 “ The average ambush last
for 90 seconds.” That is not to
say that it will only last that
long, what it means is that the
outcome will be decided
within the first 90 seconds.
Fire superiority is the key,
whoever can achieve and
sustain fire superiority will
more than likely win the fire
fight.
Basic Combat Formations
 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
formation are the mission,
terrain, situation, weather,
speed and degree of
flexibility. Combat
formations enable the leader
to control the fire and
Basic Combat Formations
 Column:
 Used when speed and
control are governing
factors.
 Favorable for fire and
maneuver to either flank.
 Vulnerable to fire
from the front because
its own fire in that
direction is limited
Basic Combat Formations
 Wedge:
 Used when the
contact is possible, but
not certain.
 Provides all around
protection, flexibility
and is easy to control.
Basic Combat Formations
 Echelon Right or Left:
 Used primarily to protect an exposed flank.
 Permits heavy firepower to the front and the
direction of the echelon.
 Hard formation to control and slow moving.
Basic Combat Formations
 Skirmisher’s Right
or Left:
 Used when
assaulting a known
enemy position.
 Because the fire
teams are in line, it
provides maximum
firepower to the front.
 Hard formation to
control.
Security Patrol
 Upon successful completion of
this topic, the trainee will have an
understanding of how to plan and
conduct a security patrol.
Security Patrol
 Introduction.
 Purpose and Organization:
 Purpose
* Prevent enemy from
infiltrating the area
* Detect, destroy, and/or capture
the enemy.
* Prevent surprise attacks.
Security Patrol
 Organization
* Organize patrol to make sure
each individual, team, or unit is
assigned a specific task.
* Ensure all patrol members
know how to perform assigned
task.
* Plan for maximum flexibility.
Security Patrol
 Plan a Security Patrol:
 Begin preparation of patrol
planning using six troop leading
steps - BAMCIS.
* Study the stated mission.
* Prepare and issue the Warning
Order - Use Reverse Planning.
* Begin an estimate of the
Situation. (METT-T and KOCOA)
Security Patrol
 Arrange For:
* Reconnaissance - To observe as
far forward as possible.
* Coordinate the Patrol’s
- Passage of lines.
- Supporting Fire.
- Logistical Support.
- Other Patrol Leaders that are
operating in the same or, adjacent
areas.
Security Patrol
 Make:
* Reconnaissance to answer
questions which arise.
* Estimate - Develop course of
action.
* Selection of route to offer best
concealment and avoidance of
opposition and obstacles.
Security Patrol
 Complete the Plan:
* Prepare the Patrol Order Using SMEAC.
* Make final coordination - With
all supporting and adjacent units.
* Prepare map overlay.
* Construct a terrain model.
- Detailed
- Expedient.
Security Patrol
 Issue the Order:
* Ensure all patrol members are
present.
* Precede the issuance of order
with orientation.
* Issue the Patrol Order.
- Use SMEAC in sequence
- Use terrain model.
- Issue entire order before
asking for questions.
- Conclude with time check and
announce time of next event.
Security Patrol
 Supervise:
* Inspect patrol members for
readiness ( Physical and Mental).
* Conduct rehearsal’s and
Immediate Action Drills.
* Make final adjustments to plans
and organization.
* Issue final instructions and
report to unit commander the the
Patrol is prepared for mission.
Security Patrol
 Issue the Patrol Order:
* SMEAC Format.
 Orientation prior to SMEAC:
* Weather
* Time
* Terrain
* CBR considerations
* Local population consideration
Security Patrol
 Situation:
* Enemy forces:
- SALUTE - Provides a simple
method of how and what to report
about the enemy.
- DRAW-D - Possible actions
of the enemy.
* Friendly forces:
- HAS - Gives unit, location
and mission
Security Patrol
- Location of any listening /
observation posts, and patrols.
- Effective time and place of
any attachments or detachments
* Assumptions.
 Mission:
* Clear and concise statement
* Who, What, When, Where,
and Why
Security Patrol
 Execution:
* Commanders Intent.
* Concept of Operations (How is
it going to be accomplished).
- Task organization of the
Patrol.
