PATROLLING
FMST  0201
22 Oct 99

“Take your time.  Stay away from the easy going.  Never go the same way twice.”

Gunnery Sergeant Charles C. Arndt
USMC:  Guadalcanal 1942

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.      Given a combat environment (day and night), a patrol order, and individual combat equipment, participate in a patrol per the references.  (FMST .02.01)

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

1.      Without the aid of reference materials, from a list provided, select the definition of the term patrol, per the student handout.  (FMST.02.01a)

2.      Without the aid of reference materials, from a list provided, select two (2) types of patrols, per the student handout.  (FMST.02.01b)

3.      Without the aid of reference materials, from a list provided, select the mission of patrols, per the student handout.  (FMST.02.01c)

4.      Without the aid of reference materials, from a list provided, select the organizational elements of a patrol, per the student handout.  (FMST.02.01d)

5.      When directed, participate in the conduct of a patrol, per instruction.  (FMST.02.01e)

6.      When directed, participate in debriefing of a patrol, per instruction.  (FMST.02.01f)

OUTLINE

A.     DEFINITION.  A patrol is a detachment of ground forces sent out by a larger unit for the purpose of:

1. Gathering information

2. Carrying out destructive or harassing missions

3. Conducting security missions

 B.     MISSIONS AND TYPES OF PATROLS

1. Reconnaissance patrols.  Reconnaissance patrols utilize movement and stealth to collect information and report on enemy activity and terrain.  There are three types of reconnaissance patrols: 

a.       Area reconnaissance.  An area reconnaissance is a directed effort to obtain detailed information concerning specific terrain or enemy activity within a specific location (i.e., bridge, road junction), or enemy activity critical to operations.

b.      Zone reconnaissance.  A zone reconnaissance is a directed effort to obtain detailed information concerning all routes, obstacles, terrain, and enemy forces within a particular zone defined by specific boundaries.

c.       Route reconnaissance.  A route reconnaissance is a reconnaissance along a specific line of communication, such as a road, railway, or waterway, to provide information on conditions and activities along the route.

2. Combat patrols.  Combat patrols are assigned missions which may require them to actively engage the enemy.  Combat patrols also collect information on the enemy and terrain.  There are five types of combat patrols:

a.       Raid.  Raid patrols destroy or capture enemy personnel or equipment, or destroy installations, and then conducts a PLANNED withdrawal.

b.      Ambush.  Ambush patrols carry out surprise attacks from a concealed position on enemy patrols, carrying parties, foot columns, and convoys.

c.       Contact.  Contact patrols establish and maintain contact with friendly or enemy forces.

d.      Economy of force.  Economy of force patrols perform limited objective missions such as seizing and holding key terrain to allow maximum forces to be used elsewhere.

e.       Security Patrols.  Security patrols screen flanks, areas, and routes to prevent infiltration and protect against ambush or surprise.  Security patrols are the most common type of combat patrol.

 C.     ORGANIZE THE PATROL.  The patrol leader task organizes the patrol into units and teams required to accomplish the mission.

1. General organization.  The patrol leader determines all essential tasks that are required to accomplish the mission and then assigns units to carry out each essential task.  When possible, the existing unit’s task organization should be preserved (e.g., fireteams and squads).

a.       The headquarters unit is assigned tasks associated with controlling the patrol.  The headquarters unit includes the patrol leader, assistant patrol leader, radio operator, flank security, and corpsman.

b.      The security unit provides security for the patrol during movements and at the objective area.

c.       The assault unit is tasked with actually engaging the enemy.

d.      The support unit provides supporting fires for the assault unit’s attacks and covering fires if required for its withdrawal.  It also provides cover when crossing danger areas.

D.     ORGANIZATION FOR MOVEMENT.  Organization for movement is based on the patrol leader’s estimate of the situation.  Other factors that will influence the patrol’s formation are speed, flexibility, control, and all around security.

