Direct Fire Control

A-32. Small-unit leaders communicate to their subordinates the manner, method, and time to initiate, shift, and mass fires, and when to disengage by using direct fire control measures. Leaders control their unit’s fires so they can direct the engagement of enemy systems to gain the greatest effect. Leaders use the intelligence preparation of the operational environment (known as IPOE) and information collection to determine the most advantageous way to use direct fire control measures to mass the effects on the enemy and reduce fratricide from direct fire systems. (See chapter 2 paragraphs 2-4 to 2-7 and 2-102 to 2-106 and ATP 2-01.3 and FM 3-55 [respectively] for additional information.)

Fire Control Process

A-33. To bring direct fires against an enemy force, leaders must continuously apply the steps of the fire control process. At the heart of this process are two critical actions: rapid, accurate target acquisition and massing of fire to achieve decisive effects on the target. Target acquisition is the detection, identification, and location of a target in sufficient detail to permit the employment of weapons. Massing entails focusing fires at critical points and distributing the fires for optimum effect. The following discussion examines target acquisition and massing of fires using the following basic steps of the fire control process:

• Identify probable enemy locations and determine the enemy scheme of maneuver.
• Determine where and how to mass fires.
• Orient forces to speed target acquisition.
• Shift fires to refocus or redistribute.

Identify Probable Enemy Locations and Determine the Enemy Scheme of Maneuver

A-34. Leaders plan and execute direct fires based on their mission analysis. An essential part of this process is the analysis of the terrain and enemy force, which aids the leader in visualizing how the enemy will attack or defend a particular piece of terrain. A defending enemy’s defensive positions or an attacking enemy’s support positions are normally driven by intervisibility. Typically, there are limited points on a piece of terrain providing both good fields of fire and adequate cover for a defender. Similarly, an attacking enemy will have only a limited selection of avenues of approach providing adequate cover and concealment.

A-35. Coupled with available terrain analysis products and intelligence products and assessments, an understanding of the effects of a specific piece of terrain on maneuver, figure A-2 will assist leaders in identifying probable enemy locations and likely avenues of approach both before and during the fight. Leaders may use all the following products or techniques in developing and updating the analysis:

• An enemy situation template (known as SITEMP) based on the analysis of terrain and enemy.
• A spot or contact report on enemy locations and activities.
• Information collection within the AO.

Figure A-2. Identifying probable enemy locations and determining enemy scheme of maneuver

Determine Where and How To Mass Fires

A-36. To achieve decisive effects, friendly forces must mass their fires. (See figure A-3 on page A-10.) Massing requires leaders to focus the fires of subordinate elements and to distribute the effects of the fires. Based on their mission analysis and their concept of operations, leaders identify points where they want to, or must, focus the unit’s fires. Most often, these are locations they have identified as probable enemy positions or points along likely avenues of approach where the unit can mass fires. Because subordinate elements may not initially be oriented on the point where leaders want to mass fires, they may issue a fire command to focus the fires. At the same time, leaders must use direct fire control measures to distribute the fires of subordinate elements, which now are focused on the same point. In the offense, leaders should plan direct fire control measures to enable fires during the approach and to achieve mass at the objective. The ground scheme of maneuver is designed to enable the platoon to execute the direct fire plan.

Figure A-3. Determining where and how to mass fires

Orient Forces to Speed Target Acquisition

A-37. To engage the enemy with direct fires, friendly forces must rapidly and accurately acquire enemy elements. (See figure A-4.) Orienting friendly forces on probable enemy locations and on likely avenues of approach will speed target acquisition. Conversely, failure to orient subordinate elements will result in slower acquisition; this greatly increases the likelihood enemy forces will be able to engage first. The clock direction orientation method, which is prescribed in most unit tactical standard operating procedures (SOPs), is good for achieving all-around security; however, it does not ensure friendly forces are most oriented to detect the enemy. To achieve this critical orientation, leaders typically designate TRPs on or near probable enemy locations and avenues of approach; they orient subordinate elements using directions of fire or sectors of fire. Normally, the gunners on crew-served weapons scan the designated direction, sector, or area while other crewmembers observe secondary sectors or areas to provide all-around security.

