Marine Rifle Squad

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Without the aid of reference, given 782-gear, assigned weapon, and assignment as a member of a squad, execute individual actions in squad formations, to assume assigned positions in each formation, in accordance with the references.

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES a. Without the aid of reference, given a list of alternatives,

select the mission of the Marine Rifle Squad, in accordance with references. (MCCS.14.02e)

b. Without the aid of reference, given a list of alternatives, select the composition of the Marine Rifle Squad, in accordance with references. (MCCS.14.02f)

c. Without the aid of reference, given a list of alternatives, select the composition of a fire team, in accordance with references. (MCCS.14.02g)

d. Without the aid of reference, given a list of alternatives, identify the responsibilities of the squad leader, in accordance with references. (MCCS.14.02h)

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES e. Without the aid of reference, given a list of

alternatives, identify the responsibilities of the fire team leader, in accordance with references. (MCCS.14.02i)

f. Without the aid of reference, given a list of alternatives, select the definition of fire control, in accordance with references. (MCCS.14.02j)

g. Without the aid of reference, given a list of alternatives, select the key elements of controlling a fire team formation, in accordance with references. (MCCS.14.02k)

OUTLINE MISSION ORGANIZATION GRADES AND DUTIES SQUAD AND FIRE TEAM FORMATIONS MISSIONS AND TYPES OF PATROLS PATROL ORGANIZATION PATROL LEADER’S PREPARATION

MISSION The mission of the Marine 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.

ORGANIZATION The squad consists of:

(1) Thirteen men.

(2) One squad leader.

(3) Three fire teams consisting of four men each

The Fire Team The fire team is built around the firepower

provided by the squad automatic weapon. The four members of the fire team are:

(1) The fire team leader

(2) The automatic rifleman

(3) The assistant automatic rifleman

(4) The rifleman

GRADES AND DUTIES The squad leader is the senior man. He is

usually a Sergeant. The squad leader carries out the platoon commander's orders. He is responsible for:

(1) The discipline, appearance, training, control, conduct, and welfare of his squad at all times.

(2) The condition, care, and economical use of its weapons and equipment.

Squad Leaders Duties(3) He commands the squad, giving orders and

ensuring that they are carried out.

(4) He sets the example.

(5) He instructs his squad on everything from general military subjects to small unit tactics.

(6) In combat, he is responsible for the tactical employment, fire discipline, and fire control of his squad.

Fire Discipline Fire discipline is achieved when the unit

has been trained and maintains strict adherence to instructions regarding the proper use of its organic weapons.

Fire Control Fire control is the leader's ability to have his

men open, shift, or cease fire at the instant he desires. It also refers to the leader's ability to regulate the unit's rate of fire.

Squad Leader The squad leader's

weapons are the M16A2 service rifle and bayonet and his ability to properly employ his squad/ teams. (an extension of his body)

Fire Team Leader Usually a Corporal. He

carries out the orders of the squad leader.

The fire team leader positions himself where he can best observe and control the fire team while carrying out the squad leader's orders.

Fire Team Leader He is also responsible for the fire team's fire

discipline, fire control, condition, care, and economical use of its weapons and equipment.

Normally, he is close enough to the automatic rifleman to exercise effective control of his fires.

Fire Team Leader In addition to his duties as fire team leader,

he serves as the fire team's grenadier. In the offense, he uses the M203 for marking targets and directing the fire of his team. In the defense, it is used to cover dead space in the principle direction of fire (PDF) of his fire team's automatic weapon.

Fire Team Leader The senior fire team leader serves as the

assistant squad leader. (APL) His weapon is the M16A2 service rifle with

attached M203 grenade launcher and K-Bar knife. (His ability to effectively employ his team)

Automatic Rifleman The automatic

rifleman is usually a Lance Corporal. He carries out the orders of the fire team leader.

Responsibilities Of Automatic Rifleman

The effective employment of the squad automatic weapon (SAW) and the condition and care of his weapon and equipment.

The automatic rifleman must be ready to assume the role of fire team leader, if necessary.

COMPETANT

Responsibilities Of Automatic Rifleman

His weapons are the M249 squad automatic weapon (SAW) and the K-Bar fighting knife.

The Assistant Automatic Rifleman Usually a Lance

Corporal He is primarily a

rifleman but also assists the automatic rifleman by carrying the spare barrel bag and additional ammunition for the SAW.

The Assistant Automatic Rifleman He is responsible for the effective employment of

his weapon and for the condition and care of his weapon and equipment.

His weapons are the M16A2 service rifle and bayonet.

The assistant automatic rifleman is trained to assume the duties of the automatic rifleman.

The Rifleman His weapons are the

M16A2 service rifle and bayonet.

Every rifleman should be trained as a point man.

The Rifleman Private or Private First Class. He carries out the

orders of the fire team leader. He often receives training as a scout and is

responsible for the early detection of the enemy in his squad's sector.

He is responsible for the effective employment of his weapon and for the condition and care of his weapon and equipment.

Squad Symbols Fire Team Fire Team Leader Rifleman Automatic Rifleman Assistant Automatic A

Column (1) Facilitates control and rapid movement. (2) Favors fire and maneuver to the flanks. (3) Is vulnerable to fire from the front. (4) Fire to the front is limited. (5) Used when speed and control are governing

factors, such as when moving through densely wooded areas, fog, smoke, and along roads and trails.

