LESSON PLAN
COMBAT FORMATIONS
CS0902
INTRODUCTION
(2 MIN)
(ON SLIDE #1)
1. GAIN ATTENTION. Since the age of the Roman Empire and
beyond, military units have organized in combat formations to
maintain control, help communications, minimize fratricide, and
maximize combat power. The history books are filled with
stories of armies who were decimated by well-organized,
disciplined combat formations. In this aspect, today’s
battlefield has changed little since the earliest days of human
conflict as chaos and confusion are still a constant presence
and battles are won and lost thanks, at least in part, to the
organization and discipline of the fighting units. From the
knowledge you gain from this period of instruction you will be
prepared to share the battlefield with you fellow Marines.
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2. OVERVIEW. Good morning/afternoon class, my name is
__________. The title of this lesson is “Combat Formations.”
The purpose of this lesson is to provide you with the knowledge
and skills required to assume an assigned position in fire team
and squad formations and how to move while in these positions.
During this class we will talk about fire team formations and
squad formations. You will apply this knowledge and skills when
performing fire team and squad movement during the tactical
events executed during MCT, and may be called upon to employ
these techniques in a combat environment. This period of
instruction relates to the offense class you will receive.
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
Have the students read the learning objectives to themselves as
you read them out loud. Emphasize the task in the learning
objective to the students. Check for understanding by asking
questions, as required.
3.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES.
a.
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES.
(1) Given an individual weapon, as a member of a unit,
while wearing a fighting load, perform individual movement
techniques, by arriving at the objective. (0300-PAT-1005)
(2) Operating as part of a unit, given an individual
weapon, while wearing a fighting load, perform actions in a
hasty firing position, by assuming a position that allows fire
to be placed upon the enemy while taking advantage of cover and
concealment. (0300-PAT-1013)
4. METHOD/MEDIA. I will present this lesson using the informal
lecture, demonstration, and practical application methods. I
will be aided by a multimedia presentation, a demonstrator, and
your student handouts.
5. EVALUATION. You will be evaluated on this instruction by a
performance evaluation on T-Day ___. To achieve mastery, you
are required to correctly perform individual actions and
arriving at an objective during a squad live fire and movement
range by presenting a minimum target and suppressing the enemy.
You must also perform individual actions in a hasty firing
position by taking advantage of available cover and concealment.
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
Explain to the students the procedure for completing the
Instructional Rating Forms (IRF). Inform students that you, the
primary instructor, will collect the IRF once the entire period
of instruction, to include the performance examination.
6.
SAFETY/CEASE TRAINING (CT) BRIEF.
a. In the event that an injury or mishap occurs that
requires immediate medical attention or medical evacuation,
training will cease until the situation can be properly managed
and required number of personnel is on hand to continue
training. Unless otherwise directed, all students should move
safely away from the incident and await further instructions
from an instructor.
b. All Marines are reminded to immediately inform an
instructor of any situation that they feel is unsafe or of any
injury or accident that may occur during training, no matter how
slight.
c. Training, once ceased, will not be resumed until the
incident has been reported to the chain of command and higher
authority has authorized training to continue.
(ON SLIDE #2)
TRANSITION: Are there any questions concerning anything we have
covered so far? (Pause and receive questions) I encourage each
of you to take your own notes in your student handout. Let's
begin the lesson by discussing the purpose of combat formations.
(ON SLIDE #3)
BODY.
1.
(640 MIN)
COMBAT FORMATIONS. (20 Min)
Fire team and squad 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
and signals enable the leader to control the movement and
maneuver of his unit when moving to and assaulting an enemy
position.
(ON SLIDE #4)
a.
Basic Combat Formations.
(1) Normally each unit leader will determine the
formation for his unit. Thus, a unit may contain a variety of
formations at any one time and these formations may change
frequently.
(2) The relative position of the units within the
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 units and individuals as long as control
is not lost.
