 1-2 and 1-3. 1-2 is trying to reach 1-0 without success: 

Trying to contact

1-2: Actual, this is 2.

1-0: (1-0 is not responding so after a couple of seconds 1-2 tries again)

1-2: Actual, this is 2, nothing heard.

1-0: (1-0 is not responding so after a couple of seconds 1-2 tries for the last time)

1-2: Actual, this is 2, nothing heard OUT.

1-0: (1-0 is not responding so 1-1 needs to take command)

 

Succession of command

1-2: 1, this is 2.

1-1: 2 this is 1.

1-2: You need to take command.

1-1: This is 1, taking command..

When asking another callsign to relay information, state:

relay to [final receiver callsign] [information to relay]

When relaying information from another callsign, state:

relay from [original sender callsign] [information to relay]

Use the following standardized words instead of other synonyms on a transactional network:

To interrupt an ongoing conversation, transmit after a transmission has finished, or after FM/BS-825 - Break up long transmissions on a transactional network: 

break break break, FM/BS-822 - Initiate a conversation on a transactional network

Only interrupt a conversation when the new conversation has a higher urgency than the interrupted one.

Use BREAK to split long transmissions into multiple parts of roughly 5 seconds.

After transmitting BREAK, uncue the radio and pause for 2 seconds, before continuing.

After stating incorrect information state the following: 

correction, [corrected information]

After stating information that was correct at the time, but isn't anymore state the following: 

disregard ([stale information])

If the readback was correct, transmit:

Correct

If the readback was inccorect, transmit:

Negative, I say again, [correct information]

A Situation Report (SITREP) is a concise method for a leader to quickly understand the status and activity of their troops. It enables efficient communication up and down the chain of command, ensuring leaders maintain situational awareness across all elements.

For our purposes, a SITREP answers two simple questions:“What is your location?” and “What is your activity?”

SITREPs can be requested at any level and are most commonly used during pauses in combat, at the conclusion of engagements, or when higher command requests an update.

REQUEST: STREPs are called for using a simple, clear command.

“(Element), send SITREP.” 

ACKNOWLEDGE (if required): The responding element acknowledges the request. If unable to report immediately, they may reply:

“(Element) – WAIT OUT.”

RESPOND: When ready, the element provides their concise SITREP, following the format:

1. Location: Current position or reference point.
2. Activity: What the element is doing.

“(Element): SITREP – firm at Compound 6-6, awaiting orders.”

CONFIRMATION: The requesting leader acknowledges receipt of the report.

"(Element): ROGER OUT."

An ACE Report is a concise update given from one element leader to the next higher leader regarding their element’s operational status.It allows rapid assessment of ammunition, casualties, and equipment across multiple teams without unnecessary detail.

• Only include what your element needs, not what it has. Within Ammo and Equipment, report issues from most to least severe.
• Simplicity and brevity are key – report only what matters.

AMMO: Report your team’s ammunition status, covering all primary and secondary weapons including non-disposable launchers (e.g. MAAWS, SMAW, Javelin, Stinger). Specify the types and calibres where shortages exist.

Example: “Red 9 mm, orange STANAG, red AT-4.”

CASUALTIES: Summarise the team’s medical condition:

• Number of personnel up (conscious/able to fight)
• Number of wounded
• Detailed triage information belongs in a CASREP, not an ACE.

Example: “5 up, 1 wounded.”

EQUIPMENT: Report any loss of key gear or mission-critical items such as radios, NVGs, disposable launchers, or specialist tools.

Example: “Red on AT-4, orange on bandages.”

• Only report relevant shortages.
• Use ORANGE for low and RED for out.
• GREEN is never reported - it adds no value.

Before an ACE Report can be sent, the leader must gather the required information from their team. This is called an ACE Check.

AS A LEADER

• Gather information from your buddy team directly, then from the other team’s leader.
• Conduct the check off-radio when possible to reduce chatter.
• If spread out, collect from each member individually.

AS A TEAM MEMBER

Individual members provide raw details only when needed, following A-C-E order, without using colours or headers.

Correct:

“Need 4× 5.56 STANAG, need a stitch, nearly out of bandages.”

Incorrect:

“Orange on 5.56, orange need a stitch, red on bandages.”“Ammo low on 5.56, Casualty need a stitch, Equipment low on bandages.”

