1. PATROLLING FUNDAMENTALS
CS1101

2. DEFINITION OF A PATROL
A patrol is a detachment of ground, sea or air forces sent out for the purpose of gathering information or carrying out a destructive, harassing, mopping-up or security mission

3. THE PURPOSE OF PATROLLING
Gain current information about enemy/terrain
Destroy enemy installations
Capture enemy personnel
Perform security missions
Prevent the enemy from gaining information

4. TYPES OF PATROLS
CLASSIFIED INTO TWO GROUPS
MISSION
MEANS OF MOVEMENT

5. PATROL TYPES
Reconnaissance – Gather information about enemy, terrain, and/or resources
Relies on stealth rather than combat strength
Fight only when necessary to accomplish mission/defend themselves

6. RECONNAISSANCE PATROLS
Route – Obtain info on a specified route and associated terrain
Area – Obtain info on enemy, terrain, and/or resources in a given area (e.g., a village)

7. RECONNAISSANCE PATROLS
Zone - Info concerning all routes, obstacles (to include chemical/ radiological contamination), terrain, and enemy forces within a zone defined by boundaries

8. PATROL TYPES Combat – Fighting patrol; may engage enemy
Contact – Establishes and maintains contact with friendly or enemy force
Ambush – Surprise attack from a concealed position

9. COMBAT PATROLS CONT.
Raid – Executes a limited objective, surprise attack on an enemy force or installation and then conducts a planned withdrawal
Security - Prevents infiltration and or surprise attacks

10. PATROL CLASSIFIED BY MEANS OF MOVEMENT
Foot – Most common; limited range
Motorized – Greater range; limited by terrain
Waterborne –Used as entry for patrol
Helicopterborne – Where terrain or situation precludes use of vehicles

11. PATROL ORGANIZATION Organization of a patrol is a two-step process.
General organization- entire patrol
Task organization- patrol units
The major subdivisions of patrols are called elements

12. GENERAL ORGANIZATION Typical patrol elements: Headquarters
Support element
Security element
Assault element

13. TASK ORGANIZATION Patrols are further subdivided into teams
Each team performs essential, designated tasks
Patrol members must know how to perform tasks assigned to all members

14. INDIVIDUAL TASKS
Assistant Patrol Leader - Assists the PL; takes charge in absence of PL  
Radio Operator –Maintains communication; reports incoming transmissions to PL 
Navigator –Maintains direction of movement in accordance w/ patrol route 

15. INDIVIDUAL TASKS
Pace Man – Assists PL in determining distance patrol has traveled 
Flanks – Helps prevent a surprise attack to the patrol’s flanks

16. GATHERING INFORMATION
A commander often acts on information furnished by scouts and patrols.
While scouting or patrolling, information may be gathered through direct enemy observation or through the interpretation of signs and tracks.

17. DIRECT OBSERVATION
Most common method: Listening Posts and/or Observation Posts (LP/OPs)
Typically used in a defensive position
Can also be observed by any member of a patrol
All members must report their sightings

18. SIGNS AND TRACKS
Footprints and bivouac site can indicate number of enemy troops
Condition of bivouac site indicates morale, discipline and the type of withdrawal
Vehicle tracks indicate enemy equipment
Wheels vs. tracks

19. METHODS OF REPORTING INFORMATION
Distinguish between facts and opinions
Answer:
Who?
What?
Where?
When?

20. VERBAL MESSAGES Radio is fastest for verbal reporting
Messenger used when radio is unavailable
Always repeat message out loud
Report information obtained along route
If captured, do not reveal information in the message

21. WRITTEN MESSAGES Preferred to verbal messages
Should be brief, accurate, and clear
Should include overlay/sketch of situation observed or interpreted
May be posted as a formal report

22. PYROTECHNICS
Flares, colored smoke, and grenades may be used for reporting information
Meaning of signal must be established in advance of operation
Example: Green star cluster = enemy approach

23. SALUTE REPORT Size/strength Activity/Actions Location/direction
Unit identification
Time and date
Equipment/weapons

24. SALUTE REPORT Information about observer must include:
Location at time of observation
Intention of originator and/or observer
Remain in position?
Continue with mission?

