__________
__________
GPS/compass
__________
__________
Vehicle weights
__________
__________
COMMUNICATE
Radios checked and working
__________
__________
Batteries fully charged
__________
__________
Crypto up to date
__________
__________
Frequency and hop sets accurate and working
__________
__________
All personnel trained in the use of all communication equipment
__________
__________
ABCs of communication, antennas, batteries, and crypto verified
__________
__________
Maintenance performed and firmware up to date
__________
__________
Communication plan complete (cheat sheets available)
__________
__________
Primary alternate contingency emergency (PACE) understood
__________
__________
Electric and nonelectric communication SOP rehearsed
__________
__________
MEDICATE
Individual first aid kits (IFAK)
__________
__________
Contents/packing list
__________
__________
SOP location on body
__________
__________
Extra tourniquets
__________
__________
Vehicle medical kits inspected and in SOP location
__________
__________
Medic bags contents inspected in accordance with (IAW) SOP
__________
__________
Water filtration/purification/location verified
__________
__________
All extraction equipment in vehicles and soldiers trained in use
__________
__________
Combat lifesavers (CLS) and equipment up to date
__________
__________
Medical persons training and credentials up to date
__________
__________
PERSONAL
Confirm physicals, allergies, blood type, and ID tags on all soldiers
__________
__________
Confirm shots and immunizations
__________
__________
Verify personal medications (bee sting kit, malaria pills, antibiotics, etc.)
__________
__________
Personal info on all soldiers is secure (team leader)
__________
__________
Inspect deployment equipment (SOP and serviceable)
__________
__________
Ensure that all soldiers are mission ready and capable
__________
__________
3
Movement
Infantry’s key strength is its ability to cross almost any terrain during all weather conditions. Infantry soldiers moving undetected gain an advantage over the enemy. Movement fundamentals, formations, and techniques provide the leader with security and maneuver advantages during engagements.
FUNDAMENTALS
•Ensure that movement supports a rapid transition to maneuver.
•Conduct reconnaissance of the terrain and the enemy to the extent possible.
•Move on covered and concealed routes and, if the situation permits, during limited visibility.
•Select routes that avoid natural lines of drift, likely ambush sites, and other danger areas.
•Establish security during movement and halts. Avoid moving directly forward from covered positions. All weapons should be prepared to engage targets.
•Enforce camouflage, noise, and light discipline.
•Designate air guards.
•Make enemy contact with the smallest element possible.
FORMATIONS
Formations are arrangements of elements and soldiers in relation to one another. Squads use formations for control, flexibility, and security. Leaders choose formations based on the geometry of the battlefield (METT-TC). Leaders are located where they can best command and control forces.
PLATOON AND SQUAD FORMATION ABBREVIATIONS
PLT
LDR Platoon leader
PSG
Platoon sergeant
SL
Squad leader
TL
Team leader
RATELO
Radiotelephone operator
FO
Forward observer
R and RFLM
Rifleman
AR
Automatic rifleman/SAW gunner
GRN
Grenadier
MG
Machine gun
MEDIC
Medic/corpsman
Fire Team Formations
Wedge. The wedge is the basic formation for the fire team. The interval between soldiers in the wedge formation is normally 10 meters. The wedge expands and contracts depending on the terrain. When rough terrain, poor visibility, or other factors make it difficult to control the wedge, the normal interval is reduced so that all team members can still see their team leader and the team leaders can still see their squad leader. The sides of the wedge can contract to resemble a single file. When moving in less rugged terrain, where control is easier, soldiers expand the wedge or resume their original positions.
File. When the terrain precludes use of the wedge, fire teams use the file formation.
Squad Formations
Squad formations describe the relationships between fire teams in the squad.
Squad Column. The squad column is the most common formation. It provides good lateral and deep dispersion without sacrificing control and it facilitates maneuver. The lead fire team is the base fire team. When the squad moves independently or as the rear element of the platoon, the rifleman in the trail fire team provides rear security. Squads can move in normal or modified columns as terrain dictates.
Squad Line. The squad line provides maximum firepower to the front. When a squad is acting as the base squad, the fire team on the right is the base fire team.
Squad File. When not traveling in a column or line, squads travel in file. The squad file has the same characteristics as the fire team file. If the squad leader wants to increase his control over the formation, enhance morale by leading from the front, and be immediately available to make key decisions, he moves forward to the first or second position. Additional control over the rear of the formation can be provided by moving a team leader to the last position.
Platoon Formations
Platoon Column. The platoon column is the primary movement formation. It provides good lateral and deep dispersion and simplifies control. The lead squad is the base squad. (Note: METT-TC will determine where crew-served weapons move in the formation. They normally move with the platoon leader so he can quickly establish a base of fire.)