Subject 1 (Team Leader)

Outline

This document is a comprehensive overview of the subject matter of Subject 1 training, covering the theory and practice of team leadership - both at a fire team level as well as section command. Starting with the theory of the team leader's role in a functional infantry detachment, proceeding to cover practical advanced radio configuration and basic formal RATEL, how to receive and give orders, practical tips to guide the team leader's decision-making process, explanation of some basic tactics (including vehicle usage, especially in a convoy), and finishing by establishing some basic Tactical Exercises Without Troops (TEWTs).

This document is not a replacement for participating in a Subject 1 training course, but can be considered supplemental material, as much of the value of Subject 1 training comes from interactive exercises and the ability of instructors to tailor the course to suit the candidates and answer any questions they might have.

Note also that under no circumstances will this course make you a good leader - it simply contains the knowledge required to fill the role. Effective application of these skills cannot be taught, it can only be developed through practice.

Responsibilities and Expectations

Directing soldiers

A leader's job within a detachment is to provide direction, typically to a fire team of four soldiers or a section of two fire teams. A leader's ability to direct their soldiers effectively can be the deciding factor in whether or not their detachment can complete its objectives effectively. Leaders are ultimately responsible for all of the soldiers under their command - not only ensuring their safety as practically as possible, but also ensuring their effectiveness in a firefight or whatever tasking might be at hand.

Information flow

A leader is a critical piece of the organizational backbone of a detachment. They are responsible for information flow, both up and down the chain of command. Leaders must be able to gather information from the front line, or from their subordinates, and pass up information relevant to higher levels of command. Leaders must also gather information from their commander and their fellow leaders as applicable, ensuring that soldiers under their command are aware of everything that could help them carry out their tasking moment-to-moment.

Soft skills

In summary, leadership involves processing, filtering, and acting on a large variety of information coming from all directions, and effectively communicating that information to the people who need it. This role benefits most from strong tactical analysis skills, quick decision-making, confident dissemination of orders, and constant awareness of the unfolding situation.

To ensure you can properly lead your fire team or section, you will need to ensure that you know and understand all of the following information presented within this course.

Radios and Communication

Team leaders are expected to listen and be able to transmit on two radio frequencies - their section's net, as well as the platoon net. It is strongly recommended that these frequencies are set to different ears. While section commanders will be communicating on both frequently, fire team leaders will only be transmitting on section net unless the section commander is incapacitated.

Configuring TFAR

Setting up a primary and alternate frequency is a fairly straightforward process. TFAR radios have a number switchable channels, with each channel able to be set to a single frequency. One channel is always selected, and transmitting on the selected channel is done with the Caps Lock key by default. A second channel can be set as a sticky "additional" channel, and transmitting on the additional is done with the T key by default.

The following process outlines how to configure your section net on your left ear as primary on channel 1, and platoon net on your right ear as additional on channel 2.

1. Open your radio configuration with Ctrl+P 
   
   
2. Press Numpad 1 to set the radio to channel 1
3. Select the frequency on the display of the radio and enter your section freq (e.g. 41.1 for Alpha)
4. Click the ENT key on the radio button pad to set the channel frequency
5. Press Ctrl+Left Arrow to set channel 1 stereo mode to left ear
   
   
6. Press Numpad 2 to set the radio to channel 2
7. Select the frequency on the display of the radio and enter your platoon freq (e.g. 41 flat)
8. Click the ENT key on the radio button pad to set the channel frequency
9. Press Ctrl+Right Arrow to set channel 2 stereo mode to right ear

Once configured, be sure to do radio checks on both nets (e.g. press Caps Lock and transmit "radio check, 41.1", wait for response e.g. "loud and clear", repeat for platoon net).

Semi-Formal RATEL

When transmitting on platoon net, it is critical that the basics of formal RATEL are observed. A detailed explanation of formal RATEL in CJTF can be found in the SOP document, Formal Radio Telecommunications (RATEL). When you broadcast on platoon net, you are transmitting to other leaders who are likely to be exceptionally busy, on a frequency that frequently bears incredibly important or time-sensitive information between elements.

Therefore, without exception, you must always do the following:

Start every transmission by declaring recipient, then sender

The first words out of your mouth when transmitting on platoon net should be the call sign of the element you're sending the message to. Immediately after you should declare your own call sign. Almost every single transmission should contain this information, regardless of whether you're in the middle of a conversation, so that other listeners can identify which callsigns are conversing at any point.

For example: "Sunray, this is Alpha, we're assaulting the red zone now."

This can sometimes be dropped for very quick or urgent responses in the middle of a conversation.

Start every conversation by waving the recipient

Your first transmission should declare the recipient, then sender, then nature of message, and then end.

You cannot guarantee that the recipient is available to converse over platoon net. This is especially true of platoon command, who will almost never not be in the middle of some conversation on one of their own radio channels, or in person. It is critically important that you wave the recipient first, allowing them time to finish what they're doing and respond, or advise you to wait if they are busy.

Including the nature of your message helps the recipient decide whether to make you wait while they finish up other tasks. For example: "Sunray, Alpha, urgent request for fire support!" will probably see Sunray drop what they're doing and ask you for details, wheras "Sunray, this is Alpha, ready to send SITREP," might see Sunray respond with "Alpha, Sunray, wait one, out," indicating they will hail you back later to take that SITREP.

If you wave your recipient and do not receive a reply, it is customary to wait for around ten seconds and wave them again. If you wave an element three times and hear no response, it is customary to address the recipient, advising "nothing heard, out". From there you might make your own decisions about what to do with that fact - if Sunray doesn't respond, for example, even to tell you to wait out, it might be time to take initiative and ensure Sunray hasn't been overrun and incapacitated.

Be concise, consistent, and use the correct channel

As stated above, platoon net frequently bears incredibly important or time-sensitive information between command and section elements. That means it is important that your transmissions are brief, but comprehensive. Waste as little time as possible when transmitting information. Airtime on platoon net can become exceedingly precious during periods of intense fighting, and delays can cause casualties. Think about what you need to convey before you key your radio.

Keep in mind, too, that it is incredibly easy to accidentally transmit on the wrong channel; not only is it not uncommon for new leaders to simply key the wrong channel, but fresh and veteran leaders alike run into issues when transmitting on one net before immediately transmitting on the other. Transmit channels can sometimes get "sticky", and you might find yourself accidentally issuing orders to your section over the platoon net (frequently met with a chorus of "Check net!").

With that in mind, and especially when switching transmit from one net to another, remember to wait a second or two before keying the radio again.