INTRODUCTION TO RIFLE PLATOON OPERATIONS . - USMC OFFICER
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPSTHE BASIC SCHOOLMARINE CORPS TRAINING COMMANDCAMP BARRETT, VIRGINIA 22134-5019INTRODUCTION TO RIFLEPLATOON OPERATIONSB3J3638Basic Officer Course
B3J3638Introduction to the Rifle PlatoonIntroduction to Rifle Platoon OperationsIntroductionThe Marine Corps’ warfighting philosophy of maneuver warfare is rooted inthe principles of war. The principles of war are useful aids to a commanderas he considers how to accommodate his mission regardless of whether itis offensive or defensive in nature. The fundamentals and concepts thatrelate to the operations of the rifle platoon will be introduced in this classbeginning with the offense and then transitioning to the defense.These nine principles apply across the range of military operationsincluding those at the tactical level. They are listed under the age-oldacronym, “MOOSEMUSS” (MCDP 1-0 Marine Corps Operations):Mass: Concentrate the effects of combat power at the decisive place andtime to achieve decisive resultsObjective: Direct every military operation toward a clearly defined,decisive, and attainable objectiveOffensive: Seize, retain, and exploit the initiativeSecurity: Never permit the enemy to acquire an unexpected advantageEconomy of Force: Allocate minimum essential combat power tosecondary effortsManeuver: Place the enemy in a disadvantageous position through theflexible application of combat powerUnity of Command: For every objective, ensure unity of effort under oneresponsible commanderSurprise: Strike the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which heis unpreparedSimplicity: Prepare clear, uncomplicated plans and clear, concise ordersto ensure thorough understandingImportanceThis lesson will introduce rifle platoon fundamentals, task-organization,and offensive/defensive concepts that will establish a foundation fortactical thought at the platoon level. This will allow the Marine Officer tomake sound tactical decisions at the platoon level and prepare them forfollow-on classroom and field instruction at The Basic School.2Basic Officer Course
B3J3638In This LessonIntroduction to the Rifle PlatoonThis lesson will provide the student officer with a foundation that will allowfor success in both tactical planning and execution of operations at theplatoon level. This lesson prepares the student officer for later sand tableand field exercises here at The Basic School, with the ultimate goal ofservice as a provisional Rifle Platoon Commander in the operating forces.This lesson covers the following topics:TopicTopic One: Task-Organization of a Rifle Platoon &Rifle CompanyTopic Two: Purposes of the OffenseTopic Three: Types of Offensive OperationsTopic Four: Purposes of the DefenseTopic Five: Types of Defenses OperationsSummaryReferencesNotesSupplemental ng Objectives1 . Given a unit, an objective, a mission, and a commander's intent, lead aunit in offensive operations to accomplish the mission and meet thecommander's intent. (0302-OFF-1201)2 . Without the aid of reference, describe rifle platoon task organizationwithout omission. (0302-OFF-1201a)3 . Without the aid of reference, describe types of defensive operationswithout omission. (MCCS-DEF-2101a)4 . Without the aid of references, describe types of offensive operationswithout omission. (MCCS-OFF-2103d)3Basic Officer Course
B3J3638Introduction to the Rifle PlatoonTask-Organization of a Rifle PlatoonA rifle platoon is led by a platoon commander, typically a 2ndLt, and consists of three riflesquads and a platoon headquarters. Each rifle squad is made up of three fire teams and asquad leader, typically a sergeant. A platoon also has a headquarters element, made up of aplatoon sergeant, platoon guide, radio-transmitter operator (RTO) and corpsman.PlatoonCommanderPlatoon HQPlatoon SergeantRTOCorpsmanGuide1st Squad Leader2nd Squad Leader3rd Squad LeaderRifle Platoon Billet DescriptionsPlatoonCommanderThe Rifle Platoon Commander carries out the orders of the Rifle CompanyCommander. He is proficient with all T/O weapons within his platoon. Heensures that the platoon is trained in accordance with Marine Corpsstandards and the company commander’s guidance. He is responsible fordeployment, tactical employment, discipline, morale, and welfare of his unit.In addition to his specific duties, a Platoon Commander must be: Platoon GuideA man or woman of exemplary characterDevoted to leading Marines 24/7Able to decide, communicate and actA WarfighterMentally and physically toughThe Platoon Guide is the senior sergeant in a rifle platoon. He assists theplatoon sergeant with administration and logistics of the platoon. Incombat, he may be responsible for coordinating CASEVACs and handlingEPWs. He is capable of performing all the tasks of a Squad Leader, andcan serve as either a Squad Leader or Platoon Sergeant in their absence.Due to personnel limitations in the operating forces, many platoons maynot have the ability to employ a guide.4Basic Officer Course
B3J3638Introduction to the Rifle PlatoonRifle Platoon Billet Descriptions (Continued)PlatoonSergeantThe Platoon Sergeant, Infantry Platoon, carries out the orders of the PlatoonCommander and Company Commander. He is capable of performing allthe tasks required of an infantry unit leader and assumes the position of thePlatoon Commander in his absence. He advises thePlatoon Commander on the discipline, appearance, control, conduct, andwelfare of the platoon. He assists the Platoon Commander in training of theplatoon in performance of tasks which support assigned training objectives.He coordinates and supervises the embarkation/debarkation, maintenance,condition, and care of the platoon’s weapons and equipment includingaccountability, communication equipment, and if applicable, maintenance,and upkeep of the platoon's assigned vehicles. He advisesthe Platoon Commander and works with the Company First Sergeant on alladministrative matters pertaining to the Marines in the platoon. His rank isStaff Sergeant.Squad LeaderThe Squad Leader carries out the orders issued to him by the PlatoonCommander. In combat, he is responsible for the tactical employment, firediscipline, fire control, and maneuver of his squad. His T/O weapon is theM16 series service rifle. He is also responsible for the discipline,appearance, training, control, conduct, and welfare of his squad at all times,as well as the condition, care, and economical use of its weapons andequipment.Fire TeamLeaderThe Fire Team Leader carries out the orders of the Squad Leader. He isresponsible for the fire discipline and control of his fire team and for thecondition, care, and economical use of its weapons and equipment. Inaddition to his primary duties as a leader, and as per unit SOP, he mayserve as a Grenadier and is responsible for the effective employment of thegrenade launcher, his rifle, and for the condition and care of his fire team’sweapons and equipment.RadioTransmitterOperator(RTO)The RTO is responsible for establishing and maintaining communicationsbetween higher, adjacent, and supporting units. He is proficient in allcommunication devices operated by the platoon and company. While thePlatoon Commander is responsible for timely and accurate reporting tohigher, particularly the delivery of combat reports, the RTO may beemployed to pass pertinent reports (such as POSREPs, SPOTREPs, etc.)as per unit SOP. The RTO may be of the 06xx or 03xx MOS, dependingon unit SOP.PlatoonCorpsmanThe Platoon Corpsman is responsible for the health, sanitation, first aidtraining, and casualty care of the platoon. He is a sailor assigned to theunit, and may be either a petty officer or a hospitalman. Depending on unitSOP or operating environment, there may be as many as three corpsman(one per squad) assigned to a platoon.5Basic Officer Course
B3J3638Introduction to the Rifle PlatoonTask-Organization of a Rifle CompanyA rifle company is led by a company commander, typically a captain, and consists of three rifleplatoons, a weapons platoon, and a company headquarters. The company headquarters is ledby a company executive officer, typically a first lieutenant, and includes a company firstsergeant, company gunnery sergeant, company clerk, police sergeant, and company corpsman.CompanyCommanderCompany HQExecutive Officer CoGunnery SergeantFirst SergeantPolice SgtCompany ClerkFirst e Company Billet DescriptionsCompanyCommanderThe Rifle Company Commander, Infantry Battalion, carries out the ordersof the Infantry Battalion Commander. He is responsible for training andemployment of his unit. He is responsible for the discipline, morale, andwelfare of his unit, in addition to its equipment and material readiness. ACaptain holds the Rifle Company Commander billet.ExecutiveOfficerThe Executive Officer, Rifle Company carries out the orders of the RifleCompany Commander and serves as Company Commander in hisabsence. He ensures that the company is trained in accordance withMarine Corps standards and the company commander’s guidance. He isproficient with all personal and crew-served weapons in the company. Heacts as platoon commander for all company headquarters personnel. Heassists the commander to deploy and tactically employ the unit. A FirstLieutenant usually holds the Executive Officer billet.6Basic Officer Course