25. SAMPLE SALUTE REPORT

26. SAMPLE SALUTE REPORT S-Four enemy fighters A-Vehicle-mounted patrol
L-GC moving east
U-Local Taliban militia
T-Observed at 1545
E-Traditional clothing, AK-47s, red Toyota truck

27. 10 MINUTE BREAK

28. CONTROL MEASURES
Used as a means of controlling the movement of a patrol and aid the patrol leader in keeping a patrol organized

29. CHECKPOINTS Predetermined point used to control movement
Means of control between the parent unit and the patrol
Higher can follow progress of patrol without transmitting coordinates

30. RALLY POINTS
Easily identifiable point on the ground where units can reassemble. It should:
Provide cover and concealment
Be defensible for a short time
Be easily recognized and known to all patrol members

31. INITIAL RALLY POINTS
Within friendly lines where patrol can rally if it becomes separated before departing friendly area
May be the assembly area
Location must be coordinated with forward unit commander

32. EN ROUTE RALLY POINTS
Between the initial rally point and objective rally point (ORP)
Between ORP and re-entry rally point
Determined as patrol passes through a suitable area

33. OBJECTIVE RALLY POINT
Where patrol makes final preparations before approaching the objective and reassembles after completing mission
Must be suitable to perform activities accomplished prior to actions on objective

34. INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS AT CONTROL MEASURES
Checkpoints – Actions will vary depending on how unit uses CP’s
Patrol may pass CP and radio information to higher unit 
Patrol may halt at CP to change directions, study the map, etc.

35. INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS AT CONTROL MEASURES CONT.
Rally Point Actions
Planned actions must provide for:
Continuation of patrol, if possible
Recognition signals for assembly
Min. members and max. waiting time
Instructions for members who are alone

36. INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS AT CONTROL MEASURES CONT.
Initial and En Route Rally Points
As personnel return to RP, senior Marine will take charge and follow instructions as outlined during patrol order

37. WARNING ORDER Issued as soon as practical
Contains sufficient information to assist patrol members in preparation
Posted in unit area
Everyone is responsible for reading it
Uses modified 5-paragraph order

38. WARNING ORDER CONT. Situation: Enemy and friendly situation Mission:
Exactly as the PL received it
Everyone must remember and understand the patrol’s mission

39. WARNING ORDER CONT. General instructions
General and special organization
Uniform and equip common to all
Weapons, ammo, and equipment
Chain of command
Time schedule for patrol’s guidance

40. WARNING ORDER CONT. Specific instructions To subordinate leaders:
Information about drawing gear
Personnel to accompany PL on reconnaissance (if necessary)
Guidance on special preparation

41. WARNING ORDER CONT. Specific instructions
To special purpose teams or key individuals
Address req’s of designated personnel/teams
Remind individuals/team leaders to check the equipment

43. PATROL ORDER Follows a warning order
Detailed description of how patrol will accomplish mission
All patrol members should be present
Usually given over a terrain model
Begins with an orientation

44. SITUATION
Contains information on overall status of friendly and enemy forces  
Enemy – SALUTE, DRAW-DG
Friendly – Higher, adjacent, and supporting units’ missions
Attachments and Detachments

45. MISSION Clear and concise statement of what patrol is to accomplish
Expresses unit's primary task and purpose (5 W’s)
PL should also specify whether mission or time has priority

46. EXECUTION Commander's Intent –End state
Concept of Operations –Conduct of patrol
Tasks –Missions of subordinate units
Coordinating Instructions –Tasks common to all.

