OBSERVATION.- Staffs must collect and organize information to provide the commander with necessary details he needs to analyze the situation. DISCUSSION: Once the mission is received, the staff collects and organizes information and provides it to the commander to assist him in his Mission, Enemy, Troops, Terrain, and Time (METT-T) analysis. Although most staffs provide the commander with information, they do not organize the key pieces of information to give it quickly to the commander. To provide the commander with information prior to mission analysis, the staff must give him a quick situation update. Frequently the situation update consists of changes from an earlier update, since new missions are branches or sequels of previous missions. In this case the staff provides information that has changed and is likely to affect mission accomplishment. The situation update ensures that the commander and staff are aware of current friendly and enemy activity, and the current and future available assets (units, equipment, supplies and time) to identify constraints. The commander and staff develop the format for their situation update through training and incorporate it into the unit's tactical Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs). The situation update serves as a checklist to ensure that the staff does not forget an item of information.  LESSONS: Commander and staff: Determine the necessary information required to complete the commander's METT-T analysis. Commander and staff: Develop a situation update format for all staff officers. Back to Table of Contents -- Battalion and Brigade Battle Staff Back to CALL List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2004 by Coalition Web. Inc. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com