Only report what is required:

“Low on 5.56 STANAG and nearly out of bandages.”

If there are no needs:

“All good.” or “All green.”

Compiling an ACE Report

Once all ACE Checks are received, the leader compiles them into a single report for the higher element.

SL: 1-1, this is Actual – ACE Report.FTL (Kevin): Actual, this is 1-1 – Roger, WAIT OUT.

[Kevin collects ACE Checks from team]

KEVIN: Actual, this is 1-1 – orange 5.56 STANAG, orange 9 mm,5 up 3 wounded, orange bandages.SL: Roger, out.

• Leaders merge information logically: consolidate ammo shortages, casualty counts, and equipment losses before reporting.
• Maintain brevity and standard colour codes.

A casualty report (CASREP) is a concise, focused communication detailing the status of casualties within an element. This enables leaders and medical units to quickly assess the severity of the situation and allocate resources accordingly.

CASREPs are used in the following scenarios:

• When a leader needs to know casualty status.
• To convey the specific extent and severity of wounded personnel.
• For medical units (ambulances, medevac teams) to understand casualty situations.

When reporting casualties, use the following format:

[number of immediate casualties] immediate

[number of immediate casualties] delayed

[number of immediate casualties] minimal

[number of immediate casualties] KIA

(request medical assistance)

Note the order and wording corresponds with FM/BS-188 - Identify the triage category of a patient

The call for fire (CFF) is the standardised method of requesting support from indirect fire assets.

A CFF consists of six elements done in three transmissions. Every transmission is read back verbatim, because error correction is paramount when it comes to the battlefield’s most devastating weapon orchestrated by words alone.

Only when an element readback is correct, the FO continues to the next. Otherwise, the transmission is redone in full until it is error-free.

Because of this, the CFF epitomises the ABC of comms: accuracy, brevity, clarity.

It handles all of this for you as long as you follow its structure: trust it, because it is enough.

First transmission

The first transmission includes the Warning Order, or WARNO. It clears the channel of all other traffic and signals that a Call for Fire is underway. 

This also removes the need to begin every subsequent transmission of the CFF with your call signs, because it is understood that this is a conversation between only two.

• (1) identification: “Hammer, this is Sierra…”

The Call for Fire is initiated like any other radio transmission with a verbal handshake. You first identify the addressee call sign, which is the FSC, and then identify yourself with your FO call sign.

• Ex.1: (2) warning order: “...adjust fire (a), polar (b), over.”
• Ex.2: (2) warning order: “...fire for effect (a), [ ] (b), over.”
• Ex.3: (2) warning order: “...adjust fire (a), shift A01 (b), over.”

The WARNO consists of (a) the type of mission, and (b) the method of target location. If (b) is ‘grid’, then it need not be said as the assumed default, see ex.2.

Note that the method of target location does not include actual target location data.

Second transmission

The second transmission only includes target location data. Once again this is for easier error handling, so that the fewest possible factors need to be corrected and therefore retransmitted in full at a time.

• Ex.1: (3) target location: “Direction 1300, distance 2300, over.”
• Ex.2: (3) target location: “Grid 1234 tack 5678, over.”
• Ex.3: (3) target location: “Direction 3140, left 160, add 100, down 50, over.”

Whenever possible, the grid method of target location is preferred.

Third transmission

The third and final transmission of the CFF describes what is engaged, how it is engaged and when. This is where the most information can be delivered at once, so overload on either side of the transaction is most likely to happen here. Speak slowly, clearly, and follow the format of the CFF to set and fulfil correct expectations.

Also, try to include only what is strictly necessary for your CFF to achieve good effect. If you don’t need a target shape, leave it out. If you don’t need the time of flight or durations, don’t request them.

• (4) target description: “three infantry squads in the open, radius 100 …”

The target description as the only required element in the third transmission is chiefly present for the FSC to decide on ammunition and volume based on known factors. Infantry dug-in can be engaged differently to vehicles in the open, for example, and larger target areas require more volume to achieve sufficient effect.

• (5) method of engagement: “smoke in adjust, 5 smoke followed by 10 HE in effect, danger close …”

The method of engagement describes how the FO wants to engage the target, if not left to the FSC. This is also where the prowords DANGER CLOSE are stated, because it informs the FSC to double-check their solution, such as by cross-referencing friendly positions and movements.

