combat formations

ICS0904, Slide 1 04 June 2003

COMBAT FORMATIONS

ICS0904, Slide 2 04 June 2003

• Fire team and squad formations are groupings for individuals and fire teams for efficient tactical employment.

• Factors influencing formation decisions include: 1. Mission 2. Weather 3. Terrain 4. Speed 5. Situation 6. Flexibility

COMBAT FORMATIONS

ICS0904, Slide 3 04 June 2003

• Normally each unit leader will determine the formation for his own unit.

• The relative position of the units within the formation should 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.

• Visual contact will be maintained.

• All movement to change formations is by the shortest practical route.

BASIC COMBAT FORMATIONS

ICS0904, Slide 4 04 June 2003

A

FIRE TEAM FORMATIONS

READY TEAM FIRE ASSIST

ICS0904, Slide 5 04 June 2003

SQUAD LEADER SYMBOL

ICS0904, Slide 6 04 June 2003

FIRE TEAM COLUMN

A

ICS0904, Slide 7 04 June 2003

FIRE TEAM WEDGE

A

ICS0904, Slide 8 04 June 2003

FIRE TEAM SKIRMISHERS RIGHT

A

ICS0904, Slide 9 04 June 2003

FIRE TEAM SKIRMISHERS LEFT

A

ICS0904, Slide 10 04 June 2003

FIRE TEAM ECHELON RIGHT

A

ICS0904, Slide 11 04 June 2003

FIRE TEAM ECHELON LEFT

A

ICS0904, Slide 12 04 June 2003

SQUAD FORMATIONS

• The squad leader will position himself where he can best control the unit.• Fire team leaders may make subsequent changes to their fire teams formation.

• The characteristics of squad formations are similar to those of the fire team.

• The fire team is the maneuver element in squad formations.

ICS0904, Slide 13 04 June 2003

Squad Signals and Formations

• Squad Column– Facilitates control– Favors fire and

maneuver to flanks– Limited firepower to

front– Used for speed and

control

Direction of March

ICS0904, Slide 14 04 June 2003

SQUAD COLUMN

ICS0904, Slide 15 04 June 2003

Squad Signals and Formations

• Squad Wedge– Provides all around

security– Flexibility– Fire in all directions– Situation is uncertain

Direction of March

ICS0904, Slide 16 04 June 2003

SQUAD WEDGE

ICS0904, Slide 17 04 June 2003

Squad Signals and Formations

• Squad Line– Maximum firepower to

front– Used when enemy

strength and location is known and in the assault of the OBJ

– Difficult to control

Direction of March

ICS0904, Slide 18 04 June 2003

SQUAD LINE

FIRE TEAM WEDGE

ICS0904, Slide 19 04 June 2003

SQUAD LINE

FIRE TEAM SKIRMISHERS

ICS0904, Slide 20 04 June 2003

Squad Signals and Formations

• Squad Echelon– Heavy firepower to front

and direction of echelon– Difficult to control– Slow movement– Protects open or exposed

flank

Direction of March

L

ICS0904, Slide 21 04 June 2003

SQUAD ECHELON

ICS0904, Slide 22 04 June 2003

Squad Signals and Formations

• Squad Vee– Fire to front and flanks– All-around security– Enemy is to the front,

stength and location is known

– Flexibility

Direction of March

ICS0904, Slide 23 04 June 2003

SQUAD VEE

ICS0904, Slide 24 04 June 2003

CHANGING FORMATIONS

• The squad leader will signal the team leaders with the squad formation and direction of movement.

• The fire team may be in any formation that suits the mission.

• Fire team members will move in the most direct route to assume their position in the formation when moving from one formation to another.

ICS0904, Slide 25 04 June 2003

Security Measures

• Sqd and FT leaders must maintain dispersion based on situation, control, and visibility

• Assign sectors of observation to provide maximum security

• Stay off high ground when possible. Avoid silhouetting the formation

• Take advantage of available cover and concealment

• Maintain even pace, avoid rushing or running, this attracts attention

• Use stealth while moving• Avoid stepping on objects that

will make noise• Keep a low profile• Must be vigilant in observing

assigned sectors-In the halt

• Use available cover and concealment

• Stay alert• Cover all avenues of approach

ICS0904, Slide 26 04 June 2003

Summary• Mission / organization of the squad• Purpose of combat formations• Military symbols for the depiction of

individuals, fire team formations, squad formations

• Procedures for changing formations • Security measures of squad formations

ICS0904, Slide 27 04 June 2003

Questions?

ICS0904, Slide 28 04 June 2003

The Marine Rifle Squad

ICS0904, Slide 29 04 June 2003

Mission

• The mission of the Marine Corps Rifle Squad is to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver, or to repel the enemy’s assault by fire and close combat.

ICS0904, Slide 30 04 June 2003

Organization

• Platoon-Platoon Commander-Platoon Sergeant-Corpsman-3 squads of 3 fire teams

• The Marine Squad consists of a squad leader and three fire teams of four men.• Total of 13 Marines

ICS0904, Slide 31 04 June 2003

Organization (Cont.)

• Grade and Duties – Squad Leader– Squad Leader is the senior man– Usually a sergeant– Carries out platoon commander’s orders and responsible

for:-discipline, appearance, training, control, conduct and welfare of his

squad at all times-condition, care and economical use of its weapons-commands the squad, issues orders and ensuring they are obeyed-responsible for the tactical employment, fire discipline, and fire

control of his squad

ICS0904, Slide 32 04 June 2003

Organization (Cont.)

• Grade and Duties – Fire Team Leader– Usually a corporal– Carries out orders of the squad leader and:

-Positions himself where he can best observe and control the fire team and carry out the squad leaders orders

-Responsible for the fire team’s fire discipline, fire control, condition, care and economic use of weapons and equipment

-Normally stays close to automatic rifleman to effectively control his fire

-The senior FT leader is assistant squad leader

ICS0904, Slide 33 04 June 2003

Organization (Cont.)

• Grade and Duties – Automatic Rifleman– Usually a lance corporal– Carries out orders of the fire team leader and:

-Responsible for employment of SAW-Assumes the role of fire team leader if necessary

• Grade and Duties – Assistant Automatic Rifleman

– Usually a lance corporal– Carries out orders of the fire team leader and:

-Primarily a rifleman-Carries a spare barrel bag and extra ammo for SAW-Trained to assume duties of automatic rifleman

ICS0904, Slide 34 04 June 2003

Organization (Cont.)

• Grade and Duties – Rifleman– Usually a private or PFC– Carries out orders of the fire team leader and:

-Usually receives training as scout, and thus walks

ICS0904, Slide 35 04 June 2003

Weapons/Equipment

• Squad Leader: M16A4 & Bayonet

• FT Leader: M16A2 w/ M203 Grenade Launcher & K-Bar

• Automatic Rifleman: M249 SAW & K-Bar

• Asst. Automatic Rifleman: M16A4 & Bayonet

• Rifleman: M16A4 & Bayonet