This monograph examines the problem of battle tracking within the battalion command post. Effective battle tracking enables the battle staff to appraise the current battlefield and forecast the future battlefield for the command. Battle tracking is achieved by the integration of the staff through teamwork and an interactive flow of information within the command post. Effective battle tracking creates greater mutual situational awareness for the commander and staff and thus reduces the amount of uncertainty when making decisions in the execution of tactical operations. The commander can then focus combat power effectively to accomplish assigned missions. Staff integration offers a solution to the problem of inefficient battle tracking. Through the propagation of staff integration over time, a staff will develop cohesion, an interactive flow of information and the capability of sharing images of the battlefield. These capabilities enable the battle staff to attain mutual situational awareness of the battlefield and the ability to track the execution of tactical operations effectively. Thus, by achieving integration the battle staff is able to achieve unity of action and reduce uncertainty for the commander during the execution of tactical operations.

ADA 310802 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)