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Previous: Section IV: Relief in Place

5-84. Once ordered to conduct a relief in place, the leader of the relieving unit contacts the leader of the unit to be relieved. The collocation of unit command posts also helps achieve the level of coordination required. If the relieved unit’s forward elements can defend the area of operation, the relieving unit executes the relief in place from the rear to the front. This facilitates movement and terrain management.

5-85. When planning for a relief in place, the Infantry platoon leader takes the following actions:

• Issues an order immediately.
• Sends himself or key leader with platoon advance party to conduct detailed reconnaissance and coordination.
• As the relieving unit, adopts the outgoing unit’s normal pattern of activity as much as possible.
• As the relieving unit, determines when the platoon will assume responsibility for outgoing unit’s position.
• As the relieving unit, collocates with the relieved unit’s headquarters.
• Maximizes operations security to prevent the enemy from detecting the relief operation.

Note. When possible, conduct the relief at night or under other limited visibility conditions.

• Plans for relief of sustainment elements after combat elements are relieved.
• As the unit being relieved, plans for transfer of excess ammunition, wire, petroleum, oil, and lubricants, and other materiel of tactical value to the incoming unit.
• Controls movement by reconnoitering, designating, and marking routes, and providing guides.

Next: 5-86: Coordination

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