Chapter 9. Squad and Platoon IA and SOP


Chapter 9. Squad and Platoon Immediate Action Drills and Standard Operating Procedures Chapter 9. Platoon/Squad Immediate Action Drills and SOP's Immediate Action Drills The immediate action drill is defined as the response of a soldier to enemy fire. They are individual actions to respond to a threat. The purpose of them is to standardize the response of all members of the PLI to facilitate greater understanding and coordination. Basically “Everyone must know what everyone else is doing”. 1. Recognize the threat (They are shooting at you!) 2. Go to ground or find cover. Remember concealment will not stop a paintball. (Every man should be constantly scanning for cover at ALL times when on the march.) 3. Return fire in the direction of the enemy. (This fire does not have to be aimed.) 4. Establish the exact location of the enemy and advise the leader (when asked). 5. Listen for the commands and prepare for action. (Some members will either assault or the squad will disengage.) 6. Follow the orders of the leader. Combat Drills Combat or Battle Drills are defined as “a collective action rapidly executed without applying a deliberate decision making process.” They are the immediate action drills for the platoon and squad. Characteristics of a Combat Drill are: 1. Require minimum leader orders to accomPLIsh 2. Standardized throughout the PLI 3. Sequential actions are vital to success 4. They apply to small unit like the platoon and squad 5. They are trained responses to a leaders orders 6. They represent the mental steps followed for offensive and defensive actions in training and combat I Clock System The clock system is used to direct a unit movement. The forward direction of movement is always at the 12 o’clock position. Orders can be given using the clock system and an estimate of distance to the enemy: “Enemy Bunker, 3 O’clock, 30 Yards” When in camp, the commander should establish North as the 12 O’clock position. This will allow enemy sightings or movement to be assigned a clock position to aid in locating the enemy. Night Vision Figure Eight Method This method should be used to view at night. It is designed to use the rods of the eye instead of the cones. Rally Points Every unit, from the battalion to the squad must designate a rally point for reassembly in the event the unit suffers massive casualties or is overrun. A rally point is a place where a unit can meet and reorganize if spread out. It may be a place to halt to reorganize and prepare for action before an assault. Rally points must be designated in advance and must be easily recognizable to every member of the unit. They should provide cover and concealment in case elements of the rallying unit are under fire and should have some form of natural defense. On arrival at a rally point, the unit should: 1. Establish security 2. Account for personnel 3. Establish a chain of command 4. Make a decision to abort or continue THE COMMANDER OF EACH UNIT MUST INSURE THAT EVERY MAN KNOWS WHERE THE RALLY POINT IS! Firing Positions Members should constantly scan for the closest cover and the best firing positions. This not only apPLIes to static defensive areas, but while on patrol. Units should ALWAYS scan for cover and concealment. Indirect Fire If a unit comes under indirect fire, it moves out of the impact area at once. The leader does not seek cover for the unit, but seeks to get them out of the area to reduce the chance of being pinned down. The clock system should be used to direct the men out of the area. Indirect fire in paintball operations is still in its infancy, often “roll gaming” dice are used to decide who or how many men get hit. If this method is used, then this drill is basically useless. This is intended for the day when the PLI does come under fire from long range paintball artillery. If the indirect fire is short range mortars, grenades, or paint “rockets” then they are most likely within three hundred to four hundred feet of the unit and all methods should be used to eliminate the enemy. Members should remember that the reload time for all current paintball artillery is twenty to twenty five seconds. Freeze The Freeze command is used when a unit, not yet seen by the enemy, sees the enemy and has no time to take any other action. All men hold still until signaled to continue or to do something else. If the enemy is not alerted, the unit continues its mission after the enemy passes. The obvious use of Freeze is to let the enemy pass the unit undetected. This could occur on any number of infiltration type missions and can be an effective ambush tactic if communications are functioning properly. There is no better position to assault than the enemy’s rear. If they can be caught between a squad and the rest of the platoon, victory is nearly assured. Additionally, some missions assigned to PLI units will require minimum contact with the enemy to accomPLIsh the mission. Hasty Ambush The Hasty Ambush is used when the unit sees the enemy approaching and has time to do something other than Freeze. When the signal to perform a hasty ambush is given, all men move into Echo and assume firing positions (concealed if possible). The decision to initiate the ambush is made by the leader based on his mission and whether or not the unit is spotted. The Hasty ambush is generally sprung on a signal from the leader, usually PAW or SAW fire as directed. Immediate Assault No paintballer needs to have Immediate Assault explained to them. It is used when the enemy and the unit see each other at the same time and at such close range that no other action is possible. The man nearest the enemy shouts “CONTACT FRONT! 