PATROLLING FUNDAMENTALS

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PATROLLING FUNDAMENTALS

• CS1101

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DEFINITION OF A PATROL

• A patrol is a detachment of ground, sea or air
  forces sent out for the purpose of gathering
  information or carrying out a destructive,
  harassing, mopping-up or security mission

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THE PURPOSE OF PATROLLING

• Gain current information about enemy/terrain
• Destroy enemy installations
• Capture enemy personnel
• Perform security missions
• Prevent the enemy from gaining information

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TYPES OF PATROLS

• CLASSIFIED INTO TWO GROUPS
• MISSION
• MEANS OF MOVEMENT

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PATROL TYPES

• Reconnaissance Gather information about enemy,
  terrain, and/or resources
• Relies on stealth rather than combat strength
• Fight only when necessary to accomplish
  mission/defend themselves

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RECONNAISSANCE PATROLS

• Route Obtain info on a specified route and
  associated terrain
• Area Obtain info on enemy, terrain, and/or
  resources in a given area (e.g., a village)

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RECONNAISSANCE PATROLS

• Zone - Info concerning all routes, obstacles (to
  include chemical/ radiological contamination),
  terrain, and enemy forces within a zone defined
  by boundaries

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PATROL TYPES

• Combat Fighting patrol may engage enemy
• Contact Establishes and maintains contact with
  friendly or enemy force
• Ambush Surprise attack from a concealed
  position

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COMBAT PATROLS CONT.

• Raid Executes a limited objective, surprise
  attack on an enemy force or installation and
  then conducts a planned withdrawal
• Security - Prevents infiltration and or surprise
  attacks

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PATROL CLASSIFIED BY MEANS OF MOVEMENT

• Foot Most common limited range
• Motorized Greater range limited by terrain
• Waterborne Used as entry for patrol
• Helicopterborne Where terrain or situation
  precludes use of vehicles

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PATROL ORGANIZATION

• Organization of a patrol is a two-step process.
• General organization- entire patrol
• Task organization- patrol units
• The major subdivisions of patrols are called
  elements

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GENERAL ORGANIZATION

• Typical patrol elements
• Headquarters
• Support element
• Security element
• Assault element

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TASK ORGANIZATION

• Patrols are further subdivided into teams
• Each team performs essential, designated tasks
• Patrol members must know how to perform tasks
  assigned to all members

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INDIVIDUAL TASKS

• Assistant Patrol Leader - Assists the PL takes
  charge in absence of PL  
• Radio Operator Maintains communication reports
  incoming transmissions to PL 
• Navigator Maintains direction of movement in
  accordance w/ patrol route 

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INDIVIDUAL TASKS

• Pace Man Assists PL in determining distance
  patrol has traveled 
• Flanks Helps prevent a surprise attack to the
  patrols flanks

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GATHERING INFORMATION

• A commander often acts on information furnished
  by scouts and patrols.
• While scouting or patrolling, information may be
  gathered through direct enemy observation or
  through the interpretation of signs and tracks.

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DIRECT OBSERVATION

• Most common method Listening Posts and/or
  Observation Posts (LP/OPs)
• Typically used in a defensive position
• Can also be observed by any member of a patrol
• All members must report their sightings

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SIGNS AND TRACKS

• Footprints and bivouac site can indicate number
  of enemy troops
• Condition of bivouac site indicates morale,
  discipline and the type of withdrawal
• Vehicle tracks indicate enemy equipment
• Wheels vs. tracks

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METHODS OF REPORTING INFORMATION

• Distinguish between facts and opinions
• Answer
• Who?
• What?
• Where?
• When?

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VERBAL MESSAGES

• Radio is fastest for verbal reporting
• Messenger used when radio is unavailable
• Always repeat message out loud
• Report information obtained along route
• If captured, do not reveal information in the
  message

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WRITTEN MESSAGES

• Preferred to verbal messages
• Should be brief, accurate, and clear
• Should include overlay/sketch of situation
  observed or interpreted
• May be posted as a formal report

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PYROTECHNICS

• Flares, colored smoke, and grenades may be used
  for reporting information
• Meaning of signal must be established in advance
  of operation
• Example Green star cluster enemy approach

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SALUTE REPORT

• Size/strength
• Activity/Actions
• Location/direction
• Unit identification
• Time and date
• Equipment/weapons

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SALUTE REPORT

• Information about observer must include
• Location at time of observation
• Intention of originator and/or observer
• Remain in position?
• Continue with mission?

