Post by Durant, M. on Jan 2, 2014 12:10:24 GMT -5
UNITED NATIONS SPACE COMMAND
DEPARTMENT OF DOCTRINE & TRAINING
INFANTRY FIRE TEAM LEADER'S GUIDE
DEPARTMENT OF DOCTRINE & TRAINING
INFANTRY FIRE TEAM LEADER'S GUIDE
Introduction
It is important to understand the structure of the basic infantry company in order to understand its role on the battlefield as well as to understand how each echelon of the unit should function and carry out its mission. It is believed that through this understanding that each team leader will better adapt to their role over the echelon they've been appointed to.
The outline of this guide will break down this information going from the bottom (the fire team) to the top (the company itself) in order to ensure that all leaders, young and old, know their role and understand it completely.
Definition of the Marine Corps Fire Team
The Marine Corps Fire Team is composed of two or more Marines and their designated weapons, and can be of any echelon from the Security Team all the way to the Infantry Company.
Mission of the Marine Corps Fire Team
The mission of the Marine Corps Fire Team is to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy with fire and maneuver tactics while integrating all supporting fires, or to repel the enemy assault with fire and maneuver tactics and close combat.
The Infantry Fire Team
The United Nations Space Command Marine Corps Fire Team is led by a Corporal or "Senior" Lance Corporal and consists of four men; the Fire Team Leader (FTL), the point man, the automatic rifleman, and the best rifleman. The fire team is primarily organized around the M739 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW). Upon receiving fire, the fire team can organize in a methodical way to engage the enemy with fire team "rushes."
Fire Team Rushes
Fire team rushes are movement by one part of the team during cover by fire from the other part of the team. The element to advance is referred to as the "Moving Element" while the element that is covering their movement is referred to as the "Covering Element." Generally, the Point Man and Team Leader will move ahead first, being covered by the Automatic Rifleman and Rifleman, then, the Automatic Rifleman and Rifleman will move up to the Point Man and Team Leader's position while being covered by them. The process is repeated until no further progress is possible without serious risk to the entire team. This theoretically increases the safety of the team members during movement.
Reaching an Objective
When finally upon an objective, an infantry fire team may conduct what is called a "hasty 360," where the Automatic Rifleman covers the eleven to one o'clock (twelve o'clock being the most likely avenue of approach), with the Point Man and Team Leader covering nine to eleven and one to three respectively. The Rifleman will always guard the rear of the formation.
The Team Leader is next to the Automatic Rifleman to complement their fire with grenade rounds and to assign targets for the M739. Once a frontal enemy counterattack is deemed unlikely, the fire team will assume a "consolidated 360" to ensure flanks of the fire team are protected. A consolidated 360 will have the Point Man watching the eleven to one o'clock, while the Team Leader and Automatic Rifleman cover the eight to eleven and one to four respectively. As mentioned above, the Rifleman acts as rear guard.
Positions of Individuals in the Fire Team
The position of Marines within the fire team during movement is sometimes called RTFA (Ready - Team - Fire - Assist) because of how the fire team is organized in formation during combat. The Point Man (a Rifleman or Designated Marksman) is in front with the Team Leader directly behind them to direct their movements. Behind the Team Leader is the Automatic Rifleman, followed by the Rifleman (who assists the AR by carrying extra ammunition for their weapon) acting as rear security.
Basic Fire Team Organization
The most basic organization of an infantry fire team is divided into two sub-sections - the Rifle Team and the Security Team. The Rifle Team consists of the Point Man and Team Leader. They're responsible for directing the movement of the fire team and clearing buildings (when only one element of the fire team is necessary for breaching) during patrols and engagements.
The Security Team, as the name suggests, is tasked with providing security for the Rifle Team as they perform their duties and consists of the Automatic Rifleman and Rifleman. This has proven to be an effective method of organization and has been used for centuries.
Upon clearance of a structure, the Security Team will usually regroup with the Rifle Team (or vice versa depending on the tactical situation) as to bring the fire team to full strength before movement or strongpointing (defense of a fortified position, generally a structure). The FTL may deviate from this organization as required.
Breakdown of Fire Team Billets
Team Leader - A Marine with the rank of Corporal or "Senior" Lance Corporal, this individual is responsible for leading the infantry fire team and completing all objectives handed down by higher echelons of command. They are responsible for the safety and well-being of their Marines and must carefully ensure that their Marines perform at their peak while in the field. They are generally seen carrying an MA5B or MA5C Individual Combat Weapon System (ICWS) with either an underslung grenade launcher or a separate grenade launcher weapon system, providing needed medium range fire support for their fire team as they have the ability to employ the use of 40mm grenades on hard to reach targets and on less-fortified structures.
Point Man - The Point Man is a Marine that carries either an MA5B ICWS or the BR55 Battle Rifle system (MOS dependant). Their job is to provide short and sustained fire on the enemy in support of fire team movement and maneuvers and is essential in breaching / room clearing. They are generally effective at hitting targets at close to medium range (sometimes longer ranges if a Designated Marksman). They're found at the head of the fire team during maneuvers, acting as its point man (thus the name), leading the way under the direction of the Team Leader.
Automatic Rifleman - The Automatic Rifleman is tasked with carrying the M739 SAW, and providing covering and supporting fires for the rest of the fire team. Their position becomes crucial during fire team movements as they're tasked with keeping a steady, high rate of fire on the enemy to keep them pinned down while the other elements of the fire team maneuver to a different location or to flank them.
