Battle Drill #2: React to Contact (Platoon/Squad) (7-3/4-D103)
TASK. React to Contact (Platoon/Squad) (7-3/4-D103).
CONDITIONS. The platoon/squad is halting or moving. The enemy initiates fires on the platoon/squad with an individual or crew-served weapon.
STANDARDS.
1. The unit returns fire immediately.
2. The unit locates and engages the enemy with well-aimed fire, and causes at least one enemy casualty.
3. The leader can point out at least one half of the enemy positions and identify the types of weapons (such as small arms, light machine gun).
PERFORMANCE MEASURES.
1. Soldiers SEE through AN/PVS-7B/4 and immediately take up the nearest covered positions.
2. Soldiers SEE the enemy positions and enemy weapons muzzle flashes through their AN/PVS-7B/4 and use their AN/PAQ-4 to return well-aimed fires at the target within three seconds.
3. Squad leader locates known or suspected enemy positions and marks left and right limits with the hand-held laser pointer, and passes information to the squad/platoon leader.
4. Fire team leaders control fires by using the standard fire commands (initial and supplemental). Team leaders use AN/PAQ-4 and BOIs (based on distance) to control fires, and illuminate engagement areas by using ir ground flares. The fire commands are as follows:
a. Alert.
b. Direction.
c. Description of target.
d. Range.
e. Method of Fire (manipulation, and rate of fire).
f. Command to commence firing.
5. Soldiers SEE and maintain contact with other soldiers on their left and right using AN/PVS-7B/4. Mark soldiers IAW unit SOP.
6. Soldiers maintain contact with their team leaders and indicate the location of the enemy using the AN/PAQ-4 and AN/PVS-7B.
7. Leaders check the status of their personnel through voice commands and AN/PVS-7B.
8. The squad/team leaders maintain contact with the platoon/squad leader through the AN/PVS-7B.
9. The platoon/squad leader moves up to the squad/team in contact and links up with its leader.
a. The platoon leader brings his RTO, platoon FO, the squad leader of the nearest squad, and one machine gun team.
b. The squad leader of the trail squad moves to the front of his lead fire team.
c. The platoon sergeant and weapons squad leader move forward with the second machine gun team and link up with the platoon leader, ready to assume control of the base of fire element.
10. The platoon/squad leader determines whether or not his platoon/squad must move out of the engagement area.
11. The platoon/squad leader determines whether or not he can gain and maintain suppressive fires with the element already in contact (based on the volume and accuracy of the enemy fires against the element in contact).
12. The platoon/squad leader makes an assessment of the situation. He identifies:
a. The location of the enemy position and obstacles guiding on the hand-held laser, and AN/PAQ-4 from the squad/team in contact.
b. The size of the enemy force by assessing the enemy’s volume of fire, and muzzle flashes looking through his AN/PVS-7B (the number of enemy automatic weapons, the presence of any vehicles and the employment of indirect fire are indicators of the enemy’s strength). c. Vulnerable flanks.
d. Covered and concealed flanking routes to the enemy position.
13. Determines the next course of action (for example, fire and movement, assault, breach, knock out bunker, enter and clear a building or trench).
14. The platoon/squad leader reports the situation to the company commander/platoon leader and begins to maneuver the unit.
15. The platoon/squad leader calls for and adjusts indirect fire (mortars or artillery). (Squad leaders relay requests through the platoon leader.)
16. Leaders relay all commands and signals from the platoon chain of command.
