FMST Student Manual - 2008 Web Edition*

3.   Given a tactical scenario in a combat environment, and individual combat equipment, execute squad formations, to meet mission requirements. (FMST-FP-1203)

2.   TYPES OF PATROL

Patrols are classified according to the nature of the mission assigned.  The two types are Combat and Reconnaissance.

Combat Patrols - usually assigned missions to engage in combat.  They gather information as a secondary mission.

Reconnaissance Patrols - collects information about the enemy, terrain, and resources without detection or engagement, if possible.

3.   ORGANIZATIONAL ELEMENTS OF A PATROL

The Platoon Commander - designates a patrol leader, who is normally one of his squad leaders, and gives them a mission.  The patrol leader then establishes their patrol units required to accomplish the mission.

Patrol Units - patrol units are subdivisions of patrols.  Personnel are assigned to units based on the mission of the patrol and the individuals within the patrol.

Special Organization - patrol units are further subdivided into teams, each of which performs essential, designated tasks. (EPW team, Litter team, Search team)

Elements of Combat Patrols 

Patrol Headquarters - this is the command group of the patrol.  It is composed of the patrol leader, and other support personnel essential to the patrol such as the radio operator, Corpsman, and forward observer.

Assault Elements - engage the enemy at the objective.

Security Elements - secures the objective rally point, isolates the objective, and covers the patrols return from the objective area.

Support Elements - provides supporting fires for the assault unit attack and covering fires if required, for its withdrawal.

Elements of Reconnaissance Patrols

Patrol Headquarters - the command group of the patrol.  It consists of the same personnel as a combat patrol.

Recon Element - maintains surveillance over the objective.

Security Element - provides early warning, secures the objective rally point, and protects the reconnaissance unit.

4.      MISSIONS OF A COMBAT PATROL – (RACES)

Raid - Destroys or captures personnel, equipment, and destroys installations.  A secondary mission is to free friendly personnel

who have been captured by the enemy.

Ambush - patrols that conduct ambushes of enemy patrols, carrying parties, foot columns, and convoys.

Contact - establishes and/or maintains contact with enemy and/or friendly forces.

Economy of Forces - perform limited objective missions such as seizing and holding key terrain to allow maximum forces to be

used elsewhere.

Security - patrols that detect infiltration by the enemy, kill or capture infiltrators and  protect against surprise attack or ambush.

5.      MISSIONS OF RECONNAISSANCE PATROL

Area Reconnaissance - a directed effort to obtain detailed information concerning specific terrain or enemy activity within a specific location.

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

Route Reconnaissance - a reconnaissance along specific lines of communication such as a road, railway, or waterway, to provide information on route conditions and activities along the route of travel.

6.      PATROL LEADER PREPARATIONS- (BAMCIS)

Begin Planning

Plan Use of Time - patrol leader will schedule every event which must be done prior to departing friendly lines.

Study the Mission - identify significant tasks which must be accomplished in order for the patrol to accomplish primary mission.

Studies Terrain and Situation - the patrol leader makes a thorough study of the map terrian over which the patrol will operate.  The patrol leader will also study the friendly and enemy situation.

Organizes the Patrol - determines the units and teams required in accomplishing essential task.

Selects Personnel, Weapons, and Equipment - the patrol leader will select who will go, what weapons they will carry, how much food and water they will carry, and routine equipment common to all personnel.  The last thing the patrol leader will select is how they will control the patrol while moving and in the objective area.

Issues the Warning Order - the warning order will include the Situation, Mission, General Instructions, and Specific Instructions.

Coordinate - the patrol leader begins their coordination from the time they receive the order.  They are primarily concerned with:

Arrange Recon - to arrange for the reconnaissance by ensuring that communication and coordination with other area commands, supporting fire teams, and other patrol leaders that may be opperating in the same area prior to carrying out the reconnaissance.

Make Recon - whenever possible, the patrol leader makes or sends a physical reconnaissance of the routes they want to follow and of the objective.

Complete Detailed Plan - the patrol leader will now write their five paragraph order.

Issue Patrol Order - when the patrol leader has completed the plan, they assemble the members of the patrol and issue the order.  They will:

- Ensure that all members are present

- Receive a status on the preparatory tasks assigned to unit leaders

- Precede the order with an orientation

- Build a terrain model

- Issue the entire order

- Conclude the session with a time check and announce time of the next event 

Supervise, Inspect, Rehearse, and Re-inspect - inspections and rehearsals are vital for proper preparation.  They are conducted even when the patrol leader and patrol members are experienced in patrolling.