B3J3638Introduction to the Rifle PlatoonRifle Company Billet Descriptions (Continued)CompanyGunnerySergeantThe Company Gunnery Sergeant carries out the orders of the riflecompany commander. He is the senior enlisted infantry Marine in a riflecompany and advises the company commander on the discipline,appearance, control, conduct, and welfare of the company. He serves asthe senior enlisted technical and tactical advisor to the companycommander. He coordinates and supervises the embarkation/debarkationfor deployment of the company, maintenance, condition, and care of thecompanies weapons and equipment including accountability,communication equipment, and if applicable, maintenance and upkeep ofassigned vehicles. His rank is Gunnery Sergeant.Company FirstSergeantThe Company First Sergeant assists the commander as senior enlistedMarine in the unit, and acts as principal enlisted assistant to the commander;the first sergeant may be of any MOS background. He keeps apprised of allpolicies of the commander, and disseminates information to the unit'senlisted personnel regarding such policies. He reports to the commander onthe status of matters pertaining to the efficient operation of the command.The First Sergeant counsels subordinate enlisted personnel on pertinentprofessional and personal matters to improve the general effectiveness andefficiency of the command. He assists the commanderin the conduct of office hours, request mast, meritorious mast, and otherassignments by the CO.Purposes of the OffenseMarine Corps units normally undertake offensive operations to: Destroy enemy forces, equipment, and resourcesDisrupt enemy actions or preparationsDeceive and divert the enemyDeprive the enemy of terrain relevant to his objectiveFix the enemy in placeGain information on the enemyTypes of Offensive OperationsThe four general types of offensive operations are Movement to ContactAttackExploitationPursuit7Basic Officer Course
B3J3638Movement toContactAttackIntroduction to the Rifle PlatoonMovement to contact is an offensive operation conducted to establish orregain contact with the enemy. A properly executed movement to contactallows the commander to make initial contact with minimum forces and toexpedite the employment and concentration of the force. (Here at TBS,this is taught in a separate class—B3N4638 Movement to Contact.)The purpose of the attack is to defeat, destroy, or neutralize the enemy.An attack emphasizes maximum application of combat power, coupledwith: Bold maneuver Shock effect in the assault Prompt exploitation of successThere are eight different types of attacks. (While at TBS, focus ofinstruction will be on hasty and deliberate attacks.) Hasty Attacko An attack in which preparation time is traded for speed toexploit opportunity Deliberate Attacko Characterized by preplanned coordinated employment offirepower and maneuver to close with and destroy theenemyo Requires thorough reconnaissance of the enemy Spoiling Attacko Normally mounted from a defensive position to disrupt anexpected enemy attacko Attempts to strike the enemy while he is most vulnerable: During his preparations for the attack in assemblyareas and attack positions While the enemy is on the move prior to crossing theline of departure Counterattacko Conducted either with a reserve or otherwise uncommittedor lightly engaged forceso Conducted after the enemy has begun his attack and aresolute defense or enemy tactical error exposes him toeffective counteraction Feinto A supporting effort designed to divert or distract the enemy’sattention away from the main efforto Involves physical contact with the enemy8Basic Officer Course
B3J3638Introduction to the Rifle Platoon Reconnaissance in Forceo Always a deliberate attack by major forces to obtaininformation and to locate and test enemy reactions,disposition and strengthRaido Usually small scale offensive operationo Involves penetrating hostile territory for a specific purposeother than seizing and holding terrain and for which there isalways a planned withdrawal Demonstrationo Aims to deceive and confuse the enemyo Does not make contact with the enemyUsed frequently during amphibious operations to draw enemy forcesaway from actual landing beaches, or fix them in place.Types of Offensive Operations (Continued)ExploitationExploitation, an offensive operation usually following an attack, is