reconnaissance and surveillance leader course movement formations & battle drills

Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leader Course

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 LEARNINGOBJECTIVE

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


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

SSO TL RTO ARTO SO ATL

Direction of Movement


Modified Wedge

SSO

TL

RTO

ARTO

SO

ATL



Wedge Formation

SSO

TL

RTO

ARTO

SO

ATL



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)


Standards: Conduct security halts IAW team SOPS and FM 7-93.


Movement into Halts

• Always conduct dogleg / fishhook into a haltNormally large enough to fit the element

•Always conduct SLLSMinimum of 3-5 minutes


Short Halt


SSOTL

RTOARTO

SOATL


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)


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

TL RTO

ARTO

SO

ATL

SSO

TL

RTO

ARTO

SO

ATL

Cover Cover


Can’t see up road

Can see up road


Crossing Improved Linear Danger Area


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

Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leader CourseContour

Detour Bypass

Est

imat

ed 1

00m

270

270

3 60

360

90 100m

oo

o

o

o

o 3

60

200m

Orig

inal

pac

e+

100m

270 100mo

16

40m

1840

m


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 forbypassing 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


Standards: Designate a rally/rendezvous point IAW team SOPS and FM 7-93.


Rally 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

Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leader CourseOBJ

LZ

2 hr RV

4/2 hr RV

24/4/2 hr RV

TO SAFE


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


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 recognizableGood cover and concealmentOff natural lines of driftDefendable for short timeOffers 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


1010MINUTEMINUTEBREAKBREAK


Enabling Learning Objective F

Action: Establish a patrol base


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 BasesPurpose

• 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 BasePriorities 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?


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

RidgesBuilt up areasRoads or trails

Enemy positions-(known or suspected)


Enabling Learning Objective G

Action: Identify hand & arm signals


Standards: Identify hand & arm signals IAW team SOPS and FM 21-60.


Danger AreaCome to me

Enemy

FreezeIncrease Speed

Rally


Head Count

Pace Count

Map Check

RTOWedge


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


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


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


1st Bound

2nd Bound

Contact Front (cont.)


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


• Use heavy smoke on the initial contact

• React to far ambush the same as react to contact

Far Ambush


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?


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


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’clock300 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


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


• 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

SUMMARY


QUESTIONS?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, whendo 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?


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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reconnaissance and surveillance leader course movement formations & battle drills

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