11TH INFANTRY REGIMENT BATTLE DRILLS IOBC

PURPOSE Define battle drills Describe Characteristics of Battle Drills Share observations from CTC’s Outline leader decision made during battle drills to more clearly define who decides what? Improve the quality and speed of Platoon Leader’s decisions.

Battle Drill Definition A Battle Drill is a collective action executed without applying a deliberate decision making process - Infantry battle drills describe how platoons and squads apply fire and maneuver to commonly encountered situations. They require leaders to make decisions and to issue brief oral commands quickly Battle Drills require full understanding of each individual and leader task with continual practice. Repetition is the key.

Characteristics of a Battle Drill Require minimal leader commands. Standard throughout the Army Sequential actions Trained responses to enemy actions or leader’s orders Mental steps followed for offensive and defensive actions in training and combat Every leader must know and understand the battle drill. Trained response – example might be combatives. A reflex, if you will.

Observations from CTC’s Squads/Platoons slow to react to contact, take too many casualties as a result Platoons sometimes annihilated by fire-team or smaller size enemy force Fratricide occurs too often Initiative is too often lost, enemy escapes Diarrhea of the squad. Leaders take to much time to report, and not enough time reacting to the situation at hand. We do not trust our team leaders to make the right decisions. Let them do their jobs.

Why problems occur? Lack of trust Lack of proficiency with weapons and equipment Inability to operate without key leaders Lack of training equals lack of leadership Tough, realistic training is key. Amongst platoon members and leaders-combat veterans will tell you trust in each others’ judgement and ability is essential To dependent on the squad leader to make the decision. What happens when he is no longer with us. Poor training level on control of direct/indirect fires

Why problems occur? Overly complicated decision making processes Lack of all-round security PLTs get focused in direction of initial contact-enemy maneuvers on them Target fixation “Punch him in the nose and shoot him in the ear.” We become so focused with the contact to the front, we forget about the guy maneuvering to our flank. 360 at all times. Soldiers become fixated on one target when there are other threats at hand.

How to Get Better Train to HIGH standards Use “fall-out one” training “Cross Train” Develop/train/enforce SOPs Fire control Train to make contact from different directions Take normal leaders out and let others take charge Kill leaders in training and force dormant leaders to make a stand.] SOP’s are key within an Infantry platoon. Stress the importance of SOP’s and the significance. Every soldier should train to a high state of proficiency with all weapons and equipment. Always train and think about fire control. Train contact from all sides. Don’t assume it will always come from the front.

How to Get Better Build Teams Through Adversity Do hard things together in training Demand honesty, Instill high standards of conduct demand obedience of junior leaders Train all PLT members to call for fire and to be proficient with radios Standard hand and arm signals Tactical Patience Enforce all-round security DO NOT require your team leaders and squad leaders to call for fire. They have an immediate threat on their hands. They should not be thinking about indirect fires. Security. Hit it again.

How to Get Better Train all soldiers to give “Go where, do what” orders. Reduce amount of verbal noise Clearly define what decisions you expect leaders to make under fire Instill decision-making at the lowest level Act based on training. Teach them to follow their team leader. I don’t need to yell moving, when I hear my buddy shoot, I know he is set. When he does not hear me shooting, he knows I am moving. Same thing with SQD leaders. Their actions tell the squad to execute. Clear, concise task and purpose: I.e. “Move behind that berm and suppress the right bunker so B team can move” vs. “Get up and move!” or “Move out!”

SPEED VERSUS FIRING EFFECTIVENESS Speed of Advance Fire Team (See Decision Matrix) Buddy Team (See Decision Matrix) Individual (See Decision Matrix) Enemy Firing Effectiveness (Volume and Accuracy)

Platoon Battle Drills 07-3-D9103 React to Contact 07-3-D9104 Break Contact 07-3-D9105 React to Ambush 07-3-D9106 Knock out Bunkers 07-3-D9108 Enter and Clear a Building 07-3-D9110 Enter/Clear a Trench 07-3-D9112 Conduct Initial Breach of a Mined Wire Obstacle 07-3-D9282 React to a Chemical Attack 07-3-D9283 React to a Nuclear Attack 07-4-D9203 React to Indirect Fire

REACT TO CONTACT DECISIONS TEAM LDR SQUAD LDR PLATOON LDR Assault Request Call For Fire (CFF) CFF Establish Maneuver CFF Base of Fire Request CFF Establish Maneuver Base of Fire Establish Base of Fire Break Contact Break Contact Help Squad Break Contact Break Contact Considerations: - Can your element gain fire superiority? - Are you within hand grenade range? - Are you within an enemy kill zone? - Given fire superiority, from your position can a subordinate unit maneuver to a vulnerable flank? CFF Where to focus/distribute fires Whether or not fire team can assault-and from which direction Best way to move team against enemy If can’t assault-decide whether to establish a base of fire or break contact (team level) NOTE: Team leader not spending a lot of time trying to generate SALUTE report or call for indirect fire. Team leader leads by example, gives clear/concise orders

POINT FIRE (FIRE TEAM) TARGET TL AR GR R ID: SL’s IR w/NVGs ENGAGE: PAQ/PEQ w/2:1 Ball/tracer mix AR GR ID: TL’s IR w/NVGs ENGAGE: PAQ/PEQ @ TL’s IR impact point ID: TL’s IR w/NVGs or tracer fire ENGAGE: PAQ/PEQ @ TL’s IR impact point or iron sights at Intersection of TL’s & SAW tracers R PAQ-4/PEQ-2 BEAM TRACER M16/M203 ID: TL’s tracer fire w/SAW fire ENGAGE: PAQ/PEQ @ TL’s IR impact point or iron sights at Intersection of TL’s & SAW tracers

Team Leader Decision #1 Enemy Action Attack!

