Previous: 5-76: Mounted Bounding Overwatch
5-77. The commander of the lead vehicle immediately notifies the platoon leader when he encounters an obstacle or other danger area. If needed, Soldiers dismount and take advantage of available cover and concealment to investigate these areas. (See figure 5-8.) If possible, the vehicle is moved off the road into a covered or concealed position. Weapons from the vehicle cover the advance of the dismounted element. Designated Soldiers reconnoiter these places under cover of the weapons in the vehicle. Obstacles are marked and bypassed, if possible. When they cannot be bypassed, they are removed cautiously.
5-78. Side roads intersecting the route of advance are investigated. Soldiers from one vehicle secure the road junction. One or two vehicles investigate the side road. The amount of reconnaissance on side roads is determined by the leader’s knowledge of the situation. Soldiers investigating side roads do not move past supporting distance of the main body.
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Go Back To: U.S. Army FM 3-21.8: The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad