1. Patrol Base Occupation1
Patrol Base Occupation
a. Patrol Bases.
(1) General:
A patrol base is a position setup when a squad or platoon conducting a patrol halts for an extended period.
Patrol bases should not be occupied for more than a 24 hour period (except in emergency).
The unit never uses the same patrol base twice.
(2) Patrol bases are used for:
(a) To avoid detection by eliminating movement.
(b) To hide a unit during a long detailed reconnaissance.
(c) To perform maintenance on weapons / equipment, eat, and rest.
(d) To plan and issue orders.
(e) To reorganize after infiltrating on enemy area.
(f) To establish a base from which to execute several consecutive or concurrent operations (i.e., ambush, raid etc.).

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Patrol Base Occupation
b. Standards.
(1) Occupation.
(a) Establish patrol base on terrain IAW METT-T (MTETT) that is free of enemy.
(b) Unit must remain undetected while occupying the location as specified by their leader.
(c) Priorities of work per OPORD are accomplished.
(d) If discovered, unit defends and repels enemy or evacuates patrol base with 10% or less casualties.
(2) Activities.
(a) Unit must maintain noise and light discipline and remain undetected.
(b) All tasks and priorities of work must be conducted IAW platoon leader’s instructions.
(c) All personnel are aware of alert plan, evacuation plan, and priorities of work.

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Patrol Base Occupation
c. Fundamentals. Keep the following fundamentals in mind during patrol base operations:
(1) Site Selection.
The leader selects the tentative site from a map or by aerial reconnaissance.
The site’s serviceability must be confirmed; it must be secured before the unit moves into it.
Plans for establishing a patrol base must include selecting an alternate patrol base site.
The alternate site is used if the first site is unsuitable or if the patrol base must unexpectedly evacuate the first patrol base.
(2) Planning Considerations.
Leaders planning for a patrol base must consider the mission and passive and active security measures.
(a) Mission. A patrol base must be located so it allows the unit to accomplish its mission.
(b) Security Measures. Security measures involve the following:

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Patrol Base Occupation
(c) The leader selects:
- Terrain that the enemy would probably consider of little tactical value.
- Terrain that is off the main lines of drift.
- Difficult terrain that would impede foot movement such as an area of dense vegetation, preferably bushes and trees that spread close to the ground.
- Terrain near a source of water.
- Terrain that could be defended for a short period and that offers good cover and concealment.
(d) The leader plans for:
- Observation posts.
- Communications with observation posts.
- Defense of patrol base.
- Withdrawal from the patrol base to include withdrawal routes and a rally point, or rendezvous point or alternate patrol base.
- A security system to make sure that specific soldiers are awake at all times.
- Enforcement of camouflage, noise, and light discipline.
- The conduct of required activities with minimum movement and noise.

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Patrol Base Occupation
(e) The leader avoids:
- Known or suspected enemy positions.
- Built-up areas.
- Ridges and hilltops, except as needed for maintaining communications.
- Small valleys.
- Roads and trails.
Note: The following action is METT-T (MTETT) dependent; if there is nothing to be gained by doing this step, then the unit does not do it (for example, flat desert terrain).
d. Technique. One way of occupying and running a patrol base is:
(1) Occupation (Squad). The primary method for occupying a squad patrol base is as follows:
(a) Leaders recon technique (see figure 5-13).

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Patrol Base Occupation 12
Alpha Team CP
Bravo Team 9 3
Leader Recon
Technique 6 OP
Figure Occupation of patrol base (squad).

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Patrol Base Occupation
(b) Squad leader issues contingency plan.
(c) Make 90 degree dog leg and move to tentative patrol base.
(d) Clearing team clears and secures patrol base area using the zig-zag technique as depicted in figure 5-14. 12 9 3 6
Figure Clearing techniques.

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Patrol Base Occupation
(e) Squad leader issues contingency plan to clearing team; one man at 6 o’clock, one man at 12 o’clock positions.
(f) Squad leader and compass man return to squad and issue any changes to original plan.
(g) Squad leader has OP positioned in front of formation and gives them contingency plan.
(h) Unit moves out of security halt in order of movement that will facilitate occupation of patrol base.
(i) Unit establishes perimeter and security.Deploy R&S team. At night an R&S team is not sent out for a squad sized patrol base.
(k) After R&S team returns, squad leader makes final adjustment to the perimeter and calls in brevity codes to higher, as required.
(l) Squad leaders ensure 360 degree interlocking fires.
(m) Squad leader confirms and disseminates evacuation, alert, fire plan and alternate patrol base azimuth, distance and terrain feature (recon if time allows).
(n) Leader determines that temporary patrol base is satisfactory and begins patrol base activities.

