Movement Formations & Battle Drills

For a Recon/Scout unit to be effective on the modern battlefield, it must be able to move with stealth and react to any contact if necessary. The lives of you and your fellow team members will depend on how well you learn these skills. These are the skills that must be rehearsed until they become second nature.

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE Action: Perform movement formations and battle drills Conditions: Given a field environment with BDUs, LBE, rucksack, M4 carbine, all necessary ammunition and pyrotechnics, and a block of instruction. Standards: Perform movement formations and battle drills IAW team SOPS and FM 7-93.

Safety: General Risk Assessment: Low Environmental Considerations: None Evaluation: Your evaluation for this class as well as all operational technique classes will come during the FTX. Your practical applications of battle drills and movement formations may determine if your patrol is a GO or a NO GO.

Up to this portion of the course you have learned communications and vehicle recognition. During the next week you will learn operational techniques that you can use as the basis for your team’s SOPs.

Enabling Learning Objective A Action: Conduct tactical movement formations Conditions: Given a field environment with BDUs, LBE, rucksack, M4 carbine, all necessary ammunition and pyrotechnics, and a block of instruction. Standards: Perform movement techniques and battle drills IAW team SOPS and FM 7-93.

BATTLE DRILLS AS PER SOP

Formations File- Thick vegetation / limited visibility / speed Modified Wedge- Open terrain / 360 security Wedge- Bounding movements- react to fire

File Formation TL SSO ATL RTO ARTO SO Direction of Movement

Modified Wedge ATL TL ARTO SSO SO RTO Direction of Movement

Wedge Formation TL SO SSO ARTO ATL RTO Direction of Movement

What type of formation would you use for restrictive terrain?

What type of formation would you use for restrictive terrain? A file formation

Enabling Learning Objective B Action: Conduct a security halt (short or long) Conditions: Given a field environment with BDUs, LBE, rucksack, M4 carbine, all necessary ammunition and pyrotechnics, and a block of instruction. Standards: Conduct security halts IAW team SOPS and FM 7-93.

Movement into Halts Always conduct dogleg / fishhook into a halt Normally large enough to fit the element Always conduct SLLS Minimum of 3-5 minutes

Short Halt TL ATL SSO ARTO RTO SO Direction of Movement

Short Halt SSO RTO ARTO SO ATL

Long Halt Same procedure utilized as for short halt Used for Angus or any long period of time Emplace M18A1 claymores Conduct a local reconnaissance

What should you always do first at a halt?

What should you always do first at a halt? Conduct SLLS

How should you enter every halt?

How should you enter every halt? With a fishhook or a dogleg

Enabling Learning Objective C Action: Cross a danger area (linear or open) Conditions: Given a field environment with BDUs, LBE, rucksack, M4 carbine, all necessary ammunition and pyrotechnics, and a block of instruction. Standards: Cross danger areas IAW team SOPS and FM 7-93.

Linear Danger Area * Streams are also linear danger areas

Principles of Crossing Security left/right must be maintained at all times Utilize the road to your advantage Moving quickly across the road is not always the best

Principles of Crossing (cont.) Set security at a 45 degree angle across the road so that they can see each other and still maintain security Never cross on azimuth Never cross at intersections Always counter-track

Crossing a Linear Danger Area

SSO SSO TL TL RTO RTO ARTO ARTO SO SO ATL ATL Cover Cover TL RTO RTO ARTO ARTO SO SO ATL ATL

Can’t see up road Can see up road

Crossing Improved Linear Danger Area

Crossing Improved Linear Danger Area (cont.)

Crossing Improved Linear Danger Area (cont.)

Open Danger Area (Small/Large) Always bypass if possible (contour or detour bypass) If crossing is inevitable, use an open movement formation Use overwatch positions (if feasible) Avoid crossing during daylight

Detour Bypass Contour Original pace 100m 1840m + 270 270 100m 360 Estimated 100m 200m o 360 o 90 100m 1640m o o 360 270 Detour Bypass Contour

What do you never do at a linear danger area?

What do you never do at a linear danger area? Cross on azimuth

Which is the most preferred method for bypassing an open area?

Which is the most preferred method for bypassing an open area? The contour method

Enabling Learning Objective D Action: Designate a rally/rendezvous point Conditions: Given a field environment with BDUs, LBE, rucksack, M4 carbine, all necessary ammunition and pyrotechnics, and a block of instruction. Standards: Designate a rally/rendezvous point IAW team SOPS and FM 7-93.

Rally Point Rendezvous Point Designated enroute No “floating” rally points Rendezvous Point Designated in planning Usually 2 hr, 4hr, 24 hr Must be an easily identifiable location on the map and the ground Use M-TETTC when choosing rendezvous points

24/4/2 hr RV TO SAFE 4/2 hr RV 2 hr RV LZ OBJ

What is the difference between an RV and an RP?

