At the platoon level, maneuver forms the heart of every tactical operation and task. The research described in this report was sponsored by the United States Army and conducted by the RAND Arroyo Center. 0000103428 00000 n Just as they do with movement techniques, platoon leaders plan formations based on where they expect enemy contact and on the higher commander's plans to react to contact. Troops should dismount to provide greater security. Figure 3-22. 351 0 obj <>stream (c) Choose and Recommend a COA and Maneuver the Force. b. If detected, an infiltrating element typically returns fire, breaks contact, and reports. The battalion mortars can also provide effective and responsive support when elements must break contact. 3rd Cavalry Regiment platoon conducts mounted, dismounted patrol with Description. Manage Settings If the platoon has a hard time linking up at the rally point, then the first element to arrive should mark the rally point with an infrared light source. hbbd```b`` (d/7HO0 D0D2 b xU";ouH~/ # KFg` ? At the same time, however, movement techniques alone are not enough to guarantee accomplishment of these tactical goals. What kind of infantry fighting vehicle does the Army require? Whether the platoon plans to exfiltrate on foot, by RV, or by air, it must conduct detailed planning to establish criteria for a passage of lines to minimize the chances of fratricide. f. Bounding Overwatch (Dismounted). (d) Execute the COA. Prior to any mission, the reconnaissance platoon leader must receive a detailed IPB of the area of operations from the battalion S2. US Army Cavalry and the End of the Dragoon The US Army organized another mounted force, two cavalry regiments, in 1855. Continue with Recommended Cookies. (2) The platoon's main body can use an infrared or thermal source to regain visual contact with the element and link it back to the main body. The reconnaissance platoon uses terrain features to its advantage during the exfiltration. Nicholas Belz. Use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 10 or higher for the best experience. As soon as the lead vehicle is in a covered and concealed position, the overwatch vehicle moves to an alternate firing position and occupies a hide position while trying to maintain contact with the smallest possible element. The platoon must also establish a hasty defense when the enemy executes a hasty attack. The platoon should use the traveling overwatch formation. When this reconnaissance is complete, the section or team sends an updated report to higher headquarters. The platoon must conduct these halts at regular intervals (approximately every kilometer) while moving through the wooded area. The principles of land navigation while mounted are basically the same as while dismounted. 0000083240 00000 n The vehicle turrets are manned. Dragoon Soldier: Historical Background - National Park Service This is usually more rapid than successive bounds. If necessary, the platoon can use a series of contact points, coordination points, or both, to enhance security during movement through the area. The order of march in the column may depend on which organization the platoon will use at the end of the movement; in addition, the lead section may vary based on METT-TC considerations. Platoon herringbone formation. f. Fire Support. These techniques provide a standard method of movement, but the platoon leader must use common sense in employing them as he performs his missions and encounters different situations. The move-set method can be used to control bounding overwatch within the reconnaissance section regardless of the platoon organization. The squad leader relays this message to the platoon leader. After determining that the commander's intent has not changed, the platoon leader recommends the COA to the commander and requests permission to execute. Teams and individuals increase the interval between them. ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Once they determine that the enemy in contact cannot influence them, they continue their mission with the platoon leader's approval. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. An element (normally a section or team) maintains contact while the rest of the reconnaissance platoon continues the reconnaissance mission. In addition, it must avoid becoming vehicle-bound; it must be prepared to dismount to improve observation, prevent enemy detection, and provide security. Using the components taken from the currently fielded mounted JBC-P system is too cumbersome and heavy for a Soldier to carry for long distances in a rucksack. Christian Gutierrez, platoon sergeant from Queens, New York, assigned to Bandit Troop, 1st Squadron, 3d Cavalry Regiment, conducts a mounted movement of a tactical convoy of mixed U.S. and ANA 203rd Corps military police vehicle U.S. Army 1st Lt. Joseph Cornely and U.S. Army Capt. The platoon leader may ask the company team commander for a copy of the MCOO for his AO. (2) Regardless of how thorough this analysis and planning may be, direct contact with the enemy is still a possibility, usually