12 O’clock” and gives the number of enemy seen if possible. The unit moves swiftly into the assault. If the enemy stands and fights, the assault is carried through the enemy and is continued until the enemy is destroyed or retreats. Squad Combat Drill Infantry squads and platoons are generally given missions to move on a battlefield toward the enemy in order to make contact or to occupy a specific terrain feature. During these movements, the mission of the squad or platoon is to overcome any enemy resistance within their capability without stopping for long periods of time. Light infantrymen train to “see” the enemy first (most of the time). For unexpected combat, immediate and skillful use of the combat drill will provide a battlefield advantage. To quickly overcome the enemy, it is necessary to go through certain sequential steps to reduce decisions to the essential, critical points and to cause the enemy to fight in two directions simultaneously. These actions should become the standard actions of the PLI squad or platoon when faced with unexpected contact with the enemy. It allows each member of the unit to know what he is supposed to do, what the rest of the unit will do, and why it needs to be done without the leader saying a word. All men must be familiar with the PLI combat drills. Squad Combat Drill 1. Prepare for combat 2. React to enemy contact 3. Locate the enemy 4. Gain fire superiority 5. Flank attack 6. Consolidate and reorganize 1. Prepare for combat a. The squad leader receives a warning order, issues a warning order to start preparations, and then issues the squad operation order or fragmentary squad opord. The order must clearly cover squad organization for combat, formation to be used, movement techniques, key weapons, mission, and leaders' intentions. b. Check equipment to make sure that everything specified in the PLI standard operating procedures is on hand, serviceable, and ready for use. c. Check the ammo and equipment levels of the paint ordnance. d. Check communications, assign primary, secondary, a tertiary frequencies. Review sign language and signals. e. Camouflage personnel and equipment. f. Rehearse formations, movement techniques, battle drills, operational techniques, and other mission specific requirements. g. Make a final inspection of the squad personnel and equipment. Question personnel to ensure they have a firm grasp of the mission, communications, and PLI information. h. Position every soldier, team, and squad correctly when moving from the assembly area to ensure proper dispersion, all around security, and immediate reaction to enemy contact. 2. React to enemy contact a. Take up the nearest position that protects them from fire and observation. b. SAW gunners immediately return a heavy volume of suppressive fire on the enemy position. The other squad members initially place heavy suppressive fire in direction of the enemy. c. Reposition troops to provide observation, cover, concealment, and fields of fire. Control distribution of fires to place maximum effective, sustained fire on the enemy. 3. Locate the enemy a. Observe target. Place aimed/sustained fire on enemy locations. b. Reconnoiter by fire. Place well aimed fire at suspected enemy locations. c. Use fire and movement techniques with fire teams, buddy teams, or single rushes or crawling. The base of fire element covers the moving element. 4. Gain fire superiority a. Destroy or suppress enemy SAW’s and PAW’s. b. Control distribution of fire. c. Concentrate effective fire on critical targets; initially a heavy volume tapering to sustaining rate with no gaps in suppression. 5. Flank Attack a. The squad making initial contact continues to provide suppressive fire. b. The Squad leader moves with and controls the counterattacking members of the squad. c. Conduct a flank attack with the movement element using speed, a covered and concealed route, and fire and movement. d. The base of fire element lifts or shifts fires. e. The movement element assaults through enemy positions using fire and movement. 6. Consolidate and reorganize a. Reestablish chain of command. b. Establish local security. c. Occupy hasty defensive positions to prepare for counterattack. d. Redistribute ammo and place weapons. e. Check casualties/eliminations. f. Search, guard, and question prisoners of war. Squad Combat Drill Platoon Combat Drill The platoon combat drill has five steps that are executed automatically, in one continuous motion, except for prepare for combat. The platoon combat drill does not include a “locate the enemy” stage as the initial squad would have already accomPLIshed this. 1. Prepare for combat 2. Reaction of point squad to enemy contact 3. Gain fire superiority 4. Flank attack 5. Consolidate and reorganize. Platoon Combat Drill React to Enemy Ambush If the squad or platoon enters a Paint (kill) Zone and the enemy initiates an ambush with a casualty producing device (like a paint mine/claymore/PAW) and a high volume of fire, the unit takes the following actions. 1. Members receiving fire immediately return fire, take up covered positions, and throw paint and smoke grenades. 2. Members of the unit not in the Paint Zone immediately: - Identify enemy positions - Initiate immediate suppressive fire against the enemy - Take up covered positions - Shift fires as the members in the Paint Zone assault through the ambush 3. Members under fire assault through the ambush. Knock Out Bunkers If the Platoon identifies an enemy force in bunkers while moving they should: 1. Initiate contact by establishing a base of fire at the enemy position. 