Marine Corps Tool Organizes Patrol Data

Unclassified.

Marine Corps Combat Development Command
3300 Russell Road Quantico, VA 22134-5130

Company Movement & Assessment Tool
(CMAT)

Command Brief
January 2012

Unclassified.

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(U) Contents

• Situation: Tactical C2
• Intent: Why CMAT?
• What is CMAT?
• Examples of CMAT analysis
• Support
• Counterargument
• Demonstration
• Backup Slides (CMAT Users Guide)

Operations Analysis Division UNCLASSIFIED 2

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(U) Tactical C2

• (U) How will you train your COC to
do C2?
• (U) How will you task your patrols?
• (U) How will you collect information
in order to shape future ops?
• (U) How will you show your platoon
commanders that their efforts are
working/not working?
• (U) How will you illustrate the
changes in capabilities to your
partnered force?
• (U) How will you turn over your
battlespace?


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(U) Intent – enable planning, reporting, assessment
• (U) Purpose: to provide Company Commanders a tool to
organize their patrolling effort against COIN objectives.

• (U) Method: an Excel Workbook on a COC workstation
where patrol information is stored for analysis.

• (U) End state: Commanders posses a standard,
supportable, sustainable, tool that organizes patrol-
generated information for decision-making.

“Subordinate commanders must make decisions on their own
initiative, based on their understanding of their senior’s intent,
rather than passing information up the chain of command and
waiting for the decision to be passed down.” MCDP 1, page 78

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• (U) Purpose: to provide Company Commanders a
tool to organize their patrolling effort against COIN
objectives.
Why?
(U) Because otherwise they rely on initiative, what the last
unit did, or what they’re told to do – and this may fall short
of the answering the questions on the first slide.

(U) Because there are no C2 systems alternatives that
appropriately address this for the tactical environment

(U) Helping tactical commanders do objective assessments
is a responsibility of operations research analysts


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• (U) Method: an Excel workbook on a COC workstation
where patrol information is stored for analysis
(U) Because it requires no software installation
(U) Compatible with web-enabled C2 systems
(U) Documents are small enough to travel through bandwidth
limited pipes
(U) Excel supports validated data input

(U) Easy to use charts and graphs for trend analysis

(U) Web systems (CPOF, Google Earth, C2PC) may not be practical
in the tactical environment

(U) Text, MS Word, PowerPoint are difficult to use for analysis

(U) Web systems (MarineLink, CPOF, Google Earth, C2PC) may not
be set up to database activity
Operations Analysis Division 6

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• (U) End State: Commanders possess a standard,
supportable, sustainable tool that organizes
patrol-generated information for decision-making.

(U) Decision makers up and down the chain of command
have objective data that supports planning.

(U) Supports the relief in place

(U) Supports analysis and decision making throughout the
supporting establishment


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(U) What is CMAT?

• Company Movement and
Assessment Tool
– (U) Supports Company
Command and Control (C2)
– (U) Supports Company
Ops/Intel Cycle
– (U) Builds historic record of
activity for turnover
• (U) Microsoft Excel file
saved on workstation
This is not an additive burden!
• (U) Files can be uploaded Tactical units will be searching for a
to CPOF, Google Earth, etc. way to do this somehow regardless.
We owe them a tool. (“Do this instead
for further analysis of that…and this is what you get!”)

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(U) CMAT in the Company COC

• (U) The Company COC uses CMAT to organize patrol
reports and information.
• (U) CMAT establishes an Excel Workbook digital log of
information typically written down in a green book or a
yellow canary.
• (U) Company COC opens CMAT and records patrol
information contained in Mission Cards and Debriefs.
• (U) Information radioed up from patrol bases (voice or
data) before and after missions.
• (U) Uses pre-formatted lists and dropdown menus to
standardize locations, call signs, tasks, ratings for
partnered forces, atmospherics, and user defined
CCIRs

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(U) CMAT List Management

• (U) The information in the lists can be managed through
the CMAT Settings section. Also, the points of contact
both CONUS and deployed can adjust these lists if big
changes are necessary.
– (U) For example, if you’re training at Fort A.P. Hill and your
CMAT version only has 29 Palms GRG checkpoints, entering in
hundreds of points manually would be difficult. Use the POCs.