as a result of chance contact. The platoon leader should consider all available COAs, including those outlined in the following discussion. The routes should facilitate mission accomplishment within the limitations of boundaries and allow freedom of maneuver. The steps that make up actions on contact must be thoroughly trained and rehearsed so that the platoon can react instinctively, as a team, whenever it encounters enemy forces. Whenever possible, dismounted members should reconnoiter the entire wood line before mounted movement to the wooded area. (d) Execute the COA. Known as danger areas, these are likely points of enemy contact due both to the platoon's vulnerability and to the cover, concealment, and observation these sites afford to the enemy. The section or team leader organizes a hasty reconnaissance patrol that attempts to move to the flank or rear of the enemy and observes the enemy position. The staggered column is used for rapid movement across open terrain. 0000008495 00000 n As the reconnaissance platoon executes reconnaissance and security missions, it will encounter routes or mobility corridors that provide access into the area between the platoon and friendly elements to its rear. Leaders must maintain a paper map with an acetate operational graphics overlay in case of system failures. Once the displacing section or team has arrived at the rally point, it takes up defensive positions and reports its arrival to the overwatch section or team. Remain focused on the reconnaissance objective. (1) Single-Lane Infiltration. (c) Choose and Recommend a COA and Maneuver the Force. If the platoon concentrates, it risks losing its capability to complete its mission and jeopardizing its ability to conduct subsequent missions. Dismounted mission command transforms for expeditionary use Upon completing its movement (bound), the lead element then occupies a similar position and provides overwatch as the trail element bounds forward to its next overwatch position. b. a. (1) When the platoon deploys and reports, it uses fundamental techniques of tactical movement (dismounted or mounted) and action drills using the terrain to ensure effective cover and concealment. Each method requires specific operational considerations, and each has tactical advantages and disadvantages. Extraction by air or RV (ground) is favored when the resources are available and their use will not compromise the mission. It employs movement routes that put ridgelines, rivers, and other restrictive terrain between the platoon and enemy security forces. (3) Pickup Points. Vehicles are positioned 100 to 150 meters apart (Figure 3-7). Situations involving nuclear, biological, or chemical (NBC) conditions (see. According to the 1911 Encyclopdia Britannica, "Mounted rifles are half cavalry, mounted infantry merely specially mobile infantry." [1] Infiltration is a form of maneuver that entails movement by small groups or individuals, at extended or irregular intervals, through or into an area occupied by an enemy or friendly force, while avoiding contact with the enemy. Once in position, the base-of-fire element suppresses known, likely, or suspected enemy elements and at the same time aggressively scans its assigned sectors. If time and terrain permit, the platoon should dismount infantry to reconnoiter the movement route and secure the far side of the open area. Held, Bruce, Mark A. Lorell, James T. Quinlivan, and Chad C. Serena, /content/admin/rand-header/jcr:content/par/header/reports, /content/admin/rand-header/jcr:content/par/header/blogPosts, /content/admin/rand-header/jcr:content/par/header/multimedia, /content/admin/rand-header/jcr:content/par/header/caseStudies, Great-Power Competition Outside the Indo-Pacific and Europe, Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities for the Department of Defense, The Problems Facing VA Modernization Are Bigger Than Its Software Systems, Violence in Sudan, Alcohol Use, North Korea: RAND Weekly Recap, Russian Military Operations in Ukraine in 2022 and the Year Ahead. Some platoon missions may require that rifle squads to operate independently of the BFVs. Under normal conditions in flat, open terrain on a clear night, rotary-wing aircraft lose most of their audio signature at a distance of about 5 kilometers. This chapter focuses on mechanized infantry rifle platoon and squad mounted and dismounted movement techniques, formations, and actions, and the platoon leader's options for moving the platoon tactically. This chapter includes example formations only. 0000009697 00000 n The process they use to evolve from tactical movement to maneuver, if unplanned, is "actions on contact." (2) All crews involved in the maneuver must always maintain all-round security at all times. The rest of the platoon moves on to establish far-side security, monitor any changes in the enemy situation, and support the hasty attack by a friendly unit. They must also state what actions the reconnaissance platoon must take if it must exfiltrate unexpectedly. Based on this evaluation and further guidance from higher, he can then maneuver the platoon out of contact and make contact either on his own terms or as directed by the commander. Spacing requirements, as well as other METT-TC considerations, require the platoon to adapt basic formations. Before each mission, the leader designates the duration between digital and analog position updates. This is the fire team's basic formation. This gives the platoon the greatest possible flexibility to maneuver and develop the situation. 