Approach March Load. The approach march load consists of only mission-essential gear: clothing, weapon, the basic load of ammunition, armor, water, and special equipment. Enforce a limit of 72 pounds.
Emergency Approach March Loads. Circumstances such as approach marches through terrain impassable to vehicles or areas where ground or air transportation resources are not available could require soldiers to carry loads heavier than 72 pounds in larger rucksacks. These emergency approach march loads can be carried easily by well-conditioned soldiers. When the mission demands that soldiers be employed as porters, loads of up to 120 pounds can be carried for several days over distances of 20 kilometers a day. Although loads of up to 150 pounds are feasible, soldiers could become fatigued or even injured. If possible, avoid contact with the enemy since march speeds will be slow.
FOOT MARCH
Foot marches are the movement of troops and equipment mainly by foot, with limited support by vehicles. They are characterized by combat readiness, ease of control, adaptability to terrain, slow rate of movement, and increased personnel fatigue. Foot marches do not depend on the existence of roads.
A dismounted company moves in a column of twos, with a file on each side of the road. Distances are: day, 2 to 5 meters between men, 50 meters between platoons; night, 1 to 3 meters between men, 25 meters between platoons. Rates are: day, 4 kmph; night, 3.2 kmph. Cross-country rates are: day, 2.4 kmph; night, 1.6 kmph. Halts are: 15 minutes after the first 45 minutes, 10 minutes out of every hour thereafter.
Road Space, Foot Column
The road space (RS) of a company foot column, used in determining time length (TL) of the column, consists of two parts: the space occupied by the men alone (including the distance between them) and the sum of distances between elements of the foot column. Total RS = RS men + RS platoon distances.
The RS of the men alone is determined by multiplying the number of men by the appropriate factor selected from the table below:
Formation
2 meters per man
5 meters per man
Single file
2.4
5.4
Column of twos
1.2
2.7
The total RS between platoons is obtained by multiplying the number of platoons (minus one) by the platoon distances.
TIME LENGTH (TL), FOOT COLUMN
Rate
Formula
4.0 kmph
TL (min.) = RS (meters) × .0150
3.2 kmph
TL (min.) = RS (meters) × .0187
2.4 kmph
TL (min.) = RS (meters) × .0250
1.6 kmph
TL (min.) = RS (meters) × .0375
Completion Time
The completion time of a foot march is determined by using this formula: Completion time = SP (start point) time + TL + scheduled halts.
4
Offense
The four types of offensive operations are movement to contact (MTC), attack, exploitation, and pursuit. Companies can execute MTCs and attacks. Platoons generally conduct these forms of the offense as part of a company. Companies and platoons participate in an exploitation or pursuit as part of a larger force. The nature of these operations depends largely on the amount of time and enemy information available during the planning and preparation for the operational phases. This chapter will focus on the first two types of offense: attacks and movements to contact.
The MTC is a type of offensive operation designed to develop the situation and establish or regain contact. The platoon will likely conduct an MTC as part of a company when the enemy situation is vague or not specific enough to conduct an attack.
An attack is an offensive operation that destroys enemy forces or seizes or secures terrain. Movement supported by fires characterizes an attack. The platoon will likely participate in a synchronized company attack; however, it may conduct a special purpose attack as part of or separate from a company offensive or defensive operation. Special purpose attacks consist of ambushes, spoiling attacks, counterattacks, raids, feints, and demonstrations.
FORMS OF MANEUVER
In typical offensive operations, the platoon maneuvers against the enemy in an area of operation (AO). Maneuver places the enemy at a disadvantage through the application of friendly fires and movement. The five forms of maneuver are envelopment, turning movement, infiltration, penetration, and frontal attack.
SEQUENCE OF OFFENSIVE OPERATION
As the platoon leader plans for an offensive mission, he generally considers the actions the unit must accomplish in the following phases of an offensive operation.
Assembly Area
To prepare the platoon for the upcoming battle, the platoon leader plans, directs, and supervises mission preparations in the assembly area (AA). This time allows the platoon to conduct pre-combat checks and inspections, rehearsals, and combat service support (CSS) activities. The platoon will typically conduct these preparations within a company AA.
Reconnaissance
Leaders should aggressively seek information about the terrain and the enemy. The enemy situation and available planning time may limit a unit’s reconnaissance. In this circumstance, the platoon will likely conduct reconnaissance to answer the company commander’s priority of intelligence requirement (PIR). An example may be to reconnoiter and time routes from the AA to the objective rally point (ORP).
Movement to the Objective Rally Point
The platoon will typically move from the AA to the ORP as part of the company movement plan. The ORP is the final position that an element occupies before moving to the target. At the ORP, leaders make final preparations, receive and disseminate intelligence updates, and tweak the plan accordingly. From the ORP, elements separate and move into pre-rehearsed attack positions. The ORP can be occupied for a period of time long enough to allow other units or assets to pre-stage at their individual ORPs. The ORP is typically an easily identified area that can be defended and is the first rally point to which unit members egress post-assault.
Maneuver
The company commander will plan the approach of all platoons to the objective to ensure synchronization, security, speed, and flexibility. He will select the routes, movement techniques, formations, and methods of movement to best support his intended actions on the objective. The platoon leader must recognize this portion of the battle as a fight, not as a movement. He must be prepared to make contact with the enemy and plan accordingly to obtain the objective.
Deployment
The platoon deploys and moves from the ORP toward the assault position with minimum delay and confusion and begins the final positioning of the squads as directed by the company commander. The last covered and concealed position (LCC) is the final position where rehearsed, simple preparations can take place, such as breachers priming explosives, medics extending stretchers, etc. Movement should be as rapid as the terrain, unit mobility, and enemy situation permit.
Assault
During an offensive operation, the platoon’s objective may be terrain-oriented or force-oriented. Terrain-oriented objectives require the platoon to seize or retain a designated area and often require fighting through enemy forces. If the objective is force-oriented, the platoon’s efforts are focused on the enemy’s actual location. Actions on the objective begin when the company or platoon begins placing direct and indirect fires on the objective.