Selling Engineer Capability to the Maneuver Commander

Authors: V P Baerman; ARMY ENGINEER SCHOOL FORT LEONARD WOOD MO

Abstract:

The maneuver commander on today s battlefield has a vast quantity of combat power at his call. In addition to the correct employment of his direct and indirect fire weaponry, he can effectively increase his combat power with a variety of combat multipliers, such as smoke and electronic warfare. One of the most useful combat multipliers is terrain reinforcement, done either by the maneuver unit alone or, most profitably, in conjunction with supporting engineers. However, its usefulness is directly proportional to the maneuver unit s ability to understand and apply terrain reinforcement measures. While it is incumbent on the maneuver commander to understand terrain reinforcement and its contribution to combat power, it is also the engineer s job to increase awareness of terrain reinforcement operations. Terrain reinforcement (TR) operations are simply those measures that degrade enemy mobility and improve friendly survivability. To be effective, those operations require a fully developed coordination/partnership role between engineer and maneuver unit. Obviously, the maneuver commander must perform terrain analysis to have a good knowledge of the ground on which he will be operating. There are a number of techniques which engineers can use to demonstrate the value of TR operations to maneuver commanders. This article examines those techniques from the viewpoint of a maneuver arms officer, with the goal of contributing to his awareness of TR operations.

Limitations:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE