191-379-5400 (SL4) - Form the Platoon into a Riot Control Formation

Note. The platoon formation is selected depending on the crowd
structure and temperament. Any size
squad, platoon, or larger unit may be
employed, and a crowd control
formation can be adapted to fit the
unit organization. For these
formations, such as the four-squad
platoon, see FM 19-15, chapter 8.

1.  
Form the platoon in a
platoon line (figure 191-379-5400-1).

Figure 191-379-5400-1.
Platoon Line

a.
Give the preparatory
command, "Platoon as
skirmishers," while
simultaneously using hand and arm
signals. (Raise both arms straight
out to the side, arms and hands
extended, palms down.)

b.
Give the execution
command, "Move," and at
the same time, point to the place
where you want the formation. Ensure
that the following occur:

(1) 
Squad leaders of first
and second squads must give the
command, "Follow me,"
while the leader of the third
squad gives the command,
"Stand fast."

(2) 
Ensure that the number
two member of the second squad is
the base member for the formation.
The rest of the second squad forms
a line to the right of the base
member. The first squad forms a
line to the left.

(3) 
Ensure that the squad
leader of the third squad
commands, "Follow me,"
after the first and second squads
have assumed their positions.

(4) 
Ensure that the third
squad forms a line to the right of
the second squad.

Note. All squads dress on the second squad.

2.   Form the platoon in a platoon line with one squad
in general support.

a.
Form the platoon line
with one squad in general support in
a column of twos (figure 191-379-5400-2).

Figure 191-379-5400-2.
Platoon Line with One Squad in General
Support in a Column of Twos

(1) 
Give the command,
"Platoon as skirmishers,
second support in a column of
twos."

(2) 
Ensure that the leaders
of the first and third squads
command, "Follow me,"
and that the leader of the second
squad commands, "Stand
fast."

(3) 
Give the command;
"Move," and point to the
place where you want the
formation. The first and third
squads move forward to their
appointed place (the number 2
member of the first squad is the
base member for the formation).
The second squad, at the command
of its squad leader, executes a
column of twos to the right.

b.
Form the platoon in a
platoon line with one squad in
support in a single column (figure 191-379-5400-3). The
support squad, usually the second
squad, may also be formed in a
single column. The command is,
"Platoon as skirmishers, second
in support, move." The first
and third squads execute the
formation, while the second squad
remains in column formation.

Figure 191-379-5400-3.
Platoon Line with One Squad in Support
in a Single Column

3.   Form the platoon in a platoon line with one squad
in lateral support (figure 191-379-5400-4).

Figure 191-379-5400-4.
Platoon Line with One Squad in Lateral
Support

a.
Give the command,
"Platoon as skirmishers, second
squad in lateral support."

b.
Give the command,
"Move," and point to the
place where you want the formation.

c.
Ensure that after the
first squad forms a line to the left
of the base member, the third squad
forms a line to the right of the
base member. After the line has been
formed, the squad leader for the
second squad commands, "Odd
numbered soldiers, follow me,"
and the assistant squad leader
commands, "Even numbered
soldiers, follow me." The odd
numbered soldiers move out to the
left and form a column behind the
last soldier in the third squad. The
even numbered soldiers move out to
the right and form a column behind
the last soldier in the first squad.

4.   Form the platoon in a platoon line with one squad
in close support (figure 191-379-5400-5).

Figure 191-379-5400-5.
Platoon Line with One Squad in Close
Support

a.
Give the command,
"Platoon as skirmishers, second
in close support." The first
and third squads will execute a line
as in step 1.

b.
Ensure that the leaders
of the second squad command,
"Stand fast."

c.
Ensure that after the
first and third squads move to the
appointed place and execute the
line, the second squad executes a
similar line to the rear of the
leading line. The second squad forms
to the right of its base soldier.
The second squad can be shifted to
the right or left to support any
segment of the formation.

Note. Make sure the second squad closes and covers the
intervals between the elements in the
leading line.

5.   Form the platoon in a platoon echelon right (or
left) (figure 191-379-5400-6).

Figure 191-379-5400-6.
Platoon Echelon, Right

a.
Give the command,
"Platoon echelon, right (or
left)."

b.
Give the command,
"Move," and point to where
you want the formation.

c.
Give hand signals with
the voice commands. Extend one arm
45 degrees above and the other 45
degrees below the horizon, arms and
hands extended. (When facing the
platoon, the upper arm indicates the
direction of the echelon.)

d.
Ensure that the first
squad leader commands, "Follow
me," and the squad executes an
echelon right.

e.
Ensure that the second
and third squad leaders command,
"Stand fast."

f. 
Ensure that as each squad
clears the column, the next squad
moves to extend the echelon formed
by the preceding squad.