7.   CONDUCTION OF PATROLS

Formation and Order of Movement - the patrol leader determines the formation in which the patrol will move to the objective area.  They also determine the location of units, teams, and individuals in the formation.  The standard squad and fire team formations are adaptable to any patrol.  Patrol formations will depend on:

- Probability of contact with the enemy

- Terrain, weather, vegetation, and visibility

- Time allotted for the patrol to accomplish its mission and return to friendly lines/areas.

Movement Control - the patrol leader positions themselves where they can best control the patrol.  The assistant patrol leader moves at or near the rear and prevents straggling.  The patrol leader will ensure that:

- Hand and arm signals are the primary means of communication (radios provide a means of positive control within a large patrol, when hand and arm signals are impractical. 

- He speaks just loudly enough to be heard

- All personnel are accounted for after crossing danger areas, halts, and after enemy contact

- Checkpoints and rally points are designated as follows:

Checkpoints - predetermined points along your route used for control and to remain on course.

Rally points - Easily identifiable points, designated during your patrol, where members can assemble and reorganize if dispersed.  There are three types:

Initial - point within friendly area if patrol becomes dispersed before departing or reaching first enroute rally point.

Enroute - points along route to and from the objective area.

Objective - point nearest objective for final preparation and to assemble after your attack.  

Navigation - one or more men in the patrol are assigned as navigators to assist the patrol leader in maintaining direction by use of the compass.  The patrol leader also assigns men as pacers to keep track of the distance from point to point.  They should assign at least two pacers and use the average of their counts for an approximation of the distance traveled.  The pacers are separated so they will not influence each other’s count.

Security - the patrol leader organizes the formation to provide security while on the move, during halts, at danger areas, and upon reaching checkpoints and rally points.

Day Patrols

- Adequate dispersion.

- Careful not to silhouette yourself when moving along high ground.

- Avoid open areas and take advantage of available cover and concealment

- Avoid suspected enemy locations and built up areas.

- Maintain an even pace and avoid rushing or running.  Sudden movements attract attention.

- Employ security elements to the front, rear, and flanks, if practical.

Night Patrols - Use the same techniques as for Day Patrols, but modify, as required.

- Patrol members stay closer together.

- Silent movement is essential; sounds carry much further at night.

- Speed is reduced to avoid separation of patrol members and to keep noise down.

Gear

Walking

Hasty Ambush - used when you see the enemy before being seen.  You quickly move into a concealed area and engage the enemy or allow them to pass.

Danger Area - is where the patrol is vulnerable to the enemy observation and/or fire (roads, open areas).

Immediate Assault - used when you are caught in a near ambush. Turn in the direction of the ambush and assault the ambush.

Near Ambush (50 meters or less) - the killing zone is under heavy, highly concentrated, close range firing.  Turn in the direction of the ambush, staying aligned, and assault through the ambush.

Far Ambush (Over 50 meters) - the killing zone is under very heavy, highly concentrated firing, but from a greater range.  The range allows people in the killing zone to seek cover and return fire.  Those members not caught in the kill zone will envelop the ambush. 

Characteristics Of Successful Immediate Action Drills

Speed - commands and movement

Simplicity - they must be easy to do

Any Unit - any size unit is effective

Any Terrain - they can be used any place in the world

Any Member - any patrol member can be in charge

Limited Rehearsal - minimal signals and commands are required, they also ensure automatic response

Aggressiveness - though out numbered, you must show the desire to live and allow the enemy to die for his country, not you for yours

8.    Combat Formations

Four Types of Fire Team Formations

Fire Team Column - consist of a rifleman, fire team leader, automatic rifleman and assistant automatic rifleman.  It is mainly used when you want speed and good control of your people (see figure 1).

Advantages

- Permits fire and maneuver to the flanks

- Permits rapid controlled movement

Disadvantages

- Vulnerable to fire from the front

- The ability to fire to front is limited

Figure 1.  Fire Team Column

Figure 5.  Fire Team in Column

Echelon (Left and Right) - this formation is the same as for fire team except all fire teams are included (see figure 7).        