- Patrol movements (Method of
Navigation)
- Use of supporting fire.
* Individual tasks (Give detailed
information of individual duties).
Security Patrol
* Coordinating instructions
- Time of assembly in assembly
area.
- Times of inspections and
rehearsals.
- Time of departure and
estimated time of return.
- Locations and actions
associated with Departure and Reentry of friendly lines.
- Details on Primary and
Alternate Routes.
Security Patrol
- Details of formations and
order of movement.
- Rally points and actions at
rally points.
- Actions in danger areas.
- Actions in the event of enemy
contact.
- Estimated time and location
of patrol debriefing and critique.
Security Patrol
 Administration and Logistics:
* Give and changes to uniforms,
equipment, rations, water, and
ammunition.
* Issue instructions for handling
wounded and Detainees of war.
Security Patrol
 Command and Signal:
* Identify the chain of command
and succession of command.
* Determine challenge and
password.
- Primary and Alternate.
- Any change to challenge and
password during course of patrol.
* Hand and arm signals
* Special signals.
Security Patrol
* Radio frequencies and call
signs.
* Position of the Patrol Leader.
- Plan location for the best
control of patrol, usually forward
one-third of formation.
- Position of assistant patrol
leader for best assist in control
during movement.
Security Patrol
 Conduct Security Patrol:
 Conduct Passage of Friendly
Lines:
* Depart Friendly lines.
- Patrol moves to the assembly
area as directed by the guide.
- Patrol moves to initial rally
point on friendly side of wire.
1) Make final coordination as
directed
2) Communication check.
Security Patrol
- Link up with guide, guide
directs patrol through barrier
- Leader counts members as
they pass through the departure
point, ensure that they are heading
on the correct compass heading.
- Tell guide the number of
patrol members
- During security halt, the
patrol adjusts to sights and sounds
of the battlefield.
Security Patrol
- Patrol moves quickly and
silently to the security halt
position beyond unit’s barrier.
* Reenter friendly lines:
- The patrol halts and
establishes a reentry rally point.
- Contact the forward unit by
radio and tell them patrol is ready
to reenter.
- Establish contact with guide,
use far or near recognition signals.
Security Patrol
- Signal the patrol forward.
- Patrol follows guide through
the barrier.
- Patrol leader, counts and
identifies each patrol member
through the reentry point.
- Move to the designated area
for debriefing.
Security Patrol
 Patrol Movement:
* Determine the patrols
formation based on the following
considerations.
- Visibility, weather, terrain and
vegetation.
- Chance of contact with
enemy.
- All around security.
* Determine location of teams
and individuals in formation.
Security Patrol
* Exercise control.
- Position self where patrol can
be best controlled, Stay alert; pass
on signals and orders.
- Use arm and hand signals as
primary means of communication.
- Speak loudly enough to be
heard, Speak directly in ear to
avoid excessive noise.
- When audible signals are
used, use sound signals that are
natural sounds and easily
Security Patrol
- Use infrared equipment for
sending or receiving signals, if
available.
- Use luminous tape to assist in
keeping visual contact with
personnel.
- ACCOUNT FOT ALL
PERSONNEL.
* Employ Navigation Techniques
- Assign one or more members
as navigators.
- Assign at least two pacers.
Security Patrol
- Use average of their counts
for distance traveled.
- Ensure pacers are separated.
* Organize the formation to
provide security while on the
move.
- Employ signs and
countersigns within patrol
- Ensure patrol does not
silhouette when moving along
high ground.
Security Patrol
- While moving, take advantage
of all cover and concealment.
- Disperse patrol consistent
with control, visibility, cover and
concealment.
- Maintain visual contact
- Night patrol;
(1) Emphasize silent
movement.
(2) Ensure movement is
slower.
Security Patrol
(3) be consistent with terrain,
vegetation and enemy situation.
- Maintain an even pace, avoid
sudden movement.
- Halt patrol occasionally to
observe and listen for enemy
situation.
* Employ movement control
measures.
- Designate checkpoints and
tentative rallying points before
leaving friendly lines.
Security Patrol
- Designate rallying points en
route to objective.
