Infantry Drills

2-104: Wedge



Previous: 2-103: Staggered Column

2-104. The wedge formation (see figure 2-19), permits excellent firepower to the front and good fire to each flank. The platoon leader can easily control all vehicles and deploy rapidly into other formations. The wedge formation is often used when the enemy situation is vague. The orientation of the pairs is left and right. The platoon leader and platoon sergeant control the other vehicle (wingman) of their pair by directing it to follow to the outside and to orient its weapons toward the flanks.


2-105. When the platoon leader’s vehicle is slightly forward one flank has more
firepower. Depending on METT-TC, the platoon leader makes the adjustment to which side needs the most fire power.

Figure 2-19. Wedge formation

Next: 2-106: Line

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