Advantages

- It is used mainly to protect exposed flanks

- Provides heavy firepower to the front and in the direction of echelon

Disadvantages

- Difficult to control

- Movement is slow        

Figure 7.  Echelon (Left/Right)

Squad Wedge - the squad wedge places one fire team in the front of the formation followed by another fire team to the right and diagonally to the rear, with the last fire team to the left and parallel to the second fire team (see figure 8).

Advantages

- It is easily controlled

- Provides all around security

- It is flexible

- Fires adequately in all directions (same as fire team).

Disadvantages

- It cannot move as fast as a column. (Same as fire team)

Squad Vee - the squad vee is an inverted squad wedge (see figure 9).

Advantages

- Facilitates movement into squad line

- Provides excellent firepower to the front and to the flank

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

Disadvantages

- It cannot move as fast as a column

Figure 9.  Squad Vee

9.      Three Types Of Special Signals

Whistle

Advantages/Uses

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

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

Disadvantages

- It must be prearranged and understood or it may by misinterpreted.

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

Advantages and Uses

- Used to mark enemy positions

- Signals to attack, withdraw, shift, or cease-fire

- Mark landing zones

Disadvantages

- Used by only one unit at a time

- Be sure your signal does not already have another set of meanings

- Gives away your position                       

Hand and Arm Signals - the most commonly used form of signaling.  It must be remembered that the hand and arm signals are orders or commands that must be carried out.

Advantages and Uses

- The noise of the battle does not hinder the use of the hand and arm signals.

- Used when silence must be maintained.

Disadvantages

- The signal must be seen

- Must be aware of other members location

10.   Hand and Arm Signals Demonstration

Decrease 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 plane.
Change Direction - extend arm horizontally to the side, palm to the front.
Enemy In Sight - hold the rifle horizontally, with the stock on the shoulder, the muzzle pointing in the direction of the enemy.
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.
Commence Fire - extend the arm in front of the body, hip high, palm down, and move it through a wide horizontal arc several times.
Fire Faster - execute the Commences Fire signal rapidly.
Fire Slower - execute the Commences Fire signal slowly.
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.
Assemble - raise the arm vertically to the full extent of the arm, fingers extended and joined, palm to the front, and wave in large horizontal circles.
Form Column - raise either arm to the vertical position.  Drop the arm to the rear, making complete circles in a vertical plane parallel to the body.
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.
I Am Ready - execute the signal, are you ready.
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.
Echelon - face the unit being signaled, and extend one arm 45 degrees above the other arm 45 degrees below the horizontal, palms to the front.  The lower arm indicates the direction of echelon.
Skirmisher - raise both arms laterally until horizontal, arms and hands extended, palms down.  If it is necessary to indicate the direction, move in the desired direction at the same time.
Wedge - extend both arms downward and to the side at an angle of 45 degrees below the horizontal plane, palms to the front.
Vee - extend arms at an angle of 45 degrees above the horizontal plane forming the letter ‘V’ with the arms and torso.
Fireteam - place the right arm diagonally across the chest.
Squad - extend the arm and hand toward the squad leader, palm of the hand down, distinctly, moving the hand up and down several times from the wrist holding the arm steady.
Platoon - extend both arms forward, palm of the hands down and make large vertical circles with hands.
Close Up - start signal with both arms extended horizontally, palm forward, and bring hands together in front of the body momentarily.
Open Up or Extend - start signal with arms extended in the front of the body, palms together, and bring arms to the horizontal position, palms forward.
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.
I Do Not Understand - raise both arms horizontally at the hip level, bend both arms at elbows, palms up, and shrug shoulders in the manner of universal “I don’t understand.”
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.
Halt - carry the hand to the shoulder, palm to the front then thrust the hand upward vertically to the full extent of the arm and hold it in the position until the signal is understood.
Freeze - make the signal for a halt and make a fist with the hand.
Down, Take Cover - extend arm sideward at an angle of 45 degrees above horizontal, palm down, and lower it to the side.
Double Time - carry the hand to the shoulder, fist closed rapidly thrust the fist upward vertically to the full extent of the arm and back to the shoulder several times.
Hasty Ambush (LEFT OR RIGHT) - raise fist to shoulder level and thrust it several times in the desired direction.
Rally Point - touch the belt buckle with one hand and then point to the ground.
Objective Rally Point - touch the belt buckle with one hand, point to the ground, and make a circular motion.