Battle Drill #1 React to Direct Fire Contact

Question 1

1st

Answer 1

The element in contact immediately returns well-aimed fire on known enemy position(s).

Question 2

2nd

Answer 2

Soldiers assume the nearest covered and concealed position.

Question 3

3rd

Answer 3

Element leaders locate and engage known enemy positions with well-aimed fire or
battlesight fire command, and pass information to the unit leader and Soldiers.

Question 4

4th

Answer 4

Element leaders control the fire of their Soldiers by using standard fire commands
(initial and supplemental) containing the following elements:
a. Alert.
b. Weapon or ammunition (optional).
c. Target description.
d. Direction.
e. Range.
f. Method.
g. Control (optional).
h. Execution.
g. Termination.

Question 5

5th

Answer 5

Soldiers maintain contact (visual or oral) with the leader and other Soldiers on their left or right.

Question 6

6th

Answer 6

Soldiers maintain contact with the team leader and indicate the location of the enemy
positions.

Question 7

7th

Answer 7

Unit leaders (visually or orally) check the status of their personnel.

Question 8

8th

Answer 8

Element leaders maintain visual contact with the unit leader.

Question 9

9th

Answer 9

The unit leader moves up to the element in contact and links up with its leader.
a. Unit leader brings the radio-telephone operator, forward observer, element leader
of the nearest element, one crew-served weapon team (machine gun team if
available).
b. Element leaders of the elements not in contact move to the front of their element.
c. The platoon sergeant moves forward with the remaining crew-served weapons and
links up with the unit leader and assumes control of the support element.

Question 10

10th

Answer 10

The unit leader determines whether or not the unit must move out of the engagement area.

Question 11

11th

Answer 11

The unit leader determines whether or not the unit can gain and maintain suppressive
fires with the element already in contact (based on the volume and accuracy of enemy
fires against the element in contact).

Question 12

12th

Answer 12

The unit leader makes an assessment of the situation identifies—
a. The location of the enemy position and obstacles.
b. The size of the enemy force engaging the unit in contact. (The number of enemy
automatic weapons, the presence of any vehicles, and the employment of indirect
fires are indicators of enemy strength.)
c. Vulnerable flanks.
d. Covered and concealed flanking routes to the enemy positions.

Question 13

13th

Answer 13

The unit leader decides whether to conduct an assault, bypass (if authorized by the
company commander), or break contact.

Question 14

14th

Answer 14

The unit leader reports the situation to higher headquarters and begins to maneuver
the unit.