c. The M577 command post carrier is the communication operations center for the battalion,
and may be located forward or in the field trains area. The platoon also has a retransmission capability.
d. Radio Net Structure and Wire System.
(1) Command Net.
(a) The command net is a secure net used for command and control of the battalion.
(b) All organic and attached units, to include the fire support officer (FSO), the forward
air controller (AC), and leaders of supporting elements, enter the battalion command net. Only
commanders transmit during the execution of the mission; others monitor and transmit only essential
information.
(c) The battalion main CP controls the command net. The command net is shown in
Figures 2-9A and 2-9B, pages 2-20 and 2-21. The type of communications equipment (VRC-12 series
or SINCGARS) may vary from one battalion to another.
(d) In a heavy battalion, the battalion commander and his staff will have vehicular-
mounted radios.
(e) In a mechanized infantry battalion, the commander, the S3, the company
commanders, and their subordinate leaders will have manpacked radio equipment for conducting
dismounted operations. An armored battalion has a very limited capability to operate dismounted.
(2) Connectivity. The battalion maintains connectivity with its higher HQ (the brigade).
Since the battalion is a combat asset of the brigade, the battalion maintains contact with the brigade
through the brigade command/operations net (BDE CMD/OP NET), the intelligence net (BDE
INTELNET), the brigade radio RATT (BDE RATT), and the brigade administrative/logistics net (BDE
A/L NET). This connectivity is essential for the brigade's command and control and its logistics support
operations.
(3) Wire system. The same basic structure of communications is maintained through the
battalion's wire system. When the battalion stops moving and establishes a position, field wire should
be used for internal communications as much as possible. The battalion's wire system is depicted in
Figure 2-10, page 2-22.
(4) Operations and intelligence (O&I) net.
(a) The O&I net is shown in Figure 2-11, page 2-22.
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