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(U) What CMAT is NOT

• (U) CMAT is not a C2 system
• (U) CMAT is not an acquisition program or off-the-
shelf software
• (U) CMAT is not a contracted arrangement
• (U) CMAT is not web-enabled software
• (U) CMAT does not require software installation
• (U) Does not provide geospatial analysis (GIS)
– (U) Data is exported to GIS-enabled software
• (U) CMAT is not a substitute for good reporting and
COC procedures
• (U) CMAT does not add a reporting burden!

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AUP Patrol Partnering, Planning and Execution
Ratings by PB
24 March to 1 June
Overall Level of Partnering 24 March - 1 June
•82.8% of all patrols in the AO were partnered or AUP 350

300
only 250
•Fatwan Gul had the most AUP only patrols at 97 200
(29.9% of their total patrol activity) 150

•UN had the highest percentage of AUP only patrols 100

at 94 (40.9% of their total patrol activity) 50

0
Ja Camp Ali Fatwan Gul UN
ANSF Only ISAF Only Joint

CMAT automatically Level of Partnering w/AUP by week 24 March - 1 June
•Fatwan Gul had the highest number of patrols rated
generates power point
100
90
independent in planning at 51 (18.7%) 80

•UN had the highest percentage of presentation with graphs (by
patrols rated 70
60
independent in planning at 24.3% location and over time) with a 50

•UN had the highest percentage of word picture of summary
patrols rated 40
30
effective with assistance or effective with mentoring
in planning at 75.7% stats for the commander to 20
10

assess the unit’s progress 0
24-Mar 31-Mar 7-Apr 14-Apr 21-Apr 28-Apr 5-May 12-May 19-May 26-May

and provide insight (context) ANSF Only ISAF Only Joint

•Fatwan Gul had the highest number of patrols ratedidentified by AUP Patrol Planning Rating by Week 24 March - 1 June
to the trends
independent in execution at 51 (18.7%) 80
CMAT
•UN had the highest percentage of patrols rated 70

60
independent in execution at 24.3%
50
•UN had the highest percentage of patrols rated 40
effective with assistance or effective with mentoring 30
in execution at 75.7% 20

10

0
24-Mar 31-Mar 7-Apr 14-Apr 21-Apr 28-Apr 5-May 12-May 19-May 26-May

Established Developing Effective w/Assistance Effective w/Advisors Independent
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23 Mar 11 to 21 Apr 11 UNCLASSIFIED 23 Mar 11 to 21 Apr 11
ANSF Only Patrols USMC Only Patrols

Example of CMAT output
data displayed in IDAPT
Density map Comparing 2
time periods on Range220 at
29 Palms

22 Apr 11 to 23 May 11 22 Apr 11 to 23 May 11
ANSF Only Patrols USMC Only Patrols

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(U) The Counterargument

• (U) “Great tool, but we don’t need another system
that doesn’t talk to the others.”
– (U) CMAT is not a system, but establishes a standard
way of collecting information. Electronic notebook.
– (U) Interfaces with Palantir and CPOF
• (U) “This is a reporting drag on companies.”
– (U) CMAT directly benefits the company by maintaining
patrol activity and debriefs in digital format.
– The tradeoff is the ability to quickly answer RFI’s
• (U) “This is too sophisticated.”
– (U) No web connection, FSR, software download, or
money.

