The Importance of being on time
The importance of being on time goes back to the teachings of being a soldier and the everyday knowledge
of the tasks and standards that were taught to us during basic training and advanced infantry training.
There are tasks: a piece of work to be done and any difficult under taking that is given from your superior
as a direct command in which is something not to be taking lightly, such as 4-25 field artillery target
acquisition radar. The targeting meeting is a critical event in a unit’s battle rhythm, the timing of which
serves to nest the units battle rhythm into the higher headquarters’ targeting process. It should be the
minimum time length required to present targeting information, situation updates, provide
recommendations and obtain decisions. The purpose of targeting meetings is the same regardless of the
level at which they are conducted. The major differences are the time focus, the number of targeting team
members, and the available assets. The basic procedures for conducting targeting meetings are the same.
This discussion focuses on the maneuver brigade since it has the widest applicability to field artillery
target acquisition personnel. The timing of the targeting meeting is crucial. It must be effectively
integrated into the unit’s battle rhythm and nested into the higher headquarters’ targeting cycle to insure
that the results of the targeting process can be implemented. Thus task organization change’s
modifications to the reconnaissance, surveillance and security plan, air tasking order nominations,
changes to the HPTL and essential fire support task all must be made with the awareness of the time
available to prepare and execute. Preparation and focus are keys to successful targeting meeting. Each
representative must come to the meeting prepared to discuss available assets, capabilities, limitations and
assessment requirements...