(3) Visual contact will be maintained within the fire
team and between fire team leaders and squad leaders.
(4) All movement to change formations is by the shortest
practical route.
(ON SLIDE #5)
b. Military Symbols. In all fire team formations remember:
"Ready, Team, Fire, Assist", for positioning fire team members.
Each member of the fire team is identified by his own symbol.
(1) Ready identifies the riflemen. The symbol for the
riflemen is a blank circle or the letter "R" encased by a
circle.
(2) Team identifies the team leader. The symbol for the
team leader is a circle with a diagonal line through it.
(3) Fire identifies the automatic riflemen. The symbol
for the automatic riflemen is an arrow encased by a circle.
(4) Assist identifies the assistant automatic riflemen.
The symbol for the assistant automatic riflemen is the letter
"A" encased by a circle.
(ON SLIDE #6)
c. Squad Leader Symbol. The symbol that identifies the
squad leader is the letter “X” encased by a circle. The lower
part of the “X” is darkened in.
(ON SLIDE #7)
TRANSITION: Thus far we have covered the purpose of combat
formations and the military symbols. Are there any questions
about this information? (Pause and receive questions) If there
are no (more) questions for me, I have a few for you.
QUESTION: Describe the symbol that identifies the rifleman?
ANSWER: The symbol for the riflemen is a blank circle, or the
letter "R" encased by a circle.
QUESTION: How are movements to change formations accomplished?
ANSWER: All movements to change formations are by the shortest
practical route.
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Next, we will discuss fire team formations.
(ON SLIDE #8)
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
Have students draw the formations into their handouts as you
discuss each one.
2.
FIRE TEAM FORMATIONS. (30 Min)
a.
Column.
(1) Used when speed is essential and enemy contact is
not probable or the enemy position is known.
(2) Permits rapid, controlled movement.
(3) Favors fire and maneuver to the flanks.
(4) Vulnerable to fire from the front because it
provides the least amount of fire to the front.
(5) The formation is organized rifleman then the team
leader, automatic rifleman, and assistant automatic rifleman
(ready, team, fire, and assist).
(6) The ready will start to the left and alternate right
then left covering down behind the Marine in front of them and
at least ten meters in between each Marine.
(7) At night, members of the column are close enough to
maintain visual contact with the Marine in front of them.
(ON SLIDE #9)
b.
Wedge.
(1) Used when enemy contact is probable, and/or the
enemy’s position is unknown.
(2) Permits good control of the formation.
(3) Provides all-round security.
(4) Formation is flexible. That is, Marines are able to
move quickly into other formations.
(5) Fire is adequate in all directions.
(6) Team leader and assistant automatic riflemen can be
on either side.
(7) The formation is organized ready, team, fire, and
assist in a counter clockwise direction.
(8) The Marines are at least ten meters apart.
(9) At night, the Marines stay close enough to maintain
visual contact.
(ON SLIDE #10)
c.
Skirmishers Right (Left).
(1) While in the skirmishers right, all members of the
fire team are to the right of the riflemen. A skirmisher left
is just the opposite.
(2) The Marines are staggered ready, team, fire and
assist, front to back and aligned to each other. A skirmisher
left is organized in the same manner.
(ON SLIDE #11)
(3) The Marines are at least ten meters apart.
(4) At night they will be close enough to maintain
visual contact.
(5) Used when the location and the strength of the enemy
are known. A good time to use skirmishers formation is during
the assault, when mopping up, or when crossing short open areas.
(6) This formation provides maximum firepower to the
front.
(ON SLIDE #12)
d.
Echelon Right (Left).
(1) While in the echelon right, all members of the fire
team are to the right of the riflemen. Echelon left is just the
opposite.
(ON SLIDE #13)
(2) Used to protect an open or exposed flank by
providing security and firepower in the designated direction.
(3) Provides heavy firepower to the front and echelon
flank.
