supporting elements visit the COC. These include the
Preparing and submitting operational reports to
following:
higher headquarters
At least two dismount and two entry points are
Providing dedicated communication channels
for tactical and operational reporting
used to reduce traffic concentrations.
Transmitting orders and tactical decisions of the
Passenger dismount points are concealed from
battalion commander to companies subordinate
direct observation.
elements, and higher headquarter as required
Vehicles are parked and camouflaged in one or
Monitoring the progress of the battalion's
more parking areas within the local security
tactical operations and expeditiously reporting
perimeter of the COC.
significant events or incidents to the S-3 or the
Construction of new roads into or by the COC is
commander
normally prohibited. To lessen the chance of
Advising the fire support coordination center
detection by the enemy, you can use existing
(FSCC) and interested staff sections of events or
roads.
infomation of immediate concern to them
Vehicles entering or departing the area of the
Serving as the principal point of contact for
COC are required to use exits that are concealed
liaison personnel from subordinate, supporting,
by are cover or camouflage.
or adjacent tactical elements
The COC controls the battalion's tactical nets
COMMUNICATIONS
established by higher headquarters. A COC normally
Superior communication is critical to COC
has direct sole-user telephone circuits (hot lines) to
operations. The location of the COC is one of the
major subordinate tactical units and to the COC of
factors that determines the communication assets
higher headquarters. Besides voice radio nets and
required when establishing a communication plan.
telephones, the battalion's COC normally maintains
Also affected by the location of the COC is the
direct teletype links with major subordinate elements
location of the "Antenna Farm" discussed later in this
and with the COC of higher headquarters.
chapter.
The operations officer (S-3) exercises staff
supervision over the COC in coordination with the
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
training (S-7) and intelligence officer (S-2).
To protect the COC from a direct attack or enemy
infiltration, you must consider vital defense and
LOCATION OF THE COMBAT
security measures, such as the following:
OPERATIONS CENTER (COC)
1. Security force: A well-trained and organized
When establishing a COC, you should give special
security force assigned to the COC.
consideration to location. The location of the COC
2. Terrain that enhances security: An area of
must be hard to detect by enemy forces, easy to defend,
irregular, well-forested ground hampers aerial
and be established in a centralized location that is
observation and, if it includes high brush and low trees
easily accessible to battalion personnel. Other factors
as well, it makes enemy ground observation more
to consider are centralized communications and
difficult. Full use is made of natural cover,
vehicle traffic.
concealment, and supplementary camouflage
Centralized Communications
measures. Individual camouflage discipline is rigidly
enforced.
The main COC is centrally located to each
company's command post to ensure positive control
3. Location: Located near a unit that can assist in
by the battalion commander.
furnishing security.
Vehicle Traffic
4. Entanglements:
Barbed and tactical wire
entanglements.
As previously stated, the COC is the principal
5. Night noise and light discipline: Ensure the
p o i n t of contact for liaison personnel from
generator supplying power to the COC is located a good
subordinate, supporting, or adjacent tactical elements.
distance from the COC and is sandbagged to muffle the
Strict traffic control measures are essential when these
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