• (6) method of control: “request time of flight, request splash, at my command, over.”

The method of control is defined by the observer to optimise the flow of the mission. When timing is important, the FO can request a control scheme to best suit their needs to ensure timely effect and good observation of the impacts.

The observer’s primary goal is to achieve first-round fire for effect. Especially with modern tools, this is a viable strategy, but can be achieved in myriad ways. Sometimes, environmental factors cause the impacts to miss, the FSC’s solution is wrong, or your target location is off. Knowing the distance to target is crucial in any case. 

In the absence of laser rangefinders and GPS precision tools, you can still correct range for adjustments using successive bracketing.

With bracketing, you are mathematically guaranteed to be on target upon conclusion. In fact, you can do this using only your eyeballs - no tools (or maths) required. However, it is time-consuming.

Setup

Ensure clear sightlines to your target such that you can see beyond and ahead of it.

Determine the target location as best you can using your preferred means and tools available. All methods of target location are valid for bracketing.

Begin a CFF using the ADJUST FIRE mission.

If DANGER CLOSE or to avoid collateral damage, request SMOKE IN ADJUST, HE IN EFFECT.

Include all necessary methods of control in your CFF such that you can observe the impacts: SPLASH is required.

Principle and Goal

The bracketing method works on geometric convergence: but don’t worry, you are involved in no maths.

When we first observe an impact, whether it is short of the target or behind it, we establish an initial bracket based on the observer-target distance, e.g., 400 metres when the OT distance is greater than 2000 metres.

This means: if the impact was behind it, we DROP 400. If it was in front of it, we ADD 400.

Our goal is to “break the 100-metre bracket” by overcorrecting to the other side of the target. We do this by continuously halving the correction with every subsequent adjustment and alternating ADD/DROP: when you first ADD, next you DROP, and vice versa.

This will alternate the impacts in front and behind the target.

Next, we ADD/DROP 200. Once again, it overcorrects, so if we were in front before, now we are behind and vice versa.

Now we DROP/ADD 100.

Breaking the 100-metre bracket

With this last adjustment, we have “broken” the 100-metre bracket and you will already observe impacts close to target.

The final adjustment from here is, “ADD/DROP 50, FIRE FOR EFFECT, over.”

Because we always halved the distance, we were mathematically guaranteed to converge on 0 error eventually. Whether we begin with 200, 400, 800 or 1600 metres does not matter – the bigger the bracket, the longer it takes, but it will always converge as long as we only ever halve the prior adjustment.

If you guess at any point, your error compounds with subsequent adjustments. In fact, the amount you guess is exactly the amount you move the final impact point forward or back from the target when you’ve finished halving.

Adjust lateral deviation

In principle, you can adjust for lateral deviation, i.e., LEFT or RIGHT, with the same method.

You can also “wait” with your lateral adjustments until you are nearly range-correct, only making gross deviation adjustments along the way.

At this point, you can use binoculars or compass to see the deviation in milliradians and convert it into metres, knowing the distance to your target, using the mil-relation formula.

Begin a CFF with the first transmission including the warning order, WARNO, in the following format:

[callsign of mortar/artillery battery], [callsign of FO], [type of mission], [method of target location, skipped if the method is GRID], over

The type of mission and method of location to choose from are:

As a second transmission, transmit the target location in on of the following formats, depending on the choice made when transmitting FM/BS-722 - Transmit a CFF warning order:

Start a third transmission and transmit the target description in the following format: 

[target type and number], 

[target protection], 

([target shape if not a point target])

Start a third transmission and transmit the method of engagement in the following format: 

([round choice + volume] in adjust), 

[round choice + volume] in effect, 

(danger close), 

([trajectory])

The format for the round choice + volume is:

([ammunition type of the round]) 

([number of rounds per gun] rounds), 

(followed by [round choice + volume])

Continue the third transmission and transmit the method of control in the following format: 

([time to fire]),

(continuous),

(duration, [duration in minutes]),

 ([rate of fire]),

(cannot observe),

(request time of flight),

(request splash)

Read back every transmission of the CFF verbatim after each individual transmission, replacing “over” with “out”

The MTO is the battery's confirmation of the FO’s CFF with their decisions: whether or not the target will be engaged at all, the final volume of fire and type of ammo used including all changes to the FO’s requests, the time of flight if requested, and crucially the target identification number.