336 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<2AF0C0400991FCAF7E05FBAF2D63923D>]/Index[313 39]/Info 312 0 R/Length 112/Prev 388775/Root 314 0 R/Size 352/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream The ability to conduct fire and maneuver immediately upon dismount became more difficult. He considers various possible COAs, based on well-developed TTP (including battle drills), to meet the types of contact. When the enemy situation seems unclear or when contact might occur, leaders often use the wedge formation shown in Figure 3-2. Locating covered and concealed movement routes for friendly attacking units. Security Halts - United States Army In another instance, the platoon may deploy in a stay-behind mode during defensive operations, requiring it to plan and execute movement to return to friendly controlled areas. Virtual training puts the 'real' in realistic environment Mounted Soldier System - Wikipedia Some platoon elements remain stationary to provide protection for bounding elements by suppressing or destroying enemy elements. These plans should address various contingencies for movement, such as the possibility that the platoon may be able to exfiltrate intact or in smaller groups to avoid detection. When contact is made, the platoon executes battle drills, designated by SOP, to maintain freedom of maneuver and avoid becoming decisively engaged. %PDF-1.6 % In most situations, smaller elements are better able to take advantage of available cover and concealment. He bounds elements using successive or alternate bounds (Figures 3-15). To aid in the control of movement, the platoon should choose rally points for all infiltrations and exfiltrations. In this example, because the commander had specifically addressed the contingency the reconnaissance platoon has developed, the platoon leader neither makes a recommendation to his commander nor asks his permission to execute the COA. The Ground Combat Vehicle is an attempt to provide the infantry with an IFV that can carry a full infantry squad of nine men capable of dismounting under fire and defeating the enemy in complex terrain. However, it must stay far enough to the rear to retain freedom of maneuver, in case an enemy force engages the lead element. c. Mounted Formations. Rifle squads normally move in column or wedge formation (Figure 3-17). 0000002458 00000 n Three GCVs could carry three complete mechanized infantry squads, and the fourth GCV can carry the platoon's organic and attached enablers. The line formation has the following characteristics, advantages, and limitations: SecurityLess than other formations due to lack of depth. The plan would mandate that the resupply location be specially marked for security and identity purposes. (1) Wedge Formation. Effectively employed, movement techniques allow the platoon to find and observe threats without being compromised. However, nothing replaces a head out of the turret, scanning the terrain, and looking for the enemy. b. The platoon must keep an element in contact with the enemy unless specifically authorized to do otherwise. (2) Once it has reconnoitered the area using visual, digital, and sensor enablers, the platoon moves across the area. If the element in contact is unable to report or cannot report quickly, another team in the reconnaissance platoon section must report. These aids also provide directional information for movement and target acquisition, and they augment operational planning graphics such as checkpoints, boundaries, coordination points, and phase lines. These distances vary based on the factors of METT-TC. The coil and herringbone are platoon-level formations employed when elements of the company team are stationary and must maintain 360-degree security. Open areas frequently afford the reconnaissance platoon the opportunity to observe the enemy or objectives from long ranges. Two-section platoon wedge formation. For example, the reconnaissance platoon leader must anticipate contingency measures in case his elements must conduct an unplanned exfiltration during a reconnaissance operation. Enemy weapons, unknown terrain, and other operational factors all increase the danger. (Refer to Chapter 4, Section IV.). This should be done both dismounted and mounted. Platoon using traveling technique and staggered column formation. Navigation during limited visibility conditions is easier for the digitized platoon with the introduction of POSNAV and limited visibility equipment. (a) Deploy and Report. It sends this information to the platoon leader in the form of updates to the original spot report as soon as possible. Mounted movement is similar to dismounted movement. For instance, mounted and dismounted troops can conduct a mutually supporting zone reconnaissance focusing on severely restricted terrain and vehicular mobility corridors. 