Rifleman (Assistant AR) - The Rifleman is a Marine that carries the MA5B ICWS. Their job is to supplement the Automatic Rifleman's fire with their own and to provide assistance to the Automatic Rifleman in the form of carrying their extra ammunition so as to ensure that the Automatic Rifleman can continue to lay down suppressing fire. In the event that the Automatic Rifleman ends up dead or incapacitated in the field, the Rifleman can assume the duties of the Automatic Rifleman by picking up their weapon.
Combat Organization of a Fire Team
Assault Formation - The Assault Formation (also known as Skirmisher) is designed for frontal engagement in any battle, with the rifleman and automatic rifleman up front to engage fortified targets as well as make hostile entry in any urban situation. The idea of the assault formation is to act as a spearhead for the fire team, squad, or platoon, ready to engage any enemy with extreme violence and prejudice. Because of this, the Assault Formation will always have the heaviest weapons in front and have the best integrated fire support available.
- Number One Man (Rifleman)
- Number Two Man (Automatic Rifleman)
- Number Three Man (Team Leader)
- Number Four Man (Point Man)
Assault Formation (breach composition) - An infantry fire team set up for imminent contact with a fortified urban target, its mission is to make hostile entry and engage an unknown and potentially well armed enemy. The Rifleman and Automatic Rifleman, with the Rifle Team in tow, will move up to the wall closest to the point of entry and assume the Number Three and Four Man positions. The Rifle Team will take their place up front beside the door in the Number One and Two positions, respectively.
Once the breaching team (Rifle Team) has cleared the entry room, the Security Team will set up inside the room to halt enemy reinforcement to any hostiles that may still occupy the structure. The Rifle Team will continue to advance and clear out the remaining rooms in the structure, and, once cleared, it's generally suggested that the Rifle Team regroup with the Security Team as to reconsolidate and prepare for the next leg of their mission.
Contact Phase. Phase of fire team movement to the site of expected breach.
- Number One Man (Rifleman)
- Number Two Man (Automatic Rifleman)
- Number Three Man (Team Leader)
- Number Four Man (Point Man)
Breach Phase. Phase of fire team movement to make dynamic and hostile entry of the structure.
- Number One Man (Point Man)
- Number Two Man (Team Leader)
- Number Three Man (Automatic Rifleman)
- Number Four Man (Rifleman)
Fire Team / Squad Formations
Formations are arrangements of elements and individuals in relation to each other. Squads and fire teams use formations for control and security. Leaders choose formations based on their analysis of the different factors of the mission. Leaders are up front in formations. This allows the leader to lead by example, set the pace, and direct the action (note that this isn't the case for fire teams, as the FTL always directs movement through the Point Man).
Column Formation
Column formations are also known as a "file" (by the Army) because of the fact each individual is aligned one behind the other (like a school line). Column formations are usually used when the terrain is dense or full of vegetation. The column is the easiest to control because you simply follow the Marine in front of you; the downside to it is there is less flexibility. It takes longer for personnel to adjust to certain situations. The column formation is also the least secure; you have fire capabilities on your right and left flanks, but hardly any in the front and rear.
Staggered Column
The Staggered Column is just a "sloppy" column, forming an 'S' pattern. Every other man is slightly offset to the left or right and able to cover and see just a little bit more than in the basic column. If you're in a desert or open area, then the staggered column could be far more useful than the straight and narrow column.
Line Formation
The Line Formation is when all your Marines are aligned to the right and left of each other (shoulder-to-shoulder for the sake of explanation, though generally leaders like to set intervals between Marines in the formation). This formation is best for heavy forward fire power, like when assaulting a forward objective. But this formation leaves your flanks completely open, and if you don't control the battlefield you can easily be outflanked and eventually destroyed. It is always best to have other fire teams or squads on either side of the formation to control the flanks, or move up to your forward target's flank while your line formation lays down heavy fire to maintain suppression on the enemy.
Wedge Formation
The wedge formation is by far the most basic and popular formation used by squads and fire teams. The interval between team members is usually ten meters. The wedge expands and contracts dependent on the terrain and its features. When rough terrain, poor visibility, or other factors make controlling the fire team or squad difficult, the normal interval is reduced. The sides of the wedge can collapse into a column formation for very difficult or narrow terrain, and then re-open as needed. This makes the wedge very flexible; however, the drawback to it is that it leaves your rear area virtually unprotected. If allowed, the enemy can travel along your flank and strike the fire team or squad from the rear.
Vee Formation
A Vee Formation is simply a reverse wedge formation. The fire team and/or squad form a 'V' with the Squad Leader or Rifleman at its point. This formation gives a lot of fire power on a known enemy threat, almost completely surrounding it. But it is very hard to control and adjust. It is not recommended unless you have the enemy pinned down and want to move in to squeeze the enemy to death in a pincer maneuver.
Echelon Formation
The Echelon Formation is used to cross open areas where you're aware of the enemy being on one side or the other of your flank. It gives good fire power forward and to either the right or left of your direction of movement. Its only con is that using it means your opposite flank is left unprotected and in danger. Moving with an enemy on one or both sides of your flanks is always dangerous and should be avoided.
Closing Information
The Marine Corps Fire Team is the smallest element of an infantry unit - and one of the most essential. The Marines on the Fire Team level perform and complete most of the tasks that are required for mission accomplishment. The Team Leader of the Marine Corps Fire Team must be a skilled and capable leader, and be able to accept the challenges of leading and protecting their subordinates.