UAB ARMY ROTC
6th Brigade, Blazer Battalion
LAB 9: Intro to Battle Drills (Part I)
Learning Objectives:
1. By the end of this lesson, students should be able to understand and apply the principles of
conducting a Leader's Reconnaissance and establishing an Objective Rally Point as outlined in
the Ranger Handbook.
 Introduce Squad Level Tactics through concepts and visual aids to CDTs.
 Establish a foundation and understanding of Squad Level Tactics for Paintball.
 CDTs demonstrate practical implementation to prove understanding.
References:
Army Ranger Handbook (TC 3-21.76) Chapter 7
Materials:
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Ranger's Handbook (or access to relevant sections online)
Whiteboard and markers (or digital presentation tools)
Presentation slides if using digital tools.
Duration: Approximately 1.25 hours
Introduction (15-20 minutes):
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Welcome students and introduce the topic of Objective Rally Points & Leader's Reconnaissance.
Explain the importance of ORPs and reconnaissance in military operations and their relevance to
leadership and planning.
Highlight the significance of understanding the principles from the Ranger Handbook.
Key Concepts:
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Define Objective Rally Point (ORP) and its purpose.
Discuss the principles of establishing an ORP as per the Ranger's Handbook, emphasizing the
following key points:
1. Selection and security of the ORP location.
2. Actions upon reaching the ORP.
3. Communication and signals at the ORP.
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Define Leader's Recon and its purpose.
Discuss the five principles of Leader's Recon as per the Ranger Handbook:
1. Gain and Maintain Enemy Contact
2. Orient on the Objective
3. Report All Information Rapidly and Accurately
4. Retain Freedom of Maneuver
5. Ensure Rehearsals are Reconnaissance.
Q&A and Clarifications
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Open the floor for questions and clarifications on ORPs, LDR’s Recon, and the Ranger's
Handbook principles.
Practical Exercise (60 minutes)
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Divide students into groups 1st based on Platoon & then Squad.
Each Platoon will then move to either the ORP establishment station or the Leader’s Recon
station.
Once at each station, there will be a crawl and walk phase of practical implementation.
MSIV will lead this portion and then hand off to Camp Bound CDTs:
o Leader’s Recon Station:
 Start in an established ORP.
 Establish who typically goes on LDR’s Recon dependent on Patrol via Ranger
Handbook or Logical SOP (Standard Operating Procedure).
 Demonstrate GOTWA and who to disseminate that to before stepping off for
Recon.
 Go over the ideal order of movement before getting counted out.
 Count out personnel leaving for Recon as they leave the ORP.
 Conduct movement to pinpoint the objective/orient yourself to the objective so
that you can effectively emplace your elements.
 Mark areas of emplacement and disseminate them to subordinates.
 Return to ORP and get counted in.
 End exercise and review/refine.
o ORP Establishment:
 Start in a Patrol Base.
 Prepared to conduct movement to ORP in the correct order of movement.
 Get counted out of PB to initiate movement to ORP.
 Maintain spacing and reach ORP location, conduct ORP Hand Signal.
 Football/Oval Shape: Alpha Team takes left, Brave Team takes right, and emplace
crew serve weapons at each apex of the ORP. SL stays in the middle.
 Establish 360-degree security and have TLs get sector sketches.
 End exercise and review/refine.
Encourage groups to be mindful of ORP location emplacement, emphasizing the selection of a
suitable location and actions to be taken at the ORP.
Conclusion:
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Conclude the lesson, reiterating the significance of Objective Rally Points and Leader’s Recon in
planning and executing missions.
Summarize the key takeaways from the lesson.