In Part II, we reviewed in depth how a patrol prepares to execute its mission from start to finish. We learned it takes a lot of team work as well as focused effort from the PL through basic riflemen assigned to the patrol. This installment will move our focus to how the patrol moves while executing its mission from the time it departs friendly area until it reaches the objective area. Foot Movement is the primary method with which a patrol doe its job—while there are other methods used, namely air and water insertion or extraction, they are normally not available to militia units due to cost and complexity and therefore will not be covered in-depth if at all.

There are three primary principles a PL must adhere to when moving a patrol on foot to be successful in his mission. They are:

        1. Have Men Who Can Navigate: Without these, all the planning and preparation
            previously conducted is worthless if your patrol can’t find its objective, or worse yet,
            stumbles onto it because of poor navigation. If at all possible, have two competent
            compass men and pace men per patrol. Remember the old adage, “Two is one and
            one is none”. Additionally, consider using any aid to navigation that is currently available
            to cross reference your tried and true method of map and compass navigation such
            as GPS. Remember, GPS units are great, but they are susceptible to blackouts, battery
            drain, and breakage; they are a superb back up, but should never be used as your
            primary navigation tool on a patrol. To do so is to gamble your patrol’s survival chances
            in unfamiliar territory.

        2. Avoid Detection: The patrol must move by stealth and exploit all available cover and
            concealment of the terrain it is operating in. Moving when visibility is reduced by
            darkness, rain, fog, haze, or any condition that helps the patrol move just a tad more
            silently and makes the patrol just a bit more difficult to detect. Swampy, rough, or heavily
            vegetated terrain will help the PL hide the patrol from enemy observation. Exploit any
            known weaknesses in the enemy’s detection capabilities and plan your movements to
            coincide with any other operation that may be diverting his attention—however, for the
            militia, this may not be something that is feasible, which makes the basic tenets of patrol
            movement even more important.

        3. Maintain Constant Security: Even with well thought out plans for movement, the PL
            must ensure that both active and passive security measures are employed at all times.
            Give men and sub-units responsibility for security en route, at danger areas, at
            clandestine patrol bases, and most importantly, in the objective area.

Patrols are very vulnerable while moving on foot in enemy controlled areas, and to do so successfully, it must use effective movement techniques and employ security measures constantly to avoid unplanned enemy contact. The following foot movement techniques or movement considerations must be dealt with by the PL on every patrol taken out.

Technique of Movement for Small Units: Patrols use conventional movement
techniques based upon the terrain and situation as well as the size of the patrol.

                 o Formations: Small patrols of a squad size or smaller may use a file formation
                    moving in and out of their objective area or may use wedge formations and the
                    techniques of traveling, traveling overwatch, or bounding overwatch. No matter the
                    formation, every member of the patrol must be aware of his interval between other
                    patrol members and be highly sensitive of the area he has been assigned to
                    observe. Some basic examples are included—adapt as the need arises:

                    Remember, both of these examples are just that—the PL may place positions
                    where he sees the need at any time. Interval is determined by terrain and other
                    tactical considerations. Positions can be added, modified, or deleted from the
                    patrol as needed. Areas of responsibility are assigned and the patrol members
                    concentrate on that area. In my own experience, it was found that requiring patrol
                    members to vary their weapons to cover an area of responsibility made those
                    members less able to bring their weapons to bear when needed when they were
                    carried on the weak side as opposed to carrying strong side and observing an area
                    of responsibility. It may look good in a photograph, but unless the PL has an even
                    amount of right and left handed or ambidextrous patrol members, it’s not too
                    practical. Some will choose to continue the practice – old habits are hard to break.

                 o Visual Contact: Each patrol member must also keep their eyes constantly moving
                    so that any signal given by a member of the patrol will be seen and reacted to
                    instantaneously by the patrol’s members. Hand and arm signals are essential for
                    silent operations, and should be developed and practiced so that they are second
                    nature by the patrol prior to executing its mission. If the fire teams are separated
                    because of terrain necessity or due to traveling or bounding techniques, the
                    subordinate leaders must maintain visual contact with opposite teams and enough
                    distance between teams so that if any team becomes engaged, the rest of the
                    patrol can maneuver or execute pre-planned actions on enemy contact.