designedto disorganize the enemy in depth. It prevents the enemy from disengaging,withdrawing and reestablishing an effective defense. Typical objectives forexploitation include command posts, reserves, seizure of key terrain, andthe destruction of combat support and service support units deep in theenemy’s rear.PursuitPursuit is an offensive operation designed to catch or cut off and destroy theenemy attempting to escape. They often develop from successfulexploitations when enemy defenses begin to disintegrate or the enemyattempts to withdraw after an attack. However, conditions for pursuits canseldom be predicted, and forces are not normally established ahead of timebut are rather immediately designated during another offensive action (i.e.an exploitation). Pursuit, like exploitation, must be conducted relentlessly.9Basic Officer Course
B3J3638Introduction to the Rifle PlatoonPurpose of the DefenseIn general, the purpose of defensive operations is to defeat an enemy attack. Specifically, thedefense achieves one or more of the following purposes: To force the enemy to reach his culminating point without achieving his objectives To rapidly gain and maintain the initiative for friendly forces To create opportunities to shift to the offenseTypes of Defensive OperationsThe specific design and sequencing of defensive operations is an operational art largelyconditioned by a thorough METT-TC analysis. Doctrine allows great freedom in formulating andconducting the defense. A key characteristic of a sound defense is the ability of the commanderto aggressively seek opportunities to take offensive action and wrestle the initiative from theenemy.Types of Defensive Operations (Continued)The two general types of defensive operations are Position defenseMobile defensePositionDefensePosition defense focuses on the retention of terrain by absorbing theenemy in an interlocking series of positions and destroying him largely byfires. The position defense is a type of defense in which the bulk of thedefending force is disposed in selected tactical positions where the decisivebattle is to be fought. Preparation of a position defense is continuingprocess that ends only when the defender is ordered to depart the terrain.METT-TC drives the tasks to be done and their priority, making maximumuse of obstacle and barrier plans, engagement areas, and fires. Thedefense uses obstacles and barriers to slow, canalize, and defeat theenemy attack through sector defenses, battle positions, and strongpoints.In position defense, the commander Employs security forcesDepends on his static forces to defend their positionsPosition the bulk of his combat power in the static defensivepositions and small mobile reservesHas sufficient time to prepare positions10Basic Officer Course
B3J3638Mobile DefenseIntroduction to the Rifle PlatoonA mobile defense is the defense of an area in which maneuver is usedtogether with fire and terrain to seize the initiative from the enemy. Mobiledefense orients on the destruction of the attacking force by permitting theenemy to advance into a position that exposes him to counterattack by amobile reserve. Open terrain or a wide sector favors a mobile defense thatorients on the enemy. In a mobile defense, the commander Commits minimum forces to a pure defenseEmploys a strong, mobile counterattack force to strike the enemy athis most vulnerable time and placeThe following circumstances favor the conduct of a mobile defense. The frontage exceeds the defender’s capability to establish aneffective position defenseTime for preparing defensive positions is limitedThe mission does not require denying the enemy specific terrainNOTE: A division-sized or larger force normally conducts the mobile defense(MCWP 3-11.1). For the focus of instruction at The Basic School (making aprovisional rifle platoon commander), the mobile defense is not a practicaloption.SummaryEvery Marine Officer should be able to clearly define the task organization of a rifle companyand its platoons. Through the examination of the purposes of offensive and defensiveoperations, and different types of each, the basic officer should gain an understanding ofdoctrinal concepts. However, this alone cannot and will not ensure mission accomplishment.An understanding of the tactical concepts needed for success will be provided in follow onclasses.ReferencesReference Number orAuthorMCDP 1MCDP 1-0MCDP 1-3MCRP 5-12AMCWP 3-1MCWP 3-11.1NAVMC DIR 3500.87Reference TitleWarfightingMarine Corps OperationsTacticsOperational Terms and GraphicsGround Combat OperationsMarine Rifle Company/PlatoonInfantry Training and Readiness Manual11Basic Officer Course
B3J3638Introduction to the Rifle PlatoonNotes12Basic Officer Course
B3J3638Introduction to the Rifle PlatoonThe following article illustrates the absolute connection between the offense and the defense and how,during operations at any level, leaders must identify the importance of their connectivity and when totransition from one to the other.ATTACK OR DEFEND?By LtCol Michael D. Wyly, published in the Marine Corps Gazette, June 1983.Whether Marines should charge inland upon hitting the beach or dig into a solid defensive position hasbeen argued in recent issues of the Marine Corps GAZETTE (*1). I hope that the debate has notdegenerated into an argument over whether offensive or defensive is better. Warfare has far moredimensions than two, and both the offensive and defensive modes are as indispensable now as theyalways have been. Too often, we fail to see the crucial connection between the two and the greatadvantage gained by the force that can make the transition from one to the other with finesse. It is thatconnectivity, how it can be used, and how important it is, that is the more appropriate subject for seriousstudents of war.Essential to any discussion about the defensive and offensive and their relationship to one another is theconcept of initiative. In fact, whether the landing force retains or cedes the initiative is far more importantthan whether it assumes the offensive or defensive.The defensive posture should not connote ceding the initiative to the other si
Rifle Platoon Billet Descriptions Platoon Commander The Rifle Platoon Commander carries out the orders of the Rifle Company Commander. He is proficient with all T/O weapons within his platoon. He ensures that the platoon is trained in accordance with Marine Corps standards and the company commander’s guidance. He is responsible for
A. Squad Drill . B. Platoon Drill . Name the two formations a platoon may be in, and describe the positions of the Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Guidon Bearer if used. 2. Properly form a platoon in line, receiving reports from the squad leaders. 3. Demonstrate how a Cadet breaks ranks when called (individually or as part of a group .
B3J3778 Rifle Platoon in the Defense 2 Basic Officer Course Rifle Platoon in the Defense Introduction The Marine Corps’ fighting doctrine is based on rapid, flexible, and opportunistic maneuver. As stated in MCDP 1,
RULES Official Rules and Regulations to govern the conduct of all . High Power Rifle Smallbore Rifle Air Rifle Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Cowboy Lever Action # NRACS-06. iiii CONTENTS NRA RIFLE SILHOUETTE RULES Page . 40. iiiiii APPROVED AND REGISTERED TOURNAMENTS NRA Sanctioned Tournaments-See Rule 1.6 .
Swedish Mauser Rifle Manual 1999 Anders J. 2 1. General Information Rifle m/96(B) Caliber: 6.5mm Capacity: 5 rounds Weight: 4.5 kilo The rifle can be fitted with a bayonet. Rifle m/38(B) Rifle m/38(B) differs from the m/96 rifle only in the way that its barrel is shorter, a different rear sight is fitted and the bolt-handle is turned down.
11 TROOP-LEADING PROCEDURES (continued) STEP 8. Supervise and refine The following table lists steps the platoon leader takes to ensure the platoon is fully prepared for the operation. STE P ACTION 1 Ensure crews are briefed on details of the operation. 2 Conduct platoon rehearsals (based on METT-TC). 3 Conduct rearm/resupply operations.
1-3 is an example of scout platoon battle tasks. The only way to establish a proper working relationship to train with the scout platoon leader in garrison as well as in the field. The result will be a scout platoon that understands what the S2 needs and an S2 understanding the capabilities and limitations of the scout platoon. POINT OUT NAI .
combat medics are task-assigned to the company from the battalion’s service support company. A platoon leader, radio operator, and three squads constitute the three-vehicle PLAA HIMOB 30-man rifle platoon. There is no PI or deputy platoon leader; however, a senior NCO can serve
from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer MARK TWAIN In this famous selection from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876), written by Mark Twain (born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, 1835–1910), Tom, burdened with the chore to whitewash his Aunt Polly’s fence as punishment for his having played hooky from school, comes up with an ingenious way to get out of his work: He convinces his friends that it’s .
