Introduction to Rifle Platoon Operations Flashcards
What is the T/O of a Rifle Platoon?
- Platoon Commander
- 3 Rifle Squads
- Platoon Headquarters
What makes up a Platoon HQ?
- Platoon Sergeant
- RTO
- Guide
- Corpsman
What is the T/O of a Rifle Company?
- Company Commander
- Company HQ
- 3 Platoons
- Weapons Platoon
What makes up a Company HQ?
- XO
- Co GySgt
- 1st Sgt
- Police Sgt
- Company Clerk
What is the T/O of a Weapons Company?
- 6 Machine guns/section
- 3 60s/section
- 6 SMAWs/Section
Why does the Marine Corps undertake offensive operations?
- Destroy enemy forces, equipment, and resources
- Disrupt enemy actions or preparations
- Deceive and divert the enemy
- Deprive the enemy of terrain relevant to his objective
- Fix the enemy in place
- Gain information on the enemy
What are the four general types of offensive operations?
- Movement to Contact
- Attack
- Exploitation
- Pursuit
What is Movement to Contact?
It is an offensive operation conducted to establish or regain contact with the enemy
What is the purpose of an attack?
To defeat, destroy, or neutralize the enemy.
What are the eight different types of attacks?
- Hasty
- Deliberate
- Spoiling
- Counterattack
- Feint
- Reconnaissance in force
- Raid
- Demonstration
What is Exploitation?
An offensive operation usually following an attack, designed to disorganize the enemy in depth. It prevents the enemy from disengaging, withdrawing and reestablishing an effective defense.
What is Pursuit?
An offensive operation designed to catch or cut off and destroy the enemy attempting to escape.
What is the purpose of defensive operations?
To defeat an enemy attack
Defensive operations strive to achieve:
- Force the enemy to reach his culminating point without achieving his objectives
- Rapidly gain and maintain the initiative for friendly forces
- Create opportunities to shift to the offensive
What are the two types of general defensive operations?
- Position defense
- Mobile defense
What does the position defense focus on?
Retention of terrain by absorbing the enemy in an interlocking series of positions and destroying him largely by fires.
What is a strong point?
Its like a COP or a FOB (it must have its own infrastructure)
What is a battle position?
A position covering a most likely avenue of approach
What is a perimeter defense?
A defense oriented in all directions
What is a sector defense?
A defense when dominating terrain is not available. It allows the most Freedom of Movement. It is difficult to control and mutually support upon contact.
What is a reverse slope defense?
A defense on a slope that descends away from the enemy. It’s main defense is masked by terrain. It allows mass surprised fires on the enemy
What is a linear defense?
A defense which allows overlapping and interlocking fields of fire
What is a non-linear defense?
It is a defense that is enemy-oriented where static positioning is involved (mobile defense)
What is a mobile defense?
The defense of an area in which maneuver is used together with fire and terrain to seize the initiative from the enemy. It orients on the destruction of the attacking force by permitting the enemy to advance into a position that exposes him to counterattack by a mobile reserve.
When should a commander utilize a mobile defense?
- The frontage exceeds the defender’s capability to establish an effective position defense
- Time for preparing defensive positions is limited
- The mission does NOT require denying the enemy specific terrain
Who normally employs the use of a mobile defense?
A division-sized element or higher