The MTO is transmitted to the FO ahead of all shots. For expedience again, it is kept brief.

The first shot can ring out as soon as the FO has read back the MTO.

Suppression and immediate suppression missions do not require an MTO, because those missions are planned in advance.

Transmit the message to observer after finalizing how the request will be executed: 

([changes to the request]) 

[target number], 

over

The target number is decided by the battery director, in the following format: “[2 letters from AA → ZZ] [four numbers from 0001 → 9999]”

• Note down the target number assigned by the artillery battery
• Respond with the following, including an optional POSREP when needed:

[verbatim readback of MTO] 

(

break, 

[

[POSREP of the FO as 8-figure grid, for GRID/POLAR/ SHIFT FROM KNOWN POINT mission]

or

[direction from the FO to the target in milliradians, only for GRID missions]

]

),

out

Update observer on fire mission progress.

Confirm receipt of fire mission reports as they are sent:

• microDAGR settings
  • Click the top bar containing the current time
  • Click “Connect To”
• Main screen:
  • Upper half: your position
  • Lower half: sighted position
• Compass screen:
  • Bearing indicator of sighted target
• Target sighting:
  • Vector 21: scope in
  • Press Tab + R
  • Left: azimuth, right: slant range

See https://ace3.acemod.org/wiki/feature/microdagr for all MicroDAGR functionality

• Change settings from deg & SI to mrad & SI
  • 5x Tab for settings
  • R to cycle units: left: 6400, right: SI-U
  • 5x Tab to save
• Fall of shot function:
  • Short-press then press and hold Tab on target
  • Keep holding Tab until the end
  • Hit R on spotted impact, 1-P appears
  • Release Tab
  • Hit R with adjustments visible to cycle range/deviation and vertical shift
• A for Add, d for drop (note uppercase vs. lowercase)
• L for Left, r for right (ditto)
• Read from left to right for immediately transmittable one-round adjustment

See https://ace3.acemod.org/wiki/feature/vector for all Vector 21 functionality

Above: Vector 21 fall-of-shot function usage

Refine a fire mission based on spotted impacts in the following format:

[target number], 

(

(direction [direction from the FO to the target, in milliradians]), 

left/right [offset perpendicular to FO-target line, from the impact point to the target, in meters], 

add/drop [offset parallel to FO-target line, from the impact point to the target, in meters], 

(up/down [altitude change from the last provided value tto the target; altitude is measured above sea level]

), 

[type of mission],

over. 

Use the following prowords to control an ongoing CFF:

After judging the effect and further need of a fire mission, transmit an End of Mission, EOM, statement to conclude it, including any refinements as required, if recording as target is desired, and a summary of the effect from a BDA:

[target number], 

(

left/right [offset perpendicular to FO-target line, from the impact point to the target, in meters], 

add/drop [offset parallel to FO-target line, from the impact point to the target, in meters], 

(up/down [altitude change from the last provided value to the target; altitude is measured above sea level])

), 

(record as target), 

end of mission,

 [target BDA, see: FM/BS-799 - Provide a BDA], 

over.

Classify the effect of the used munitions on the target as one of the following categories:

Request a suppression fire mission in one transmission in contrast to the regular CFF procedure:

[callsign of mortar/artillery battery], [callsign of FO], [type of mission], [target location], over.

The correct readback of the transmission by the battery authorises the fire mission.

Clear communication between fire controllers and observers ensures accurate spotting and adjustment of rounds in flight. Standard cues provide consistent timing references for visual acquisition and correction:

These cues support accurate correction and enable timely battle damage assessment (BDA).

Fire support elements follow a three-tier hierarchy to enable scalable and organized delivery of indirect fire.

• Battery: Coordinates up to three Sections; highest level of fire support control.
• Section: Controls two to three Gun Teams; operates semi-independently within the Battery.
• Gun Team: Operates a single mortar or artillery piece; composed of a Gunner and Assistant.

This structure supports scaling from squad-level support to full Batteries. The highest level of commander present takes command, Battery -> Section -> Gunner.

Pre-planning fire missions during the mission design or briefing phase helps ensure that indirect fire support can be delivered rapidly and accurately once operations are underway. It also enhances coordination with manoeuvre elements by reducing the time needed to identify, communicate, and engage targets.

Common components of fire mission pre-planning include:

• Pre-Planned Targets (PPT): Plotting likely enemy positions, chokepoints, or objectives ahead of time allows for quicker engagement during execution. These targets should be labelled using standard MTO formats (see FM/BS-726) to streamline communication and avoid confusion.
• Target Reference Points (TRPs): TRPs serve as shared map references that observers and gun crews can use to orient fire missions. They are typically placed on prominent terrain features and labelled in accordance with FM/BS-802. This practice simplifies communication and improves accuracy, particularly for on-call missions.
• Fire Support Standards: Establishing default parameters for suppression, smoke, and general-purpose fire missions ensures consistency and saves time under pressure. These may include:
  • Rounds, volume, and rate for Immediate Suppression
  • Rounds, volume, and rate for Immediate Smoke
  • Preferred munition types and location methods FM/BS-804 - Set standard fire-support parameters
• Fire Mission Types:
  • Pre-Planned: Coordinated before the operation and often linked to a PPT or TRP. Enables faster delivery due to known parameters.
  • On-Call: Requested dynamically during the mission. Often relies on TRPs or observer data to establish target locations quickly.

Pre-planning these elements helps ensure fire support is available when and where it’s needed, without delaying the momentum of the operation.

Plot target reference points, TRP, on prominent map and terrain features for the purposes of shared known points.

Label TRPs in the format "TRP [group identifier] [number 01–10]", where the distinct group identifier broadly summarises an area of operations, phase, or cardinal direction relative to friendly positions or movements. 

Examples: “TRP N01” or “TRP SE03”.

Plot pre-planned targets, PPT, on likely targets to facilitate fast FM/BS-729 - Request IDF supression.

Label the PPTs with the same format as specified in FM/BS-726 - Transmit a message to observer (MTO).

Set the following parameters prior to mission start:

• Rounds used, volume and rate of fire for a IMMEDIATE SUPPRESSION mission
• Rounds used, volume and rate of fire for a IMMEDIATE SMOKE mission
• Rounds used, volume and rate of fire for a SUPPRESSION mission
• Preferred method used for target location

A callsign is the identifier that is used to address another unit over radio. Every unit down to the fireteam level has a unique callsign to identify it.

Some individuals also have their own callsigns. These are generally for people with leadership or specialised roles, like the platoon commander, platoon seargeant or forward air controller.

A callsign consists of a word with a series of numerals appended. 

Infantry elements

For infantry elements, the following structure is used.

[company identifier] [platoon identifier] [squad identifier] [fireteam identifier]

Vehicle elements

For vehicle elements, a slightly different structure is used. This is only for when a vehicle element is not integrated into another element. A vehicle company is never the same as a infantry company.

[company identifier] [platoon identifier] [vehicle identifier]

Air elements

Air elements follow a simple structure.

[flight identifier] [mission number] [vehicle identifier]

Personal callsigns are appended to the callsign of the element the individual is part of.

When needing to speak to the leader of an element specifically, and not anyone else on net who may take transmissions for the callsign (platoon sergeant/radio operators etc.), append ACTUAL after the element's callsign.

ACTUAL is never combined with a personal callsign as defined in FM/BP-1137 - Personal callsigns

To keep radio communications brief, shorten callsigns whenever possible, according to the following rules:

• Drop the common section of the callsign of all stations on the net (ALPHA 1-1 ←→ ALPHA 1-2 becomes (1 ←→ 2)
• Drop the numerals when only a single station of that callsign is on the net (ALPHA 1 ←→ BRAVO 1 becomes ALPHA ←→ BRAVO)

When addressing a specific person in the HQ element, use their personal callsign. The assignment of HQ personal callsigns works in reverse from the number 9, where 9 is the commander of that callsign. Typically, the second-in-command will be 8, forward air controllers, observers or medics can be 7, 6 and so on.

• The personal callsign will be displayed on the ORBAT.
• Personal callsigns are never transferred to another person, even when said person is incapacitated.

When adressing all callsigns on a network, use ALL STATIONS instead of listing all callsigns separately.