Figure A-4. Orienting forces to speed target acquisition

Shift Fires to Refocus and Redistribute

A-38. As the engagement proceeds, leaders must shift fires to refocus and redistribute the effects based on their evolving mission analysis. Situational awareness becomes an essential part of the fire control process at this point. Leaders apply the same techniques and considerations, including fire control measures they used earlier to focus and distribute fires (see figure A-5 on page A-12). A variety of situations will dictate shifting of fires, including the following:

• Appearance of an enemy force posing a greater threat than the one currently being engaged.
• Extensive attrition of the enemy force being engaged, creating the possibility of target overkill.
• Attrition of friendly elements engaging the enemy force.
• Change in the ammunition status of the friendly elements engaging the enemy force.
• Maneuver of enemy or friendly forces resulting in terrain masking.
• Increased fratricide risk as a maneuvering friendly element closes with the enemy force being engaged.

Figure A-5. Shift fires to refocus and redistribute

Fire Control Measures

A-39. Leaders use fire control measures to control fires. Application of these concepts, procedures, and techniques assists the unit in acquiring the enemy, focusing fires on the enemy, distributing the effects of the fires, and preventing fratricide. At the same time, no single measure is sufficient to control fires. At the platoon level, fire control measures will be effective only if the entire unit has a common understanding of what they mean and how to employ them. The following discussion focuses on the various fire control measures employed by the Infantry platoon. Table A-1 lists terrain-based and threat-based control measures.

Table A-1. Common fire control measures

Terrain-Based Fire Control Measures

A-40. Leaders use terrain-based fire control measures to focus and control fires on a particular point, line, or area rather than on a specific enemy element. The following paragraphs describe the tactics, techniques, and procedures associated with this type of control measure.

Target Reference Point

A-41. A TRP (see paragraph 5-207) is a recognizable point on the ground leaders use to orient friendly forces, and to focus, distribute, shift, or otherwise control direct fires. In addition, when leaders designate TRPs as indirect fire targets, they can use the TRP when calling for and adjusting indirect fires. Leaders designate TRPs at probable enemy locations and along likely avenues of approach. These points can be natural or man-made. A TRP can be an established site. For example, a hill or a building, or an impromptu feature such as a burning enemy vehicle or obscurants generated by an artillery round can be designated as a TRP. Friendly units can construct markers to serve as a TRP. (See figure A-6 on page A-14.) Ideally, a TRP should be visible in three observation modes (unaided, passive-infrared, and thermal) so all forces can see them. Examples of TRPs include the following features and objects:

• Prominent hill mass.
• Distinctive building.
• Observable enemy position.
• Destroyed vehicle.
• Ground-burst illumination.
• Obscurant rounds for immediate engagements only; this is the least preferred method.

Figure A-6. Constructed target reference point markers, example

Engagement Area

A-42. This fire control measure is an area along an enemy avenue of approach where leaders intend to mass the fires of available weapons to destroy an enemy force. The size and shape of the engagement area is determined by the degree of relatively unobstructed intervisibility available to the unit’s weapon systems in their firing positions and by the maximum range of those weapons. Typically, the platoon leader delineates responsibility within the engagement area by assigning each squad a sector of fire or direction of fire. (See chapter 5 section V for additional information.)

Sector of Fire

A-43. A sector of fire is a defined area being covered by direct fire. Leaders assign sectors of fire to subordinate elements, crew-served weapons, and individual Soldiers to ensure coverage of sectors; they also may limit the sector of fire of an element or weapon to prevent accidental engagement of an adjacent unit. In assigning sectors of fire, leaders consider the number and types of weapons available. Typically, leaders designate both primary and secondary sectors of fire with the primary scanned first and, if empty, the secondary is then scanned. In addition, leaders must consider acquisition system type and field of view in determining the width of a sector of fire. For example, while unaided vision has a wide field of view, its ability to detect and identify targets at range and in limited visibility conditions is restricted. Conversely, most fire control acquisitions systems have greater detection and identification ranges than the unaided eye, but their field of view is narrow. Means of designating sectors of fire include the following:

• TRPs.
• Clock direction.
• Terrain-based quadrants.
• Friendly-based quadrants.
• Azimuth or cardinal direction.

Direction of Fire

A-44. A direction of fire is an orientation or point used to assign responsibility for a particular area on the battlefield being covered by direct fire. Leaders designate directions of fire for purposes of acquisition or engagement by subordinate elements, crew-served weapons, or individual Soldiers. Direction of fire is most commonly employed when assigning sectors of fire would be difficult or impossible because of limited time or insufficient reference points, or when the purpose is to cover a narrow point on the ground such as a road junction, the mouth of a draw or similar features. Means of designating a direction of fire include the following:

• Closest TRP.
• Clock direction.
• Azimuth or cardinal direction.
• Tracer on target.
• Infrared laser pointer.
• Grenadier obscuration round.