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(U) Who we’ve talked to
• Operating Forces • TTECG
• EWS • MCWL
• MCTOG • PP&O
• C2 ID • Military Operations
• CAOCL Research Society
• C2TECOE • Center for Army Analysis
• Combat Hunter • JIEDDO
• Marine Corps Intel • MCTSSA
Schools • Palantir
• Marine Corps Systems • CPOF Developers
Command • Microsoft

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Testimonials

From RCT-1 AAR:
• (U//FOUO) “There needs to be a standardized system or system
of systems supporting command and control to ensure
commonality and understanding across the service. The
current systems are also far from being expeditionary. The
RCT staff participated in numerous exercises during PTP which
prepared them fundamentally to employ the systems but not for
the scope of the architecture with connections to over 100
locations."
• (U//FOUO) Units down to the platoon level operated
COCs, often with little to no training on how to
establish or run one. During training, Marines should
occupy a forward operating base (FOB) replicating
how they would live and function while they are in
country.”

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Testimonials
• 2/6’s AAR on EMV:
“Bottom line, use EMV as an opportunity to refine IM plan and validate, not a venue to
build an IM Plan from the ground up.”

• 1/8 Company Commander:
“Thank you for all of your help and effort. I know this will make us smarter on the
battlefield.”

• 1/8 CLIC/COC Marines:
“We see and understand the potential of this product. We envision the possibility of
making the CMAT program an SOP for all Marine Corps forward operating forces
(especially Infantry battalions). By marrying this analytical database with the
operations side of the house, we see endless possibilities…..

• Palantir FSR:
– “From the data you provided we ingested 4,677 patrols occurring between 01APR and
03DEC. 16,240 grid references were associated (mostly CPs, LPs, and SPs). I'm
excited to do some further analysis of this data based off of IED emplacement
times...knowing when the last friendlies traversed the site is the holy grail!”


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Testimonials

• From the CO C/1/9:
“You truly have been combat enablers to the
Marines of Chaos Company 1/9…the virtues of
(CMAT) compromise the core of (watch chief’s
turnover to the oncoming watch officers/chiefs.”

• From the Watch Chief of C/1/9:
“We used CMAT as our patrol tracker database.
This tool allowed us to input data for each patrol
to include the areas covered and any SIGACTS
that occurred in our battle space.”


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Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity
(MCTSSA) Engineering Evaluation (Dec 2011)

• “CMATs enforcement of standardized entry assures data is
stored cleanly and consistently, facilitating the employment of
the tools and techniques used in analysis of properly formatted
spreadsheet data. Further, CMAT incorporates some of the
most complex aspects of working with and manipulating MS
Excel workbooks and consolidates them into a UI that someone
with even the most basic computer skill level can operate
effectively. Widespread use of CMAT by units in theater would
enhance the collection, analysis, and turnover of critical patrol
information. As such, it is recommended that CMAT be made
available to units through some central means such that they
can easily obtain and implement CMAT into their standard
operating procedures for recording the conduct of patrols.”

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What is Next?

• CMAT is hosted at http://www.mctssa.usmc.smil.mil/
• Plan to transition program to PG-11 at MarSysComm
and C2ID for incorporation into future systems
• Planning for data consolidation and information
management
• Research and analysis on existing data, for ongoing
work and future programs.


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For questions or comments on CMAT, use
the following points of contact
Maj John VOSIP DSN
Primary Wray NIPR: John.Wray@usmc.mil SIPR: John.Wray@usmc.smil.mil 308.357.7109 318.357.6980
Comm
Maj John NIPR: VOSIP 703.432.8560
Alternate Bancroft John.Bancroft@usmc.mil SIPR: John.Bancroft@usmc.smil.mil 302.278.4115 DSN 378.xxxx
Comm
Maj Dan NIPR: VOSIP 703.784.4115
Alternate Zappa Daniel.Zappa@usmc.mil SIPR: Daniel.Zappa@usmc.smil.mil 302.278.4115 DSN 278.xxxx

Mr. Doug NIPR: SIPR: VOSIP Comm
Alternate Hoffman Douglas.Hoffman@usmc.mil Douglas.Hoffman@usmc.smil.mil 302.378.8556 703.432.8181


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BACKUPS


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Part 1: CMAT Settings.

• Geographic Reference Points
– Start locations: Patrol bases, FOBs, COPs
– Checkpoints: Compound & building names, LZs, etc.
• Customized metrics to meet the commander’s needs
• Call signs


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Gridded Reference Graphics and
CMAT
• Gridded Reference
Graphics provide
sector identifiers as
well as compound
numbers with
associated 10 digit
MGRS
• This data will auto-
populate CMAT to
quickly and accurately
record which
checkpoints the patrol
visited
• Ex: Compound B in
sector K5 =
11S MS 12345 67890


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Adjust Start Location List

• 1. Select “Adjust Start Location”
• 2. Select “Add” or “Delete
Location”
• 3. Select Unit, Type Start
Location Name, Type in 10 digit
MGRS with grid zone Identifier
(ex. 11S MS)
• 4. Select Submit


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Adjust Checkpoint List
• 1. Select “Adjust Check point
List”
• 2. Select “Add” or “Delete Entry”
• 3. Select Unit (Battalion and
Company) , Type “Checkpoint
Name,” Type in 10 digit MGRS
with grid zone Identifier (ex. 11S
MS)
• 4. Select Submit


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Adjust Commander’s Information
Requests
• 1. Select “Adjust Commander’s
Information Requests”
• 2. Select “Add” or “Delete Entry”
• 3. Enter the question you want
the patrols to answer
• 4. Select if the question will be
“Mandatory” or “Optional”
• 5. Select the Unit (Battalion and
Company) that the question will
be answered by
• 6. Select “Submit”

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Part 2: Data Entry and Changes

• Enter Patrol from Scratch
• Change Previously Submitted Patrol
• Enter Mission Card for Planned Patrol
• Enter patrol From Previously Filled in Mission Card


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Mission Cards and CMAT

• Company COC manages CMAT on desktop
• Prior to departing friendly lines, patrols complete Mission
Card
– Patrols cannot leave wire without providing mission card info to
Company COC
• Mission Card information is sent from Patrol Base to
Company COC
• Either by voice or data burst over the radio
• COC enters Mission Card data into CMAT (2 methods)
• Post mission, patrol sends additional debrief data to
COC.
• COC completes the appropriate data fields.


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Process of Data Input For CMAT:
Mission Card vs Patrol from Scratch
• Two choices for patrol data input for CMAT:
– Mission Card for Planned Patrol
– Patrol from Scratch
• Mission Card method puts the patrol data in
“holding” until mission is complete
– Company COC reopens the mission card at
patrol’s completion and submits the mission
card after mission debrief data is sent
– Mission Card is then automatically discarded
and the patrol is added to the database
• Patrol from Scratch method allows user to enter
patrol data at beginning of patrol and then “Save
Incomplete Patrol Report” until mission debrief is
complete
– Mission will not be added to the database
until the mission is submitted as complete


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Enter Patrol from Scratch
Initial Input
• Select “Enter Patrol From Scratch”
• 1. Select “Battalion, Company and
Call Sign”
• 2. Select type of patrol:
“Mounted/Dismounted/Combined”
• 3. Select “Patrol Activity” (Up to 3)
• 4. Select the “Number of
Personnel” from each category
• 5. Select if there were SigActs to
report (Yes or No).
• 6. Select “Time Out (Hour and
Minute)”
• 7. Select “Date Out”
• Select “Next,” “Save Incomplete
Report,” or “Cancel”


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Enter Patrol from Scratch (Ctn’d)
SigAct Information
• If you select that you have a SigAct to
report (on the previous menu) then there
will be a SigAct Info Menu to fill out
• 1. Select Yes/No for “Was there a TIC?”
– A. If so “# of Direct Fire / # of IDF
Events
– B. Friendly Action in response to TIC
(did you withdraw, proceed without
responding or neutralize the threat)?
– C. Did you use Air Support?
• 2. # of IED Attacks
• 3. # of IED Finds
– A. IED Method of Detection (Up to 3)
• 4. # of Friendly KIA
• 5. # of Friendly WIA, and level of severity of
each injury
• 6. # of Enemy KIA
• 7. # of Enemy WIA
• 8. # of EPW
• 9. # of CIVCAS


