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| Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash |
minutes or five hours, soldiers are trained to use a simple structure called a 5-Point Contingency Plan, better known as GOTWA.
It’s quick.
It’s clear.
And it works—every time.
GOTWA keeps everyone informed, prepared, and confident even when the leader isn’t immediately available.
The best part?
Teachers, office teams, coaches, and administrators can use GOTWA just as effectively as military units.
Let’s break it down.
What Is GOTWA?
GOTWA = Going, Others, Time, What to do if I don’t return, Actions if we meet contact.
In Army language:
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G – Where you are Going
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O – Others you’re taking with you
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T – Time you’ll be gone
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W – What to do if I don’t return
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A – Actions to take if contact occurs
It’s a short, predictable script that tells your team exactly what they need to know before you step out.
Now let’s translate it into school, coaching, and business life.
1. Going — Where You Are Going
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In teaching or office settings, this simply means:
• Where you will be
• Why you’re away
• When you expect to be reachable
Examples:
Teacher:
“I’m going to the office to meet with a parent.”
“I’m in the IEP meeting down the hall.”
Office Leader:
“I’m offsite at a training.”
“I’ll be across town at a client meeting.”
Clarity removes confusion.
2. Others — Who Is Going With You (or Covering for You)
People need to know:
• Who is stepping in
• Who can answer questions
• What chain of support exists
Examples:
Teacher:
“Mrs. Johnson is next door if you need immediate help.”
“The para will check in twice this hour.”
Business:
“Tom will handle any urgent emails.”
“Sara is your point of contact until I’m back.”
You’re not leaving them alone—you’re connecting them with support.
3. Time — How Long You’ll Be Gone
This removes uncertainty and prevents panic.
Examples:
Teacher:
“I’ll be out for one hour.”
“I’ll be gone today but back tomorrow morning.”
Office:
“I’ll be away from my desk from 1–3 PM.”
“I’m out for three days, returning Monday.”
Time creates predictability.
4. What to Do if I Don’t Return
In the Army, this is about contingencies.
In schools and organizations, it’s about backup plans.
Examples:
Teacher:
“If I’m not back by the bell, pack up and wait for the hallway dismissal.”
“If the video finishes and I’m not back, start the reading assignment.”
Office:
“If I don’t return by 3, send the report without me.”
“If I’m still out by this afternoon, call the assistant principal.”
This is the most important step for substitute plans—and the most forgotten.
5. Actions to Take if Contact Occurs
In the military, “contact” means the enemy.
In the real world, “contact” means problems, unexpected events, or stress points.
Examples:
Teacher:
“If a student becomes disruptive, follow our classroom management plan and contact the office if needed.”
“If technology fails, switch to the paper backup on my desk.”
Office:
“If a client issue comes up, escalate to the team lead.”
“If new information arrives, document it and email the team.”
This prevents improvisation and keeps standards consistent.
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How GOTWA Helps Teachers With a Substitute
A substitute teacher can run a class smoothly if they know three things:
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What to do
-
What to expect
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Who to call when things go sideways
A GOTWA-style sub plan includes:
G: Where you are (PD, sick day, school event)
O: Who to contact (team teacher, para, admin)
T: How long you’ll be gone
W: Backup plans if lessons run short or issues arise
A: What to do in behavioral or safety situations
It removes guesswork and builds confidence for everyone involved.
How GOTWA Helps Offices and Businesses
Managers and team leaders can use GOTWA to:
• Communicate availability clearly
• Reduce interruptions
• Empower employees
• Build trust
• Ensure projects keep moving
Employees perform better when they aren’t left guessing.
Why GOTWA Works Everywhere
Because it provides:
• Predictability
• Clarity
• Contingency planning
• Support systems
• Confidence in the leader’s absence
Good leaders think ahead.
Great leaders give their team the tools to succeed—even when they’re not in the room.
GOTWA is how you do that.
Final Thought
Whether you’re teaching middle school, running a business, coaching athletes, or managing a team, the 5-point contingency plan gives you a simple, proven system for staying organized and keeping your people informed.
Try it for a sick day.
Try it for a meeting.
Try it for a field trip, project, or game day.
You’ll be shocked at how much smoother things run when people know exactly what to expect.
Teach. Coach. Lead.
JVD
Sources & Credits
The 5-Point Contingency Plan (GOTWA) is an established small-unit leadership tool outlined in U.S. Army field manuals on operations and troop leading procedures, including ATP 3-21.8 and FM 6-0.
This post was drafted with the assistance of AI (ChatGPT) and edited by Mr. VanDusen.
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