Mounted navigation with a compass requires determination of the amount of deviation caused by the vehicle. This can be done in the following manner:
1.The navigator dismounts and moves 50 meters in front of the vehicle.
2.The navigator determines an azimuth from his position to a fixed object at least 50 meters to his front.
3.The driver moves the vehicle forward, keeping it centered on the navigator, and stops as close to him as safely possible.
4.The navigator then gets back into the vehicle and measures the azimuth to the fixed object from the vehicle. The vehicle’s engine must be running. The difference between the two azimuths is the deviation. The deviation is logged and added to or subtracted from the azimuth to be followed. This procedure should be followed for any change of direction of 10 degrees or more.
Be aware that distance measured on a vehicle’s odometer during mounted movement may be greater than that measured on the map, since the map measurements do not take into consideration the rise and fall of the land.
FOLDING A MAP
Use the following steps to fold a map:
1.Lay the map flat, face up, north at the top. Fold it in half, turning the bottom edge up to the top.
2.Crease the map into three equal parts parallel to the center fold just made.
3.Open the map completely, face up. Turn it so east is at the top.
4.Repeat the folding procedures of steps 1 and 2.
5.Open the map again, face up, placing north at the top. With a sharp blade, neatly cut the map as shown in sketch 1, along heavy lines.
6.Grasp as in sketch 2, drawing paper up at the crease. Fold over toward the top edge.
7.Repeat step 6 with the second crease from the bottom, folding to meet the top edge of the map. Fold up the remaining flap. The edge view of the map should look like sketch 3.
8.From the center V, open the map to the center section without unfolding the remainder. Turn the map so east is at the top.
9.Follow the same creasing and folding procedures as in steps 6 and 7.
10.Again open the map at the center V without unfolding the rest, exposing the center section.
11.Without unfolding the map, carefully glue or tape together the eight places where the edges you have cut come together.
12.You now have three sections, each of which may be used like a book map. You can fold the entire map so that only the desired “book” is exposed for use.
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Fighting Positions
The defensive plan normally will require building fighting positions. Fighting positions protect soldiers. They provide cover from direct and indirect fires, and concealment through proper positioning and camouflage.
PRINCIPLES
Leaders follow three basic principles to effectively and efficiently prepare fighting positions:
1.Site positions to best engage the enemy.
2.Prepare positions by stages.
3.Inspect all positions.
Site Positions to Best Engage the Enemy
The most important aspect of a fighting position is that it be tactically well positioned. Leaders must be able to look at the terrain and quickly identify the best locations for fighting positions that allow:
•Soldiers to engage the intended enemy element within their assigned sectors of fire.
•Soldiers to fire out to the maximum effective range of their weapons with maximum grazing fire and minimal dead space.
•Grenadiers to be placed in positions to cover dead space.
Additionally, leaders site fighting positions to provide mutually supporting, interlocking fires so they can cover the platoon’s sector from multiple positions. When possible, they site positions behind natural cover and in easily camouflaged locations. The enemy must not be able to identify the position until it is too late and he has been effectively engaged.
Prepare Positions By Stages
Leaders and soldiers prepare fighting positions based on the situation. Soldiers prepare fighting positions every time the platoon makes an extended halt. Usually half of the platoon digs in or conducts various priorities of work while the other half maintains security. Soldiers prepare positions in stages, and a leader inspects the position at each stage before the soldiers move to the next.
Stage 1. The leader checks fields of fire from the prone position. For a stage 1 position, the soldiers:
•Emplace sector stakes.
•Stake the primary sector.
•Position a grazing-fire log or sandbag between the sector stakes.
•Place the aiming stake(s), if required, to allow limited-visibility engagement of a specific target.
•Scoop out elbow holes.
•Trace the outline of the position on the ground.
•Clear the fields of fire for both the primary and secondary sectors of fire.
•Ensure the leader inspects the position before they move to stage 2.
Stage 2. Soldiers prepare retaining walls for the parapets. They ensure the following:
•There is a minimum distance (equal to the width of one helmet) from the edge of the hole to the beginning of the front, flank, and rear cover.
•The cover to the front consists of sandbags (or logs), two to three high, and for a two-soldier position, about the length of two M203 rifles (about 7 feet).
•The cover to the flanks is the same height, but only one M203 rifle length (about 3.5 feet).
•The cover to the rear is one sandbag high and one M203 long (about 3.5 feet).
•If logs are used, they must be held firmly in place with strong stakes.
•The leader inspects the retaining wall before they begin stage 3.
Stage 3. Soldiers dig the position and throw dirt forward of the parapet retaining walls and pack it down hard. They should:
•Dig the position armpit (of the tallest soldier) deep.
•Fill the parapets in order of front, flanks, and rear.
•Camouflage the parapets and the entire position.
•Dig grenade sumps and slope the floor toward them.
•Dig storage areas for two rucksacks into the rear wall if needed.
•Ensure the leader inspects the work.
Stage 4. Soldiers prepare the overhead cover. They must:
•Always provide solid support for overhead cover. They build the support with 4- to 6-inch logs on top of each other running the full length of the front and rear cover.
•Place five or six logs 4 to 6 inches in diameter and two M203s long (about 7 feet) over the center of the position, resting them on the overhead cover support, not on the sandbags.
•Place waterproofing (plastic bags, ponchos) on top of these logs.
•Put a minimum of 18 inches of packed dirt or sandbags on top of the logs.
•Camouflage the overhead cover and the bottom of the position.
•Ensure the leader inspects the position.
Inspect All Positions
Leaders must ensure their soldiers build fighting positions that are both effective and safe. An improperly sited position cannot be used and an improperly constructed position is a danger to its occupants. Leaders should inspect the progress of the fighting position at each stage in its preparation.
TYPES OF FIGHTING POSITIONS
There are many different types of fighting positions. The number of personnel, types of weapons, time available, and terrain are the main factors that dictate the position that will be used.