0000003156 00000 n The POSNAV enables mounted elements to use greater dispersion during movement without losing awareness of vehicle positions. The platoon may infiltrate by sections, by teams, or as a complete platoon. In very large open areas, however, use of dismounted troops may not be feasible because of the distances between covered and concealed positions. (In the absence of orders, the direction of travel becomes 12 o'clock.) The leader analyzes the latest information on the enemy and determines if contact with the enemy is unlikely. The echelon formation covers the exposed flank of a larger force well, and has the following characteristics, advantages, and limitations: SecurityGood, for echelon sides of higher formation. After considering these factors, the leaders decide to infiltrate either mounted or dismounted. Gaining unit feedback is a key part of the R&D work as incremental modifications are made, said Ifeanyi Igwulu, future initiatives project officer for Product Manager JBC-P. In doing so, the OP can provide security through early warning of enemy activity that the mounted element would not have detected. This gives the rest of the platoon freedom to maneuver. Depending on the vehicle type, a platoon may have a squad in one to four vehicles. Contact with an unknown or superior force. The platoon leader quickly moves forward, confirms the danger area, and determines what technique the platoon will use to cross. Ideally, the lead team moves at least 50 meters in front of the rest of the element. Crossing Large Open Areas (Dismounted). During the execution of reconnaissance and security missions, the reconnaissance platoon will encounter specific types of terrain or features that expose it to enemy fire. Refer to the seven general categories of contact discussed in paragraph 3-4c. It does not, however, relieve him of the responsibility of tracking the move on his map. The term "maneuver" means "the use of movement in combination with fire (or fire potential) employed to achieve a position of advantage with respect to the enemy, and to facilitate accomplishment of the mission." Based on the initial spot report of the reconnaissance section or team in contact, the platoon leader determines that he has located his primary reconnaissance objective. The platoon leader must decide whether to use this method with the understanding that doing so will sacrifice stealth. This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. Leaders may detach small security elements from the main body to provide early warning by acting as an advance guard or as guides along a route. Each movement technique and formation has unique advantages and disadvantages. It conducts dismounted reconnaissance to get detailed information on enemy dispositions. The platoon leader issues appropriate orders directing his subordinates to prepare to support the hasty attack. To meet user needs, the dismounted kit must be light and compact enough to carry in a rucksack for extended missions as well as easy to use and set up. The Pardee RAND Graduate School (PardeeRAND.edu) is home to the only Ph.D. and M.Phil. Dismounted: Unless they have a large monster-type mount (carnousaur, stegadon, griffon, rat-ogre, dragon, etc. [ Echelon right formation. 0000040327 00000 n The platoon leader must use all available optics and other assets, including GSR, to reconnoiter the open area and find a bypass, if applicable. RT @VincentZephyr: Wishing "Armour Day" to the BEST Arm of the Indian Army- The Armoured Corps. g. Actions on Contact. (a) If undetected by the enemy and time is available, the section or team reconnoiters the enemy position, emphasizing stealth, dismounted reconnaissance, and use of assets such as GSR and TUAVs, if available. The platoon should also develop SOPs for limited visibility marking to aid in command and control at night. All groups rehearse this procedure since no one knows which group will arrive first. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. The vehicle commander can retrieve the operational overlay on one layer, the enemy situation template on another layer, the fire support overlay on another, and so forth. Subscribe to the weekly Policy Currents newsletter to receive updates on the issues that matter most. They should not attack more heavily armored vehicles except in self-defense. Infantry squads normally move mounted until the situation requires them to dismount. Dismounted marches, also called foot marches, are movements of troops and equipment, mainly by foot, with limited support by vehicles. (2) Contouring Around the Open Area. However, navigation, consolidation, and command and control are more difficult. (2) During mounted movement, leaders use their commander's tactical display (CTD) to monitor the company, platoon, and sections. PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Bandit Troop commander, Capt. a. If the element makes visual contact but is not detected, it should continue the mission. At the end of the patrol both parties thanked each other for the privilege of operating together and hoped for further combined missions. To enhance awareness, they may have the rifle squads give position updates at regular intervals. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Leaders use POSNAV aids to identify their location and the location of subordinate and adjacent units. This problem increases with the addition of position updates and friendly and enemy icons during the mission. The lead element moves continuously along the covered and concealed routes that give it the best available protection from possible threat observation and direct fire (Figure 3-18). As information becomes available, the element in contact sends a contact report, followed by a digital or analog size, activity, location, and time (SALT) report . Once the vehicles are inside the wood line (approximately 100 to 200 meters), the platoon shuts off vehicle engines, maintains dismounted security, and conducts a listening/security halt. The formation may be widened to permit passage of vehicles down the center of the column. Either the platoon's mounted element or other fire teams from the dismounted element overwatch the rifle squad's movement. Purposes. (1) It is critical that the platoon maintains continuous surveillance of these mobility corridors to provide security against enemy forces that move into the sector after the reconnaissance platoon has moved on. The platoon sergeant (or designated NCO, if the platoon sergeant remains with the BFVs) also moves forward to the platoon leader. The ANA MPs showed up prepared and ready for a mission with U.S. forces. The element in contact next concentrates on defining what enemy it faces. As a general rule, the platoon, section, or team should disengage from the enemy as early in the contact as possible. This technique allows for an absolute minimum of radio transmissions, positive control by the section leader, and maximum security within the section. This security technique involves the use of short-duration OPs consisting of mounted or dismounted soldiers with necessary observation equipment. As the terrain becomes less rugged and control becomes easier, the soldiers assume their original positions (Figure 3-9). To accomplish a specific task, the reconnaissance platoon itself may need to infiltrate areas occupied by enemy forces. The reconnaissance platoon employs movement techniques for a number of reasons (to minimize exposure, maintain freedom of movement, maximize available tactical options, and react effectively to contact). Ideally, the overwatch element keeps the bounding element in sight. In conducting both mounted and dismounted movement on the battlefield, the reconnaissance platoon uses three movement techniques: traveling, traveling overwatch, and bounding overwatch. The various techniques and formations have unique advantages and disadvantages. Some formations work well in certain types of terrain or tactical situations but are less effective in others. (3) Squad File. Visual contact (friendly elements may or may not be observed by the enemy). Traveling, squad dismounted. The squad file has the same characteristics as the fire team file. (1) Before moving across a large open area, the reconnaissance platoon must make a thorough visual scan of the area. However, the screen may display only a small portion of the platoon's area of operations. (a) The reconnaissance section or team that makes initial visual contact with the enemy deploys to covered terrain that affords good observation and fields of fire. Once deployed, the OP maintains surveillance of the avenue of approach until the rest of the reconnaissance element returns. These platoon members should report the enemy contact to the overwatching vehicles and to the platoon leader. (2) Once the bounding element reaches its overwatch position, it signals "READY" by voice or visual means to the element that overwatched its bound. Leaders track the movement of forward security elements.. Simultaneously, the lead element returns fire, sends a contact report, employs smoke grenades, and moves to the nearest hide position. One Size Fits All: the Future of the Scout Platoon and Squad A-1. 0000012943 00000 n 0000062657 00000 n In the commander's order, the engagement criteria tasked the reconnaissance section or team to engage when the enemy force consists of one wheeled vehicle or less (dismounted troops). The far-side security element leader establishes an OP forward of the cleared area. They should use radio listening silence except to report contact with enemy forces or to send critical information that the commander has directed them to report immediately. The squad bounds by fire teams into the wood line and clear an area large enough for the entire squad. The reconnaissance platoon uses this technique only when an analysis of METT-TC shows that only one lane is feasible.
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