Quadrants

A-45. Quadrants are subdivisions of an area created by superimposing an imaginary pair of perpendicular axes over the terrain to create four separate areas or sectors. Establish quadrants on the terrain, friendly forces, or on the enemy formation. The method of quadrant numbering is established in the unit SOP; however, care must be taken to avoid confusion when quadrants based on terrain, friendly forces, and enemy formations are used simultaneously.

Note. Techniques in which quadrants are based on enemy formations usually are referred to as target array; it is covered in the discussion of threat-based fire control measures.

Terrain-Based Quadrant

A-46. A terrain-based quadrant entails the use of a TRP, either existing or constructed, to designate the center point of the axes dividing the area into four quadrants. This technique can be employed in both the offense and defense. In the offense, platoon leaders designate the center of the quadrant using an existing feature or by creating a reference point. For example, using a ground burst illumination round, an obscurant marking round, or a fire ignited by incendiary or tracer rounds. The axes delineating the quadrants run parallel and perpendicular to the direction of movement. In the defense, platoon leaders designate the center of the quadrant using a planned TRP.

A-47. In examples shown in figure A-7 on page A-16, quadrants are marked using the letter “Q” and a number (Q1 to Q4); quadrant numbers are in the same relative positions as on military map sheets (from Q1 as the upper left-hand quadrant clockwise to Q4 as the lower left-hand quadrant).

Figure A-7. Terrain-based quadrants, example

Friendly-Based Quadrant

A-48. The friendly-based quadrant technique entails superimposing quadrants over the unit’s formation. The center point is based on the center of the formation, and axes run parallel and perpendicular to the general direction of travel, and the quadrant travel with the formation. For rapid orientation, the friendly quadrant technique may be better than the clock direction method; because different elements of a large formation rarely are oriented in the same exact direction and the relative dispersion of friendly forces causes parallax to the target. Figure A-8 illustrates use of friendly-based quadrants.

Figure A-8. Friendly-based quadrants, example

Maximum Engagement Line

A-49. Maximum engagement line is the linear depiction of the farthest limit of effective fire for a weapon or unit. This line is determined by the weapons or unit’s maximum effective range and by the effects of terrain. For example, slope, vegetation, structures, and other features provide cover and concealment preventing the weapon from engaging to the maximum effective range. A maximum engagement line serves several purposes. Platoon leaders can use it to prevent crews from engaging beyond the maximum effective range, to define criteria of the establishment of triggers, and to delineate the maximum extent of sectors on the sector sketch.

Restrictive Fire Line

A-50. A restrictive fire line (RFL) is a linear fire control measure beyond which engagement is prohibited without coordination. In the offense, RFLs serve to deconflict maneuver elements during movement and planned maneuver. At the objective, platoon leaders can designate an RFL to prevent a base-of-fire element from firing into the area where an assaulting element is maneuvering. This technique is particularly important when armored vehicles support the maneuver of rifle squads. In the defense, platoon leaders may establish an RFL to prevent the unit from engaging a friendly rifle squad positioned in restricted terrain on the flank of an avenue of approach. Wherever used, RFLs are an essential element in fratricide reduction.

Final Protective Line

A-51. Final protective line (FPL) is a selected line of fire where an enemy assault is to be checked by interlocking fire of all available weapons and obstacles (FM 3-90). The unit reinforces this line with protective obstacles and with final protective fires (FPFs) whenever possible. Initiation of the FPFs is the signal for elements, crews, and individual Soldiers to shift fires to their assigned portion of the FPL. They spare no ammunition in repelling the enemy assault, a particular concern for medium machine guns and other automatic weapons. (See paragraphs B-20 to B-21 and paragraphs C-70 to C-71 for additional information on FPLs.)

Threat-Based Fire Control Measures

A-52. Platoon leaders use threat-based fire control measures to focus and control fires by directing their units to engage a specific enemy element rather than to fire on a point or area. The following paragraphs describe the tactics, techniques, and procedures associated with this type of control measure.

Rules of Engagement

A-53. Rules of engagement (ROE) specify the circumstances and limitations under which forces may engage; they include definitions of combatant and noncombatant elements and prescribe the treatment of noncombatants. Factors influencing ROE are national command policy, mission, commander’s intent, the operational environment, and the law of war. ROE always recognize a Soldier’s right of self-defense, but at the same time, they clearly define circumstances in which the Soldier may fire.

