Observation Post

OBSERVATION POST
Observation posts are positions where soldiers watch and listen for enemy activity in an
assigned area. OPs provide security and intelligence for the platoon. Platoons establish
and maintain OPs as the company commander directs (normally one per platoon).
Considerations. When planning an OP, the platoon leader must consider the following:
a. Siting. Normally the platoon leader identifies the general location and the squad
leader selects the actual site for the OP.
1) OPs must be sited to allow observation of the designated area.

2) OPs should also be sited to take advantage of natural cover and concealment to
provide protection for the soldiers manning it.
3) OPs should be located within small-arms range of the platoon positions.
b. Observation. When he identifies the general location for the OP, the platoon leader
must also indicate the area to be observed and any specific instructions covering what
soldiers are to look for or at especially alert to. The area observed may be a sector, one
or more avenues of approach (normally one per OP), a named area of interest (NAI), or
a target reference point (TRP). OPs should also require minimal repositioning for limited
visibility.
c. Cover and Concealment. Sometimes the requirement for fields of observation may
make it difficult to achieve cover and concealment. Some techniques include –
1) Avoid obvious terrain such as hilltops.

2) Avoid easily identifiable terrain features such as water towers, church steeples, tallest
buildings, lone buildings or trees, or isolated groves.
3) Avoid routes or positions that skyline soldiers.
4) Select a covered and concealed route to and from the
OP.
d. Communications. Soldiers must be able to report what they see and hear. Radio is
the primary means of communications between the OP and the platoon. An additional
soldier may be added as a messenger if no other means of communication is available.
The SOP should specify how often OPs make routine communication checks.
e. Manning. At least two soldiers must man each OP. A team may man the OP if it will
remain in place or not be relieved for long periods. All soldiers prepare fighting positions
at the OP for protection and concealment.
Additionally, each soldier must have a prepared position to return to in the platoon
position.
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f. Additional Instructions. In addition to the intelligence and security reporting
requirements, the squad leader also briefs the soldiers manning the OP on the
challenge and password, the running password, when to engage and when not to
engage the enemy, conditions when the OP can withdraw, when to expect relief, and
contingency plans for loss of communications.
g. Equipment. Special equipment for the OP includes binoculars, maps, compass, night
vision devices, alert devices, radio, paper and pencil, and watch.
Actions at the Observation Post. Once the squad leader has positioned and briefed
the soldiers at the OP site, one soldier always observes and records while the
remainder perform(s) the actions listed below:
a. Establish security. Install alert or noise-making devices.

b. Prepare positions to include range cards. Record data for use in requesting and
adjusting fire, for example, azimuths and ranges to TRPs.
c. Make communication checks or report as required.
d. Rotate duty (as observer) every 20 to 30 minutes. An observer's efficiency quickly
decreases after that time.
e. Brief relieving soldiers on any formation or special instructions before departing the
OP. The frequency of relief for OPs depends on the physical condition of the soldiers,
weather conditions, morale, the number of soldiers available for relief, and the
requirements of the next operation. As a guide, OPs should be relieved every two to
four hours.
f. Withdraw as directed or to avoid capture. Soldiers manning the
OP advice the platoon leader that they are returning and request support (direct or
indirect) if needed. Leaders must alert all soldiers in the platoon when relief moves to or
from the OP, and when it withdraws.
Squad-Sized Observation Post. A squad may occupy one OP to add security and
combat power when the platoon has a mission to screen the flank of a larger force or to
secure a large area. The squad-sized OP allows the platoon to observe from OPs and
to conduct patrols between them.
Leaders use the same considerations listed above in planning and siting squad-sized
OPs. The squad leader spreads his soldiers out in two or three soldier positions or by
buddy. Each position acts as an OP to observe an assigned sector.
Visual Terrain Search. A visual terrain search involves the two steps discussed below.
Observation posts report all information quickly, accurately, and completely. They make
sure that the report answers the questions WHO, WHAT, WHERE, and WHEN. It is
best to use the SALUTE format when reporting information.
a. Step 1. The observer makes an overall search of the entire area for obvious targets,
unnatural colors, outlines, or movement. To do this quickly, he raises his eyes from just
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in front of his position to the greater range he wants to observe. If the sector is wide, he
observes it in sections. (Figure 6.22)
b. Step 2. He observes overlapping 50-meter wide strips, alternating from left to right
and right to left until he has observed the entire area (Figure 6.23). When he sees a
suspicious spot, he searches it well.

Observation Post

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OBSERVATION POST

1) OPs must be sited to allow observation of the designated area.

1) Avoid obvious terrain such as hilltops.

a. Establish security. Install alert or noise-making devices.

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