Key to Comms is security and reliability...having been both a
comms spec and worked with Comms related companies in the private
sector, I can tell you that in war, you or your commanders can't
depend on GSM (for reasons stated) or Satellite comms. Iridium, one
of the first and last satellite comms provider died...they burnt up
all their LEO satellites when they went bankrupt. The rest of the
sat comms are controlled by private companies that reroute your
calls...hence no security even if there is reliability. If you
think you can depend on those, well, I just have to say your
wrong...remember what the Israeli did to those PLO people ...they
followed their GSM phone trails and took them out. In short, no
security.
Therefore, *if* there is war, all the comms have to be controlled,
deployed and within the power of the commanders.
Having said that, i know for a fact that at div levels, comms are
always thru down to brigade levels...from Bde levels to actuall Bn
and Coy levels, it really is up to how the Sig Officer's planning
in those levels. As state by some, there are environmental factors
to be taken into considerations i.e. trees, bodies of
water...typical scientific stuff ie. absorption of signals, signal
strength and there are standard ways to handle that i.e. rebro,
etc. ANd as some stated, comms check, equipment checks are SOP to
be followed. If you don't follow those and never plan, then it is
as good as not doing your drills for section, platoon, coy level
movements...you fail. I understand, having been attached to bde and
bn levels, the focus is always on the obvious tasks etc...secure
this secure that...but they don't pay attention to the signals or
comms plans ... unti l it f**up...then start complaining..so whose
fault is it? Of course the commanders...since it is their job to
ensure all aspects of the plan are done properly.
