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Previous: 3-130: Sustainment

3-133. Air and missile defense support to the platoon may be limited. Units should expect to use their organic weapons systems for self-defense against enemy air threats. Plan for CBRN reconnaissance at likely locations for enemy employment of CBRN agents and hazards. Use obscurants to support disengagement or movement of forces. Assign sectors of fire to prevent fratricide and friendly fire.

3-134. Survivability construction includes fighting positions, protective positions, and hardening. These are prepared to protect vehicles, personnel and weapons systems. Positions can be constructed and reinforced with overhead cover to increase the survivability of dismounts and crew-served weapons against shrapnel from airbursts. Vehicle fighting positions can be constructed with both hull and turret-defilade observation positions. In addition, the Infantry platoon and squad may use digging assets for ammunition caches at alternate, supplementary, or subsequent positions. All leaders must understand survivability plans and priorities. Typically, at platoon level the engineer platoon leader creates a leader’s card, which enables the platoon leader to track the survivability effort. One person in the platoon, usually the platoon sergeant is designated to enforce the plan and priorities, and ensure the completion status is reported accurately, tracked, and disseminated down to subordinate squads and attachments.

Next: 3-135: Additional Planning Considerations

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