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Previous: 6-62: Selection of Rally Points

6-63. The most common types of rally points are initial, en route, objective, reentry, near-and far-side. Soldiers must know which rally point to move to at each phase of the patrol mission. They should know what actions are required there and how long they are to wait at each rally point before moving to another. The following are descriptions of these five rally points:

• Initial rally point. An IRP is a place inside of friendly lines where a unit may assemble and reorganize if it makes enemy contact during the departure of friendly lines or before reaching the first en route rally point. It is normally selected by the commander of the friendly unit.
• Enroute rally point. The leader designates en route rally points based on the terrain, vegetation, and visibility.
• Objective rally point. ORP is a point out of sight, sound, and small-arms range of the objective area. It normally is located in the direction the platoon plans to move after completing its actions on the objective. The ORP is tentative until the objective is pinpointed. (See figure 6-4.) Actions at or from the ORP include—
  • Issuing a final fragmentary order (FRAGORD).
  • Disseminating information from reconnaissance if contact was not made.
  • Making final preparations before continuing operations.
  • Accounting for Soldiers and equipment after actions at the objective are complete.
  • Reestablishing the chain of command after actions at the objective is complete.

Note. Isolated Soldiers still able to function on their own will make an attempt to move to the objective rally point, or a rally point designated in the patrol plan.

• Reentry rally point. The RRP is located out of sight, sound, and small-arms weapons range of the friendly unit through which the platoon will return. This also means the RRP should be outside the FPFs of the friendly unit. The platoon occupies the RRP as a security perimeter.
• Near-and far-side rally points. These rally points are on the near and far side of danger areas. If the platoon makes contact while crossing the danger area and control is lost, Soldiers on either side move to the rally point nearest them. They establish security, reestablish the chain of command, determine their personnel and equipment status, continue the patrol mission, and linkup at the ORP.

Next: 6-64: Mounted Patrols

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