COMBAT FORMATIONS

ICS0904, Slide 1 04 June 2003

 COMBAT FORMATIONS
• Fire team and squad formations are
groupings for individuals and fire teams
for efficient tactical employment.
• Factors influencing formation decisions
include:
1. Mission 2. Weather
3. Terrain 4. Speed
5. Situation 6. Flexibility
ICS0904, Slide 2 04 June 2003
 BASIC COMBAT FORMATIONS
• Normally each unit leader will determine the formation
for his own unit.
• The relative position of the units within the formation
should not mask the fire of the others.
• It is not important that exact distances and intervals
be maintained between units and individuals as long
as control is not lost.
• Visual contact will be maintained.
• All movement to change formations is by the
shortest practical route.
ICS0904, Slide 3 04 June 2003
 FIRE TEAM FORMATIONS

READY TEAM FIRE ASSIST

ICS0904, Slide 4 04 June 2003

 SQUAD LEADER SYMBOL

ICS0904, Slide 5 04 June 2003

 FIRE TEAM COLUMN

A
ICS0904, Slide 6 04 June 2003
 FIRE TEAM WEDGE

ICS0904, Slide 7 04 June 2003

FIRE TEAM SKIRMISHERS RIGHT

ICS0904, Slide 8 04 June 2003

 FIRE TEAM SKIRMISHERS LEFT

ICS0904, Slide 9 04 June 2003

 FIRE TEAM ECHELON RIGHT

A
ICS0904, Slide 10 04 June 2003
 FIRE TEAM ECHELON LEFT

ICS0904, Slide 11 04 June 2003

 SQUAD FORMATIONS

• The squad leader will position himself

where he can best control the unit.
• Fire team leaders may make subsequent
changes to their fire teams formation.
• The characteristics of squad formations
are similar to those of the fire team.
• The fire team is the maneuver element in
squad formations.
ICS0904, Slide 12 04 June 2003
 Squad Signals and Formations

• Squad Column
– Facilitates control
– Favors fire and
maneuver to flanks
– Limited firepower to
front
– Used for speed and Direction of March

control

ICS0904, Slide 13 04 June 2003

 SQUAD
COLUMN

ICS0904, Slide 14 04 June 2003

 Squad Signals and Formations

• Squad Wedge
– Provides all around
Direction of March
security
– Flexibility
– Fire in all directions
– Situation is uncertain

ICS0904, Slide 15 04 June 2003

 SQUAD WEDGE

ICS0904, Slide 16 04 June 2003

 Squad Signals and Formations

• Squad Line
– Maximum firepower to
front
Direction of March
– Used when enemy
strength and location is
known and in the assault
of the OBJ
– Difficult to control

ICS0904, Slide 17 04 June 2003

 SQUAD LINE

FIRE TEAM WEDGE

ICS0904, Slide 18 04 June 2003
 SQUAD LINE

FIRE TEAM SKIRMISHERS

ICS0904, Slide 19 04 June 2003
 Squad Signals and Formations

• Squad Echelon
– Heavy firepower to front
Direction of March
and direction of echelon
– Difficult to control
– Slow movement
– Protects open or exposed
L
flank

ICS0904, Slide 20 04 June 2003

 SQUAD ECHELON

ICS0904, Slide 21 04 June 2003

 Squad Signals and Formations

• Squad Vee
– Fire to front and flanks
Direction of March
– All-around security
– Enemy is to the front,
stength and location is
known
– Flexibility

ICS0904, Slide 22 04 June 2003

 SQUAD VEE

ICS0904, Slide 23 04 June 2003

 CHANGING FORMATIONS
• The fire team may be in any formation
that suits the mission.
• The squad leader will signal the team
leaders with the squad formation and
direction of movement.
• Fire team members will move in the most
direct route to assume their position in the
formation when moving from one
formation to another.
ICS0904, Slide 24 04 June 2003
 Security Measures
• Sqd and FT leaders must maintain • Use stealth while moving
dispersion based on situation, • Avoid stepping on objects that
control, and visibility will make noise
• Assign sectors of observation to • Keep a low profile
provide maximum security • Must be vigilant in observing
• Stay off high ground when assigned sectors
possible. Avoid silhouetting the -In the halt
formation • Use available cover and
• Take advantage of available cover concealment
and concealment • Stay alert
• Maintain even pace, avoid rushing • Cover all avenues of approach
or running, this attracts attention

ICS0904, Slide 25 04 June 2003

 Summary

• Mission / organization of the squad

• Purpose of combat formations
• Military symbols for the depiction of
individuals, fire team formations, squad
formations
• Procedures for changing formations
• Security measures of squad formations

ICS0904, Slide 26 04 June 2003

 Questions
?

ICS0904, Slide 27 04 June 2003

 The Marine Rifle Squad

ICS0904, Slide 28 04 June 2003

 Mission

• The mission of the Marine Corps Rifle Squad

is to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy
by fire and maneuver, or to repel the enemy’s
assault by fire and close combat.

ICS0904, Slide 29 04 June 2003

 Organization

• Platoon
-Platoon Commander
-Platoon Sergeant
-Corpsman
-3 squads of 3 fire teams
• The Marine Squad consists of a squad leader
and three fire teams of four men.
• Total of 13 Marines

ICS0904, Slide 30 04 June 2003

 Organization (Cont.)
• Grade and Duties – Squad Leader
– Squad Leader is the senior man
– Usually a sergeant
– Carries out platoon commander’s orders and responsible
for:
-discipline, appearance, training, control, conduct and welfare of his
squad at all times
-condition, care and economical use of its weapons
-commands the squad, issues orders and ensuring they are obeyed
-responsible for the tactical employment, fire discipline, and fire
control of his squad

ICS0904, Slide 31 04 June 2003

 Organization (Cont.)

• Grade and Duties – Fire Team Leader

– Usually a corporal
– Carries out orders of the squad leader and:
-Positions himself where he can best observe and control the fire team
and carry out the squad leaders orders
-Responsible for the fire team’s fire discipline, fire control, condition,
care and economic use of weapons and equipment
-Normally stays close to automatic rifleman to effectively control his
fire
-The senior FT leader is assistant squad leader

ICS0904, Slide 32 04 June 2003

 Organization (Cont.)
• Grade and Duties – Automatic Rifleman
– Usually a lance corporal
– Carries out orders of the fire team leader and:
-Responsible for employment of SAW
-Assumes the role of fire team leader if necessary

• Grade and Duties – Assistant Automatic

Rifleman
– Usually a lance corporal
– Carries out orders of the fire team leader and:
-Primarily a rifleman
-Carries a spare barrel bag and extra ammo for SAW
-Trained to assume duties of automatic rifleman

ICS0904, Slide 33 04 June 2003

 Organization (Cont.)

• Grade and Duties – Rifleman

– Usually a private or PFC
– Carries out orders of the fire team leader and:
-Usually receives training as scout, and thus walks

ICS0904, Slide 34 04 June 2003

 Weapons/Equipment

• Squad Leader: M16A4 & Bayonet

• FT Leader: M16A2 w/ M203 Grenade Launcher & K-Bar

• Automatic Rifleman: M249 SAW & K-Bar

• Asst. Automatic Rifleman: M16A4 & Bayonet

• Rifleman: M16A4 & Bayonet

ICS0904, Slide 35 04 June 2003