Column

Wedge (1) Facilitates control. (2) Provides all around security. (3) Formation is flexible. (4) Fire is adequate in all directions. (5) Used when enemy situation is uncertain

and terrain and visibility require dispersion

Wedge

Echelon Left (Right) (1) Is difficult to control. (2) Movement is slow, especially under

conditions of reduced visibility. (3) Provides heavy fire power to the

front and in the direction of the echelon.

(4) Used to protect an open or exposed flank.

Echelon Left (Right)

Skirmishers Right (Left) (1) Is difficult to control. (2) Provides maximum firepower

to the front. (3) Used when the location and strength

of the enemy is known, during the assault, and crossing short open areas.

Skirmishers Right (Left)

MISSIONS AND TYPES OF PATROLS

Patrol Defined. A patrol is a detachment of ground forces sent out by a larger unit for the purpose of:

Gathering information Conducting security missions Carrying out destructive or harassing

missions

Reconnaissance Patrols The commander needs information about

the enemy and the terrain he controls. Information must be timely and accurate,

to assist his decisions. Reconnaissance patrols are one of the

most reliable sources for this information.

Reconnaissance Patrols A reconnaissance patrol is capable of

carrying the search for information into the area occupied by enemy forces, usually beyond the range of vision or ground observation, and is capable of examining objects and events at close range.

Missions Reconnaissance patrols include gaining

information about: identification of enemy units and equipment the location and characteristics of friendly

or hostile positions unusual enemy activity routes, stream/river crossings, obstacles, or

terrain

Area reconnaissance A directed effort to obtain detailed

information concerning specific terrain or enemy activity within a specific location.

Information about a particular town, bridge, road junction, or other terrain features or enemy activity critical to operations

Emphasis is placed on reaching the area without being detected.

Zone reconnaissance A directed effort to obtain detailed

information concerning all routes, obstacles, to include chemical or biological contamination, terrain, and enemy forces within a particular zone defined by specific boundaries.

Route reconnaissance A reconnaissance along a specific line of

communications, such as a road, railway, or waterway, to provide information on conditions and activities along the route.

Terrain features that can control the use of the route must be reconnoitered.

Considerations For Route Recon Traffic-ability Locations of obstacle emplacements. Critical points Danger areas The route reconnaissance is narrower in

scope than the zone reconnaissance.

Combat patrols Combat patrols are assigned missions that

usually require them to actively engage the enemy.

As a secondary mission, they collect and report information about the enemy and terrain.

Employed in both offensive and defensive operations

Combat patrols Inflict damage on the enemy

Establish or maintain contact with friendly or enemy forces

Deny the enemy access to key terrain, probe enemy positions

Protect against surprise and ambush.

Five Types of Combat Patrols Raid. Ambush Contact Security Patrols Economy of force

(R.A.C.E.S)

Raid Destroy or capture enemy personnel or

equipment, or destroy installations, or free friendly personnel who have been captured by the enemy, and then conduct a planned withdrawal.

Ambush Ambush patrols

conduct ambushes of the enemy patrol, carrying parties, foot columns, and convoys.

Contact Contact patrols establish and maintain

contact with friendly or enemy forces.

Economy of force Economy of force patrols perform limited

objective missions such as seizing and holding key terrain to allow maximum forces to be used elsewhere.

Security Patrols Security patrols detect infiltration by the

enemy, kill or capture infiltrators, and protect against surprise or ambush. Security patrols are the most common type of combat patrols.

PATROL ORGANIZATION The patrol leader task organizes the patrol

into units and teams required to accomplish the mission.

General Organization PL determines all essential tasks that are

required to accomplish the mission. Then assigns units to carry out each

essential task. Existing unit’s task organization should be

preserved (e.g., fire teams and squads). Squad may pick up “specialist”

Headquarters Element Controls the patrol Includes the patrol leader, assistant patrol

leader, radio operator, and corpsman.

Security Element Secures the objective rally point, isolates

the objective, and covers the patrol’s withdrawal from the objective.

Assault Element Tasked with actually engaging the enemy

Support Element Provides supporting fires for the assault

unit’s attacks and covering fires if required for its withdrawal.

PATROL LEADER’S PREPARATION The troop leading procedures listed below

are aids in the preparation for executing assigned mission:

They assist leaders in making the best use of time

All the steps should be done and completed in sequence.

B.A.M.C.I.S. Begin the planning Arrange for recon Make recon Complete the Planning Issue the order Supervise

BEGIN PLANNING When a warning order is received, the

squad leader considers the time available to him.

Reverse planning

ARRANGE FOR RECONNAISSANCE AND COORDINATION

The squad leader selects a route and prepares a schedule for reconnaissance and coordination with adjacent and supporting units.

MAKE RECONNAISSANCE On his reconnaissance, the squad leader

completes his estimate of the situation.

Ex: Map recon, walking the terrain, leaders recon.

COMPLETE THE PLAN Upon his return from the reconnaissance,

the squad leader completes his plan of action.

ISSUE THE ORDER If possible, the squad leader issues his

order to the same personnel he took with him on his reconnaissance from the vantage point he had selected earlier.

All members of the operation must be present.

SUPERVISE ACTIVITIES The squad leader continuously supervises

his unit to ensure that his orders are carried out as intended.

Questions?

References 1. FMFM 6-5, Marine Rifle Squad 2. MCWP 3-11.3, Scouting and Patrolling