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Conduct of the Patrol
• 1. Start Location and District
• 2. a. Points Patrolled (up to 12)
• 2b. Atmospherics observed at
those each checkpoint
• 3. Type in Op Name
• If Joint, select whether ANSF
element are on the ground,
with the patrol or in overwatch.
• Rating of ANSF for Planning
and Execution of the Patrol
• 4. Additional Comments
• 5. Return time (Hour and
Minute)
• 6. Select Return Date
• Select “Submit Completed
Report,” “Save Incomplete
Report,” or “Cancel”


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Patrol Summary
• Patrol Summary Verifies all
data you input and gives
quick stats on patrol:
Duration, distance covered
• This reporting format does
not remove the requirement
to report SigActs in CIDNE
or other required databases
• Patrol receives unique
identifier
• Select “Ok” or “Modify this
Patrol” to adjust the data
you input
• Can also “Show Details” if
the initial Patrol Summary
does not give you enough
info

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Mission Card for Planned Patrol
Data Entry
• Similar format to “Enter
Patrol from Scratch”
– CMAT will save Mission
Card which can be open
after mission completion by
the “Enter patrol From
Previously Filled in Mission
Card” for editing and
submission
• After submitting the patrol
the Mission Card will no
longer be available for
editing

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Enter Patrol From Previously
Filled in Mission Card
• Select “Enter patrol From
Previously Filled in Mission
Card’
• 1. Select “Start for the filter”
to find the Mission Card
• 2 . Select “End date for the
filter”
• Select “Next”
• 1. Select the record you wish
to modify from the dropdown
• Select “Modify Selected
Patrol”
• Edit Mission Card with Patrol
Debrief info

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Change Previously Submitted Patrol

• If after submitting a patrol,
the COC realizes there is
an error with the data, the
COC can re-open the
patrol and update the data
• Select “Change Previously
Submitted Patrol”
• Select Date Range
• Select the record you wish
to modify from the
dropdown
• Edit patrol


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Part 3: Data Management and Analysis.

• Save CMAT: “Save As” for archive and management.
• Close CMAT (exit the document)
• Run Analysis
• Output Patrol Data to New Workbook
• Output Mission Card Data to New Workbook


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Part 3: Data Management and Analysis.

• Run Analysis Button
• Charts and graphs
• Statistics on performance
– # of patrols during given time period
(broken down by unit, type, start point,
etc)
– # partnered versus unpartnered (%
breakdown of composition)
• Trend analysis
– Changes to the composition of patrols
(USMC, Partnered, HN)
– Changes to the capabilities of partnered
force particular to planning and execution


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Data to Assessment Products

• On demand, user pushes a button that
generates PowerPoint slide-show
– Displays charts and graphs
– Text boxes to record additional context
• Units can email CMAT Excel files to analysts as
needed for further study/analysis.
– Would be done according to SOP or when higher
units needed it.
– Company to battalion, battalion to RCT, etc.


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Saving, Closing, and Exporting
CMAT Data
• Recommend Saving CMAT at least Daily
– Click “Save CMAT” and pick the
location for saving CMAT
• If you want to close CMAT, you will be
prompted for where to save CMAT to
• For external (Geo-Spatial in CPOF, Google
Earth, or IDAPT select “Out Completed
Patrol Data to New Workbook”
– Select how many weeks of CMAT data
you want to export
– Creates new workbook (flat Excel file)
for Analysis
– Automatically saves flat file to same
folder that CMAT is saved to
• Filename is the Date Time stamp
• Can also export the Mission Cards as a
flat Excel File


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CMAT Excel Output
• Two Tabs in CMAT Excel
Output:
– Data
– IDAPT Feed
• Data Tab gives you a row
for each patrol for
summary stats analysis
(Pivot Tables)
• IDAPT Feed Tab gives you
a row for each patrol
check point reported in the
data tab
– Useful for importing to
CPOF, Google Earth or
IDAPT to display
Company’s Patrol
Footprint (Gaps/Seams)

Marine Corps Tool Organizes Patrol Data

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