Infantry Drills

2-77: Squad Column



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2-77. The squad column is the squad’s main formation for movement unless preparing for an assault. (See figure 2-9.) It provides good dispersion both laterally and in-depth without sacrificing control. It also facilitates maneuver. The lead fire team is the base fire team. Squads can move in either a column wedge or a modified column wedge. Rough terrain, poor visibility, and other factors can require the squad to modify the wedge into a file for control purposes. As the terrain becomes less rugged and control becomes easier, the Soldiers resume their original positions.

Figure 2-9. Squad column, fire teams in wedge

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