MAGAZINE
The ROC Drill :
FALL 2020
A Crucial
Mission
Command
Tool
By US Army Sergeant First Class Thomas LEOPARD and Lieutenant Colonel Andrew GAMBLIN , LANDCOM G2
late February 2020 , LANDCOM conducted the first large
IN scale Rehearsal of Concept ( ROC ) drill since late 2017 when they rehearsed potential actions related to the implementation of enhanced Forward Presence ( eFP ) in the Baltic Sea Region . The February ROC drill brought together leaders from LANDCOM and the subordinate Corps designated to fight together in an Article 5 driven Major Joint Operation + ( MJO +) scenario during Exercise TRIDENT JUPITER 19-02 . Over 150 personnel from LANDCOM , Allied Rapid Reaction Corps ( ARRC ), NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Italy ( NRDC-ITA ), Eurocorps , and Multi National Corps Northeast ( MNC-NE ) participated in three separate events over the span of two days , which allowed all those involved to gain a better understanding of how the entire force would execute potential military operations .
What is a rehearsal ? A rehearsal is “ a session in which a staff or unit practices expected actions to improve performance during execution .” Rehearsals enable units to visualize critical actions or functions prior to an operation . As leaders step through the entire fight or select critical actions , Commanders are able to clarify intent and confirm that efforts are sufficiently synchronized . Rehearsals can take many forms depending on the time and resources available , but a full ROC drill with a large enough terrain model or map for leaders to immerse themselves in the environment provides the Commander an in person platform to convey intent and guidance directly to subordinates . This kind of rehearsal best enables the participants to visualize the terrain , enemy , and friendly units arranged by military action in time , space , and purpose , but other methods such a virtual ROC Drill by video teleconference or collaboration tool may be sufficient in a time constrained environment .
The rehearsal is a coordination event , not an update to the Mission Analysis brief nor a wargaming session . Commanders wargame during the operational or tactical planning process to evaluate potential course of action , while the rehearsal is meant to practice the selected course of action against a defined adversarial environment . While there is room for minor adjustment or amendment of the plan , and units can also rehearse branches or sequels if time permits , the goal remains to synchronize final details . Rehearsals are a stage managed walk through of the plan ; the intent is not to identify new factors nor rethink the plan or argue about the assessed adversary actions . It is key to allocate enough time to conduct each rehearsal by developing and sticking to a regimented outline . The time required will vary depending on the complexity of the mission as well as the type , technique , and level of participation in each rehearsal . Units conduct rehearsals
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