You, as a platoon sergeant, will be tasked to establish TCPs. This includes
assigning the missions to the squads of the platoon.
All of the factors
discussed so far in this lesson will have to be examined in order for you to
do this.
You have to distribute the tasks to accomplish the mission of
operating a series of TCPs.
How you accomplish this will depend on the
manpower available, the number of personnel required, and the tasks to be
performed.
a. Determine Squad/Team Needs
A TCP is usually manned by one team of three people.
A squad
usually consists of three teams. The number of squads/teams can, however,
vary with METT-T. You must analyze the mission order, so as to determine
the number of teams required to perform the TCP mission.
Once placed in
operation at a TCP, a team continues their mission until they are told to
stop the operation. They must be prepared to operate for extended periods
of time.
This will affect the number of personnel used and the types of
equipment that will be required.
In determining the number of teams
required, you must keep in mind the mission of the TCP and the role each
individual MP is required to perform.
b. Identify Tasks
When an MP team operates a TCP, the team leader provides leadership
and maintains communications.
A second MP watches the flow of traffic.
When the volume of traffic begins to delay movement at the TCP, he moves to
the center of the road and directs the flow of vehicles and personnel. The
third MP provides security and relieves the second MP. Because the MP in
the road is an easy target for terrorists and enemy agents, all teams
members must be especially alert for such activity.
6.
TCP Tasks.
How many personnel are assigned depends in large measure on the task
the TCP is required to perform. There are seven functions that a TCP almost
always performs. Others may be assigned as required by the situations. The
following paragraphs describe the seven most common functions.
a. Circulation Control
The primary mission of a TCP is circulation control.
TCPs are
established to expedite the flow of traffic along the MSR, in accordance
with the commander's priorities. In order to accomplish this a TCP prevents
delays and congestion, enforces rules and regulations concerning road use,
makes adjustments for unscheduled road movements, and are prepared to make
minor rerouting as necessary. A team manning a TCP must fully understand
the movement priorities of the commander.
At TCPs, MP will enforce MSR regulations. Violations of regulations
can be expected during combat support operations. The mission of the TCP is
to help move vehicles and convoys along the MSR. It is not to apprehend
violators, but to make corrections if required.
MP watch the movement of
vehicles and stop those that are not following MSR regulations. The convoy
commander is told why the convoy was halted so that he can take immediate
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