REAR OPERATIONS:
- conduct area assessments
- create favorable U.S./friendly forces image
- counter enemy/negative propaganda
- publicize civilian control measures - assist
Civil Affairs
How is PSYOP used in a combatant
environment?
Tactical PSYOP soldiers can conduct psychological
operations using several types of media - audio, visual, and print. However,
during combat operations, loudspeaker systems are the only medium that can
achieve face to face communication providing immediate feedback from enemy
forces. During loudspeaker broadcasts, the enemy becomes a captive audience
unable to escape the message. As a result, tactical PSYOP rely heavily upon
loudspeaker operations
The advantages of loudspeaker operations include:
immediate feedback from the target audience, flexibility, mobility, range of
transmission, exploitation of targets of opportunity, effectiveness with
illiterate audiences, and ability to pinpoint targets. The limitations
include: vulnerability to enemy fire, distortion of messages over distance
and time, and employment of enemy countermeasures.
How
can tactical PSYOP shape the maneuver commanders AO?
The key to a successful loudspeaker operation
lies in tailoring each message to fit the situation. Loudspeakers are useful
in tactical support of exploitation, retrograde movements, static
situations, consolidations, and counterinsurgency operations. They also
provide public service announcements to small rural areas.
Exploitation: When friendly forces are
exploiting the breakthrough of the enemy lines, loudspeaker operations can
accomplish spectacular results. Surrender appeals and ultimatums are
particularly effective when enemy units have been surrounded, isolated, or
bypassed.
Retrograde: Loudspeakers can be used to clear
roads, thereby facilitating the operation.
Static Situations: When lines are stabilized,
loudspeaker teams can broadcast news of successes to the enemy, build upon
enemy tensions or promote nostalgic themes about home and family. Primary
objectives are to encourage dissatisfaction, malingering, individual
distractions within the enemy force, and desertion by creating an atmosphere
of fear, insecurity, and disillusionment.
Consolidation: In newly occupied terrain,
loudspeaker teams can be utilized to assist in civilian, traffic, or mob
control.
Counterinsurgency Operations:
Loudspeaker teams can be used to broadcast a wide variety of programs and
messages to civilian populations and insurgents.
The utilization of PSYOP Deception
To be successful, PSYOP deception operations must be
planned, coordinated, integrated, synchronized, and executed successfully.
Failure in any one area will result in failure of the whole plan.
What must I do, as maneuver
commander, to ensure an effective PSYOP campaign?
Tactical PSYOP support at each level must integrate
the needs of the maneuver commander with the CINC/JTF PSYOP campaign plan.
This results in a PSYOP plan that supports each maneuver commander while
ensuring consistent PSYOP themes and objective at all levels.
An effective PSYOP campaign requires regional
analysis, detailed coordination, and the inclusion of tactical PSYOP
soldiers into the planning process as early as possible. Early planning
results in well planned, integrated PSYOP campaigns, deployment with the
supported unit, and immediate operations upon arrival. When incorporated
early and coordinated at all levels, tactical PSYOP will provide an
effective weapons system for the maneuver commander. However, knowing the
limitations of any weapons system is key to its effectiveness.
Limitations of tactical PSYOP are:
Tactical PSYOP teams require security
- Product approval process takes time
- Often must use supported unit's communications
equipment
- All products developed must fall within a
approved PSYOP campaign plan
Tactical PSYOP as a combat multiplier, in
combination with other assets, increases the effectiveness of the overall
operation. PSYOP enhances the plan when forward deployed or positioned at
critical points in the AO. On weakened or bypassed units, PSYOP decreases
their effectiveness and prevents units from fighting doggedly; which is the
cause of higher friendly casualties and expenditure of resources. PSYOP
messages must remain truthful to maintain credibility however, the impact on
the target audience is only limited by the imagination of the PSYOP
specialist, the staff, and the commander.
SOURCES
Headquarters, Department of the Army,
FM 33-1-1, Psychological Operations, May 1994
9th Psychological Operations Battalion Tactical Primer, Commander's Guide to
Tactical Psychological Operations, April 1993
USSOCOM, Joint Publication 3-53, Doctrine for Joint Psychological
Operations, July 1996.