What is the difference between an RV and an RP? RV is designated in planning, while an RP is designated on site

Enabling Learning Objective E Action: Perform linkup Conditions: Given a field environment with BDUs, LBE, rucksack, M4 carbine, all necessary ammunition and pyrotechnics, and a block of instruction. Standards: Perform linkup IAW team SOPS and FM 7-93.

Types of Linkup Team internal Friendly unit Partisan Friendly forward lines during E&R

Characteristics of a Linkup Easily recognizable terrain Offers cover and concealment Off natural lines of drift Multiple routes of access and escape

Team Internal Linkup 1 stationary (Hide) and 1 moving element (Surveillance) All elements have FM communications Far recognition- FM communications Near recognition- IR flashes, IR chems, etc.

Friendly Unit Linkup Coordinated for by a face to face with the linkup unit (LNO) Recon element will always be the static unit if possible Emplace overwatch security even for friendly linkup FM communications for far recognition VS 17, IR flashes, etc for near recognition Have all elements ready to move if linking up for extraction

Partisan Linkup Overwatch position required Bone fides given to the partisan and returned correctly Never trust the partisan with your equipment Be prepared to move out quickly if for extraction

Linkup with the FLOT During E&R High chance of fratricide Never approach the FLOT Wait for a patrol to come into your vicinity Signal the patrol at a safe distance (NOT 10 FEET)

What are some characteristics for selection of a link-up site ?

What are some characteristics for selection of a link-up site ? Easily recognizable Good cover and concealment Off natural lines of drift Defendable for short time Offers multiple access and escape routes

What must you have in position prior to a partisan link-up?

What must you have in position prior to a partisan link-up? An over watch position

10 MINUTE BREAK

Enabling Learning Objective F Action: Establish a patrol base Conditions: Given a field environment with BDUs, LBE, rucksack, M4 carbine, all necessary ammunition and pyrotechnics, and a block of instruction. Standards: Establish a patrol base IAW team SOPS and FM 7-93.

Location of a Patrol Base Little tactical value to the enemy Off natural lines of drift Near a source of potable water Defendable for a short period of time In difficult terrain is a benefit (swamps, etc.) Avoid Ridges Built up areas Roads/trails Enemy positions

Patrol Bases Purpose Rest/refit Change of mission planning Maintenance of equipment Resupply

Occupation of a Patrol Base The location of the patrol base should be decided on by map recon Move into the vicinity of the patrol base and conduct a long halt/SLLS Conduct a recon for the best location for the patrol base Movement into patrol base (do a larger than normal fish hook)

Occupation of a Patrol Base (cont.) Maintain security at all times- most likely time to get hit Camouflage using natural vegetation and yetti nets Cache of unneeded equipment

Activities at the Patrol Base Priorities of Work Security- 360 at all times- all M18A1 claymores emplaced Communications- use low visibility antennas by daylight Maintenance- Field strip, oil, clean all equipment Chow- Leave no trash Personal Hygiene Rest

Activities at the Patrol Base(cont.) Other activities Planning- security must be maintained while issuing the order Water resupply conducted as needed Break out plans must be established- (“Black & Gold” rally points) Maintain security throughout

What is the first priority of work in a patrol base?

What is the first priority of work in a patrol base? Security

What are some of the things that you should avoid when emplacing a patrol base?

Enemy positions-(known or suspected) What are some of the things that you should avoid when emplacing a patrol base? Ridges Built up areas Roads or trails Enemy positions-(known or suspected)

Enabling Learning Objective G Action: Identify hand & arm signals Conditions: Given a field environment with BDUs, LBE, rucksack, M4 carbine, all necessary ammunition and pyrotechnics, and a block of instruction. Standards: Identify hand & arm signals IAW team SOPS and FM 21-60.

Come to me Enemy Danger Area Freeze Rally Increase Speed

Head Count Map Check Pace Count Wedge RTO

What level do you want to keep hand and arm signals?

What level do you want to keep hand and arm signals? Below shoulder level

Enabling Learning Objective H Action: Break contact Conditions: Given a field environment with BDUs, LBE, rucksack, M4 carbine, all necessary ammunition and pyrotechnics, and a block of instruction. Standards: Break contact IAW team SOPS, FM 7-8, and FM 7-93.

Principles of Breaking Contact Claymores are a bonus item-if you don’t use them you have them for another day Success is based upon speed of execution Don’t fire if your not being fired upon-your only giving your position away-hence you can’t see the enemy through smoke

Breaking Contact (cont.) Principles of Breaking Contact (cont.) Drop rucks only as a last resort Practice man down drills - it happens

Contact Front Initial action is just going to ground and seeking cover Initial deployment will depend upon terrain and the enemy TL takes charge of the lead element/ ATL the rear element

Contact Front (cont.) The deployment of the trail element is the opposite of the lead element. If the lead goes left, then the trail goes right Bound until contact is broken, or an escape route is identified, then get in a file and move out of the area to consolidate and reorganize

Break Contact Front

Contact Front (cont.) 1st Bound 2nd Bound

Contact Rear The exact opposite of contact front

Contact Left

Contact Right Exactly the opposite of contact left

How long should the time fuse be on a claymore for breaking contact?

How long should the time fuse be on a claymore for breaking contact? 30-60 seconds

Enabling Learning Objective I Action: React to ambush/sniper Conditions: Given a field environment with BDU’s, LBE, rucksack, M4 carbine, all necessary ammunition and pyrotechnics, and a block of instruction. Standards: React to ambush/sniper IAW team SOPS, FM 7-8, and FM 7-93.

Near Ambush Near ambush designed to draw you into kill zone Team will rush through the ambush attempting to place a wall of lead into the ambush line

Far Ambush Use heavy smoke on the initial contact React to far ambush the same as react to contact

React to Sniper On initial contact, throw smoke and allow it to billow before moving Utilize your man down drills Move quickly out of the area using bounds

What must a Recon team do initially during a sniper attack?

Recon team do initially during a sniper attack? What must a Recon team do initially during a sniper attack? Seek cover and throw smoke

Enabling Learning Objective J Action: React to indirect fire/ air attack/ flares Conditions: Given a field environment with BDUs, LBE, rucksack, M4 carbine, all necessary ammunition and pyrotechnics, and a block of instruction. Standards: React to indirect fire/air attack/flares IAW team SOPS, FM 7-8, and FM 7-93.

React to Indirect Fire When rounds are incoming, the team will go to the prone to avoid casualties After initial volley, the TL will give a distance and direction to move (1 o’clock 300 meters) After initial movement vary your direction The team picks up and moves out as directed Continue to do this until out of the danger area Take advantage of any escape routes

1 o’clock 300 meters

React to Air Attack Upon seeing aircraft, the team will freeze to avoid the aircraft from seeing them If seen, the team will take available cover immediately, If no cover is available, the team will disperse to minimize the damage a strafing run will incur The team will throw multiple smokes to confuse the aircraft After the aircraft makes a run, the team will pick up and move to cover

React to Flares Aerial Flares If the flare is going up, go to the prone If the flare is already up, freeze and then get down slowly Ground Flares Get out of the area as quickly as possible Keep in mind to move out the opposite direction

What is the first thing the team will do upon receiving indirect fire?

What is the first thing the team will do upon receiving indirect fire? Get down on the ground

After initial movement, what should the team do?

After initial movement, what should the team do? Change their direction

Enabling Learning Objective K Action: Break from hide/surveillance Conditions: Given a field environment with BDUs, LBE, rucksack, M4 carbine, all necessary ammunition and pyrotechnics, and a block of instruction. Standards: Break from hide/surveillance IAW team SOPS, FM 7-8, and FM 7-93.

Break from Hide/Surv Sites Well planned-alert procedures Equipment packed at all times Notify other site prior to breakout-if possible Detonate all claymores simultaneously Smoke (emplaced or thrown) Bounding

SUMMARY Movement techniques and battle drills − Movement formation − Security halts − Danger areas − Rally/rendevous points − Perform linkup − Patrol base − Hand & arm signals − Break contact − React to ambush/sniper − React to air attack/indirect fire/flares − Break from hide/surveillance

QUESTIONS?

What is the purpose of using a file formation?

What is the purpose of using a file formation? Thick vegetation, during limited visibility, or when speed is needed

When crossing a linear danger area where is security emplaced?

When crossing a linear danger area where is security emplaced? Positioned behind cover

When are rally and rendezvous points designated ?

When are Rally and Rendezvous points designated? Rally points- enroute Rendezvous points- during planning

Characteristics of a linkup?

Characteristics of a linkup? Easily recognizable terrain Cover and Concealment Off natural lines of drift Multiple access and escape routes

Purpose of a patrol base?

Purpose of a patrol base? Rest / refit Planning Maintenance resupply

When breaking contact, when do we drop rucks?

When breaking contact, when do we drop rucks? Only as a last result

Prior to breaking from the hide/surveillance site what do we want to do?

Notify the other site prior if possible Prior to breaking from the hide/surveillance site what do we want to do? Notify the other site prior if possible

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