Journal Clerk . Maintains the unit established practice.

Communications Chief

Supervises the actions of the communication personnel, such as radio and telephone operators (RTOs).

Ensures incoming and outgoing messages adhere to established routing procedure.

Verifies correct communication security measures are used by all assigned communi-cators.

Determines communication nets for all outgoing message traffic.

Requests technical assistance in case of equipment or net failure.

Informs the COC watch officer the status of all nets.

Maintains a log on radio nets, noting opening and closing times, frequency changes, traffic delays, or other pertinent incidents.

Communicators (Radio/ Telephone Operators [RTOs])

. Monitors and operates radios and switchboards as assigned.

l Familiar with authentication and encryption methods.

. Message drafting.

Messengers/ Security . Performs all duties as assigned. . Ensures all personnel entering the COC appear on the access list.

FSC Watch Officer Advises the battalion commander on all fire support matters.

Ensures fire support plans are carried out with the fire support means available.

Approves or denies all calls for fire missions.

Distributes target information through FSC channels to senior, subordinate, and adjacent units.

Maintains close communication with the battalion's Fire Direction Center (FDC) by monitoring the mortar platoon's call for fire net (COF).

Maintains a map of the area of operations (AO). Verifies all on call targets. Requests fire support from higher or adjacent units.

Plotters . Ensures the proper maintenance of section journals, situation charts, and maps Assists the section watch officer as required. 

NBC/ CBR Officer The NBC/ CBR officer plays a critical role in the early warning of a nuclear, biological, or chemical attack. The NBC/ CBR officer should hold the proper Naval Enlisted Classification Code (NEC) to fill this position proficiently. The NBC/ CBR officer's duties include the following:

Responsible for organizing, training, and supervising personnel assigned to the battalion's decontamination teams.

Monitors all incoming messages related to weather information.

Responsible for all outgoing and incoming NBC reports.

Establishes NBC fallout zones to provide early warning of an NBC attack.

Advises the section watch officer on the setting of mission-oriented protective posture levels (MOPP levels).

CHARTS AND MAPS The types of charts and maps required within the COC vary according to the mission and the battalion commander. All charts and maps must be visible to all personnel in the COC. Ensuring proper placement enables all personnel standing watch in the COC to monitor current situations and to respond to any incoming messages expediently. The maps and charts provide detailed operations and INTEL information. Also posted in the COC is a clipboard for an incoming/ outgoing message reading file.

The operation map shows the area of operation and should include the following:

Friendly troop positions including the battalion's fire plan

Current locations of command posts in the area of operation

Location and status of patrols Landing zone locations

NBC corridors/ fallouts The operation charts should show the following: Personnel strength POWs or EPWs

Report status Equipment status Call signs and requencies Convoy status Casualties wounded/ KIA Food/ water/ ammo status The INTEL map should show the following: Enemy troop disposition/ strength within the AO Enemy equipment/ weapons Weather and astronomical data NBC corridors/ fallouts The INTEL charts should show the following: l Current INTEL . Challenge and passwords . Current MOPP level

COMMUNICATION PLAN On a modern battlefield, the ability of a battalion commander to pass information between his or her troops and superiors is critical for the success of any mission. An uncomplicated, reliable, flexible, and responsive communication plan will enable the battalion commander to carry out his or her operational plans effectively. A well-thought-out communication plan is paramount to command and control. Communication is the instruments by which a battalion commander makes his or her orders known and, as such, is the voice of the command. Communication permits the battalion commander to exercise command and control of assigned forces, supporting fires, and combat service support over larger areas. Any transmission speaks only for and with the authority of the battalion commander who originates the transmission. A secondary purpose of communications is to simplify the transfer of information between individuals and groups of individuals that is necessary to the exercise of command and control.

Since the COC is the nerve center for the battalion and the terminating point for all tactical and nontactical radio nets, a well-thought-out communication plan must be established. Like everything else, the communication plan is based upon the mission. The communication officer is usually tasked with the development of the communication plan. He or she should include in the plan communication requirements for the COC, the setup of a remote antenna farm, and a communication network.

COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS Communication requirements within the COC may vary according to the mission but the communication equipment used to fulfill the requirements is the same. Communication equipment will include one radio per operating net and field telephones (TA-312/ PT) for S-3, S-2, and FSC. In general the requirements are as follows:

1. AN/ PRC-77 or AN/ PRC-119A: Radios used to communicate with the base facility commander, company command posts, convoys, forward observer, and other units located within the base facility.

2. TA-312/ PT (Field Phone): A direct phone line to the company command posts and the Fire Direction Center (FDC battalion mortars).

3. AN/ PRC-104: A high-frequency (GF) radio usually used to communicate with higher authority outside the base facility.

4. SB-22/ PT: A switchboard used to connect numerous TA-312s.

5. AN/ GRA-39: A remote unit that enables the operator to transmit and receive voice communication through a radio set from a distance of up to 2 miles. It is used to link radio communication from a remote antenna farm to the COC.

ANTENNA FARM The antenna farm or communication site is the primary location of various antennas and communication equipment needed to establish communication in the field. Special consideration is given for selecting a location for the antenna farm because all radio communication in the COC depends on it.

An important consideration in selecting your site is accessibility. Time should not be wasted by establishing accessibility. Whenever possible, a site should be located near good reads. This will minimize any difficulty in supplying the site with water, fuel, oil, food, and ammunition.

Avoid obstructions like steel bridges, underpasses, power lines, or power units that can cause a weak or distorted signal coming from your communication equipment. Better results are obtained when the antennas are high and clear of hills, cliffs, buildings, densely wooded areas, and other obstructions.

Other factors that must be considered are physical security and a location where terrain will not interfere with transmissions. A relatively flat hilltop is usually the most desirable site location.