1. CONTINGENCY PLANS
The leader leaves for many reasons throughout the planning, coordination, preparation, and execution of his patrol mission. Each time the leader departs without radio or wire communication, he must issue a five-point contingency plan. The contingency plan is easily remembered by the acronym “GOTWA”!

2. GOTWA G O T W A Where the leader is going! Who he is taking with him!
The amount of time he plans to be gone!
The actions taken if the leader does not return!
The unit’s and the leaders actions on chance contact with the enemy!
GOTWA is a 5 point contingency plan. Before a unit separates a contingency plan needs to be addressed.

3. G Where you, the team leader are going.
It is very important to inform your team, squad, section, or platoon, of where you are going.

4. O Who he is taking with him!
It is very important to inform your team, squad, section, or platoon, of who you are going to be taking. This will also establish the chain of command during your absense

5. T The amount of time he plans to be gone!
It is very important to inform your team, squad, section, or platoon, of the amount of time that you will be gone. This will give both groups involved a rough estimate of the length of time that you will be gone.

6. W The actions taken if the leader does not return!
It is very important to inform your team, squad, section, or platoon, of the actions to take if you do not return. Do you want them to wait for hours for your return?

7. A The unit’s and the leaders actions on chance contact with the enemy!
It is very important to inform your team, squad, section, or platoon, of actions to take upon enemy contact. What will they do if they come under indirect fire?

8. CHECK ON LEARNING WHAT DOES “G” STAND FOR? Where the leader is going!
WHAT DOES “A” STAND FOR?
The unit’s and the leader’s actions on chance contact with the enemy!
WHAT DOES “T” STAND FOR?
The amount of time the leader plans to be gone!

9. SAMPLE GOTWA
I AM GOING TO LINK UP WITH THE MEDICAL UNIT THAT WE ARE GOING TO SUPPORT. I AM GOING TO TAKE SGT BROWN AND SGT VOGEL WITH ME. I WILL BE GONE FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. IF I DON’T RETURN IN THAT 20 MINUTES, WAIT AN ADDITIONAL 10 MINUTES. IF I STILL HAVE NOT RETURNED IN THAT AMOUNT OF TIME, TAKE THE REST OF THE SQUAD AND RETURN TO THE CP FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS. IF YOU COME UNDER SNIPER FIRE, THROW RED SMOKE IN THE DIERECTION OF THE SNIPER AND WE WILL ATTEMPT A FLANK MANEUVER. IF YOU COME UNDER INDIRECT FIRE, REACT NORMALLY AND BOUND OUT OF THE AREA. ANYTHING ELSE, FOLLOW THE TACSOP.