SITUATION
You are the commander of a platoon that is part of Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/5. BLT 1/5 is the Ground Combat Element (GCE) of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). 31st MEU’s higher headquarters is Joint Task Force (JTF) Cortina. The JTF has been in the country of Cortina for two weeks performing peacekeeping/peacemaking missions in support of an international humanitarian relief effort. As a result of years of internal strife and factional fighting, Cortina has experienced a total breakdown of essential services such as medical treatment and food and water distribution. However, the presence of the JTF and the international humanitarian effort has restored some semblance of order. Cortina is about to conduct its first election for national, department, and city governments since the mid 1970s. Though the majority of the local populace is supportive of JTF Cortina’s mission, there are factions (to date mostly nonviolent) that have been very active in attempting to undermine this mission. Your platoon consists of 42 Marines (three 13-man squads) plus four Marine Scout/Snipers, two Marine Interrogator/Translators and two Navy Corpsmen.
SPECIAL SITUATION
The following Rules of Engagement (ROE) apply:
1. Necessary and proportional force is authorized to control disturbances and disperse crowds threatening essential civic order.
2. Civilians may be stopped if they appear to be a threat to U.S. forces, protected persons, key facilities, or property designated mission-essential. If determined to be a threat, they may be further detained; if not, they will be released.
3. Persons observed committing serious criminal acts will be detained using minimal force necessary up to and including deadly force. Serious criminal acts include homicide, aggravated assault, rape, arson and robbery. If you have exhausted all reasonable graduated response techniques and, in your opinion it appears that there will be a loss of human life, the use of deadly force may be used (as a last resort). Loss of life includes civilian on civilian violence.
4. Deadly force is not authorized to disarm Cortinians, enforce curfews, or stop looting, unless those individuals involved engage in hostile acts or demonstrate hostile intent. The looting or loss of non- sensitive equipment from U.S. sites or convoys are not grounds for the use of deadly force. Burglary and larceny are defined as looting, breaking and entering or stealing. These situations only warrant the use of non-lethal force "unless" the perpetrator is armed and displaying a hostile intent. In any situation, the existence of a perpetrator with a weapon displaying hostile intent is grounds for considering hostile intent. Hostile intent is defined as: pointing a weapon at an individual(s); holding hostages; discharging a weapon; striking an individual(s) with a weapon; and threatening to use the weapon or evidence of recent use of a weapon.
5. The medical ROE allow for U.S. forces to perform first aid for any individual (to prevent loss of life). However, civilian medical services must perform routine medical services for local nationals.
Your platoon has been ordered to provide security for a political rally site located on the soccer field (eastern side of town). The site is fenced off, there is one entrance and it is located directly adjacent to a townhouse (building number 22). The entrance can accommodate one-way thoroughfare for vehicles. Your orders state that the vehicle belonging to the registered candidate may enter. Your have the counterintelligence Black, Gray and White list. The candidate has his own security force. They appear to be professionally capable but seem on edge. The following sequence of events takes place:
1. An anti-candidate group forms at the entrance to the soccer field and attempts to deny access to rally members.
2. Your platoon is responsible for vehicle and media control. Weapons and contraband are found in the vehicle of the candidate’s immediate family.
3. As the candidate arrives, the jubilant crowd pushes down the fence line nearest the entrance in an attempt to get near the candidate.
4. BLT Headquarters reports that they have received a bomb threat. The caller relates that the bomb has already been planted on the rally site.
5. There is an explosion at the city hall building (number 12). Initial reports indicate damage is minimal and there are no casualties.
REQUIREMENTS
In a time limit of 20 minutes decide on how you would conduct this voting place security mission and relate the orders that you would issue to your platoon for each of the above events. Remember that these events occurred in sequence. Be prepared to provide an explanation of your plan and possible alternatives should the situation either escalate or deescalate with each event.
The MOUT Homepage Hot Links:
Designing TDGs: A Tactical Decision Game Workbook (Marine Corps University)
Peace Operations Training Vignettes With Possible Solutions (CALL)
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