                 o Navigation Security: Depending on the size of the patrol, the lead fire team or
                    squad (in the case of a platoon sized patrol) secures the front and is assigned the
                    job of navigation. The lead team or squad should be the one best qualified to
                    navigate and provide forward security of the patrol while en route. For long
                    movements, the PL should certainly consider rotating the duty to provide rest and
                    varied duty based upon current situation factors.

                 o Varying Movement Techniques: The PL should constantly vary the techniques
                    used to move the patrol based upon the terrain, weather, and current tactical
                    situation. No schedule will work—this is where the PL’s judgment and experience
                    become essential. Danger area crossing, open terrain, and rapidly changing terrain
                    (sharp increase/decrease of hills or open areas in short distances) are a few
                    examples of where the PL may need to vary the technique used.

                 o Leader Placement: The PL, APL, and other subordinate leaders move in their
                    formations where they can best control the situation and do their job. They can shift
                    their men around to meet the current situation. For example, a PL may want a pace
                    man to walk next to him so that he can get an accurate distance report quickly.

                 o Movement to Contact: When moving to contact, the PL needs to keep any
                    specialized weapons with him for quick employment. However, during movement of
                    the patrol to the objective area, the PL may place them differently.

Leaving and Re-Entring Friendly Areas: Every patrol executing its mission always has an actual start and end, so remember that when you’re initiating and completing the patrol’s execution, the patrol will be required to depart and re-enter friendly areas. This is accomplished by use of an Initial Rally Point (IRP) and a Reentry Rally Point (RRP). The IRP is where the patrol conducts its final staging and awaits a guide to lead them through friendly positions, perimeter barriers, or enemy area denial traps. It is important to remember that the patrol should not move without the guide. Once crossing from a friendly position or perimeter into the battle area, and after the APL counts each man coming out of friendly positions to ensure everyone is accounted for, the PL will stop the patrol for a short time to allow each man to adjust to the new sights, sounds, and smells of the battle area. This halt is conducted well beyond the friendly area’s Final Protective Line (FPL).

The Patrol’s reentry of friendly area or perimeter is conducted in the following manner:

               1. Establish and occupy the Patrol’s RRP.
               2. Send designated personnel to locate and guide the patrol to the Entry Point.
               3. Establish and maintain RRP and Entry Point security.
               4. Meet the guide at the reentry point and establish patrol ID through sign/countersign.
               5. APL counts each man reentering friendly area to preclude infiltration.
               6. Provide spot report to friendly area command element on information that affects
                   his area.

Choosing the Right Path: The PL’s selection of the patrols route is an absolutely essential planning element for successful mission execution--without it, the patrol is doomed to failure. When selecting routes, choose those that will avoid contact if at all possible with enemy forces, local inhabitants, built up areas and natural lines of drift. Unless your mission is to attack all targets of opportunity, route selection should be such that the patrol reaches the objective without being detected. More importantly, once the objective is met, the patrol should reach friendly lines without detection. The following principles should be employed by the PL:

      1. Make a terrain analysis:
             o Walk the ground if possible
             o Study topographical maps and aerial photographs as available
             o Analyze the terrain for:
                 - Observation & fields of fire - Both for chance contact and enemy positions
                 - Cover & Concealment – Essential to avoiding contact
                 - Obstacles to the patrol – Note any obstacles that the patrol can use to block enemy
                    attack or pursuit
                 - Key terrain – Expect the enemy to have it occupied or covered by fire
                 - Avenues of Approach – Avoid the likely ones. Choose the ones that you wouldn’t
                    think an enemy would use to penetrate your area.

      2. Tactical Considerations:
             o Nature of the mission, time limitations, or the size and type of patrol will influence the
                selection of the patrol’s routes.
             o Avoid all known and suspected enemy locations as these will most likely
                compromise the patrol’s mission.
             o Do not choose a route parallel to enemy positions as this will increase the
                chance the patrol will be discovered.
             o Avoid roads and trails as they are danger areas that are wonderful ambush
                magnets.
             o Avoid all built up areas regardless of the sympathies of the local inhabitants.
             o During daylight, use routes concealed by heavy vegetation to protect the patrol from
                enemy observation. During darkness, use a route which affords silent movement.
             o Natural obstacles such as swampy areas or cliffs can hinder the speed of a
                patrol's movement, but are wonderful tools that can help the patrol gain surprise at
                the objective if the enemy concentrates his defense on more likely avenues of
                approach. Be aware that while the enemy may not have concentrated forces near
                obstacles such as this, they will most likely have a presence to one degree or
                another, which may cause the patrol to engage or avoid possible sentries if close
                enough to the objective depending on the situation.
             o Choose routes that will most likely avoid enemy sensory equipment (STANO).

