CHAPTER FIVE

PATROLLING

Patrols are missions to gather information or to conduct combat operations. Infantry platoons and squads conduct three types of patrols: reconnaissance, combat and tracking.

5-1. Principles of Patrolling. All patrols are governed by five principles.

a. Planning. Quickly make a simple plan and effectively communicate it to the lowest level. A great plan that takes forever to complete and is poorly disseminated isn’t a great plan. Plan and prepare to a realistic standard, and rehearse everything.

b. Reconnaissance. Confirm what you think you know and find out what you don’t.

c. Security. Preserve your force as a whole, and your recon assets in particular. Every soldier and every rifle counts; anyone could be the difference between victory and defeat.

d. Control. Clear concepts of the operation and commander’s intent, coupled with disciplined communications, to bring every man and weapon you have available to overwhelm your enemy at the decisive point.

e. Common Sense. Do what you’re supposed to do, without someone having to tell you, despite your own personal discomfort or fear.

5-2. ORGANIZATION. To accomplish the patrolling mission, the unit must perform specific tasks; i.e., secure itself, danger area crossings, or rally points; recon the objective; breach, support, or assault. The leader tasks elements of his unit IAW his estimate of the situation. He identifies those tasks the platoon must perform and decides which elements will perform them. Where possible, in assigning tasks, the leader should maintain section/squad and fire team integrity. The chain of command continues to lead its elements during a patrol. The following elements are common to all patrols.

a. Headquarters Element. The HQ consists of the Squadron Commander/Platoon Leader (CDR/PL), the Squadron SGM/Platoon Sergeant (SGM/PSG), the Radio Operator (RTO), the Forward Observer (FO), and the FO radio operator (FO RTO). It may consist of any attachments that the PL decides that he or the PSG must control directly.

b. Aid and Litter Team. Aid and litter teams are responsible for treating and evacuating casualties. Their tasks include consolidating casualties at the casualty collection point (CCP) on the OBJ, rendering immediate first aide, and transporting casualties for MEDEVC.

c. Enemy Prisoner of War Team. EPW teams are responsible for controlling enemy prisoners IAW the five S’s and the PL’s guidance. Their tasks include searching dead and live enemy on the OBJ, securing and control EPWs on the OBJ and during movement.

d. Surveillance Team. The surveillance team keeps watch on the objective from the time that the leader’s recon ends until the unit deploys for actions on the OBJ. They then join their element. They may also serve as guides at the release point (RP) for assault/support/security elements moving into position or for guides in the patrol base/ORP.

e. Enroute Recorder. The en-route recorder records in writing all information collected during the mission particularly those relating to PIR/IR. Normally more than one member is assigned this function to ensure information is not lost.

f. CompassMan. The compass man assists in navigation by ensuring the lead fire team leader remains on course at all times. The fire team leader navigates while the compass man assists. Instructions to the compass man must include an initial azimuth with subsequent azimuths provided as necessary. The compass man should preset his compass on the initial azimuth before moving out, especially if the move will be during limited visibility conditions. The leader should also designate an alternate compass man.

g. Pace Man. The pace man maintains an accurate pace at all times. The leader should designate how often the pace man is to report the pace to him. The pace man should also report the pace at the end of each leg. The leader should also designate an alternate pace man.

5-3. INITIAL PLANNING AND COORDINATION. PLs plan and prepare for patrols using the troop-leading procedure (TLPs) and the estimate of the situation. Leaders identify required actions on the objective, and then plan backward to the departure from friendly lines and forward to the reentry of friendly lines. They normally receive the OPORD in the battalion or company CP where communications are good and key personnel are available. Because patrols act independently, move beyond the direct-fire support of the parent unit, and operate forward of friendly units, coordination must be thorough and detailed. Leaders normally coordinate directly with the battalion staff. Use checklists to preclude omitting any items vital to the mission.

a. Items coordinated between the leader and the battalion staff or company commander include—

(1) Changes or updates in the enemy situation.

(2) Best use of terrain for routes, rally points, and patrol bases.

(3) Light and weather data.

(4) Changes in the friendly situation.

(5) The attachment of soldiers with special skills or equipment; for example, engineers, sniper teams, scout dog teams, FOs, or interpreters.

(6) Use and location of landing zones.

(7) Departure and reentry of friendly lines.

(8) Fire support on the objective and along the planned routes, including alternate routes.

(9) Rehearsal areas and times. The terrain for the rehearsal should be similar to that at the objective, to include buildings and fortifications if necessary. Coordination for rehearsals includes security of the area, use of blanks, pyrotechnics, and live ammunition.

(10) Special equipment requirements.

