Unit and equipment symbols are composed of three components: a frame (geometric border), fill, and icon. Frames are geometric shapes used to display affiliation. The basic affiliation categories are friendly, unknown, neutral, and enemy. The unknown unit frame shape is normally used only for aircraft and ships. The frame shape for suspected friendly, enemy, or neutral is used for ground units not positively identified. The basic frame shapes for units, installations, activities, and logistics sites are shown in the following figure.
Fill refers to the area within the frame. If color is used in a symbol, it indicates affiliation. Generally, black is used for the frame, icon, and modifiers when symbols are displayed on a light background. White is used for these elements when they are displayed on a dark background. A color fill can be used if an icon is displayed within the area of the frame. The figure on the previous page shows the color defaults for affiliation used for hand-drawn and computer-generated symbols.
The icon is a “role indicator” that shows the warfighting function the unit performs either on the ground, in the air, or at sea. An example is the crossed rifles, which represent an infantry unit.
Appendix D
Minefields and Minefield Recording
Mines are one of the most effective tank and personnel killers on the battlefield. Minefields that an infantry platoon or squad most commonly emplace are the hasty protective, point, and phony.
US policy regarding the use and employment of antipersonnel land mines (APLs) outlined in this guide is subject to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and executive orders. Current US policy limits the use of non-self-destructing APLs to (1) defending the US and its allies from armed aggression across the Korean demilitarized zone and (2) training personnel engaged in demining and countermine operations. The use of the M18A1 Claymore in the command-detonation mode is not restricted under international law or executive order. Note, however, that some countries employ antihandling devices (AHDs) on antipersonnel (AP) mines, but US forces are not authorized to employ AHDs on any type of AP mine.
HASTY PROTECTIVE MINEFIELD
In the defense, platoons and squads lay hasty protective minefields to supplement weapons, prevent surprise, and give early warning of enemy advance. A platoon can install hasty protective minefields, but only with permission from the company commander. Hasty protective minefields are reported to the company commander and recorded on DA Form 1355-1-R, Hasty Protective Row Minefield Record.
The leader puts the minefield across likely avenues of approach, within range of and covered by his organic weapons. If time permits, the mines should be buried to increase effectiveness, but they may be laid on top of the ground in a random pattern. The minefield should be recorded before the mines are armed. The leader installing the minefield should warn adjacent platoons and tell the company commander of the minefield’s location. When the platoon leaves the area (except when forced to withdraw by the enemy), it must remove the minefield or transfer responsibility for the minefield to the relieving platoon leader.
Only metallic mines are used in hasty protective minefields. Booby traps are not used because they delay removal of the mines. The employing platoon must make sure that the minefield can be kept under observation and covered by fire at all times. The following example describes how to lay a hasty protective minefield.
After requesting and receiving permission to lay the minefield, the platoon leader and squad leaders reconnoiter to determine exactly where to place the mines. The leaders determine a need to use antitank mines to block enemy vehicles at the bridge and the ford. The leaders also decide that antipersonnel mines are needed to protect the antitank mines and to cover the likely avenues of approach of enemy infantry.
While the soldiers are placing the mines, the platoon leader finds an easily identifiable reference point (a concrete post) in front of the platoon’s position. The platoon leader records the minefield using a reference point. The row of mines closest to the enemy is designated A; the succeeding rows are B, C, and so on. The ends of a row are shown by two markers. They are labeled with the letter of the row and number 1 for the right end of the row or number 2 for the left end of the row. The rows are numbered from right to left, facing the enemy. The marker can be a steel picket or a wooden stake with a nail or can attached so that it can be found with a metallic mine detector.
From the base reference point (the concrete post), the platoon leader measures the magnetic azimuth in degrees and paces the distance to a point between fifteen and twenty-five paces to the right of the first mine on the friendly side of the minefield. This point, B-1, marks the beginning of the second row. The platoon leader places a marker at B-1 and records the azimuth and distance from the concrete post to B-1 on DA Form 1355-1-R.
Next, from B-1 the platoon leader measures the azimuth and distance to a point fifteen to twenty-five paces from the first mine in row A. He places a marker at this point and records it as A-1. The platoon leader then measures the distance and azimuth from A-1 to the first mine in row A and records the location of the mine. He then measures the distance and azimuth from the first mine to the second, and so on until all mine locations have been recorded as shown. The platoon leader gives each mine a number to identify it in the tabular block of DA Form 1355-1-R. When the last mine location in row A is recorded, the platoon leader measures an azimuth and distance from the last mine to another arbitrary point between fifteen and twenty-five paces beyond the last mine. He places a marker here and calls it A-2. The platoon leader follows the same procedure with row B.
When the platoon leader finishes recording and marking the rows, he measures the distance and azimuth from the reference point to B-2 to A-2, and records them. Note: If antitank mines are being used, it is recommended that they be used at the A-2/B-2 markers, because their large size facilitates retrieval.
The platoon leader now ties in the reference point with a permanent landmark that he found on the map. He measures the distance and azimuth from this landmark to the reference point. The landmark might be used to help others locate the minefield should it be abandoned. Finally, he completes the form by filling in the tabular and identification blocks.
While the platoon leader is tying in the landmark, the soldiers arm the mines nearest the enemy first (row A). The platoon leader reports that the minefield is completed and keeps DA Form 1355-1-R. If the minefield is transferred to another platoon, the gaining platoon leader signs and dates the “Mines Transferred” block and accepts the form from the previous leader. When the minefield is removed, the form is destroyed. If the minefield is left unattended or abandoned unexpectedly, the form must be forwarded to the company commander. The company commander forwards it to the battalion to be transferred to more permanent records.