Squad Composition and Movement
What are the three elements of a traditional squad?
Alpha Fireteam, Headquarters Element, Bravo Fireteam
What are the "Three D's?"
Description, Distance, Direction
"Three enemies, fifty meters, twelve o'clock!"
At what distance should an assault through be ordered?
35 meters or less
What conditions are necessary to order a bold flank?
3/1 superiority AND greater than 35 meters between you and the enemy
What are the conditions for breaking contact?
Too many enemies (<3/1 superiority) OR engaged by a belt-fed machine gun
What are the three primary formations a squad can move in?
Wedge, modified wedge/staggered column, file
Bonus points: What are the hand signals?
When you hear the three D's, what should you do?
Repeat them at maximum volume
How far beyond the last enemy position should the assaulting element move?
35 meters
How should you decide the direction of a flank?
Available terrain for cover/concealment
What formation should the squad assume when breaking contact
Oblique line facing the enemy (for maximum firepower)
How long should a short halt last?
No more than 10 minutes
What degree of numerical superiority is necessary to engage an enemy unit?
3/1 Superiority
Who can order an assault through?
The team leader of whichever element is being engaged (Alpha fireteam leader, Bravo fireteam leader, Squad leader)
What is the first step of setting up a bold flank?
Emplace the gun team on the edge of the base of fire
Bonus points: Which side should the gun team be emplaced on?
How long should an individual bound last?
A few paces - "I'm up, he sees me, I'm down!"
Front security, navigation, and forming the base of fire on contact are the responsibility of which element?
The Alpha fireteam
If contact is taken from the front, what should the Bravo fireteam be doing?
Pulling rear security
Once the assaulting element has completed their movement, what should they call to the rest of the squad?
LOA! (Limit of advance)
When the flanking element has reached the last position of cover/concealment before the enemy, what should they call?
SHIFT FIRE!
Bonus points: What should they call before entering the kill zone?
How far to the rear should a squad bound when breaking contact?
Until the squad is no longer taking effective fire from the enemy
What is an LDA?
"Linear Danger Area," any linear piece of terrain on which the unit will be exposed to enemy observation/fire
Which four initial actions must be taken immediately and simultaneously when reacting to contact?
Get on line, shout the three D's, take cover, and return fire
Once the limit of advance has been reached and LOA has been called, what should the assaulting element do?
Pull security and collect LACE reports
Bonus points: What is a LACE report?
When the flanking assault has been completed, where does the gun team move?
The apex of the new squad position
While one element is bounding, what must the other element be doing?
Providing suppressive fire
"Fire without movement is a waste of ammunition. Movement without fire is a waste of lives."