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
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