1. 11TH INFANTRY REGIMENT
PLT BATTLE DRILLS
IOBC

2. Platoon Battle Drills (ARTEP 7-8-DRILL, 25 JUNE 2002)
07-3-D9103--React to Contact (Platoon/Squad)
07-3-D9106--Knock Out Bunkers (Platoon)
07-3-D9104--Break Contact (Dismounted)
07-3-D9110--Enter/Clear a Trench (Platoon)
07-3-D9105--React to Ambush (Platoon/Squad)
07-3-D9112--Conduct Initial Breach of a Mined Wire Obstacle (Platoon)
07-3-D9108--Enter and Clear a Building (Platoon)
07-3-D9282--React to a Chemical Attack (Platoon/Squad)
07-3-D9283--React to Nuclear Attack (Platoon/Squad)

3. Successful Battle Drills
Require minimal orders
Are rapid and sequential actions vital to success
Apply to platoon and smaller units
Are trained and rapid response to enemy actions or leader’s orders

4. React to Contact

5. React To Contact DECISIONS
TEAM LDR SQUAD LDR PLATOON LDR
Assault Request Call For Fire (CFF) CFF
Establish Maneuver CFF
Base of Fire Request CFF
Establish Maneuver
Base of Fire
Establish
Base of Fire
Break Contact
Break Contact
Help Squad
Break Contact
Break Contact
Considerations:
- Can your element gain fire superiority?
- Are you within hand grenade range?
- Are you within an enemy kill zone?
- Given fire superiority, from your position
can a subordinate unit maneuver to a
vulnerable flank?
CFF
Where to focus/distribute fires
Whether or not fire team can assault-and from which direction
Best way to move team against enemy
If can’t assault-decide whether to establish a base of fire or break contact (team level)
NOTE: Team leader not spending a lot of time trying to generate SALUTE report or call for indirect fire. Team leader leads by example, gives clear/concise orders

6. 1st Squad Base Left/Right
Platoon Leader
Decision #1
1st Squad Base Left/Right
Attack Left/Right
Enemy Action

7. 1st Squad Base Left/Right
Platoon Leader
Decision #1a
1st Squad Base Left/Right
PL Calls For Fire
Attacks Left/Right
Enemy Action

8. 1st Squad Base Left/Right Reinforce Base Left/Right
Platoon Leader
Decision #2
1st Squad Base Left/Right
Reinforce Base Left/Right
Enemy Action

9. Squad Leader Actions Decides: If lead team keeps assaulting,
If lead team establishes base of fire
If squad can or cannot assault the enemy
To Advise PL on emplacement of machine guns/other forces and best covered and concealed routes to enemy position
where/when/how to consolidate and reorganize based on terrain/threat
Put 2nd team in position to support as needed (Base Fire/Support)
Decide whether to use 2nd team to assault (Assault L/R) or to reinforce base of fire
Decide whether to maintain base of fire or to break contact
SL bases his decisions on actions of team in contact. Not much time spent yelling back and forth between SL/TL. Trust. SL focus on direct fire-fight, let PL handle indirect fire. SL doesn’t ask TL for too much information.
Direction, Description, Distance

10. Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant Actions
Decide:
If squad in contact assaults (can handle the fight)
If squad in contact establishes base of fire (maneuver with other SQDs)
If squad in contact breaks contact (Enemy contact too heavy to assault with the PLT, or need to re-group to set conditions for an assault)
Position machineguns and squads to support it.
Position machineguns-decide whether to assault with another squad, establish a PLT base of fire, or break contact.
Direct squads as to where to assault. Position others to support it-decide whether to establish base of fire, assault or break contact

11. Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant Actions
Employment of indirect fires
PSG establish CCP (once 2-3 or more casualties are taken)
Decide when/where/how to consolidate and reorganize
Reporting (Sitrep or need additional assets from higher)
Think positioning and distance to the target
Always report to higher. Keep him informed. Company commanders needs a SITREP as soon as possible, and an SALUTE report when you have consolidated.
NOTE: Don’t pressure SLs for large number of reports when in contact. Trust their abilities and actions. PL/PSG make decisions based on what they see and what actions SLs have taken.

12. NOTES ON DECISIONS
The decisions required of leaders for React to Contact apply to all of the remaining battle drills as well.
The employment of indirect fires is best left to the PL; however, SLs can send a call for fire to the PL.
This allows TL/SLs to fight their elements in direct contact. PL is first man in PLT with secure radio communications capable of linking into fires nets.

13. Knock out Bunkers

14. Base Left/Right or Assault left/right 3rd Squad Assault Left/Right
Enemy Bunkers
1st Squad Est. SBF
Attack
PL Calls for Fire
2nd Squad Reinforce SBF
Base Left/Right or Assault left/right
3rd Squad Assault Left/Right

15. 1st Squad Base Left/Right Attack Left/Right 2nd Squad Base Left/Right
Shift Fire
1st Squad Base Left/Right
Attack Left/Right
2nd Squad Base Left/Right
3rd Squad Assault Left/Right

16. 1st Squad Base Left/Right Attack Left/Right 2nd Squad Base Left/Right
Shift Fire 2
1st Squad Base Left/Right
Attack Left/Right
2nd Squad Base Left/Right
3rd Squad Assault Left/Right

17. Break Contact

18. Enemy Bunkers 1st Squad Base Left/Right 2nd Squad Base Left/Right
PL Call For Fire
3rd Squad Base L/R (if needed)
1st Squad Break Contact
2nd Squad Break Contact
3rd Squad Break Contact

19. Enter and Clear a Trench (Platoon)

20. PL identifies Entry Point PL or PSG/WSL est. SBF SQDs suppress the
Entry Point or Entire
trench (if the trench
is small enough to do so)
Entry PT
Assault SQD (intermediate SBF) PL
Est. a foothold SQD
WSL
PSG
SBF and WPNs SQD

21. Initial entry SQD moves forward
PL Calls for Both SBF and Intermediate SBF to
Shift Fire
Entry SQD est. its
own Intermediate
SBF SL
Shift fire 1 PL
PSG
WSL

22. Initial entry TM gains footholdSL
SQD internal shift PL
PSG
WSL

23. Entry PT is marked with 2 x flags (usually engineer tape or VS-17 pannels) or Directional chem lights
PL calls Shift
Fire 2 to Inter.
SBF
Entry SL leads
his 2nd TM
into trench SL PL
Shift Fire 2
PSG
WSL

24. All teams must enter the trench between the lane markers to avoid the
Entry SQD est. foothold and clears to first corners and holds, SL calls PL for follow on SQDs, helps guide SQDs through entry point
All teams must enter the trench between the lane markers to avoid the
threat of fratricide in the trench
PL calls lift fire 1 to Assault SQD and moves with Assault SQD SL
Lift Fire 1 SL PL
PSG
WSL

25. Entry SQD consolidates and clears in one direction while
Assault SQD clears the other
Direction **You can decide
to clear in only 1 direction
from the beginning***
PL Calls Shift 3 to SBF
PL Lifts SBF and tells
them to move into
the trench
Front line trace marked by “Moses pole” SL PL SL
Shift Fire 3
PSG
WSL
Lift Fire 2

26. TMs mark progress as they go Tm from the Assault SQD est.
Overwatch from the trench
SBF SQD assumes
lead SQD
MGs wait to be emplaced
SQDs emplace security
As they go to isolate
top of trench from
counter attack or
enemy re-entry
PSG may assist in C2 of SQDs
or est. CCP if neccessary SL PL SL
WSL
PSG SL

27. SQDs clear in one direction And hold in the other PL/WSL emplace Gun 1
Shift fire
WSL
SQDs clear in one direction
And hold in the other
PL/WSL emplace Gun 1
PL/SL shifts overwatch TM
PL lifts overwatch
Team and orders to
reposition for security SL
PSG
CCP
SQD HOLDS SL

28. WSL SL PL SL
PSG
Establish foothold SQD and SBF SQD crosstalk to ensure no fratricide during final clear
PL/WSL emplace Gun 2 SL

29. Consolidation and Reorganization
WSL SL
Consolidation and Reorganization
Key Leaders spread out to C2 (SL helps controls gun 1) SL PL
PSG SL

30. Realize this trench scenario was depicted with 0 casualties.
The PL locates himself so he can pass other SQDs/TMs to the front when the lead SQD becomes combat ineffective due to casualties or fatigue.
It is your job as the PL to monitor the tempo and know the status/location of the lead element.