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SAMPLE SALUTE REPORT
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SAMPLE SALUTE REPORT

• S-Four enemy fighters
• A-Vehicle-mounted patrol
• L-GC 783209 moving east
• U-Local Taliban militia
• T-Observed 20020106 at 1545
• E-Traditional clothing, AK-47s, red Toyota truck

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10 MINUTE BREAK
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CONTROL MEASURES

• Used as a means of controlling the movement of a
  patrol and aid the patrol leader in keeping a
  patrol organized

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CHECKPOINTS

• Predetermined point used to control movement
• Means of control between the parent unit and the
  patrol
• Higher can follow progress of patrol without
  transmitting coordinates

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RALLY POINTS

• Easily identifiable point on the ground where
  units can reassemble. It should
• Provide cover and concealment
• Be defensible for a short time
• Be easily recognized and known to all
  patrol members

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INITIAL RALLY POINTS

• Within friendly lines where patrol can rally if
  it becomes separated before departing friendly
  area
• May be the assembly area
• Location must be coordinated with forward unit
  commander

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EN ROUTE RALLY POINTS

• Between the initial rally point and objective
  rally point (ORP)
• Between ORP and re-entry rally point
• Determined as patrol passes through a suitable
  area

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OBJECTIVE RALLY POINT

• Where patrol makes final preparations before
  approaching the objective and reassembles after
  completing mission
• Must be suitable to perform activities
  accomplished prior to actions on objective

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INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS AT CONTROL MEASURES

• Checkpoints Actions will vary depending on how
  unit uses CPs
• Patrol may pass CP and radio information to
  higher unit 
• Patrol may halt at CP to change
  directions, study the map, etc.

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INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS AT CONTROL MEASURES CONT.

• Rally Point Actions
• Planned actions must provide for
• Continuation of patrol, if possible
• Recognition signals for assembly
• Min. members and max. waiting time
• Instructions for members who are alone

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INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS AT CONTROL MEASURES CONT.

• Initial and En Route Rally Points
• As personnel return to RP, senior Marine will
  take charge and follow instructions as outlined
  during patrol order

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WARNING ORDER

• Issued as soon as practical
• Contains sufficient information to assist patrol
  members in preparation
• Posted in unit area
• Everyone is responsible for reading it
• Uses modified 5-paragraph order

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WARNING ORDER CONT.

• Situation
• Enemy and friendly situation
• Mission
• Exactly as the PL received it
• Everyone must remember and understand the
  patrols mission

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WARNING ORDER CONT.

• General instructions
• General and special organization
• Uniform and equip common to all
• Weapons, ammo, and equipment
• Chain of command
• Time schedule for patrols guidance

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WARNING ORDER CONT.

• Specific instructions
• To subordinate leaders
• Information about drawing gear
• Personnel to accompany PL on reconnaissance (if
  necessary)
• Guidance on special preparation

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WARNING ORDER CONT.

• Specific instructions
• To special purpose teams or key individuals
• Address reqs of designated personnel/teams
• Remind individuals/team leaders to check the
  equipment

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PATROL ORDER

• Follows a warning order
• Detailed description of how patrol will
  accomplish mission
• All patrol members should be present
• Usually given over a terrain model
• Begins with an orientation

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SITUATION

• Contains information on overall status of
  friendly and enemy forces  
• Enemy SALUTE, DRAW-DG
• Friendly Higher, adjacent, and supporting
  units missions
• Attachments and Detachments

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MISSION

• Clear and concise statement of what patrol is to
  accomplish
• Expresses unit's primary task and purpose (5 Ws)
• PL should also specify whether mission or time
  has priority

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EXECUTION

• Commander's Intent End state
• Concept of Operations Conduct of patrol
• Tasks Missions of subordinate units
• Coordinating Instructions Tasks common to all.