(1) Designate point within
friendly area as initial rallying
point.
(2) Tentative en route rallying
points.
- Designate action to be taken
at rally points.
- Plan for crossing danger areas
before departing friendly lines.
Security Patrol
* Ensure each patrol member
knows exactly what to do at
danger area.
* conduct immediate action upon
enemy contact.
 Cross Danger Areas:
* Bypass danger area is possible.
* Choose most secure crossing
point.
* Employ appropriate signals
* On near side, set up defensive
perimeter.
Security Patrol
* Position point where the most
likely avenue of attack can be
observed.
- Using rehearsed technique,
cross danger area once it’s clear.
- Immediately establish
perimeter of defense upon
reaching the far side.
- Provide cover while crossing
danger area.
- Conduct head count on far
side of danger area.
Security Patrol
* Take advantage of natural or
man made noises to help cove
movement.
* Continue on with patrol.
Danger Crossing
Danger Crossing
Danger Crossing
Danger Crossing
Danger Crossing
Danger Crossing
Danger Crossing
Danger Crossing
Danger Crossing
Danger Crossing
Security Patrol
 Direct Immediate Action Drill:
* Conduct immediate action
drills when unexpected contact is
made with enemy forces.
* Ensure all patrol members have
rehearsed immediate action drills
before leaving friendly lines.
NOTE: IF TIME IS A FACTOR,
PERFORM THE MOST
CRITICAL IMMIDIATE
ACTION DRILLS THAT
PERTAIN TO THE MISSION.
Security Patrol
* When patrol sights enemy,
determine whether to make or
avoid physical contact.
* Conduct an immediate halt drill
upon sighting the enemy.
* Conduct a hasty ambush if
situation permits.
- Signal for hasty ambush.
- Designated member initiates
ambush by opening fire or by
prearranged signal.
Security Patrol
* Conduct Counter Ambush:
- Move patrol swiftly into
skirmishers formation and assault
enemy upon shouts of “Contact
front, left, right, or rear”
- Offensive situations, continue
to engage enemy until destroyed.
- Defensive situation, stop
assault.
Security Patrol
* Break contact as quickly as
possible, continue assault or break
contact if patrol is fired upon
beyond 50 meters.
* Determine whether ambush is a
near ambush or a far ambush,
conduct the appropriate counter
ambush drill.
Security Patrol
* Attack by aircraft, move patrol
quickly into line formation upon
shouts of “Aircraft, front, left,
right, or rear.”
- Ensure formation is well
spread out and at right angle to
aircraft’s direction.
- Direct patrol members into
better concealed positions
between attacks
- Determine if aircraft should
be fired upon.
Security Patrol
 Conduct Patrol Debrief:
 Information and Reports.
* Patrol leader and every member
of all patrols must be trained in:
- Observation techniques.
- Accurately reporting their
observations.
- Report all pertinent
information to Patrol leader.
* SALUTE reports should be
used to report information,
Written or oral.
Security Patrol
* Patrol Debrief Checklist.
 Upon return Patrol Leader and
Patrol Members are debriefed as
Directed.
Patrol Critique.
* Hold critique after patrol is fed
and rested.
* Prepare for future patrols by
going over lessons learned.
* Inform people on what the
patrol accomplished at conclusion
of critique.
Patrol Routes and
Overlays
 When planning a patrol the
Patrol leader must plan the route
based on time of departure and
time of return, the mission
statement, guidance from the unit
commander, and the enemy
situation. The following
information is provided to assist
the Patrol Leader in preparing an
overlay showing the routes
chosen.
Patrol Routes and
Overlays
 Information:
 Make a terrain analysis and
select the route based on
information available.
* Select routes that will offer the
most cover and concealment for
the patrol, avoid danger areas if
possible.
* Select routes for return to help
prevent enemy surprise along
previously traveled routes.
Patrol Routes and
Overlays
* Divide the routes into “legs”
with each leg starting at a point
which can be recognized on the
ground and identified on the map.
* Select locations for rallying
points during map study for
reconnaissance.
- Select initial and en route
rally points.
