UNCONVENTIONAL WARFARE
DIRECTION ACTION
RECONNAISSANCE
In accordance with the commanders training philosophy each member of the "X" series of "Project Manticore" will memorize the following acronyms and their meanings. These fundamental rules of combat planning and execution will be reinforced during each planning phase and enforced during the execution of all missions.
OCOKA - TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH METT-T
(a) Observation and fields of fire. The leader considers ground that allows him observation of the enemy throughout his area of operation. He considereds fields of fire in terms of the characteristics of the weapons available to him; for example, maximum effective range, the requirement for grazing fire, and the arming range and time of flight for anti-armor weapons.
(b) Cover and concealment. The leader looks for terrain that will protect him from direct and indirect fire (cover) and from aerial and ground observation (concealment).
(c) Obstacles. In the attack, the leader considers the effect of restrictive terrain on his ability to maneuver. In the... defense, he considers how he will tie in his obstacles to the terrain to disrupt, turn, fix or block an emeny force and protect his own forces from enemy assault.
(d) Key terrain. Key terrain is any locality or area whose seizure or retention affords a marked advantage to either combatant. The leader considers key terrain in his selection of objectives, support positions, and routes in the offense, and on the positioning of his unity in the defense.
(e) Avenues of approach. An avenue of approach is an air or ground route of an attacking force of a given size leading to its objective of key terrain in its path. In the offense, the leader identifies the avenue of approach that affords him the greatest protection and places him at the enemy's most vulnerable spot. In the defense, the leader positions his key weapons along the avenues of approach most likely to be used by the enemy.
METT-T - TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH OCOKA
(1) Mission. The leader considers his mission as given to him by his commander. He analyzes it in light of the commander's intent two command levels higher, and derives the essential tasks his unit must perform in order to accomplish the mission.
(2) Enemy. The leader considers the type, size, organization, tactics and equipment of the enemy he expects to encounter. He identifies their greatest threat to his mission and finds their greatest vulnerability.
(3) Terrain and Weather. The leader considers the effect of terrain and weather (visibility and trafficability) on enemy and friendly forces.
(4) Troops available. The leader considers the strength of subordinate unites, the characteristics of his weapon system, and the capabilities of attached elements as he assigns tasks to subordinate units.
(5) Time available. The leader refines his allocation of time based on the tentative plan and any changes to the situation.