Team Leader Decision #2 Enemy Action Est Base of Fire

Team Leader Decision #3 Enemy Action Break Contact

Lead Team keeps assaulting Position 2nd Team as needed Squad Leader Decision #1 Enemy Action Lead Team keeps assaulting Position 2nd Team as needed (Base Right/Left)

Lead Team Est Base of Fire Squad Leader Decision #2 Enemy Action Lead Team Est Base of Fire 2nd Team Assaults L/R (Assault Right/Left)

Lead Team Est Base of Fire Squad Leader Calls For Fire Decision #2a Enemy Action Lead Team Est Base of Fire 2nd Team Assaults L/R (Assault Right/Left) Squad Leader Calls For Fire

Lead Team Est Base of Fire 2nd Reinforces Base of Fire Squad Leader Decision #3 Enemy Action Lead Team Est Base of Fire 2nd Reinforces Base of Fire (Base Right/Left)

Squad Leader Decision #3a Enemy Action Lead Team Est Base of Fire 2nd Reinforces Base of Fire (Base Right/Left) Squad Leader Calls For Fire

Base of Fire Not maintainable Squad Leader Decision #4 Enemy Action Assault Not Possible Base of Fire Not maintainable Then Break Contact

1st Squad Base Left/Right Platoon Leader Decision #1 1st Squad Base Left/Right Attack Left/Right Enemy Action

1st Squad Base Left/Right Platoon Leader Decision #1a 1st Squad Base Left/Right PL Calls For Fire Attacks Left/Right Enemy Action

1st Squad Base Left/Right Reinforce Base Left/Right Platoon Leader Decision #2 1st Squad Base Left/Right Reinforce Base Left/Right Enemy Action

Platoon Leader Decision #3 Enemy Bunker 1st Squad Base Left/Right Attack Left/Right 2nd Squad Base Left/Right 3rd Squad Assault Left/Right

Platoon Leader Decision #3a Enemy Bunker 1st Squad Base Left/Right Attack Left/Right PL Call For Fire 2nd Squad Base Left/Right 3rd Squad Assault Left/Right

Platoon Leader Decision #4 Enemy Bunker 1st Squad Base Left/Right 2nd Squad Base Left/Right PL Call For Fire 3rd Squad Base L/R (if needed) 1st Squad Break Contact 2nd Squad Break Contact 3rd Squad Break Contact

Knock Out Bunkers Friendly Bunker Enemy Bunker

FRAG OUT Enter/Clear a Trench

Near Ambush

Far Ambush Cease Fire Shift Fire

Breach a Mined/Wire Obstacle

TL/SL Same as in squad drills-but those in contact must be aware of what others are doing, where to focus their troops, and when/where to move them to based on actions of those in contact

Squad Leader If lead team keeps assaulting, If lead team establishes base of fire If squad can’t assault the enemy Advise PL on emplacement of machineguns/other forces Decide where/when/how to consolidate and reorganize based on terrain/threat Put 2nd team in position to support as needed (Base Fire/Support) Decide whether to use 2nd team to assault (Assault L/R) or to reinforce base of fire Decide whether to maintain base of fire or to break contact SL bases his decisions on actions of team in contact. Not much time spent yelling back and forth between SL/TL. Trust. SL focus on direct fire-fight, let PL handle indirect fire. SL doesn’t ask TL for too much information. Direction, Description, Distance

NOTES ON DECISIONS The decisions required of leaders for Battle Drills 1, 1A, and 2 apply to all of the remaining battle drills as well. The employment of indirect fires is best left to the PL and/or PSG. This allows TL/SLs to fight their elements in direct contact. PL is first man in PLT with secure radio communications capable of linking into fires nets.

Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant If squad in contact assaults If squad in contact establishes base of fire If squad in contact breaks contact Position machineguns and squads to support it. Position machineguns-decide whether to assault with another squad, establish a PLT base of fire, or break contact. Direct squads as to where to assault. Position others to support it-decide whether to establish base of fire, assault or break contact

Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant Employment of indirect fires PSG establish CCP Decide when/where/how to consolidate and reorganize Reporting Think positioning and distance to the target Always report to higher. Keep him informed. Company commanders needs a SITREP as soon as possible, and an SALUTE report when you have consolidated. NOTE: Don’t pressure SLs for large number of reports when in contact. Trust their abilities and actions. PL/PSG make decisions based on what they see and what actions SLs have taken.

Decisions Common to All Drills and Leaders What to do with casualties When/where/how to consolidate and re-organize based on threat/time/unit condition When/Where/How to focus/distribute/shift fires How/when to use markings and signals

CONCLUDING PRINCIPLES Train how we fight. Empower all leaders to tune their actions to local reality Assault behind effective fire All attacks are penetration attacks Leap frog units and sequence drills Battle handover and setting conditions Position selection and initiative to get there are critical skills for all soldiers Understanding of time, space, and forces Development of leaders and teams

CONCLUDING PRINCIPLES Train how we fight. Assault behind effective fire Battle handover and setting conditions Position selection and initiative to get there are critical skills for all soldiers Development of leaders and teams

QUESTIONS?