(4) The formation is organized ready, team, fire, and
assist. All Marines will be to the right or left of the
rifleman at a forty-five degree angle, depending on the
formation.
(5) The team leader may be on line or slightly back from
the formation as needed for better control of his Marines.
(6) The Marines will be at least ten meters apart.
(7) At night, Marines stay close enough to maintain
visual contact with each other.
(ON SLIDE #14)
TRANSITION: We have now discussed fire team formations. Are
there any questions over anything we have covered up to this
point? (Pause and receive questions) If there are no (more)
questions for me, I have a few for you.
QUESTION: What formation permits rapid and controlled movement?
ANSWER: Column formation.
QUESTION: What formation provides all-round security?
ANSWER: Wedge formation.
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Next, we will discuss squad formations.
(ON SLIDE #15)
3.
SQUAD FORMATIONS. (20 MIN)
a. The squad leader prescribes the formation
based on his assessment of the situation. In all
the squad leader ensures that he is in a position
best control the unit. More often then not, this
center of the formation.
for his squad
formations,
where he can
is toward the
(1) Fire team leaders may make subsequent changes to
their fire team formation.
(2) The characteristics of squad formations are similar
to those of the fire team.
(3) The fire team is the maneuver element in squad a
formation.
(ON SLIDE #16)
b. Squad Column.
behind the other.
Fire teams are arranged in succession one
(1) Used when speed is essential and enemy contact is
not probable, or the enemy position is known.
(2) Easy to control and maneuver.
(3) Excellent for speed of movement or when strict
control is desired.
(4) Especially suitable for narrow covered routes of
advance, maneuvering through gaps between areas receiving
hostile artillery fire, moving through areas of limited
observation, and moving under conditions of reduced visibility.
(5) Vulnerable to fire from the front or rear.
(6) Often used at night.
(7) The formation is organized first, second, third
team, and in order, rifleman, team leader, automatic rifleman,
and assistant automatic rifleman for all three fire teams.
(8) The ready will start to the left and alternate right
then left covering down behind the Marine in front of them and
at least ten meters in between each Marine.
(9) At night, Marines stay close enough to maintain
visual contact with the Marine in front of them.
(10) The squad leader is positioned in between the first
and second fire teams, but he may move throughout the squad in
order to maintain control.
(ON SLIDE #17)
c.
Squad Wedge.
(1) Used when enemy contact is probable and the enemy
position is unknown.
(2) Permits good control so Marines can react to the
enemy quickly.
(3) Provides all-round security, so there is firepower
in all directions.
(4) Formation is flexible so that Marines can change
directions or formations rapidly.
(5) Firepower is adequate in all directions.
(6) The formation will go by teams, in order, in a
counter clockwise direction. The first team will be in front,
the second team to the left and the third team directly to the
right of the second team. No team will be covered down on each
other. All teams will be in a fire team wedge.
(7) At night, Marines stay close enough to maintain
visual contact with the Marine in front of them.
(8) The squad leader will be in the middle of the teams,
but he may move throughout the squad to best control his squad.
(ON SLIDE #18)
d.
Squad Line.
(1) Used when the location and strength of the enemy are
known. An example of using squad line is using it during the
assault, when mopping up, or when crossing short open areas.
(2) Maximum firepower is to the front.
(3) Combat formation will be organized by teams. The
first team is in the middle, the second team to the left and the
third team directly to the right of the first team. No team is
covered down on another. The Marines are positioned at least
ten meters apart.
(4) At night, Marines stay close enough to maintain
visual contact with the Marine in front of them.
(5) The squad leader will position is directly behind
the middle of the teams, but he may move throughout the squad to
maintain control.
(6) The formations of the fire teams are determined by
what side of the squad they are on and the assessment of the
squad leader.
(ON SLIDE #19)
e.
Squad Echelon.
(1) Used to protect an open or exposed flank.
(2) Provides heavy firepower to front and echelon flank.
