Previous: Section IV – Direct Fire Control
B-34. Fire control measures are the means by which the platoon leader or subordinate leaders control fires. Application of these concepts, procedures, and techniques assists the unit in acquiring the enemy, focusing fires on him, distributing the effects of the fires, and preventing fratricide and friendly fire. At the same time, no single measure is sufficient to control fires. At the platoon level, fire control measures will be effective only if the entire unit has a common understanding of what they mean and how to employ them. The following discussion focuses on the various fire control measures employed by the Infantry platoon. Table B-1 (page B-10) lists the control measures; it is organized by whether they are terrain-based or threat-based.
Next: B-35: Terrain-based Fire Control Measures
Go Back To: U.S. Army FM 3-21.8: The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad