071-430-0002 (SL2) - Conduct a Defense by a Squad

1.   Designate primary
positions.

a.
Ensure each position has
cover, concealment, and good fields
of fire. Position weapons so their
fires overlap, mutually support one
another, and can be integrated, so
you can place heavy surprise fire on
the enemy. Watch closely any routes
that could provide the attacker
cover and positions from which he
can mass his fire on your position.
Be sure your entire squad sector is
covered so you can repel any
assault.

b.
Consider the number of
men available, then position each
one so he can support the men on his
right and left. 
When the platoon’s key
weapons have been positioned, the
men in the squad are positioned to
protect those weapons from a
dismounted assault. Each sector of
fire must cross in front of another
position at a point beyond hand
grenade range. Site each fighting
position using natural cover and
concealment; then-

(1) 
Clear fields of fire to
allow each man to do the job for
which he is positioned. DO NOT
OVER CLEAR.

(2) 
Build artificial cover,
such as a parapet, if required.

(3) 
Hide everything.

c.
Ensure that all enemy
approaches into your squad sector
are adequately covered by automatic
weapons fire.

d.
Before digging in, move
to the front of the position to
ensure that each fighting position
has frontal cover from enemy fire
and all positions are mutually
supporting.

Note. A good fighting position should allow you to see and
fire to the front when not receiving
effective direct fire; however, if
effective direct fire is received, the
soldier can move behind frontal cover
and fire to the oblique.

e.
To position each weapon
of a rifle squad, follow the
procedures below.

(1) 
Automatic riflemen.
Identify dismounted avenues of
approach, such as ravines, draws,
and heavily wooded or brushy areas
that are not covered with the
machine gun. In areas covered by
the machine gun, find out what
dead space the machine gun has and
cover it with automatic rifle
fire, if possible. If there is no
dead space, assign a sector that
will interlock with and overlap
the machine gun’s sector and final
protective fire.

(2) 
Grenadiers. Position
grenade launchers to cover the
dead space of the automatic weapon
final protective fire. They must
also be positioned to cover the
entire squad sector.

(3) 
Riflemen. Position
riflemen between the remaining
positions to give continuous
observation and fire throughout
the squad sector. They provide
mutual support between positions
and identify targets for the squad
and platoon key weapons (grenade
launcher, squad automatic weapons,
machine gun, and Dragons).

(4) 
Claymore mines. Use
these to cover any dead space that
cannot be covered with 40-mm
grenade launchers, and to
supplement the fire of your
riflemen.

f.
Select a position from which you
can control the fire of your squad.
Use your weapon only when necessary
to protect yourself, to direct fire,
or to influence the action at a
critical point. Position yourself
slightly behind the squad so you can
observe and contact your squad, or
at least your team leaders. If your
squad strength is reduced, or the
terrain does not permit you to
establish a position to the rear,
man a forward position. In this
case, you may have to construct a
single position to be able to
observe your squad sector. You must
be able to maintain contact with
your platoon and fire team leaders
from whatever position you select.
Look for covered routes that you can
use to move to the positions of your
team leaders and platoon leader.

2.   Designate alternate
positions.

a.
Prepare alternate
positions so they are ready for
occupation by the squad when the
primary positions are no longer
defendable. The locations of
alternate positions are highly
dependent upon the terrain, cover
and concealment, and existing enemy
situation. They must be near enough
to the primary positions so the
squad can cover the same sectors of
fire as from the primary positions,
without sustaining excessive
casualties. A soldier’s alternate
position may be to the flank or
slightly to the rear of his primary
position.

b.
When selecting alternate
positions, consider the following
points:

(1) 
Do they allow the
weapon(s) or element(s) to
accomplish the same mission as
from the primary positions?

(2) 
Do they provide-

(a)  
Observation of the
primary sector of fire?

(b)  
Cover and
concealment?

(c)  
Maximum use of
natural and artificial
obstacles?

(d)  
Control of the key
terrain in the squad sector?

(e)  
Cover of the avenues
of approach into the sector?

(f)   
Cover and concealment
of withdrawal?

c.
Pick squad alternate
positions based on the alternate
positions of key weapons (M60
machine gun, M249 machine gun, and
Dragon).

d.
Depending on their
priority, prepare alternate
positions immediately after the
completion of the primary positions.
Construct communication trenches
between primary and alternate
positions as time and terrain
permit. When supervising the
preparation of alternate positions,
ensure that they are sited and
constructed to take maximum
advantage of the natural defensive
characteristics of the terrain and
the capabilities of organic weapons.

3.   Designate supplementary
positions.

a.
Orient supplementary
positions, unlike alternate
positions, in a different direction
than the primary position normally,
within 200 meters of the primary
positions. As time and terrain
permit, prepare communication
trenches to provide covered routes
between primary and supplementary
positions.

b.
When selecting
supplementary positions, consider
the following:

(1) 
Do they allow the squad
to defend as part of the platoon
against enemy attack from the
flank(s) and rear?

(2) 
Do they cover the most
dangerous avenues of approach,
other than those into the primary
positions?

(3) 
Do they meet the same
guidelines that apply to placement
and construction of primary and
alternate positions?

1.   Ensured the primary position met the following
requirements:

—

—

a.
Used natural cover and
concealment.

b.
Ensured
all fighting positions and weapon
emplacements were mutually
supporting.

c.
Marked
primary positions and informed squad
members where fighting positions
were constructed.

d.
Supervised
construction of the fighting
positions.

2.   Ensured the
alternate position met the following
requirements:

—

—

a.
Provided observation of
the primary sector of fire.

b.
Provided
cover and concealment.

c.
Provided
use of natural and artificial
obstacles.

d.
Provided
cover of avenues of approach into
the sector.

e.
Provided
covered and concealed routes of
withdrawal.

3.   Ensured the supplementary position provided for and
met the following requirements:

—

—

a.
Allowed the squad to
defend as part of the platoon
against enemy attack from the
flank(s) and rear.

b.
Provided
observation of the primary sector of
fire.

c.
Provided
cover and concealment.

d.
Provided
natural and artificial obstacles.

e.
Provided
cover of avenues of approach into
the sector.

f. 
Provided covered and
concealed routes for withdrawal.

g.
Covered
dangerous avenues of approach other
than those into the primary
position.

h.
Provided
the same guidelines in construction
and placement of the supplementary
position as in the alternate
position.

FM
7-7

FM
7-8