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ADMIN LOGISTICS

• Info for subordinate units to coordinate tasks
• Beans
• Bullets
• Batteries
• Band-Aids
• Bad Guys

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COMMAND SIGNAL

• Information relating to command and
  communications (control) functions
• Radio frequencies and brevity codes
• Challenge and password
• Succession of command
• PL and APL locations during patrol

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INSPECTIONS

• Initial
• Completeness and correctness of uniform and
  equipment
• Rehearsals are conducted as realistically as
  possible w/all required gear and equipment

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REHEARSALS

• Familiarizes members with actions to take during
  patrol
• Conducted in similar conditions
• All actions should be rehearsed
• Most critical phases have priority

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FINAL INSPECTION

• Final
• All equipment is still in working order
• Discrepancies have been corrected
• Unit is ready to embark on mission

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FINAL INSPECTION CONT.

• Uniform and equipment
• Camouflage
• Identification tags and cards
• Prescribed equipment is serviceable
• Equipment has been silenced
• No unnecessary equipment

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FINAL INSPECTION CONT.

• Each member knows and understands
• MISSION!
• Planned routes
• Individuals role
• Roles of the other members
• Signals and other pertinent details

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NOISE AND LIGHT DISCIPLINE AND CAMOUFLAGE

• Light is easily detected at night.
• Noise will compromise your position.
• During the day or night, the eye will pick up
  unusual shapes, color, and movement.

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LIGHT DISCIPLINE

• Expose nothing that reflects light
• Cover/remove reflective items
• Do not use light sources
• No smoking allowed at anytime
• PL will designate what kind of light to
  be used during halts

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NOISE DISCIPLINE

• Ensure all gear is properly secured
• Silence gear to reduce unwanted noises
• Top off canteens before step off
• Stop frequently during patrol to listen
• Do not speak unless necessary
• Use hand and arm signals

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CAMOUFLAGE

• Shiny areas dark paint
• Shadow areas light paint
• Field expedient means only as last resort

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CONCEALMENT

• Blend in with surroundings
• Remain motionless when observing
• If it goes with you-it comes back with you

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10 MINUTE BREAK
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EXITING FRIENDLY LINES
- Conduct security halt - Continue patrol
(Max range of small arms)
Dispersed file formation
Antipersonnel minefield
FEBA
FEBA
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SECURITY

• Scouts used as eyes and ears of
  the patrol
• Front-Investigates route of advance
• Flanks-One or two used for squad sized
  patrol
• Rear-Maintains rear security

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SECURITY HALTS

• Used To observe and listen for enemy activity.
  Also
• When reaching a danger area
• After departing and before entering friendly
  areas
• When sending a message, checking direction, or
  making a reconnaissance

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SHORT SECURITY HALT

• Take a knee or get in
  prone behind cover and concealment
• All-round security is established
• Patrol Leader ensures all members move out when
  patrol resumes movement

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LONG SECURITY HALT

• Used when patrol must halt for an
  extended period of time
• Move to an area that provides security from
  enemy detection
• Consists of passive and active security measures.

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PASSIVE SECURITY MEASURES

• Select a remote area
• Avoid suspected enemy positions
• Avoid ridgelines, topographic crests, valleys,
  lakes, streams, roads, and trails
• Avoid open woods and clearings
• Select areas offering dense vegetation

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ACTIVE SECURITY MEASURES

• Establish security
• Establish communications with posted security
• Plan for withdrawal in the event of discovery
• Establish an alert plan

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RE-ENTRY OF FRIENDLY LINES

• Conducts a long security halt at RRP
• Listens and looks for enemy presence 
• PL requests permission to reenter friendly lines
   
• PL takes radioman and security team to link up
  w/guide(s) at contact point  

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RE-ENTRY OF FRIENDLY LINES CONT.

• PL initiates far recognition signal and guide
  responds
• PL approaches, guide initiates near recognition
  signal and PL responds 
• 2 Marines return to patrol
• APL moves patrol to contact point

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RE-ENTRY OF FRIENDLY LINES CONT.

• Guide(s) lead patrol from contact point into
  passage point
• At passage point, PL (w/security) counts members
  into passage lane 
• PL provides FUC w/ SALUTE report
• PL takes patrol to S-2 for debrief

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DEMONSTRATION
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PRACTICAL APPLICATION
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SUMMARY