Common Operational Picture BCSIC Overview: BCSI should be knowledgeable enough to know the capability of each Army Battle Command System, but is not expected to be a Subject Matter Expert. The COP is defined as the information required to arm the commander with the tactical knowledge to make informed decisions.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Action: Define the Common Operating Picture (COP). Condition: Given a classroom environment with operational Command Post of the Future (CPoF) System, working Mission Command Systems (MCS) network, connected to appropriate Servers and Databases. Standards: A. Define the Purpose of the COP. B. Identify Management Responsibilities for the COP. C. Identify Systems that Contribute to the COP. D. Describe the Commanders Dashboard. Action: Define the Common Operating Picture (COP). Condition: Given a classroom environment with operational Command Post of the Future (CPoF) System, working Mission Command Systems (MCS) network, connected to appropriate Servers andDatabases. Standards: A. Define the Purpose of the COP. B. Identify Management Responsibilities for the COP. C. Identify Systems that Contribute to the COP. D. Describe the Commanders Dashboard

What is the COP? What is its purpose? Everyone operating off the same page with the same information. Purpose–Increase Situational Awareness Junior commanders: Anticipate senior command decisions and guidance Decrease reaction time upon receipt of orders Senior commanders: Make informed decisions and issue clearer guidance Reduce reaction time across the board COP defined as everyone operating off the same tactical page. Theory is that by increasing Situational Awareness you will increase Situational Understanding. The goal should always be to increase the SA to the lowest tactical echelon, so that you empower every soldier with the tools necessary to anticipate guidance. Commanders armed with total SA should make more informed decisions and provide clearer guidance and ultimately reduce the reaction time at lower echelons. Question: What information does your commander want displayed?

Managing the COP Units and KMO’s Uses AMCS and any other resources to maintain a COP of their AOR ensuring the commander has the situational awareness so he can make informed decisions: Ensures the unit COP meets all higher headquarters reporting requirements Assigns reporting responsibility to subordinate units and ensuring all reporting elements meet their requirements Enters and updates COP requirements or reports not delivered by automated means Validates all unit graphic control measures as necessary KMO’s exist at the Brigade and above. At the Battalion level, responsibility for the COP typically falls to the Battle Captain and the Battle NCO Units and staff sections maintain a COP. This information when compiled paint the tactical picture for the commander at each echelon. Units maintain their COP through the ABC systems available to their command post. COP management falls under the KM office. Since the lowest level at which a KM is resourced is at the Division level, the responsibility of COP management at the Brigade and below level will need to be assigned by the commander. Question: Who is responsible for maintaining the COP in your unit?

Systems that contribute to the COP GCCS-A: Global Command and Control System-Army C2PC: Command and Control Personal Computer TMC Host: Tactical Mission Command Host (CPoF: Command Post of the Future ) AMDWS: Air and Missile Defense Workstation TAIS: Tactical Airspace Integration System AFATDS: Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System DCGS-A: Distributed Common Ground Station-A BCS3: Battle Command Sustainment Support System FBCB2: Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below BCS: Battle Command Server PASS: Publish and Subscribe Services C2PC Gateway: Command and Control Personal Computer Gateway DDS: Data Dissemination Service SharePoint (Tactical Web Portal) These are some of the systems that typically contribute to the COP. Question: How many of these systems are you familiar with? Obligatory acronym page

Commander’s Dashboard This is an example of a commander’s dashboard, which is commonly referred to the COP. We will spend a day building a product similar to this so that you will have something to discuss with your commander while you develop your COP. Question: Who already has guidance on what your commander wants displayed on his/her COP?

Summary Defined the COP Discussed who manages the COP Reviewed the systems that contribute to the COP Discussed the Commander's Dashboard