      3. Navigational Considerations: Prominent terrain features along the route selected
          should be identified and their locations memorized by the PL (and the patrol members
          once the route is finalized if time and the situation permits, but minimally, by all
          subordinate leaders). These features can be used as checkpoints and help the PL divide
          the patrol route into legs that are manageable—neither too long nor short. The terrain
          expected to be encountered by the patrol is also a major consideration when determining
          the length of a leg. A leg only requires a terrain feature, not necessarily an azimuth
          change.

      4. Navigational Techniques: Two helpful techniques the PL can use when planning the
          patrol’s route to the objective are:

              o The Offset Compass Method: This is a planned deviation to the right or left of a
                  straight azimuth to the patrol’s destination. By using this technique, the PL will know
                  whether he is to the right or left of his destination as the patrol moves. It is important
                  to note that for each degree the PL offsets the patrols route, for every 1000 meters
                  (klick) traveled, the patrol will be 17 meters right or left of the objective. Example:
                  The PL plans a 3 degree right offset and the patrol must travel 8 klicks
                  (approximately 5 miles) to reach the objective. When the patrol reaches its ORP, it
                  will be 408 meters (3 degrees X 17 meters X 8 klicks) to the right of their
                  objective—an acceptable distance for the establishment of an ORP. If the distance
                  from the ORP to the objective seems too long or too close to the PL, he can always
                  plot a deviation on one of the legs to bring him in a bit closer or take him farther away
                  from the objective, depending on his requirements.

              o The Box-Method: This is when the PL uses natural or manmade features such as
                  roads or streams which form boundaries for a route. By referring to these
                  boundaries, any large deviation from the planned route can be recognized and
                  corrected while moving.

          1. Route Selection in Different Types of Terrain: The following considerations listed
              apply to the terrain found in the Michigan area—if operating in other areas, consult your
              friendly field manuals relating to patrolling for further information.

              o Mountains: When traversing mountainous terrain, weigh the added security of
                  ridges and cliffs against the disadvantage of tiring the patrol through the arduous
                  task of climbing and descending steep terrain while carrying heavy packs. The major
                  disadvantage of operating in mountainous terrain is that natural lines of drift such as
                  ridges, draws, and streams (all characteristic of the mountains) are difficult to avoid
                  and will most likely be covered by enemy observation or fire. The mountains in
                  Michigan are basically foothills and are on the extreme Western edge of the Upper
                  Peninsula. This is included only because the Iron Mountains are, in fact, in Michigan.

              o Swamp: Normally, a patrol must use dead reckoning in navigating a featureless
                  swamp. Plan the route to take advantage of “swamp islands” which can be used for
                  clandestine patrol bases. Cross rivers and streams at points below where branch
                  streams join to avoid numerous crossings of the same stream. Cross rivers and
                  streams under the cover of darkness.

              o Heavy Snow Areas: As a rule in arctic like terrain, follow features which are easiest
                  to walk. Consider the following when selecting routes in heavy snow areas:

