•Be easy to find.

•Have cover and concealment.

•Be away from natural lines of drift.

•Be defendable for short periods.

Types of Rally Points

The most common types of rally points are initial, en route, objective, reentry, and near- and far-side rally points. Soldiers must know which rally point to move to at each phase of the patrol mission. They should know what actions are required there and how long they are to wait at each rally point before moving to another.

Initial Rally Point. An initial rally point (IRP) is a place inside friendly lines where a unit may assemble and reorganize if it makes enemy contact during the departure of friendly lines or before reaching the first en route rally point.

En Route Rally Point. The leader designates en route rally points (ERPs) every 100 to 400 meters (based on the terrain, vegetation, and visibility). When the leader designates a new ERP, the previously designated one goes into effect. This precludes uncertainty over which one soldiers should move to if contact is made immediately after the leader designates a new rally point. There are three ways to designate a rally point:

1.Physically occupy it for a short period (preferred method).

2.Pass by at a distance and designate using arm and hand signals.

3.Walk through and designate using arm and hand signals.

Objective Rally Point. The ORP is a point out of sight, sound, and small-arms range of the objective area. It is normally located in the direction that the platoon plans to move after completing its actions on the objective. The ORP is tentative until the objective is pinpointed. Actions at or from the ORP include:

•Reconnoitering the objective.

•Issuing a fragmentary order (FRAGO).

•Disseminating information from reconnaissance if contact was not made.

•Making final preparations before continuing operations (for example, re-camouflaging; preparing demolitions; lining up rucksacks for quick recovery; preparing enemy prisoner of war (EPW) bindings; first aid kits and litters; and inspecting weapons).

•Accounting for soldiers and equipment after actions at the objective are complete.

•Reestablishing the chain of command after actions at the objective are complete.

Occupation of an ORP by a Squad. In planning the occupation of an ORP, the squad leader follows this sequence:

•Halt beyond sight, sound, and small-arms weapons range of the tentative ORP (200 to 400 meters in good visibility, 100 to 200 meters in limited visibility).

•Position security.

•Move forward with a compass man and one member of each fire team to confirm the location of the ORP and determine its suitability. Issue a five-point contingency plan before departure.

•Position the Team A soldier at 12 o’clock and the Team B soldier at 6 o’clock in the ORP. Issue them a contingency plan and return with the compass man.

•Lead the squad into the ORP; position Team A from 9 to 3 o’clock and Team B from 3 to 9 o’clock.

The squad may also occupy the ORP by force. This requires more precise navigation but eliminates separating the squad.

Occupation of an ORP by a Platoon. The platoon leader should consider the same sequence in planning the occupation of an ORP. He brings a soldier from each squad on his reconnaissance of the ORP and positions them at the 10, 2, and 6 o’clock positions. The first squad in the order of march establishes the base leg (10 to 2 o’clock). The trailing squads occupy from 2 to 6 o’clock and from 6 to 10 o’clock positions, respectively.

Reentry Rally Point

The reentry rally point (RRP) is located out of sight, sound, and small-arms weapons range of the friendly unit through which the platoon will return. This also means that the RRP should be outside the final protective fires of the friendly unit. The platoon occupies the RRP as a security perimeter.

Near- and Far-Side Rally Points

These rally points are on the near and far sides of danger areas. If the platoon makes contact while crossing the danger area and control is lost, soldiers on either side move to the rally point nearest them. They establish security; reestablish the chain of command; determine their personnel and equipment status; and continue the patrol mission, link up at the ORP, or complete their last instructions.

LEADER’S RECONNAISSANCE OF THE OBJECTIVE

The plan must include the leader’s reconnaissance of the objective once the platoon or squad establishes the ORP. During his reconnaissance, the leader pinpoints the objective; selects security, support, and assault positions for his squads and fire teams; and adjusts his plan based on his observation of the objective. Each type of patrol requires different tasks during the leader’s reconnaissance. The platoon leader takes different elements with him. The leader must plan time to return to the ORP, complete his plan, disseminate information, issue orders and instructions, and allow his squads to make any additional preparations.

REENTRY OF FRIENDLY LINES

The platoon leader’s initial planning and coordination must include the reentry of friendly lines and should follow this sequence:

•The platoon halts in the RRP and establishes security.

•The platoon leader radios the code word, advising the friendly unit of the platoon’s location and that it is ready to return. The friendly unit must acknowledge the message and confirm that guides are waiting before the platoon moves from the RRP.

•If radio communications are not possible, the platoon leader, RATELO, and a two-man (buddy team) security element move forward and attempt to contact an OP using the challenge and password. The OP notifies the friendly unit that the platoon is ready to return and requests a guide.

•If the platoon leader cannot find an OP, he moves with the RATELO and security element to locate the coordinated reentry point. He must move straight toward (and away from) friendly lines, never parallel to them. All lateral movement should be outside of small-arms weapons range. (Note: The platoon leader should attempt this procedure only during daylight. At night, he should use other backup signals to make contact with friendly units. The preferred method is to wait until daylight if contact with the friendly unit cannot be made as planned.)

•Once the friendly unit acknowledges the return of the platoon, the platoon leader issues a five-point contingency plan and moves with his RATELO and a two-man (buddy team) security element on a determined azimuth and pace to the reentry point.

•The platoon leader uses far and near recognition signals to establish contact with the guide.

•The platoon leader signals the platoon forward (radio) or returns and leads it to the reentry point. He may post the security element with the guide at the enemy side of the reentry point.

•The platoon sergeant counts and identifies each soldier as he passes through the reentry point.

•The guide leads the platoon to the assembly area.

•The platoon leader reports to the command post of the friendly unit. He tells the commander everything of tactical value concerning the friendly unit’s area of responsibility.

RECONNAISSANCE PATROLS

The three types of reconnaissance patrols are area, zone, and route. Reconnaissance patrols provide timely and accurate information on the enemy and terrain. The commander must inform the patrol leader of the specific information requirements for each mission.

Organization

Besides the common elements, reconnaissance patrols use a reconnaissance team and/or a reconnaissance and security (R&S) team. Reconnaissance teams reconnoiter the objective area once the security teams are in position. Normally these are two-man (buddy) teams to reduce the possibility of detection. R&S teams are normally used in a zone reconnaissance but may be useful in any situation when it is impractical to separate the responsibilities for reconnaissance and security.