(3) The squad leader will organize the formations by
teams. The first team to the left and in front, the second team
in the middle, and the third team at the end. No team is
covered down on another. The squad is at a forty-five degree
angle to the left or right. The Marines are at least ten meters
apart.
(4) At night, Marines stay close enough to maintain
visual contact with the Marine in front of them.
(5) The squad leader position is in the middle of the
first and second team, but may move throughout the squad to
maintain control.
(6) The squad leader determines the formations of the
fire teams.
(ON SLIDE #20)
f.
Squad Vee.
(1) Used when the enemy is to the front and his strength
and location are known. This formation will be used when
crossing large open areas. Primarily used as a final formation
before coming on line in the assault.
(2) Facilitates movement into squad line.
(3) Provides excellent firepower to front and flanks.
(4) Provides all-round security, so there is firepower
in all directions.
(5) The squad leader will organize the formations by
teams. An example of the organization set up is the first team
in the middle, the second team to the left and in front of the
first team, the third team directly to the right and in front of
the first team. No team is covered down on another. The
Marines are at least ten meters apart.
(6) At night, Marines stay close enough to maintain
visual contact with the Marine in front of them.
(7) The squad leader will take his position in the
middle of the teams, but he may move throughout the squad to
maintain control.
(8) The formations of the fire teams are determined by
what side of the squad they are on and the assessment of the
squad leader.
(ON SLIDE #21)
INTERIM TRANSITION: So far we have covered fire team formations
and squad formations. Are there any questions regarding this
information? (Pause and receive questions) Next, we are going
to move into the demonstration portion of the lesson.
DEMONSTRATION: (15 Min)
The purpose of this demonstration is to show the students how to
conduct fire team and squad size formations. Student instructor
ratio will be 400:6
STUDENTS ROLE: Observe the demonstration. You can take any notes
you feel is needed to ensure your understanding of the material.
INSTRUCTOR ROLE: Begin by demonstrating all the combat
formations. Also utilize the hand and arm signals for each
formation. Then demonstrate how to move to a designated
objective as a squad-size element.
Safety Brief: Given by the Range Safety Officer.
Supervision and guidance: Ensure all students grasp the concept
of combat formations.
Debrief: After the demonstration ask the students if there are
any questions. Summarize and clear up areas of confusion.
INTERIM TRANSITION: Now that we have seen a demonstration of
combat formations are there any questions on anything you have
seen? (Pause and receive questions) Next, you will perform the
practical application portion of the class. After today, you
will perform this practical application again before you live
fire.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: (555 Min)
The practical application is designed to give the students the
opportunity and experience in executing combat formations.
Student instructor ratio will be 400:16
This practical application will be broken up throughout the
training schedule totaling 9 hours and 15 minutes.
PRACTICE: The students will practice moving as a fire team and
squad on line to a simulated objective. The students will be
given the opportunity to execute movement as they would on the
fire and movement range.
PROVIDE-HELP: Each Combat Instructor will assist the Marines at
his station. Ensure that the instructors are answering
questions form the students.
1. Safety Brief: The Range Safety Officer will give every
student a safety brief.
2. Supervision and Guidance: Ensure all students grasp the
concept of combat formations. Allow students the total time of
555 Min to practice.
3. Debrief: Ensue that all students have executed proper
combat formations. After the practical application, ask the
students if there is any questions.
TRANSITION: Now that you have had the opportunity to perform the
practical application, are there any questions about anything we
have covered during this lesson (Pause and receive questions)
(ON SLIDE #22)
SUMMARY
(3 MIN)
During this class we have discussed fire team formations and
squad formations. Armed with this information, you are now able
to effectively move as a member of a provisional rifle squad.
Those with the instructional rating forms please respond to the
questions and make comments as appropriate and I will collect
them once you are finished.
INSTRUCTOR NOTE
Refer to the training schedule and provide the students with
instructions regarding what to do and where to form in
preparation for beginning the performance examination.