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Previous: 1-153: Employment Considerations

1-154. ICV-equipped Infantry platoons and rifle squads normally operate as part of a larger force. They benefit from the support of armor, artillery, mortars, close air support, close combat attack, air defense, and engineers. They provide their own suppressive fires either to repel enemy assaults or to support their own maneuver. During close combat, platoon leaders determine how to employ the ICVs by considering the following objective:

• Support the rifle squads with direct fires.
• Provide mobile protection to transport rifle squads to the critical point on the battlefield.
• Suppress or destroy enemy personnel and other soft targets with a .50-cal machine gun or an MK19.

1-155. Success in operations hinges on the actions of platoons, sections, and rifle squads in close combat. It depends on their ability to react to contact; employ suppressive fires; maneuver to an enemy’s vulnerable flank; and fight through to defeat, destroy, or capture an enemy. For success, the ICV-equipped Infantry platoon relies on the ability of leaders and Soldiers to—

• Use the potential of both the rifle squads and the ICV.
• Operate their weapons with accuracy and deadly effect.
• Outthink, outmaneuver, and outfight the enemy.
• Use terrain to their advantage.

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Go Back To: U.S. Army FM 3-21.8: The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad