WE RECOMMEND
Army Press Primer on Urban Operations
Today , just over one-half of the world ’ s population lives in urban areas . That percentage is expected to increase to 66 percent by 2050 . In 1990 , there were ten “ megacities ” of more than ten million inhabitants . By 2014 , it rose to twenty-eight . And , by 2040 , that number is expected to increase to forty-one .
With this ongoing and dramatic urbanization of the world ’ s population , the U . S . Army is highly likely to find itself continuing to operate in cities . It is imperative that we study and understand the dynamics of operating in urban terrain . We must take the time now to analyze and test the lessons learned from different urban operations to ensure our soldiers and leaders are prepared for the future .
As a starting point , Army Press has compiled a selection of articles from Military Review , publications from the Combat Studies Institute , monographs from students at the Command and General Staff College , and other publications . This primer on urban operations should not be viewed as the textbook on the subject , but rather as a starting point for renewed study and conversation .
Access the Army Press Primer on Urban Operations by visiting http :// armypress . dodlive . mil / primer-on-urban-operations /
Additional resources are available on the U . S . Army Combined Arms Center website : http :// usacac . army . mil / taxonomy / term / 32
Of note , this success was achieved with only a small portion of the staff completing the digital gunnery tables . Only sixty soldiers from all warfighting functions were able to complete tables I – X , but their ability to shape the success of the division was remarkable . Future iterations of digital gunnery will be conducted with much greater participation , resulting in an even larger increase in digital proficiency . As MCDMGs and their crews continue to build proficiency , there will be less reliance on field-service representatives for each of the MCISs .
Before the final after-action review , the division commander noted that until then , he had not been a part of a unit that so effectively overcame fighting itself during a WFX but instead focused its efforts on killing the enemy . Well-practiced internal processes , KM , and the efficient use of digital systems enabled this success . From the sustainment cell creating effective movement synchronization boards that streamlined the uncoiling of the division , to the future operations and current operations sections quickly implementing a conditions-based branch plan and mission order to enable the commander to seize the initiative , digital systems operators fully empowered 1ID ’ s leadership .
The digital gunnery tables developed in partnership with the MCCoE and 1ID are extremely useful , especially when integrated into training at all levels .
Notes
1 . Army Doctrine Publication 6-0 , Mission Command ( Washington , DC : U . S . Government Publishing Office , 17 May 2012 ), 11 – 12 .
2 . 1st Infantry Division ’ s Nonsecure Internet Protocol Router ( NIPR ) Command Post of the Future ( CPOF ) concept of operation , dated 24 February 2014 , with all supporting and background documentation found on the Intelink website , https :// go . intelink . gov / t2Mblqk ( CAC required ).
3 . Department of the Army , Headquarters , U . S . Army Forces Command ( FORSCOM ), Memorandum for Commanders , Major Subordinate Commands / Units Reporting Directly to FORSCOM , Army National Guard Bureau , Office , Chief Army Reserve and Army Service Component Commands , “ FORSCOM Command Training Guidance ( CTG )— Fiscal Year 2016 ,” 19 October 2015 , accessed 5 May 2016 , https :// fce . forscom . army . mil / FC-DocMgmt / SiteAssets / Default . aspx ( login required ).
4 . Patrick Crosby , “ Mission Command Center of Excellence , Directorate of Training and Strategy ” ( Leader development presentation to the staff of the 1st Infantry Division , Fort Riley , Kansas , 14 December 2015 ).
90 January-February 2017
MILITARY REVIEW