47. ADMIN & LOGISTICS Info for subordinate units to coordinate tasks Beans
Bullets
Batteries
Band-Aids
Bad Guys

48. COMMAND & SIGNAL
Information relating to command and communications (control) functions:
Radio frequencies and brevity codes
Challenge and password
Succession of command
PL and APL locations during patrol

49. INSPECTIONS
Initial:
Completeness and correctness of uniform and equipment
Rehearsals are conducted as realistically as possible w/all required gear and equipment

50. REHEARSALS Familiarizes members with actions to take during patrol
Conducted in similar conditions
All actions should be rehearsed
Most critical phases have priority

51. FINAL INSPECTION Final: All equipment is still in working order
Discrepancies have been corrected
Unit is ready to embark on mission

52. FINAL INSPECTION CONT. Uniform and equipment: Camouflage
Identification tags and cards
Prescribed equipment is serviceable
Equipment has been “silenced”
No unnecessary equipment

53. FINAL INSPECTION CONT. Each member knows and understands: MISSION!
Planned routes
Individual’s role
Role’s of the other members
Signals and other pertinent details

54. NOISE AND LIGHT DISCIPLINE AND CAMOUFLAGE
Light is easily detected at night.
Noise will compromise your position.
During the day or night, the eye will pick up unusual shapes, color, and movement.

55. LIGHT DISCIPLINE Expose nothing that reflects light
Cover/remove reflective items
Do not use light sources
No smoking allowed at anytime
PL will designate what kind of light to be used during halts

56. NOISE DISCIPLINE Ensure all gear is properly secured
Silence gear to reduce unwanted noises
Top off canteens before step off
Stop frequently during patrol to listen
Do not speak unless necessary
Use hand and arm signals

57. CAMOUFLAGE Shiny areas – dark paint Shadow areas – light paint
Field expedient means only as last resort

58. CONCEALMENT Blend in with surroundings
Remain motionless when observing
If it goes with you-it comes back with you

59. 10 MINUTE BREAK

60. EXITING FRIENDLY LINES
- Conduct security halt
- Continue patrol
(Max range of small arms)
Dispersed
file formation
Antipersonnel
minefield
FEBA
FEBA

61. SECURITY Scouts used as eyes and ears of the patrol
Front-Investigates route of advance
Flanks-One or two used for squad sized patrol
Rear-Maintains rear security

62. SECURITY HALTS Used: To observe and listen for enemy activity. Also;
When reaching a danger area
After departing and before entering friendly areas
When sending a message, checking direction, or making a reconnaissance

63. SHORT SECURITY HALT
Take a knee or get in prone behind cover and concealment
All-round security is established
Patrol Leader ensures all members move out when patrol resumes movement

64. LONG SECURITY HALT
Used when patrol must halt for an extended period of time
Move to an area that provides security from enemy detection
Consists of passive and active security measures.

65. PASSIVE SECURITY MEASURES
Select a remote area
Avoid suspected enemy positions
Avoid ridgelines, topographic crests, valleys, lakes, streams, roads, and trails
Avoid open woods and clearings
Select areas offering dense vegetation

66. ACTIVE SECURITY MEASURES
Establish security
Establish communications with posted security
Plan for withdrawal in the event of discovery
Establish an alert plan

67. RE-ENTRY OF FRIENDLY LINES
Conducts a long security halt at RRP
Listens and looks for enemy presence 
PL requests permission to reenter friendly lines  
PL takes radioman and security team to link up w/guide(s) at contact point  

68. RE-ENTRY OF FRIENDLY LINES CONT.
PL initiates far recognition signal and guide responds
PL approaches, guide initiates near recognition signal and PL responds 
2 Marines return to patrol
APL moves patrol to contact point

69. RE-ENTRY OF FRIENDLY LINES CONT.
Guide(s) lead patrol from contact point into passage point
At passage point, PL (w/security) counts members into passage lane 
PL provides FUC w/ SALUTE report
PL takes patrol to S-2 for debrief

70. DEMONSTRATION

71. PRACTICAL APPLICATION

72. SUMMARY