OPERATION OF THE COMPANY COMMAND POST A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) instruction for the company CP should be prepared. All key personnel involved with the operations of the company CP should participate in the preparation of the SOP. Special consideration must be given to message-handling procedures and situation boards.

The following paragraphs contain a typical SOP for the company CP. The one you may be tasked to design may be different but should contain the same basic topics.

SOP FOR INCOMING MESSAGES All incoming radio traffic should be written down on authorized message pads that allow the preparation of an original plus two copies.

NOTE: A guideline for handling messages is in chapter 1.

The communicator passes an incoming message to the watch petty officer who checks the message for format, spelling, and legibility. After checking the message, the watch petty officer should pass the message with all copies to the watch chief who will decide the appropriate action to take. The original plus one copy is then filed and one copy is placed on the reading board.

Incoming messages received by the runner or by the field telephone are handled in the same manner as incoming radio messages. When the watch petty officer is preoccupied with other events, messages should be routed directly to the watch chief.

SOP FOR OUTGOING MESSAGES The watch petty officer prepares one original and two copies of all outgoing messages. All copies are passed to the watch chief. The watch chief reviews the message, signs the releasing block, files one copy, and forwards two copies to the communicator. The communicator logs one copy and transmits the message. After transmission, the communicator returns the original copy, with the time of transmission shown, back to the watch petty officer. The watch chief receives the original with the time of transmission noted. The original is placed on the outgoing reading board.

NOTE: When the watch petty officer is preoccupied, the watch chief prepares outgoing messages.

REPORTING PROCEDURES Reporting procedures must be established for the company CP to be effective. The use of standardized reports speeds information flow and simplifies support requests. Proper communication procedures, including encryption of sensitive information, must be followed in submitting all reports. Every person in the company must know the proper reporting procedures. Information from the lines must get relayed back to the company CP in an accurate and timely fashion. Formats for reports may vary from unit to unit. The two most commons are the SALUTE and SPOT reports.

The platoon commander receives information from the lines by landline or radio. The primary means of communication between the platoon commander and squad leaders are wire. Messengers, visual signals, personal contact, or whistles may be used when they are more appropriate than phones and radios.

As previously mentioned, the location of field phones on the lines is dictated by the assets available, the terrain, and the size of the area of responsibility assigned to the company. The platoon commander must be able to relay information quickly and accurately. The platoon commander must also have complete command and control of the squads and crew-served weapons assigned to the platoon.

The ideal situation is for the platoon commander to have a TA-312/ PT (field phone) at each squad leader's fighting position or crew-served weapon position. The field phones will tie into a switchboard (SB-22/ PT) located in the platoon commander's Activity, Location, Unit, Time, Equipment). The fighting position. The platoon commander will be tied company CP relays the information to the COC with into the company CP. Figure 2-3 shows an ideal radio a SALUTE report. network. A SPOT report is a hastily modified SALUTE

The platoon commander relays the information to report containing less detail. An example of the the company CP, using the acronym SALUTE (Size, difference between the two reports is when the

Figure 2-3.- Various platoon and radio net illustration. company is engaged in a fire fight on the lines. The platoon commander must concentrate on the fire fight and has little time to send a formal SALUTE report to the company CP. Several SPOT reports are used to maintain communication with the company CP. The company CP is also busy concentrating on the fire fight and will relay several SPOT reports to the COC. When the fire fight is over, the company CP will send the COC a formal SALUTE report based from the SPOT reports.

A SALUTE report is used when the observed activities of the enemy do not pose a threat to the company. This gives the platoon commander and the company CP time to evaluate the situation and to send the COC a formal SALUTE report.

The important thing is to keep the COC informed of everything and maintain the top priority of defending the company's area of responsibility. 

What may not seem like vital information to you may be vital information to someone else. When in doubt send a SPOT or SALUTE report.

AREA MAPS AND CHARTS The watch petty officer is primarily responsible for maintaining the situation map and other tactical information aids; however, this task is usually shared with the watch chief. The watch chief ensures that any information requiring the updates of maps or charts is quickly carried out.

SUMMARY As you can see from this chapter, the company CP plays a vital role in relation to the COC and the overall defense plans of the battalion. The organization of the company CP is similar to the COC but on a smaller scale. The primary difference is the communication from the defensive lines or the FEBA to the company CP. Emphasis is placed on defending the company's area of responsibility while keeping the COC informed. A SPOT report is a rapid way to inform the

COC of vital information and should be followed up with a SALUTE report. The COC depends on the company CP for accurate and concise information. Strong coordination between the COC and the company CP can ensure a victorious outcome for any combat mission assigned to a Seabee organization.