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Previous: 2-156: Deploy and Report

2-158. While the Infantry unit deploys, the leader evaluates and continues to develop the situation. The leader quickly gathers as much information as possible, either visually or, more often, through reports of the platoons or squad s in contact and analyzes the information to determine critical operational considerations, including the—

• Size of enemy element.
• Location, composition, activity, and orientation of enemy force.
• Impact of obstacles and terrain.
• Enemy capabilities.
• Probable enemy intentions.
• Method of gaining positional advantage over the enemy.
• Friendly situation (location, strength, and capabilities).
• Possible friendly courses of action to achieve the specified end state.

2-159. Once the leader determines the size of enemy force encountered by the Infantry unit, a report is sent to the platoon or company. However, after evaluating the situation, the leader may discover there is not enough information to identify the necessary operational considerations. To make this determination, the leader further develops the situation according to the commander’s intent, using a combination of techniques such as—

• Surveillance, employing Infantry squads, unmanned aircraft systems, and snipers using binoculars and other optical aids.
• Maneuver, including flanking maneuvers to gain additional information by viewing the enemy from another perspective.
• Indirect fire.
• Reconnaissance by fire.

Next: 2-160: Choose a Course of Action

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