What do I study to run a S3?

2020-07-10T10:48:58-04:00

So I got tasked to do this training event and in said training event I will be running a “Battalion S3.” Where do I even begin to study on how to do that?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 10 at 2020 11:18 AM

2020-07-10T11:18:10-04:00

What it environment of the training event? In the field? With or without troops?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2020 11:32 AM

2020-07-10T11:32:49-04:00

Good morning! I am currently at a BN S3 as Training NCO, Land & Ammo, and CUOPs in Garrison. My go-to for "What is my lane/role" is FM 6-0 (https://armypubs.army.mil/ProductMaps/PubForm/Details.aspx?PUB_ID=104216) May 2014 edition. It doesn't provide step-by-step instructions as to *how* to do stuff, but it tells you *what* stuff you do. Just Ctrl+F for "S-3"

If you're acting as an overall S-3 stand-in for *Garrison*, then you can expect some of (But not limited to) the following:
-Manage schools/courses enrollment (ATTRS)
-Manage/create BN OPORDS and passing down BDE OPORD's (AR 25-50 & FM 6-0 Appendix C)
-Create and respond-to taskings to subordinate elements (Companies) IAW the afore-mentioned OPORDs
-Coordinate unit-external resources for unit training (I.E. Reserve training areas/ranges, arrange for Ammo, Coordinate with Medical units for LFX, etc) (TAMIS, RFMS)
-Manage, coordinate, and record unit training (DTMS) (This is more verification, O-Rooms/Training Rooms at company-level should be conducting training and recording it themselves)

Just a broad over-view, feel free to message me if you need more info. I hope this helped, and good luck!

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Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 10 at 2020 11:48 AM

2020-07-10T11:48:20-04:00

- Microsoft Office, all Apps
- FM 6-0
- OPORDERs
- FRAGO's
-ATRRS
- TAMIS
-RFMS
- DTMS

Response by COL John McClellan made Jul 10 at 2020 1:09 PM

2020-07-10T13:09:00-04:00

What kind of unit, and what's the training event? Might be as simple as "battle tracking" tasks, communications and then reporting... might be a lot more!

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 10 at 2020 1:18 PM

2020-07-10T13:18:58-04:00

Need a lot more information.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2020 1:57 PM

2020-07-10T13:57:10-04:00

Your unit should have an SOP on TOC operations. That would be a good place to start. Also, if possible, you could request to talk with your OPS SGM and get some advice. Not to be too blunt, but it almost sounds like you're being set up for failure. I've never seen an E5 put in charge of BN level S3 without some prior experience. I had a similar thing happen to me many years ago when I was an Air Defense 2LT. Fresh out of OBC I got put in charge of BN S6. I didn't know a damned thing about signal/commo and they didn't have any signal NCOs. It was me and an SFC MP. Needless to say, it wasn't pretty and didn't end well. BN CO fired me because "I didn't know what I was doing". I just laughed in his face and said, "Sir, I tried to tell you that when you stuck me in the position".

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2020 3:18 PM

2020-07-10T15:18:18-04:00

Check out "The role of the NCO in the TOC" written by CSM Killingsworth.

Response by 1SG Michael Anthony Gonzales made Jul 10 at 2020 4:08 PM

2020-07-10T16:08:41-04:00

If I was you, I would ask for the SOP for the S3 shop. This way you will have other soldiers in S3 helping you; preparing the calendar year training schedule for the year and Any specific training/activity that will be conducted within the calendar year.

This way, you do not need to invent the wheel. During the process of preparing the schedule, you can make any changes you believe be beneficial.

You have a lot of work but utilize personnel that know their S3 shop!

Good luck.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 10 at 2020 4:22 PM

2020-07-10T16:22:35-04:00

What is the exact task you have been as to teach? Running an S3 shop....dumb question. Have you talked to the S3?

Having been a S3 Air, S3, BN XO, and a BDE DCO, that is not a collective task with a T-C-S. It’s the subject of numerous professional articles at the NCO and Officer levels. Is this training on familiarity with staff sections and what they do? Or are you training an S3 shop on internal procedures? Confused

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2020 9:33 PM

2020-07-10T21:33:42-04:00

...I smell a Warfighter exercise...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2020 10:06 PM

2020-07-10T22:06:52-04:00

ADP 6-0, ADP 3-0, ATP 5-0, ATP 3-90.90.

Get them from APD. They literally cover the exact topics you’re asking about.

ADP 6-0 will assist you in serving your commander, which, is the ultimate objective of the staff.

Response by SGM (R) Antonio Brown made Jul 10 at 2020 11:25 PM

2020-07-10T23:25:04-04:00

This will be a great learning experience for you. As a SSG and up you could find yourself working as a S3 NCOIC.
https://work.chron.com/duties-battalion-s3-28156.html

https://www.part-time-commander.com/battalion-s-3-duties-responsibilities-and-job-description/

What Are the Duties of a Battalion S3?

What Are the Duties of a Battalion S3?. Within the U.S. Army's organizational tables for the unit called a battalion, made up of approximately 700 soldiers, the positions filled by the officers of the command staff have designations such as S1, S2 and so on, all the way to S6. The battalion S3, the officer in ...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2020 2:53 PM

2020-07-12T14:53:39-04:00

Update. Go I linked up with the NCOIC and we’re doing a Puckster challenge and him and I are splitting the NCOIC portion of the S3 shop on 12 hour shifts. Never heard of anything like this before so I’ll keep posting updates as to what is happening, ya know, as long as it doesn’t breach OPSEC. Lol