Land forces within JOCASTS can be represented at any level of detail down to Company level. Each unit in the model exists within a fully flexible, user-defined command structure. Units are created from a wide-ranging set of resources which affect the unit’s capabilities and effectiveness.

Unit types that are typically represented in the system include: Infantry and Armoured formations, Reconnaissance, Engineers, Headquarters, Artillery, Attack Helicopter and Logistics.

The task force representation allows multiple units to be tasked on a mission with a defined order of march and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); this permits the generation of automatic responses (e.g. diversions, close support engineering, defence/attack operations, withdraw, dispersal) allowing the scenario to be played out in a realistic manner.

Combat between units can occur through meeting engagements, deliberate attack, the use of indirect assets (artillery, AH or fixed-wing aircraft) or a combination of the three. The destruction of a high value asset, such as a formation headquarters, inhibits communication, co-operation and co-ordination between units, reducing effectiveness and disrupting the logistics chain until the command chain has been re-established.

JOCASTS land component representation includes:

• Terrain, defined by environment (open, hilly, sea etc.), obstacles (minefield, river, fortification etc.) and lines of communication (road, rail, bridges etc.).
• Units, defined by command structure, resource types (weapon or supply) and postures such as defensive (prepared/hasty), withdraw, move (tactical/administrative), attack (prepared/ flank/hasty).
• Movement, affected by environmental conditions, time of day, terrain, congestion, obstacles and attrition.
• Combat, affected by combat effectiveness, posture, time of day, morale, terrain, fatigue.
• Support fire — direct, general or counter-battery.
• AH, SH and fixed wing OAS.

Engineer activities:

• general support — lay or clear minefields (scatterable, dummy or traditional), build, repair or demolish bridges.
• close support — assault bridging, mine clearing.
• Logistics — consumption, resupply, recovery and repair.
• Intelligence — EW, deception, RPVs, SF, visual, airborne, strategic.