(1) Pre-designate an initial
rally point (IRP) by terrain
features and grids.
Patrol Routes and
Overlays
(2) Establish a procedure for
actions at rally points.
NOTE: RALLYING POINTS
MUST BE EASILY
RECOGNIZED AWAY FROM
NATURAL LINE OF DRIFT AN
DMUST HAVE COVER AND
CONCEALMENT.
- Establish locations for rally
points en route.
Patrol Routes and
Overlays
- Plan for the selection and
designation of additional rally
points en-route as the patrol
reaches check points.
- Plan for the selection of
rallying points on both near and
far sides of danger area that
cannot be bypassed such as trails
and streams.
Patrol Routes and
Overlays
NOTE: THIS MAY BE DONE
BY PLANNING RALLY
POINTS THAT WILL BE
DESIGNATED IN RELATION
TO DANGER AREAS IF GOOD
LOCATION SARE AVAILABLE;
FOR EXAMPLE: 50 METERS
THIS SIDE OF THE TRAIL OR
50 METERS BEYOND THE
STREAM.
Patrol Routes and
Overlays
* Estimate enemy capabilities
based on enemy situations given.
- Plan routes based on patrols
ability.
- Prepare clear, concise overlay.
- Indicate point of departure
(POD), check points, indirect fire
targets, rally points, and point of
return (POR).
Patrol Routes and
Overlays
* Display a legend and marginal
information on overlay.
- Enter call sign of patrol, name
and unit.
- Prepare the target list.
Patrol Routes and
Overlays
Terrain Model
 The following information
contains steps of procedure on
how to prepare a terrain model
of an area of operations and
how to brief other patrol
members.
 Information:
 Select a secure area large enough
to accommodate terrain model
and patrol members during
briefing
Terrain Model
* Clear ground to build the
model, and conduct the briefing.
* Use materials to illustrate
pieces of tactical information.
* Use data gathered from the
evaluation of Mission, Enemy,
Terrain, Troops and Time.
- Consider what the unit must
accomplish.
Terrain Model
- Consider factors that will
affect mission accomplishment.
(1) Known enemy locations.
(2) Activities, strength of the
enemy.
(3) Environment impact on
the unit and enemy forces.
(4) Locations, planned
actions, mission and routes,
supporting fires of adjacent units.
Terrain Model
* Orient terrain model to North,
and draw a North seeking arrow
in the model.
- Show direction the patrol is
facing (magnetic North).
- Show the relation to the
general location to be taken.
NOTE: FROM THE PRESENT
POSITION TO THE AREA
THAT IS PLANNED FOR
PATROL.
Terrain Model
 Show all major terrain features
and landmarks on the terrain
model:
* Indicate the terrain over which
the patrol will move.
* Specify key terrain,
Observation, Cover and
Concealment, and Avenues of
Approach.
Terrain Model
- Key Terrain:
(1) Identify critical terrain
features which occupied by either
the enemy or friendly forces,
would allow them to control the
surrounding areas.
(2) Select areas (small
clearings, bends in trails, and
steep grades) that impede
movement, prevent reinforcement,
and / or deny access to other
areas.
Terrain Model
- Observation.
(1) Identify favorable fields of
fire.
- Cover and Concealment.
- Obstacles
(1) Identify man-made or
natural obstacles.
(2) Use natural obstacles to
impede progress such as cliffs,
stream embankments, or steep
grades.
Terrain Model
(3) Use man-made obstacles
such as fallen trees, barbed wire,
land mines, booby traps, and
cratered roads to supplement
natural obstacles.
- Avenues
(1) identify the most likely
avenues of approach.
(2) Outline possible primary
and alternate routes.
(3) Emphasize likely danger
areas.
Terrain Model
 Show all grid lines, routes, on
call targets and check points.
* Mark all grid lines, routes, on
call targets, and check points.
* Mark all friendly and enemy
positions known.
* Provide a legend, indicating
which item it represents.
Terrain Model
 Use the terrain model in
conjunction with a map, as
necessary to visualize, to confirm,
to clarify, and to supplement
information provided by the map,
aerial photographs and other
sources.
Terrain Model
Patrols