ORGANIC COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT

Communication is the voice of command. Without the equipment to provide rapid, reliable, secure, and efficient tactical communications, a commander in the field cannot effectively exercise command and control of his forces, call in available fire support, or maintain adequate channels of logistics. In battle, poor communications cost lives. On a construction project, inefficient communications cost time, money, and material; however, even the most advanced and sophisticated communication system is of little consequence in the hands of untrained personnel. Either by design or through necessity, any one of us, as Seabees, could be called upon to use the battalion's tactical communications equipment in an emergency; therefore, familiarize yourself with the communications systems in this chapter. Know what each system does, how it works, and when and whereto use it. The intent of this chapter is to do just that. Do not be a liability to your shipmates. A well-rounded understanding of communications by all hands greatly upgrades the overall operational efficiency of the battalion.

MEANS OF COMMUNICATION

The most common means of communication is simply speaking to one another-voice communication. When you need to communicate over longer distances, your voice is transmitted and received by electrical means, such as radio or telephone. Other means of communicating by sound are by whistles, sirens, horns, gunfire, and so forth. Messages may also be communicated through visual means (hand signals, smoke, and flags) and in writing (orders, messages, and reports). Each of these means of communication are discussed in this chapter.

Effective communication is essential for control of the company and its elements. The company uses a combination of radio, wire, messenger, visual, and sound communications to provide as many ways to transmit messages as conditions permit. Radio is the primary means of communication in all tactical, on-the-move operations. Communications (COMM) wire is the primary system used during a static defense. Each commander is responsible for the installation, operation, and maintenance of his unit's communication system and for its efficient operation as a part of the next higher unit's system. Each commander exercises tactical and technical supervision over the communication system of all the units of the command.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Every Seabee is responsible for good communications. The importance of passing the word cannot be overemphasized. Knowing what is happening and what is expected aids us in achieving a successful mission. You must develop good, two-way com-munications both up and down the chain of command if you are to stay alive in combat. The responsibility for communication among units is subject to the following general rules:

l The higher unit is responsible for establishing communication with the next lower unit and attached units.

l A unit supporting another unit establishes two-way communication with that unit.

l Lateral communication between adjacent units is established and maintained by the unit on the left to the unit on the right, unless directed otherwise by higher authority.

l Although one unit is specifically charged with establishing and maintaining communications with another unit, only through the mutual efforts of all the members of each unit can continual communications be maintained.

l The company commander is responsible for the installation, operation, and maintenance of the company communications system and for its efficient operation as part of the battalion system.

Instructions about all communications are found in the operation orders.

COMMUNICATIONS

Radio and messengers are the primary means of communication for offensive combat and for other operations involving rapid or extensive movement. These methods may be supplemented by visual and sound signals. As a Seabee, you normally use the radio as the main source of communication while on a convoy because most of your vehicles have radios mounted in them.

Normally, wire and messengers are the primary means of communication in defense. Radio is used when wire service is interrupted after the enemy has made contact or when ordered by a higher command. Two or more wire lines should be installed over different routes to connect two units. This allows communication to be quickly reestablished if one line goes out. Visual and sound signals may be used to supplement wire in the defense, but only when they do not compromise security.

Visual signals include panel sets, pyrotechnics, smoke of various types and colors, arm and hand signals, flashlight, tracer ammunition, improvised lights, and flags. Higher headquarters normally prescribes the use of pyrotechnics or smoke signals to call for shift, lift, fire, or illumination.

Sound signals are normally used for alarms to warn of air, chemical, biological and radiological (CBR), or ground attack Whistles, horns, bells, small arms, or other noisemakers may be used for sound signals. No matter what type of communication is used, assume that you are being monitored by the enemy. This is particularly true of radio, which is the LEAST secure means of communication.