An ACE Report is a quick and standardised way for a subordinate element to communicate its logistical needs to a superior element. It helps leaders maintain a clear picture of what their units require to stay combat-ready.

• Ammo (A) – For primary and secondary weapons.
• Consumables (C) – Short-use or expendable items (e.g. grenades, flares, medical supplies).
• Equipment (E) – Larger or non-expendable items (e.g. vehicle track replacement, launchers, demo charges).

Note: All casualty reporting is now handled separately and does not appear in the ACE Report.

By collecting ACE Reports, leaders can consolidate requests and coordinate resupply more effectively. If many items are needed, a “full resupply” or logistics package (LOGPAK) can be requested in lieu of listing every item.

When subordinates and their leader are co-located and can speak face-to-face, they do an ACE Report vocally at the team level.

Requesting an ACE Report (Team-Level, Vocal)Team Leader says, for example:

Team Leader: “All right, I need an ACE Report. What do you need?”

Responding to an ACE Report (Team-Level, Vocal)

• Each person quickly checks ammo (A), consumables (C), and equipment (E).
• If they need something, they say exactly what that is. 
• If they don’t need anything, they can say “[NAME] ALL GREEN.”
• The leader combines these inputs for vocal or radio transmission to superior.

NAME 1: [NAME 1] ALL GREEN

NAME 2: [NAME 2] Low on STANAG

NAME 3: [NAME 3] ALL GREEN

NAME 4: [NAME 4] BLACK on AT

An ACE Report is a quick and standardised way for a subordinate element to communicate its logistical needs to a superior element. It helps leaders maintain a clear picture of what their units require to stay combat-ready.

• Ammo (A) – For primary and secondary weapons.
• Consumables (C) – Short-use or expendable items (e.g. grenades, flares, medical supplies).
• Equipment (E) – Larger or non-expendable items (e.g. vehicle track replacement, launchers, demo charges).

Note: All casualty reporting is now handled separately and does not appear in the ACE Report.

By collecting ACE Reports, leaders can consolidate requests and coordinate resupply more effectively. If many items are needed, a “full resupply” or logistics package (LOGPAK) can be requested in lieu of listing every item.

Giving an ACE report is simple - say what you need and omit anything unnecessary.

• If nothing is needed: Say “All Green.”
• If you have shortfalls: Say “Low on [item],”
• If you are completely out: Say “Black on [item].”
• If you have extensive requirements: Say “Request full resupply/LOGPAK”

Examples

• “Low on 5.56, need grenades.”
• “Black on AT, low on MG ammo”
• “All Green.”
• “Request full resupply.”

A situation report (SITREP) is a quick and standardised way for a unit to communicate its current status to another element. It gives the information needed to make informed decisions and adjust plans if necessary.

A SITREP informs higher command of:

• Position: Where you are
• Activity: What your unit is doing
• Threat: What the enemy is doing (level of contact or significant observations)
• Status: Whether you need any assistance and your effectiveness

1. POSITION - Where are you?
   • FM/BS-894 - Transmit a location during a CAS request
2. ACTIVITY - What are you doing?
   • Direction and speed of movement, if any
   • Any other relevant action your element is performing (rearming, providing overwatch,…)
3. THREAT - What is the enemy doing?
   • Size of the enemy
   • Pressure the enemy is excerting on your element
   • Any special threats (vehicles, heavy MG, sniper,…)
4. STATUS - What is your status?
   • Estimate of how long your element can sustain the current pressure excerted by the enemy
   • If your element is no longer able to sustain the pressure, declare “Combat ineffective”
   • If you need support (AT, medical, repair, rearm,…) state it clearly

DELTA 9: DELTA 3, THIS IS DELTA 9, SITREP.

DELTA 3: 9, this is 3, WAIT OUT.

(Delay while gathering info)

DELTA 3: 9, this is 3.

DELTA 9: 3, go for 9.

DELTA 3: SITREP:

• GRID 234-567
• Advancing toward Objective Bravo
• Taking intermittent sniper fire from the north
• Requesting mortar support to suppress sniper

Alternative Response under different conditions:

DELTA 3: SITREP: 

• Approximately 500 meters south of HILL 302
• Going firm around crashed friendly vehicle
• Enemy armour sighted east, possible flank
• Combat Ineffective; vehicle disabled. Urgent AT support required