(11) Transportation support, including transportation to and from the rehearsal site.

(12) Signal plan-call signs frequencies, code words, pyrotechnics, and challenge and password.

b. The leader coordinates with the unit through which his platoon or squad will conduct its forward and rearward passage of lines. (See paragraph 3-4 for specific items for coordination.)

c. The platoon leader also coordinates patrol activities with the leaders of other units that will be patrolling in adjacent areas at the same time.

5-4. COMPLETION OF THE PLAN. As the PL completes his plan, consider the following.

a. Essential and Supporting Tasks. Ensures that all essential tasks to be performed on the objective, at rally points, at danger areas, at security or surveillance locations, along the route(s), and at passage lanes have been assigned.

b. Key Travel and Execution Times. The PL estimates time requirements for movement to the objective, leader’s reconnaissance of the objective, establishment of security and surveillance, compaction of all assigned tasks on the objective, movement to an objective rally point to debrief the platoon, and return to and through friendly lines. Movement times are dependent on terrain, but 2 KM per hour of tactical movement through wooded terrain at night is a base. Movement during daylight can be increased to 3 km per hour. Factors affecting movement can be danger areas especially roads and trails that may require deliberate crossing, ruggedness of the terrain and obstacles such as rivers or mountainous terrain to be crossed, individual loads carried by patrol members. Reconnaissance is a very time consuming task. Allow as much time as possible to conduct them, especially on objectives with enemy present (i.e. a recon of an enemy position will take twice as long as a recon for an ambush location with no enemy). Deliberate occupation of ORPs will also take longer than occupation by force. Withdrawal plans will also vary in the time needed to conduct. A secured ORP with equipment like rucks that need to be retrieved takes twice as long as a withdrawal from the OBJ.

c. Primary and Alternate Routes. The PL selects primary and alternate routes to and from the objective. The return routes should differ from the routes to the objective.

d. Signals. The PL considers the use of special signals. These include arm-and-hand signals, flares, voice, whistles, radios, and infrared equipment. All signals must be rehearsed so that all soldiers know what they mean. Standard signals for the unit include:

(1) Shift Fires: A series of TWO whistle blasts

(2) Assault across the OBJ: One long whistle blast.

(3) Cease Fire: A series of short whistle blasts.

e. Challenge and Password Forward of Friendly Lines. The challenge and password from the SOI must not be used beyond the FEBA. The challenge and password is used primarily during limited visibility to identify approaching personal when in doubt of their identity. They are NOT meant to be used every time someone returns to the ORP or patrol base.

(1) The unit can use the odd-number system. The challenge can be any number (normally less than the specified number). The password will be the number that must be added or subtracted to it to equal the specified number (normally added).

(2) The PL designates a running password. This code word alerts a unit that friendly soldiers are approaching in a less than organized manner and possibly under pressure. This may be used to get soldiers quickly through a compromised passage of friendly lines. The running password is followed by the number of soldiers approaching ("Moose Breath five"). This prevents the enemy from joining a group in an attempt to penetrate a friendly unit. Once used, passwords should be changed as soon as possible to avoid the enemy from using them.

f. Location of Leaders. The PL considers where he, the PSG, and other key leaders should be located for each phase of the patrol mission. The PSG is normally with the following elements for each type of patrol:

(1) On a raid or ambush, he normally controls the support element.

(2) On an area reconnaissance, he normally stays in the ORP.

(3) On a zone reconnaissance, he normally moves with the reconnaissance element that sets up the link-up point.

g. Actions on Enemy Contact. Unless required by the mission, avoid enemy contact. The PL’s plan must address actions on chance contact at each phase of the patrol mission. The unit’s ability to continue the mission will depend on how early contact is made, whether the unit is able to break contact successfully (so that its subsequent direction of movement is undetected), and whether the unit receives any casualties as a result of the contact. The plan must address the handling of seriously wounded soldiers and KIAs and the handling of prisoners who are captured as a result of chance contact and are not part of the planned mission.

(1) The unit will contact higher to report seriously wounded soldiers and KIAs and request MEDEVAC if possible. If MEDEVAC is not possible, the PL will make a decision based on the following priorities:

(a) Transport wounded and KIA with the unit and continue the mission.

(b) Contact higher and request to abort the mission and execute exfiltration.

(c) Cache wounded and KIA, with security and medical assistance if possible, continue the mission, and recover wounded/KIA upon completion of the mission.