                  · Open Terrain – When feasible, break trail along a tree line so shadows will help
                    conceal the trail and the troops moving on it. Rough ground will also provide usable
                    shadows to conceal tracks and troops. Remember, when you have a wood line,
                    you most likely have traversable woods (even in farm lands that have “shelter belts”
                    of trees surrounding fields) and if you have woods, you don’t have to be in open
                    terrain!
                  · Covered Terrain – Whenever possible, the PL should choose a route through
                    wooded or covered terrain to provide protection against observation and mission
                    compromise. One thing to note, however, is that areas containing thickets and
                    heavy windfall of trees are difficult and noisy to traverse and should be avoided.
                  · Hilly Terrain – Valleys and frozen rivers most often provide the easiest route in
                    snow covered areas. If a valley cannot be used, the trail may be broken on the lee
                    side (away from the wind) of a ridge line or hiss mass that dominates the valley.
                    Use gentle inclines (mostly what can expected to be encountered in Michigan)
                    when climbing or descending.
                  · Water Routes – Tree lined frozen lakes, rivers and creeks ease navigation and
                    offer suitable routes in heavy snow covered areas. For protection and
                    concealment, the patrol should move close to the bank to permit quick movements
                    into the wooded areas on shore. Make sure to check the thickness of the ice
                    before using any ice route. The minimum thickness for one rifleman on skis or
                    snowshoes is 2 inches; for a patrol in a single file on foot, it’s 4 inches. Warm water
                    springs, which can be encountered but are not prevalent in the Michigan area, may
                    present unexpected hazards to patrol movement.

          2. Alternate Route Selection: As a rule, select one route to the objective, another
              different route to return to friendly areas to reduce the chance of ambush, and one
              alternate route which may be used either to or from the objective. Doing this will add
              flexibility to meet a change in the tactical situation. Use the alternate route when the
              patrol has had contact with the enemy on the primary route or when the PL knows or
              suspects that for some other reason the patrol has been detected. Here are a few
              essentials for selecting alternate routes:

                 o It must have the same tactical and navigational characteristics as the primary route.
                 o It must be far enough away from the primary route so that movement on both
                     routes cannot be detected from one position.
                 o It must be coordinated the same way and time as the primary route.

Land Navigation: The PL must be able to maintain his orientation on the ground to find his way to the objective and back again. The PL is ultimately responsible for the successful navigation of the patrol while executing its mission. He can use two methods: The general azimuth method and the dead reckoning method.

        1. The General Azimuth Method: To employ this method, the PL uses a means other
             than a straight line azimuth for maintaining the direction of movement. The PL may pick
             a terrain feature such as a ridge, stream or the edge of a body of water to guide on
             during movement. However, the PL must keep the patrol oriented on the map and
             check his azimuth frequently to ensure an unacceptable variance in the route has not
             been adopted.

               o Advantages – It speeds movement, avoids fatigue, and often simplifies navigation
                  as the terrain feature followed is a constant checkpoint.
               o Disadvantages – Following known terrain features can be dangerous as doing so
                  usually puts the patrol on a natural line of drift. This is especially true between enemy
                  and friendly lines or any place where the enemy has tight security.

        2. The Dead Reckoning Method: The PL should use this method to aid navigation when
             recognizable terrain feathers do not exist (as in a swampy area) or when they cannot be
             seen (as in heavy forest). This method is used to move from one checkpoint to another
             or for an entire movement if checkpoints are not available. This method consists of 3
             parts: an azimuth, a distance in meters, and a known starting point. All that is required to
             employ this method is a working compass and a means of measuring distance such as
             a pace man who can use either home made or pre-manufactured pace count beads in
             determining distance traveled. A map, however, is recommended for confirming terrain.

               o The PL must make absolutely sure the starting point is pinpointed exactly. A short
                   reconnoiter may be necessary to do this.
               o Distance traveled must be recorded. Use of pace count beads and notes the
                   distance traveled to the PL when requested. Using two pace men and averaging
                   their counts is also an efficient method of determining distance traveled.
               o Control the direction traveled. The lead team (who has the compass man) is told the
                   azimuth to follow and the direction of travel is validated by the compass man in the
                   PL’s team. The PL tightly controls the direction of travel to avoid even slight
                   deviations in the azimuth that can lead to large problems over an extended distance
                   (17 meters per degree per klick traveled).
               o Maximize the use of checkpoints as discussed earlier.
               o Compare the patrol’s exact position with the check point location when arriving at
                   each checkpoint. Example: A patrol using the dead reckoning method for 2 klicks
                   on the first leg of its route intersects a trail. The PL checks the direction of the trail
                   and its contour against his map to determine if the patrol intersected it where they
                   had planned. If not, he adjusts the route based on his known location.

As you can see, running an effective patrol takes quite a bit of coordination and planning, but if you follow the steps outlined in these installments, it’s not an overwhelming proposition. Next installment will deal with control methods, crossing danger areas, and actions on enemy contact.