2. The platoon leader moves up to the contacting squad to evaluate the enemy position. 3. The platoon leader determines the best course of action based on the number of enemy troops, weapons, mission, and maneuvering ground. 4. The Platoon leader directs one or two squads (not the squad in contact) to assault the most vulnerable enemy bunker. 5. The platoon sergeant assumes command of the contact forces and keeps up fire on the bunker. 6. The platoon leader and assaulting squad move through cover and concealment to the assaulting position. 7. The Platoon leader and SAW gunner provide supporting fire as the rest of the squad assaults. Smoke grenades should proceed the assault only if the enemy is aware of the assaulting squads’ position. Paint grenades should also be thrown just as the assault team moves out. 8. The Assault team should clear the bunker. 9. The platoon leader reassesses the enemy position and prepares to assault the next bunker. Clear a Building/Room Acting as part of a platoon, a squad identifies an enemy held building. 1. The initiating squad establishes a base of fire and suppresses the enemy. 2. Squad leader identifies the building, approaches, cover, an entry point, and a concealed route to the building. 3. The base of fire squad destroys or suppresses enemy fire, lays down a smoke grenade barrage, and sustains suppressive fire. 4. The base of fire squad supports the entry squad. 5. The base of fire team moves to supporting positions where they can get better arcs of fire. 6. The assault squad leader designates the point of entry. 7. The assault squad approaches the building and take positions on either side of the entrance. The base of fire element keeps up suppressive fire especially through the point of entry. 8. The Assault squad throws paint grenades through the point of entry, the base of fire squad ceases fire as the grenades are thrown. 9. After the grenades detonate, the first soldier enters the building and positions himself to the right of the entrance, up against the wall, engages enemy troops. The second soldier moves straight into the room, goes to ground firing. The third man shouts “coming in” and follows the second man into the middle of the room. 10. Assault team clears the room. 11. The squad moves on to the next room or building. 12. The base of fire squad should be on the lookout for fleeing enemy troops. Building assaults involving multiple rooms should not be undertaken without at least a platoon. Troops should avoid doors and windows as points of entry unless no other is available (in paintball, we cannot blow a hole to go in). Troops should be on the lookout for deception devices and booby traps. Enter/Clear Enemy Trench The squad or platoon is attacking as part of a larger force and identifies enemy in a trench line. The platoon deploys and establishes a base of fire to suppress the enemy. The platoon leader determines that he has sufficient power to assault the trench line. 1. The platoon leader designates at least one assault squad to enter the trench and gain a toehold on the enemy trench. 2. The platoon leader designates a breaching/entry point and the direction of movement to be taken by the assault squad. 3. All other troops, SAW’s, and PAW’s are positioned by the platoon sergeant to support the assault squad. 4. The platoon leader designates a second squad to immediately follow the first into the enemy trench. This squad moves into close supporting positions and suppresses the enemy position until the first squad gets into the trench, then immediately follows the first squad. 5. The Assault squad moves to the last point of cover short of the entry point. - The squad leader marks the entry point. - The base of fire element shifts fire away from the entry point and continues to suppress adjacent enemy positions. They throw smoke grenades to support the assault. - The squad leader and one other trooper move forward to a point just short of the breach/entry point, go to ground, and provide suppressive fire. The remaining members of the assault squad move by rushes toward the entry point, throwing grenades as they approach the trench. - AFTER detonation, the three troopers go into the trench, one facing 3 O’clock, one facing 9 O’clock, and the other supporting. - Two soldiers facing away from each other immediately proceed in different directions firing. The third man supports/replaces any casualty. - Remaining assault squad moves into the trench, one each following the original two moving troops. 6. Supporting assault squad moves into the trench. 7. Remaining squads can provide fire support, or enter the trench based on the orders of the platoon leader. 8. As troops in the trench approach corners, they should toss a paint grenade around every corner, then (after detonation) the SAW gunner should lead the way around the corner firing full automatic. 9. Troops should stay close to the wall of the trench so as to present as small an obstacle as possible and should make all use of cover possible. Break Contact The platoon/squad contacts a superior enemy force and must disengage. 1. The platoon leader will designate a squad (or a SAW if in a squad) to maintain suppressive fire as the remaining troops fall back. The retreating troops fall back 50 to 75 feet, then provide suppressive fire to allow the SAW gunner or other squads to fall back. 2. 2. If necessary, smoke grenades can be used to support the retreat. 3. The squad should retreat using the Whiskey maneuver in reverse.