E.      CONTROL.  The success of a patrol can depend on the ability of the patrol leader to communicate his plan and to effectively integrate the actions of his subordinate units throughout the preparation and conduct phases of the patrol.

1. Hand and arm signals.  Hand and arm signals are the primary means of communication and control.  Hand and arm signals should be given close to the body and below the head.  They should be simple, easily understood, and known by all members of the patrol.  All members must remain alert to receive and pass all signals.  It is not sufficient for patrol members to merely receive signals, they must ensure adjacent patrol members receive and pass them as well.

2. Voice.  When not in contact with the enemy, patrol members should use low voices only when it is necessary to verbalize commands.  Whispering can cause a loud hissing noise and can often be misunderstood.  When in contact with the enemy, voice commands can be elevated to be heard and understood.  Bird and animal sounds should be avoided.

3. Radio.  Radios are used to report to higher headquarters and to control supporting arms such as artillary.  Transmission should be short and concise. 

4. Head counts.  Head counts are conducted after crossing danger areas, security halts, enemy contact, and any other time the patrol leader requires one.

F.      SECURITY AND MOVEMENTS

1. Maintain an even and deliberate pace during movement.  As a general rule, a foot patrol will move at a rate of one kilometer per hour during the day and one-half kilometers per hour during the night.  When moving over difficult terrain and/or at night, the guiding principle is to maintain contact with the patrol member BEHIND you.

2. Patrols should keep dispersed to the maximum extent possible.

3. Areas of responsibility are assigned to the front, flanks, rear, and overhead.  All patrol members should visually scan their areas of responsibility continuously and should not merely walk along the patrol.

4. A patrol should avoid skylining itself on ridgelines and topographical crests.  Additionally, the patrol should avoid open, exposed, or urban areas and make maximum use of existing cover and concealment.

G.     HALTS

1. Short security halt.  During the conduct of a patrol, patrols should halt on occasion to observe and listen for enemy activity.  When the patrol leader signals for a short security halt, all patrol members face outboard, take a few steps in the direction of their area of responsibility, and assume a kneeling position.  All members must remain still and silent during the halt and focus on their assigned sectors.

2. Long security halt.  Should the patrol be required to halt for longer than three to five minutes, the patrol leader should designate a long security halt.  All around security must be maintained.  Each individual is assigned a sector within a hasty perimeter using the clock method.  When departing the perimeter, the patrol moves one individual at a time, immediately assuming the patrol formation.

Figure 2.

H.     RALLY POINTS

1. A rally point is where a patrol reassembles and reorganizes if dispersed or separated.  Occupation of rally points usually occurs after enemy contact.

2. When a patrol comes across a danger area that cannot be bypassed, rally points are established on both the near and far sides of the danger area.

3. Actions to be taken at rally points are planned in detail in the patrol order and during rehearsals.  If the patrol is dispersed, patrol members will return to the last designated rally point.  After waiting a set amount of time, the senior Marine will either continue the mission or return to friendly lines.  The patrol leader will give an escape azimuth to allow for stragglers to return to friendly lines.

I.        DANGER AREAS

1. A danger area is any location where the patrol is exposed to the possibility of enemy observation or fire.  Danger areas can include trails, fire breaks, open fields, and even large wooden areas that have sparse ground vegetation.  There are two general classifications of danger areas:

a.       Linear danger area.  A linear danger area is any location where a patrol is vulnerable to enemy observation or fire predominately from the flanks, such as trails, roads, or streams.

b.      Cross-compartment danger areas.  A cross-compartment danger area is any location where a patrol is vulnerable to enemy observation or fire from the front and flanks.  The patrol is placed at a positional disadvantage along its direction of movement, such as when moving through a draw.

REFERENCE:

Marine Rifle Squad, FMFM 6-5

Marine Rifle Platoon/Company, FMFM 6-4

Field Medical Service School
Camp Pendleton, California

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