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Text Box:                  A glorious tank battle rages in a storm of dust clouds. Massive, 67-ton battle vehicles ride through fields of dirt, as they challenge one another with 120mm projectiles accompanied by thunderous booms of sound. Behind it all lay the center of command where all battle information is coordinated and the real action takes place.
                 The Armored Cavalry is most known for its M1A1 Abrams tank. Though astounding in its appearance, it is a sitting duck without a Tactical Operations Center (TOC) to provide leadership and a clear view of the battlefield.
                 The 1st Battalion of the 303rd Armor TOC consists of three armored track vehicles that park side-by-side and are joined with a tent to form an in-field office. Two are the intelligence and operations sections of the battalion, and the third is an attached fire support team. The three are put together because they all work hand in hand and use each others information.
                 The three offices require the assistance of radio for the information. This information is first received by radio operators who listen day and night for reports from the cavalry scouts who sneak behind enemy lines to gather knowledge on size, equipment, activity and other details about the enemy’s forces.
                 After the radio operators jot down the information, it is given to the battalion’s battle captain who plots the details on a map of the battle area. The intelligence operatives also use the information to help the battle captain make educated guesses on what the enemy’s next move may be. The battle captain then gives a tactical command to his officers in the field so they might know how and where to intercept enemy forces.
                 Battle information also comes in handy to the fire support team who can call in artillery or air support to assist the 303rd in battle.
                 The TOC, though far from the battle front, serves an equally important role in a battalion, and the team works just as hard in the quest for victory.

Text Box: Trekking with the TOC
Pfc. Alma Barrus, 122nd MPAD

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