Note.  For an
echelon left, the third squad executes
echelon left with the rest of the
squads following.

6.   Form the platoon in a platoon echelon, right (or
left) with one support squad in
general support the same as with the
line (figure 191-379-5400-7).

Figure 191-379-5400-7.
Platoon Echelon, Right with One Squad
in General Support

a.
Give the command,
"Platoon echelon, right (or
left), second squad in general
support."

b.
Give the command,
"Move," and point to the
place where you want the formation.

c.
Give hand signals with
the voice commands. Extend one arm
45 degrees above and the other 45
degrees below the horizon, arms and
hands extended. (When facing the
platoon, the upper arm indicates the
direction of the echelon.)

d.
Ensure that the first
squad leader commands, "Follow
me," and that the squad
executes an echelon right (or left).

e.
Ensure that the second
and third squad leaders command,
"Stand fast."

f. 
Ensure that as the first
squad clears the column, the third
squad moves to extend the echelon
formed by the first squad. The
second squad, at the command of its
squad leader, executes a column of
twos to the right (or left).

7.   Form the platoon in a platoon echelon, right (or
left) with one support squad in
lateral support the same as with the
line (figure 191-379-5400-8).

Figure 191-379-5400-8.
Platoon Echelon, Left with One Squad
in Lateral Support

a.
Give the command,
"Platoon echelon, right (or
left), second squad in lateral
support."

b.
Give the command,
"Move," and point to the
place where you want the formation.

c.
Give hand signals with
the voice commands. Extend one arm
45 degrees above and the other 45
degrees below the horizon, arms and
hands extended. (When facing the
platoon, the upper arm indicates the
direction of the echelon.)

d.
Ensure that the first
squad leader commands, "Follow
me," and that the squad
executes an echelon right (or left).

e.
Ensure that the second
and third squad leaders command,
"Stand fast."

f. 
Ensure that as the first
squad clears the column, the third
squad moves to extend the echelon
formed by the first squad. After the
echelon has formed, the squad leader
for the second squad commands,
"Odd numbered soldiers, follow
me," and the assistant squad
leader commands, "Even numbered
soldiers, follow me." The odd
numbered soldiers move out to the
right (or left) and form a column
behind the last soldier in the third
squad. The even numbered soldiers
move out to the left (or right) and
form a column behind the first
soldier in the first squad.

8.   Form the platoon in a platoon echelon, right (or
left) with one support squad in close
support the same as with the line
(figure 191-379-5400-9).

Figure 191-379-5400-9.
Platoon Echelon, Left with One Squad
in Close Support

a.
Give the command,
"Platoon echelon, right (or
left), second squad in close
support."

b.
Give the command,
"Move," and point to the
place where you want the formation.

c.
Give hand signals with
the voice commands. Extend one arm
45 degrees above and the other 45
degrees below the horizon, arms and
hands extended. (When facing the
platoon, the upper arm indicates the
direction of the echelon.)

d.
Ensure that the first
squad leader commands, "Follow
me," and that the squad
executes an echelon right (or left).

e.
Ensure that the second
and third squad leaders command,
"Stand fast."

f. 
Ensure that as the first
squad clears the column, the third
squad moves to extend the echelon
formed by the first squad. After the
echelon has formed, the second squad
executes a similar echelon to the
rear of the leading echelon. The
second squad will form to the right
(or left) of its base soldier. The
second squad can be shifted to the
right or left to support any segment
of the formation.

9.   Form the platoon in a platoon wedge (figure 191-379-5400-10).

Figure 191-379-5400-10.
Platoon Wedge

a.
Give the command,
"Platoon wedge," followed
by the command, "Move."
Give hand signals with the commands.
Extend both arms down to the sides
at an angle of 45 degrees below the
horizon, palms down and towards the
body. Then point to where you want
the formation as you give the
command of execution.

b.
Ensure that the first and
third squad leaders command,
"Follow me," while the
second squad leader commands,
"Stand fast."

c.
Ensure that the first and
third squads move to the front and,
when the last element of the squads
have cleared the front of the second
squad, the second squad leader
commands, "Follow me." The
squad moves to the left and right
respectively.

d.
Ensure that the third
squad executes an echelon right off
the number 2 member (the base
member) and the first squad executes
an echelon left.

e.
Ensure that the
odd-numbered soldiers of the second
squad form an echelon left on the
rear element of the first squad and
the even-numbered soldiers form an
echelon right on the rear element of
the third squad.

10. Form the platoon in a platoon wedge with one squad in general
support in a column of twos (figure 191-379-5400-11).

Figure 191-379-5400-11.
Platoon Wedge with One Squad in
General Support in a Column of Twos

a.
Give the command,
"Platoon wedge, second squad in
support in a column of twos,
move."

b.
Ensure that the first and
third squads execute the wedge and
the second squad, at the command of
its squad leader, executes a column
of twos to the right.

Note. The support squad, usually the second squad, may also be
formed in a single column. The command
for this would be, "Platoon
wedge, second in support, move."
The first and third squads execute the
formation, while the second squad
remains in column formation.

11. Form the platoon in a platoon wedge with one squad in lateral
support (figure 191-379-5400-12).

Figure 191-379-5400-12.
Platoon Wedge with One Squad in
Lateral Support

a.
Give the command,
"Platoon wedge, second squad in
lateral support, move." The
first and third squads execute the
wedge, while the second squad stands
fast.

b.
Ensure that after the
wedge has been formed, the squad
leader for the second squad
commands, "Odd-numbered
soldiers, follow me," and the
assistant squad leader commands,
"Even-numbered soldiers, follow
me." The odd-numbered soldiers
move out to the left and form a
column behind the last soldier in
the third squad. The even-numbered
soldiers move out to the right and
form a column behind the last
soldier in the first squad.

c.
Give the command,
"Second squad, lateral support,
move," to move the second squad
from general support to lateral
support.

d.
Give the command,
"Second squad, extend the
wedge, move," to have the
second squad join the wedge from
either general support or lateral
support. The second squad leader and
the assistant squad leader command,
"Follow me," and move out
to the left and right, respectively,
to extend the wedge on the first and
third squads.

12. Form the platoon in a platoon wedge with one squad in close
support (figure 191-379-5400-13).

Figure 191-379-5400-13.
Platoon Wedge with One Squad in Close
Support

a.
Give the command,
"Platoon wedge, second squad in
close support, move."

b.
Ensure that the first and
third squads execute a wedge. The
second squad executes a squad wedge
behind, and centered on, the leading
wedge.

c.
Ensure that the members
in the supporting wedge cover the
intervals between members in the
leading wedge.

13. Reassemble the platoon from a formation.

a.
Move to the rear of the
platoon where you want the platoon
members to assemble and give the
command, "Platoon assemble,
move," while making a circular
motion above your head with your
right hand.

b.
Ensure that the number
two members (base member) of each
squad do an about face and all other
squad members do a facing movement
toward their number two member.

c.
Ensure that the platoon
comes to port arms upon hearing the
command, "Platoon
assemble."

d.
Ensure that upon the
command, "Move," the
second squad leader commands,
"Follow me." The first and
third squad leaders command,
"Stand fast."

e.
Ensure that as the second
squad clears the formation, the
first and third squad leaders
command, "Follow me." The
first and third squads follow,
moving at double time, and dress to
the right of the third squad until
the platoon is fully formed.

1.   Formed the platoon in a platoon line.

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2.   Formed the platoon in a platoon line with one squad
in general support.

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—

3.   Formed the platoon in a platoon line with one squad
in lateral support.

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—

4.   Formed the platoon in a platoon line with one squad
in close support.

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—

5.   Formed the platoon in a platoon echelon right (or
left).

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—

6.   Formed the platoon in a platoon echelon right (or
left) with one support squad in
general support the same as with the
line.

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—

7.   Formed the platoon in a platoon echelon right (or
left) with one support squad in
lateral support the same as with the
line.

—

—

8.   Formed the platoon in a platoon echelon right (or
left) with one support squad in close
support the same as with the line.

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—

9.   Formed the platoon in a platoon wedge.

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—

10. Formed the platoon in a platoon wedge with one squad in general
support in a column of twos.

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—

11. Formed the platoon in a platoon wedge with one squad in lateral
support.

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—

12. Formed the platoon in a platoon wedge with one squad in close
support.

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—

13. Reassembled the platoon from a formation.

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FM
19-15