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(2) Additional method for occupying a patrol base are listed below. METT-T dependent. Occupy by force technique (RECON BY-PASS Fig 5-17).
(a) Security and listening halt should be at a safe distance away from tentative patrol base.
(b) Entire squad move on original azimuth to vicinity of tentative patrol base.
(c) Begin series of 90 degree turns a safe distance from tentative site.
(d) On last turn into patrol base, drop off OP and ensures five point contingency plan is issued.
(e) Squad occupies, seeks cover and concealment (conducts listening halt 3-5 minutes).
(f) Deploy R&S teams (METT-T).
(g) Squad leader adjusts perimeter, RTO reports to higher headquarters.
(h) Squad leader ensures 360 degree interlocking fires.
(i) Squad leader confirms and disseminates evacuation, alert and fire plan also the alternate patrol base location. (azimuth, distance and terrain feature, recon if time allows).
(j) Initiate priorities of work.

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Patrol Base Occupation OP
Patrol
Base
(Listening Halt)
Figure Recon By-Pass technique.

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Patrol Base Occupation
(3) Passive Patrol Base (Squad).
(a) Purpose of a passive patrol base is for rest of a squad or smaller size element.
(b) Unit moves as a whole and occupies in force.
(c) Squad leader ensures that the unit moves in at 90 degree angle.
(d) Claymore mine (s) is emplace on route entering patrol base.
(e) Alpha and Bravo teams sit back to back facing outward. (Figure 5-16), ensuring that at least one individual per team is alert and providing security. CM
B Team
A Team
Figure Passive Patrol Base.

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Patrol Base Occupation
(4) Occupation (Platoon). Leaders Recon Technique. (Triangular perimeter - see figure 5-18).
(a) Platoon leader, RATELO, and security element secures tentative patrol base. Which personnel are taken for this mission are METT-T dependent.
(b) Issues a contingency plan to platoon sergeant prior to departure. (Platoon Sergeant disseminates plan to subordinates).
(c) Recon party conducts dog leg into tentative site.
(d) Leaders recon stops and establishes the 6 o’clock position.
(e) Platoon leader sends a clearing / security team forward to clear an area large enough for the platoon. (see figure 5-17) using the zig-zag technique.Size based on METT-T. 10 2 6
Figure Zig-Zag Clearing Technique

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Patrol Base Occupation
(f) Platoon Leader, RATELO, weapons squad leader and 2 man security team recon the entire patrol base location for suitability.
(g) During reconnaissance, platoon leader will:
- Identify location and fires for crew-served weapons.
- Identify interlocking fires (at squad level) to ensure 360 degree security.
- Ensure the terrain provides cover and concealment for the platoon.
- Leave M60 tripod / assistant gunner at the 10 o’clock, 2 o’clock, and 6 o’clock positions.
(h) Platoon leader issues contingency plan to element leader prior to leaving. (Two soldiers from the security element secure 6 o’clock apex).
(i) Platoon leader, RATELO, and security / compassman return to security halt and the platoon leader issues any change to original plan.
(j) Platoon moves to tentative patrol base and drops off OP at the dog leg.

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Patrol Base Occupation
(k) Establish perimeter and security:
- Platoon leader emplaces lead squad from 6 o’clock to 10 o’clock.
(l) Second squad in movement occupies 6 o’clock to 2 o’clock.
(m) The squad leader guides trail gun and trailing squad from 2 o’clock to 12 o’clock and then moves left and right to occupy 10 o’clock to 2 o’clock.
(n) Deploy R&S teams around patrol base using box clearing method.
(o) RATELO calls in spare to higher.
(p) Platoon leader confirms and disseminates evacuation, alert and fire plans; also alternate patrol base.
(q) Initiates priorities of work.
e. Priorities of work (Platoon and squad). Once the platoon leader is briefed by the R&S teams and determines area is suitable for a patrol base, the leader establishes or modifies defensive work priorities in order to establish the defense of the patrol base. Priorities of work (determined by METT-T):

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Patrol Base Occupation
(1) Security:
(a) Prepare to utilize all passive and active measures.
(b) readjust after R&S teams return. Employ all weapons, elements, and personnel to meet the conditions of terrain, situation and enemy.
(c) Assign sectors of fire to all personnel and weapons. Develop squad sector sketches and platoon fire plans. (see Figure 5-18)
(d) Confirm locations of fighting positions. (if applicable)
(2) Communication with higher headquarters.
(3) Weapons and equipment maintenance.
(4) Personal hygiene.
(5) Water / Mess plan.
(6) Rest / Sleep plan management.
(7) Stand to / Move out time.
f. Maintain 360 degree security at all times.
g. Establish Ops.

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Patrol Base Occupation
10 o’clock
Guide
2 o’clock
1st squad order of movement
3rd squad
order of
movement
2nd squad
6 o’clock
Drop off 2 soldiers at OP
Figure Triangular Patrol Base.