Enemy Positions. Pass enemy positions on the downwind side (the enemy might have scout dogs). Be alert for trip wires or other warning devices.
Minefields. Bypass a minefield, even if it means changing your route by a great distance. If you must pass through a minefield, the lead elements should clear a lane for the rest of the unit. Soldiers use their hands to detect trip wires and sharpened sticks to probe for mines.
Streams. When crossing a stream, select a narrow spot that offers concealment on both banks. Observe the far side carefully and place security out for early warning. Clear the far side, then cross quickly but quietly.
Wire Obstacles. Avoid crossing wire obstacles if possible, as they are normally under observation. If wire must be breached during daytime, use the method that exposes the unit for the shortest amount of time. Check the wire for mines, booby traps, and warning devices. To breach wire at night, either cross over or go under the wire using the following procedures.
To cross over the wire, grasp the first strand lightly and cautiously lift one leg over. Lower your foot slowly to the ground, feeling carefully for sure footing, then lift the other foot over the wire. Quietly release this wire and feel for the next strand. Cross it in the same way.
To go under the wire, move headfirst. Lie on your back and slide under the bottom strands, pushing forward with your heels. Carry your weapon lengthwise on your body, steadying it with either hand. To prevent the wire from catching on clothing or equipment, let it slide along the weapon. Inch along, holding the wire up with one hand. Do not jerk or pull on the wire. Feel ahead with your free hand for low strands or trip wires.
If you must cut the wire, cut only the lower strands to minimize discovery of the gap. Soldiers should work in a team if possible. Wrap the wire with a cloth near a picket, cut partway through, and then bend it back and forth until it breaks. Carefully roll the loose end back to clear the lane. Concertina is hard to control after cutting and can snap back. If you must cut it, stake down two loops far enough apart that a soldier can crawl between them. Then cut partway through and break it as previously described.
Enemy Contact at Danger Areas
If the unit makes contact in or around a danger area, the leader determines whether to assault the enemy or break contact, depending on the situation and mission. If the unit becomes disorganized, the near- and far-side rally points are used to link up and reorganize. Ideally, using movement fundamentals, the unit will see the enemy first, remain undetected, and ambush it.
SECURITY DURING MOVEMENT
Security during movement includes whatever the platoon or squads do to secure the unit or the larger force, such as the following tactics.
Terrain
When planning movements, consider how terrain affects security.
Formations and Movement Techniques
When choosing a movement formation or technique, consider the most recent situation update and the level of C2 needed for the mission. Choose the option that will provide the greatest security and is most likely to result in mission accomplishment. During individual platoon movement, place the smallest element forward. This gives the rest of the platoon freedom to maneuver.
Positioning of the Machine-Gun Teams or Weapons Squad
The maneuvering of the crew-served weapons system is key to successful light infantry tactics. The platoon leader positions his crew-served weapons such as machine guns and Javelins where they can best provide security to the platoon. METT-TC will determine the placement. He may task-organize some of the weapons to the rifle squads or keep them together under the weapons squad leader (if he has a weapons squad) and close to the command post. Keeping the weapons squad close allows the platoon leader to quickly deploy the guns into an overwatch position or to provide a base of fire against a threat.
Light Discipline
If soldiers need more illumination than an image intensifier can provide in infrared mode during movement, they should use additional infrared light sources to provide the light needed with the least risk of enemy detection. When using infrared light, leaders must consider the enemy’s night vision and infrared capabilities. For instance, an enemy with night vision capability can send infrared light signals and can concentrate direct and indirect fire on a platoon that is using infrared light.
SOLDIER’S LOAD
The soldier’s load greatly affects movement and is of crucial concern to leaders. Research has shown that a soldier can carry up to 30 percent of his body weight and still retain a high percentage of his agility, stamina, alertness, and mobility. For the average soldier weighing 160 pounds, that would be a 48-pound load. The soldier loses a proportional amount of his functional ability for each pound over 30 percent.
Load Management
Use the following techniques for load management:
•Distribute loads evenly over the body and load-bearing equipment (LBE), load-bearing vest (LBV), or modular lightweight load-carrying equipment (MOLLE).
•Don’t carry anything on the front of the body that would prevent the soldier from taking well-aimed shots.
•Distribute loads throughout the unit. If it is necessary to man-pack bulk ammunition, water, rations, or demolitions, divide them into small loads.
•Rotate heavy loads (radios, machine guns, mortars, and antitank weapons) among several soldiers.
•Always consider transportation assets to carry loads.
•Upon enemy contact, drop rucksacks or leave them in an objective rally point (ORP), an assault position, or the assembly area.
•Share or consolidate items. Carry only enough sleeping bags for those who will sleep at the same time. In the same manner, two or three soldiers can share a rucksack and take turns carrying it.
•Consider carrying fewer rations for short operations.
•While carrying rucksacks, use water and rations carried in them first. Then rucksacks can be dropped and soldiers will still have a full supply on their LBE, LBV, or MOLLE.
A recent combat load study called “Soldier Loads in Combat” was conducted on dismounted infantry serving in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. A cover letter summarized conditions as such: “Despite the best efforts made by military leaders, today’s dismounted infantry soldier continues to carry excessive loads even during the conduct of short duration missions. This harsh reality is not due to these soldiers carrying unnecessary equipment, but due to the facts that the essential items that they must carry simply weigh too much and that we have few to no means today for offloading the dismounted soldier while keeping his gear near at hand.” Leaders should always attempt to keep the combat load of the soldier as light as possible without sacrificing protection and mission-essential equipment. Until we can find better ways to lighten the soldier’s load and get him into battle, the following doctrine still applies.
Combat Load. The combat load consists of the minimum mission-essential equipment—as determined by the commander responsible for carrying out the mission—required for soldiers to fight and survive immediate combat operations. It is the essential load carried by soldiers in forward sub-units, or the load that accompanies soldiers other than fighting loads.
Fighting Load. The fighting load includes a soldier’s armor, bayonet, weapon, clothing, helmet, IFAK, water and LBE, and a reduced amount of ammunition. Keep fighting loads under 48 pounds when cross-loading small-unit equipment.