When determining materials available, also determine the different resources you have available to emplace minefields. As we discussed in our last article, mines can be emplaced by artillery, air assets, etc…. You must know what is allocated to you with these special munitions.

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5. Transportation Available. You can have all the materials you desire in the rear area. However, if you do not possess the necessary transportation to get it where you need it – it is useless. You must know what you have available and what each can handle in terms of payload. Many units will have some transport vehicles preloaded with different obstacle emplacement packages. In our experience, the biggest stopper in obstacle emplacement is transportation. Not only not having enough, but not getting your ‘stuff’ to the right place. It can be a frustrating experience.

6. Time Available. The final resource and probably the most important is time. You must know how many hours/minutes you have to utilize. In the final analysis, time will drive the train. In analyzing your time, you must look at the conditions. An hour of work at night is different than an hour in daylight. An hour in cooler temperatures is different than the extreme heat of the day. Always remember time is not created equally.

With your resources determined; decisions must be made.

Step 6 – Finalize Work Plan (Should it Stay or Should it Go)
With apologies to The Clash (sort of), this step is the difficult one. It is here where decisions are made. After determining your resources and then matching it to your priorities; you are likely to let out a heavy groan. The odds are highly likely (perhaps, inevitable) your wants will exceed your abilities (isn’t this true in many areas!). After clearing your throat, it is time to get down to some serious business.

In finalizing your work plan, the key factor is time available. Using your priority list, draw a line at the point where you can realistically emplace obstacles within your estimated preparation time. This prep time may increase or decrease based on the situation on the ground. If your prep time increases, you can now work your way down the priority list. If it decreases, you will have to develop contingencies. If you questioned the utility of making an unconstrained obstacle list in step 3; you now see where it will provide great assistance and save you substantial time now.

Despite determining your work plan, your task is not complete. There are still two critical steps that must be accomplished before you can begin to see the fruits of your labor.

Step 7 – Determine Task Organization
Now that you know what is feasible; you must decide the optimal way to get it done. Earlier in this process, you determined the aggregate resources you have available to emplace obstacles. It is now time to take these resources and organize them in the most effective manner.

The difficult decision in determining task organization is how to break up your engineer assets. There are several considerations in breaking up your engineers. These include who is your main effort, priorities of work, habitual relationships etc ….

There are a couple of goals in task organizing your assets in obstacle emplacement. First, is to ensure every unit receives the assets they need to construct the obstacles they were assigned. Second, is to provide units the needed assets to execute their own obstacle plan. Third, if possible attach engineer units to maneuver units they have familiarity in working with. The more habitual relationships you can maintain—the better. Finally, ensure every small unit is under the command and control of a larger maneuver unit. A good rule to follow is that every Soldier works for a Captain.

Step 8 – Determine Coordination/Transportation
You have crafted a masterful obstacle plan that almost assuredly will assist you in accomplishing your mission. Yet, if you do not get the right people to the right place at the right time it will be for naught. You must determine the coordination and transportation required to turn the plan into reality. We can not tell you how many times we have seen units not follow through to make things happen.

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