31. Trench TTPs of ammo) Use frag grenades to clear hardened bunkers
Replace lead man immediately if he goes “cold” (out
of ammo)
Use frag grenades to clear hardened bunkers
Many MOUT techniques work in a trench
Be prepared to breach bunker doors
Marking progress will allow SBF to anticipate shifts and provided better direct fire support
Use Snipers to cover the trench using well aimed shots to interdict enemy pax pushed out by the clearing process
Keep talking to a minimum as this lets the enemy know where you are !
Do not flag your head above the trench as this could cause a frat with an overwatch element
Don’t be afraid to pull back a bit in order to prepare for another action

32. React To Ambush (Near)
“Frag out”

33. React To Ambush – (Far) Cease Fire Shift Fire
-If you have MTRs traveling with you, they can mark the contact (hip shoot) with WP, RP, Illum, IR Illum along with HE, lets everyone know where the contact is located when fighting in difficult terrain (easy to get disoriented)
Cease Fire
Shift Fire

34. Breach a Mined/Wire Obstacle

35. Decisions Common to All Drills and Leaders
When/Where/How to focus/distribute/shift fires
What to do with casualties (stop bleeding, drag to cover and continue the fight; package in SKEDCO and move to CCP upon reorganization)
When/where/how to consolidate and reorganize based on threat/time/unit condition
How/when to use markings and signals (SOP)

36. Common Mistakes
Squads/Platoons slow to react to contact, take too many casualties as a result
Platoons sometimes annihilated by fire-team or smaller size enemy force (must locate the enemy and fix him with direct or indirect fires while you maneuver to his flank)
Momentum is too often lost, enemy escapes (remember simple plan boldly executed!!!!)
Diarrhea of the squad.
Leaders take to much time to report, and not enough time reacting to the situation at hand.
We do not trust our team leaders to make the right decisions. Let them do their jobs.

37. Why problems occur? Overly complicated decision making processes
Lack of all-round security
PLTs get focused in direction of initial contact-enemy maneuvers on them
Target fixation
“Punch him in the nose and shoot him in the ear.” We become so focused with the contact to the front, we forget about the guy maneuvering to our flank at all times.
Soldiers become fixated on one target when there are other threats at hand.

38. How to Get Better Train to HIGH standards Use “fall-out one” training
“Cross Train” on weapon systems
Develop/train/enforce SOPs
Fire control and Distribution
Train to make contact from different directions
Take normal leaders out and let others take charge
Kill leaders in training and force dormant leaders to make a stand.]
SOP’s are key within an Infantry platoon. Stress the importance of SOP’s and the significance.
Every soldier should train to a high state of proficiency with all weapons and equipment.
Always train and think about fire control.
Train contact from all sides. Don’t assume it will always come from the front.

39. How to Get Better Build Teams Through Adversity
Do hard things together in training
Demand honesty
Instill high standards of conduct
Train junior leaders to make quick decisions based on your intent and SOPs
Train all PLT members to call for fire and to be proficient with radios
Standard hand and arm signals
Tactical Patience
Enforce all-round security
DO NOT require your team leaders and squad leaders to call for fire. They have an immediate threat on their hands. They should not be thinking about indirect fires.
Security. Hit it again.

40. How to Get Better
Train all soldiers to give “Go where, do what” orders (like using the “active voice” in writing)
Reduce amount of verbal noise (silent, violent, silent)
Clearly define what decisions you expect leaders to make under fire
Instill decision-making at the lowest level
Act based on training. Teach them to follow their team leader. I don’t need to yell moving, when I hear my buddy shoot, I know he is set. When he does not hear me shooting, he knows I am moving. Same thing with SQD leaders. Their actions tell the squad to execute.
Clear, concise task and purpose: I.e. “Move behind that berm and suppress the right bunker so B team can move” vs. “Get up and move!” or “Move out!”

41. CONCLUDING PRINCIPLES
Train how we fight (“tough love”)
Empower all leaders to tune their actions to local reality
Assault behind effective fire
Bound elements to have overwatch/effective fire when closing the distance on the enemy
As a PL work on synchronizing the fight in terms of squads, machine guns, and indirect fires (don’t want any lulls in fires being placed on the enemy)
Battle handover and setting conditions (one event allows another to occur)
Understanding of time, space, and forces
Development of leaders and teams

42. QUESTIONS?