(2) A decision must be made if POWs are taken. If they are kept with the patrol, then keeping the POWs secured must be considered. Small patrols will have difficulty securing POWs. If available, it may be possible to send them out with a MEDEVAC. POWs may also be left behind as a last resort, but their ability to compromise the patrol when they return to their units must be considered. Actions may be taken to delay their recovery, but not to the extent that it may violate their safety IAW the laws of land warfare (i.e. secure them to slow down their ability to return to their units, but not so completely that they would be unable to be recovered).

h. Contingency Plans. The PL leaves for many reasons throughout the planning, coordination, preparation, and execution of his patrol mission. Each time the PL departs, he must issue a five-point contingency plan (GOTWA). The contingency plan includes—

(1) Going - Where the leader is going.

(2) Others - Who he is taking with him.

(3) Time - The amount of time he plans to be gone.

(4) What – What should be done if the PL does not return. Normally, 1 hour after the PL fails to return, the remaining element will execute the mission.

(5) Actions - The unit’s and the leader’s actions on chance contact. Normally the leader will attempt to break contact and return to the ORP. The ORP will attempt to break contact and rally at the last enroute rally point or the area rally point (ARP) if one has been designated during planning.

5-5. DEPARTURE FROM FRIENDLY LINES. The departure from friendly lines must be thoroughly planned and coordinated.

a. Coordination. Coordinate with the commander of the forward unit and the leaders of other units that will be patrolling in the same or adjacent areas. The coordination includes S0I information, signal plan, fire plan, running password, procedures for departure and reentry lines, dismount points, initial rally points (IRP), departure and reentry points (DRP/RRP), and information about the enemy.

(1) The leader provides the forward unit leader with the unit identification, the size of the patrol, the departure and return times, and the area of operation.

(2) The forward unit leader provides the PL with the following:

(a) Additional information on terrain.

(b) Known or suspected enemy positions.

(c) Likely enemy ambush sites.

(d) Latest enemy activity.

(e) Detailed information on friendly positions and obstacle locations. This includes the location of OPs.

(f) Friendly unit fire plan.

(g) Support that the unit can provide; for example, fire support, litter teams, guides, communications, and reaction force.

b. Planning. In his plan for the departure of friendly lines, consider the following sequence of actions:

(1) Making contact with friendly guides at the contact point.

(2) Moving to the coordinated initial rally point (IRP).

(3) Completing final coordination.

(4) Moving to and through the passage point. *

(5) Establishing a security-listening halt beyond the friendly unit’s final protective fires.

* The unit should remain in single file. The PSG follows directly behind the guide so that he can count each soldier that passes through the passage point. He gives the count to the guide, tells him how long to wait at the passage point (or when to return), and confirms the running password. If the platoon makes contact after it is past the departure point, it fights through. Soldiers return to the departure point only if they become disorganized. They then reoccupy the initial rally point (IRP) and the leader reports to higher headquarters.

c. Departure Techniques.

(1) A security team is sent forward to ensure the area is clear before the main body of the patrol crosses. The team clears out to the first covered and concealed position forward or an area large enough for the entire patrol to maneuver if enemy contact is made.

(2) If the forward unit is receiving enemy indirect fire, the PL should keep his patrol moving as quickly as possible.

(3) If the enemy is using STANO devices, the route selected for departure should be covered and concealed. The patrol members may infiltrate through the departure area and rendezvous at a rendezvous point. Use of inclement weather will help conceal the patrols departure.

5-6. RALLY POINTS. A rally point (RP) is a place designated by the leader where the unit moves to reassemble and reorganize if it becomes dispersed.

a. Selection of Rally Points (RP). The leader physically recons routes to select rally points whenever possible (this is seldom possible). More likely he will only be able to selects tentative rally points (RPs) through a map reconnaissance. RPs are confirmed as the unit moves through them. Rally points must—

(1) Be easy to find.

(2) Have cover and concealment.

(3) Be away from natural lines of drift.

(4) Be defendable for short periods.

b. Types of Rally Points. The most common types of rally points are initial, enroute, objective, reentry, area, and near-and far-side rally points. Soldiers must know which rally point to move to at each phase of the patrol mission. They should know what actions are required there and how long they are to wait at each rally point before moving to another.

(1) Initial Rally Point (IRP). The IRP is normally a place inside of friendly lines where a unit may assemble and reorganize if it makes enemy contact during the departure of friendly lines or before reaching the first enroute rally point. The commander of the friendly unit normally selects it. It may also be a pre-selected point to rally during an infiltration when passage of lines is not conducted.

(2) Enroute Rally Point (ERP). The leader designates enroute rally points every 100 to 400 meters (based on the terrain, vegetation, and visibility). When the leader designates a new enroute rally point, the previously designated one goes into effect. There are three ways to designate a rally point: