COMBAT FORMATIONS AND SIGNALS

25 Oct 99

Fire without movement is indecisive.  Exposed movement without fire is disastrous.

  There must be effective fire combined with skillful movement.

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.      Given a combat environment (day and night), and individual combat equipment, participate in unit combat formations per the reference. 

2.      Given a combat environment (day and night), and individual combat equipment, obey hand and arm signals per the reference. 

3.      Given a combat environment (day and night), and individual combat equipment, obey special signals per the reference. 

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.      In a simulated combat environment, participate in a combat patrol, per instruction. 

2.      Without the aid of reference materials, while functioning as a corpsman with a simulated Marine Corps unit, demonstrate the hand and arm signals used in field communication, per the student hand out. 

3.      Without the aid of reference materials, from a list of statements, select the types and use of special signals. 

OUTLINE

A.     GENERAL.  Fire team and squad combat formations are groupings of individuals and units for efficient tactical employment.  The factors influencing the leader’s decision as to the selection of a particular formations are the mission, terrain, situation, weather, speed, and degree of flexibility.  Combat formations and signals enable the leader to control the fire and maneuver of his unit when moving to and assaulting an enemy position.

B.     BASIC COMBAT FORMATIONS

1. Fire Team.  Normally each fire team leader will determine the formation for his own unit.  Thus, a squad may contain a variety of fire team formations at any one time and these formations may change frequently.  The relative position of the fire teams within the squad formation should be such that one will not mask the fire of the others.  It is not important that exact distances and intervals be maintained between fire teams and individuals as long as control is not lost.  Sight or voice contact will be maintained within the fire team and between fire team leaders and squad leaders.  All movement incident to changes of formation is usually by the shortest practical route.  There are four types of fire team formations.

a.       Column

1)      Permits rapid controlled movement.

2)      Favors fire and maneuver to the flanks.

3)      Vulnerable to fire from the front.

4)      Provides the least amount of fire to the front.

Column

b.      Wedge

1)      Permits good control.

2)      Provides all-security.

3)      Formation is flexible.

4)      Fire is adequate in all directions.

Wedge

c.       Skirmishes  Right (Left)

1)      Maximum firepower to the front.

2)      Used when location and strength of enemy are known.

d.      Echelon Right (Left)

1)      Provides heavy to front and echeloned flank.

2)      Used to protect an open or exposed flank.

2. Squad.  The squad leader prescribes the formation for his squad.  The platoon leader and squad leader may prescribe the initial formation for their respective subordinate units when the situation dictates or the commander so desires.  Subsequent changes may be made my subordinate unit leaders.  The characteristics of squad formations are similar to those of the fire team.  The fire team is the maneuver element in squad formations.

a.       Squad Column.  Fire teams are arranged in succession one behind the other.

1)      Easy to control and maneuver.

2)      Excellent for speed of movement or when strict control is desired.

3)      Especially suitable for narrow covered routes of advance, maneuver through gaps between areas receiving hostile artillery fire, moving through areas of limited observation, and moving under conditions of reduced visibility.

4)      Vulnerable to fire from the front.

5)      Used for night operations.

b.      Squad Wedge.  Same as fire team formation for the wedge.

c.       Squad Vee

1)      Facilitates movement into squad line.

2)      Provides excellent firepower to front and flanks.

3)      Provides all around security. 

4)      Used when the enemy is to the front and his strength and location are known.  May be used when crossing large open areas.

d.      Squad Line.  Same as fire team formation for skirmishes.

C.     SIGNALS.  Signals are used to transmit commands or information when voice communications are difficult, impossible, or when silence must be maintained.  Subordinate leaders repeat signals to their units whenever necessary to ensure prompt and correct execution.

1. Whistle.

a.       Is an excellent and quick way a unit leader can transmit a message from one place to another.

b.      It provides a fast means of transmitting a message to a large group.

c.       It must be prearranged and understood.  It may be misinterpreted.

d.      Its effectiveness may be reduced by normal noise, which exist on the battlefield.

2. Special Signals.  Signals consisting of all special methods and devices used to transmit commands or information.  Radio and pyrotechnics such as flares and smoke grenades also may be used for various purposes.

a.       Used to mark enemy positions.

b.      Signals when to attack, withdraw, shift or cease-fire.

c.       Mark landing zones.

d.      Used by only one unit at a time.  Be sure signals do not have another set of meanings.

e.       Can give your position away.

3. Radio.

a.       Fast means of transmitting commands and signals.

b.      Call for fire support, medevac, supplies, and reinforcements.

c.       Additional weight.

d.      Limited range.

e.       Battery life is short.

f.        Can be intercepted by the enemy.

4. Arm and Hand.  Signals used with combat formations.

a.       Decreased speed.  Extend the arm horizontally sideward, palm to the front, and wave arm downward several times, keeping the arm straight.  Arm does not move above the horizontal.

b.      Change direction.  Extend arm horizontally to the side, palm to the front.

c.       Enemy in sight.  Hold the rifle horizontally, with the stock on the shoulder, the muzzle pointing in the direction of the enemy.

d.      Range.  Extend the arm fully towards the leader or men for whom the signal is intended with fist closed.  Open the fist exposing one finger for each 100 meters of range.

e.       Commence fire.  Extend the arm in front of the body, hip high, palm down, and move it through a wide horizontal arc several times.

f.        Fire faster.  Execute rapidly the signal commences firing.

g.       Fire slower.  Execute slowly the signal commences firing.

h.       Cease fire.  Raise the hand in front of the forehead, palm to the front, and swing the arm and forearm up and down several times in the front of the face.

i.         Assemble.  Raise the arm vertically to the full extent of the arm, finger's extended and joined, palm to the front, and wave in large horizontal circles with the arm and hand.

j.        Form column.  Raise either arm to the vertical position.  Drop the arm to the rear, describing complete circles in a vertical plane parallel to the body.

k.      Are you ready.  Extend the arm toward the leader for whom the signal is intended, hand raised, fingers extended and joined, raise arm slightly above horizontal, palm facing outward.

l.         I am ready.  Execute the signal, are you ready.

m.     Shift.  Raise the hand that is on the side toward the new direction across the body, palm to the front; then swing the arm in a horizontal arc, extending arm and hand to point in the new direction.

n.       Echelon.  Face the unit being signaled, and extend one arm 45 degrees above the other arm 45 degrees below the horizontal, palm to the front.  The lower arm indicates the direction of echelon.

o.      Skirmisher.  Raise both arms laterally until horizontal, arms and hand extended, palms own.  If it is necessary to indicate the direction, move in the desired direction at the same time.

p.      Wedge.  Extend both arms downward and to the side at an angle of 45 degrees below the horizontal, palms to the front.

q.      Vee.  Extend arms at an angle of 45 degrees above the horizontal forming the 

                  letter  ‘V’ with the arms and torso.

r.        Fireteam.  Place the right arm diagonally across the chest.

s.       Squad.  Extend the arm and hand toward the squad leader, palm of the hand down, distinctly, move the hand up and down several times from the wrist holding the arm steady.

t.        Platoon.  Extend both arms forward, palm of the hand down and describe large vertical circles with hands.

u.       Close up.  Start signal with both arms extended sideward, palm forward, and bring hands together in front of the body momentarily.

v.       Open up or extend.  Start signal with arm extended in the front of the body, palms together, and bring arms to the horizontal position at the sides, space palms forward.

w.     Disperse.  Extend either arm vertically overhead, wave the hand and arm to the front, left, right, and rear, the palm toward the direction of each movement.

 x.       I do not understand.  Raise both arms sideward to the horizontal at the hip level, bend both arms at elbows, palms up, and shrug shoulders in the manner of universal "I do not know."

y.       Forward.  Face and move to the desired direction of march, at the same time extend the arm horizontally to the rear, then swing it overhead and forward in the direction of movement until it is horizontal, palm down.

z.       Halt.  Carry the hand to the shoulder, palm to the front then thrust the hand upward vertically to the full extend of the arm and hold it in the position until the signal is understood.

aa.   Freeze.  Make the signal for a halt and make a fist with the hand.

bb.  Down, take cover.  Extend arm sideward at an angle of 45 degrees above horizontal, palm down, and lower it to the side.

cc.   Double time.  Carry the hand to the shoulder, fist closed rapidly thrust the fist upward vertically to the full extends of the arm and back to the shoulder several times.

dd.  Rally point.  Touch the belt buckle with one hand and then point to the ground.

ee.   Objective rally point.  Touch the belt buckle with one hand, point to

                  the ground, and make a circular motion with the hand.

REFERENCE:

Marine Rifle Squad, FMFM 6-5

Field Medical Service School
Camp Pendleton, California

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