__________

__________

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.)