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This part discusses techniques used by mechanized infantry platoons and squads to provide security for themselves and for larger formations during movements and offensive and defensive operations. Security is part of force protection which enhances the combat power of the force. Positioning of thermal sights during movement, offense, and defense is critical to security. Platoon leaders must ensure the use of thermal sights is included in their security plan.
1. Security During Movement. Security during movement includes the actions that platoons and squads take to secure themselves and the tasks given to them to provide security for a larger force.
a. Platoons and squads enhance their own security during movement through the use of covered and concealed terrain; the use of the appropriate movement formation and technique; the actions taken to secure danger areas during crossing; the enforcement of noise, light, and radio telephone discipline; and the use of proper equipment and individual camouflage techniques. Platoons also enhance their security by using the correct graphic control measures, formations, and movement techniques to prevent fratricide.
(1) Terrain. In planning a movement, leaders consider the terrain from the aspect OAKOC as discussed in Part A. Leaders look for terrain that avoids obstacles, provides protection from direct and indirect fires and from ground and aerial observation, avoids key terrain that may be occupied by the enemy, allows freedom to maneuver, and avoids natural lines of drift or obvious terrain features. If key terrain cannot be avoided, leaders plan to reconnoiter it before moving through. When operating as an advance or flank guard for a larger force, platoons and squads may be tasked to occupy key terrain for a short time while the main body bypasses it.
(2) Formations and Movement Techniques. Formations and movement techniques provide security by:
- Positioning each vehicle and soldier so that they can observe and fire into a specific sector that overlaps with other sectors.
- Placing a team or section forward to allow the platoon to make contact with only the lead team and give the remainder of the platoon freedom to maneuver.
- Providing overwatch for a portion of the platoon. In selecting formations and movement techniques, leaders must consider other requirements such as speed and control as well as security. See Part C for information on determining the best formation and technique based on METT-T.
(3) Security at Danger Areas. Paragraph 2-10 describes actions taken by platoons and squads to secure danger areas before crossing them.
(4) Camouflage, Noise, Light, Litter, and Radiotelephone Discipline. Leaders must ensure that camouflage used by their platoon is appropriate to the terrain and season. Platoon SOPs specify elements of noise, light, litter, and radio telephone discipline.
b. Platoons, sections, and squads may operate as the advance, flank, or rear guard for larger units. They employ the same techniques described above to move as securely as possible.
c. During short halts, vehicles deploy into a herringbone or coil formation for all-round security and soldiers dismount and assume prone positions behind cover. They watch the same sectors that were assigned to them for the movement. Leaders establish OPs, and orient machine guns and vehicle weapon systems along likely enemy approaches. Soldiers remain alert and keep movement to a minimum. During limited visibility, leaders incorporate the use of night vision devices.
d. During long halts, the platoon establishes a perimeter defense (See Part E). The platoon leader ensures that the platoon halts on defensible terrain. He establishes the defense using the same considerations discussed in Part E.
e. For additional security during halts, the platoon leader may establish a section- or squad-sized ambush. He must provide a specific location and instructions concerning the initiation and conduct of the ambush and the linkup of the section or squad with the platoon.
2. Security in the Offense. Security in the offense includes actions taken by platoons, sections, and squads to find the enemy, to avoid detection or prevent the detection of the larger body, and to protect the platoons, sections, or squads during the assault on the objective. Fratricide prevention is also an integral part of security in the offense and must be integrated into offensive planning.
a. Movement to Contact. Platoons and squads execute guard or screening missions as part of a larger force in a movement to contact.
b. Reconnaissance Patrols. Platoons and squads conduct reconnaissance patrols before executing offensive operations to find the enemy and determine his strength and dispositions.
c. Hasty and Deliberate Attacks. Platoons and squads use the same security techniques for movement discussed above while moving from assembly areas to the objective. The base-of-fire and maneuver elements of the platoon must provide their own security while executing their specific tasks.
(1) Base-of-Fire Element. The platoon sergeant or leader controlling the base-of-fire element should designate vehicles and soldiers on the flanks of the position to provide observation and, if necessary, fires to the flanks while the element engages the enemy on the objective. The base-of-fire element also provides security to its rear.
(2) Maneuver Element. The maneuver element must secure its own flanks and rear as it assaults the objective. Platoon leaders should consider designating assaulting sections and buddy teams to observe the flanks and rear. When clearing trenches, the platoon should be alert against local counterattacks along cleared portions of the trench behind the lead fire team. The base-of-fire element provides security for the maneuver elements by engaging any counterattacking or reinforcing forces if it can do so without endangering the maneuver element with its own fires.
d. Consolidation. Platoons and squads move quickly to establish security during the consolidation of an objective. They do this by establishing OPs along likely approaches and by establishing overlapping sectors of fire to create all-round security.(See Part E.)
3. Security in the Defense. Security in the defense includes active and passive measures taken to avoid detection or deceive the enemy and to deny enemy reconnaissance elements accurate information on friendly positions. Fratricide prevention is also an integral part of security in the defense and must be integrated into defensive planning.
a. Terrain. Leaders consider the terrain in terms of OAKOC as they plan for security in the defense. They look for terrain that will protect them from enemy observation and fires and, at the same time, provide observation and fires into the area where they intend to destroy the enemy or defeat his attack. When necessary, leaders use defensive techniques, such as reverse slope or perimeter defense, to improve the security of the defensive position. Leaders plan protective obstacles to the flanks and rear of their positions and tie them in with supplementary fires. Leaders consider adjacent key terrain that threatens the security of their positions. They secure this terrain by posting OPs and by covering it with direct and indirect fires. Finally, leaders establish OPs along the most likely enemy approaches into the position or sector to provide early warning.
b. Observation Posts. Each platoon should post at least one OP. The platoon leader designates the general location for the OP and the routes to and from the OP. The squad leader establishing the OP selects the specific site. Part L provides a detailed discussion of the techniques used by platoons and squads in establishing and manning OPs. When a platoon performs a screen mission for a larger force in a defense, it may establish squad-sized OPs that are well dispersed. The squads conduct patrolling missions between these OPs to establish the screen.
c. Patrols. Platoons should actively patrol the area to their front and flanks while in a defensive operation. These patrols should include observation of dead space, gaps between platoons and companies, open flanks, and gaps or lanes in tactical and protective wire. Patrols may also be used to establish and relieve OPs. On completion of a patrol mission, the patrol members are debriefed and the information disseminated throughout the platoon. The platoon leader must ensure that all patrols not initiated by his higher headquarters are coordinated with them.(See FM 7-8 for additional information.)
d. Passive Measures. Platoons may be directed to cover specific areas of its sector with night vision devices, thermal sights, or early warning devices. These systems should be incorporated into the platoon sector sketch. Passive measures also include camouflage; movement control; and noise, light, litter, and radiotelephone discipline.
e. Deceptive Measures. Deceptive measures include actions that platoons and squads may take to mislead the enemy and induce him to do something counter to his interests. Platoons may employ deceptive measures for local security such as dummy positions or supplemental wire.
f. Deception Operations. Platoons may conduct deception operations as part of a larger force. These operations may include demonstrations, feints, displays, or ruses. In most instances platoons execute missions as normal but on a limited scale (feint), or to present a false picture to the enemy.
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Lesson 2 Part C
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