A-54. As an example, higher command directives, (ROE) have limited the use of antiarmor weapons in certain situations to prevent civilian casualties. Therefore, a subordinate commander establishes a WCS of WEAPONS TIGHT for antiarmor weapons.

Weapons Ready Posture

A-55. Weapons ready posture is the selected ammunition and range for individual and crew-served weapons in rifle squads. It is a means by which leaders use their mission analysis to specify the ammunition and range of the most probable anticipated engagement. Ammunition selection depends on the target type, but the leader may adjust it based on engagement priorities, desired effects, and effective range. Range selection depends on the anticipated engagement range; it is affected by terrain intervisibility, weather, and light conditions. Within the platoon, weapons ready posture affects the types and quantities of ammunition carried by rifle squads; consider the following:

A-56. Examples of weapons ready posture include:

• A grenadier, whose, most likely engagement is to cover dead space at 200 meters from the position, might load high explosive dual purpose (known as HEDP) ammunition and set 200 meters on the quadrant sight.
• To prepare for an engagement in a wooded area where engagement ranges are extremely short, an antiarmor specialist might plan to engage with an M136 AT4-series rocket instead of a Javelin.

Note. The M3 Multi-role, Antiarmor, Antipersonnel Weapon System (known as MAAWS), when replacing the Javelin, may provide the platoon with a better antiarmor and antipersonnel capability against enemy personnel, field fortifications, and enemy vehicles in a wooded areas where engagement ranges are decreased.

Weapons Safety Posture

A-57. Weapons safety posture is an ammunition handling instruction enabling platoon leaders to control the safety of their units’ weapons precisely. Subordinate leaders’ supervision of the weapons safety posture, as well as Soldiers’ adherence to it, minimizes the risk of accidental discharge and fratricide. Table A-2 outlines procedures and considerations for the platoon when using the four weapons safety postures, listed in ascending order of restrictiveness—

• AMMUNITION LOADED.
• AMMUNITION LOCKED.
• AMMUNITION PREPARED.
• WEAPONS CLEARED.

A-58. When setting and adjusting the weapons safety posture, platoon leaders must weigh the desire to prevent accidental discharges against the requirement for immediate action based on the enemy threat. If the threat of direct contact is high, platoon leaders could establish the weapons safety posture as AMMUNITION LOADED. If the requirement for action is less immediate, they might lower the posture to AMMUNITION LOCKED or AMMUNITION PREPARED. Additionally, the platoon leader can designate different weapons safety postures for different elements of the unit.

Table A-2. Weapons safety posture levels

Weapons Control Status

A-59. The three levels of WCS outline the conditions, based on target identification criteria, under which friendly elements can engage. Platoon leaders set and adjust the WCS based on friendly and enemy disposition, and clarity of the situation. The higher the probability of fratricide, the more restrictive the WCS. The three levels, in descending order of restrictiveness, are—

• WEAPONS HOLD. Engage only if engaged or ordered to engage.
• WEAPONS TIGHT. Engage only targets positively identified as enemy.
• WEAPONS FREE. Engage targets not positively identified as friendly.

A-60. As an example, platoon leaders may establish the WCS as WEAPONS HOLD when friendly forces are conducting a passage of lines. By maintaining situational understanding of their own elements and adjacent friendly forces, however, they may be able to lower the WCS. In such a case, platoon leaders may be able to set a WEAPONS FREE status when they know there are no friendly elements in the vicinity of the engagement. This permits their elements to engage targets at extended ranges even though it is difficult to distinguish targets accurately at ranges beyond 2,000 meters under battlefield conditions. Another consideration is the WCS are extremely important for forces using combat identification systems. Establishing the WCS as WEAPONS FREE permits leaders to engage an unknown target when they fail to get a friendly response.

Engagement Priorities

A-61. Engagement priorities (see paragraph 5-206), which entail the sequential ordering of targets to be engaged, can serve one or more of the following critical fire control functions:

• Prioritize high-payoff targets (generally developed and identified during Step 3-Make a Tentative Plan [specifically, mission analysis] of TLP). In concert with the company’s concept of operations, platoon leaders identify the high-payoff targets in their AO as a unit engagement priority. For example, destroying enemy engineer assets is the best way to prevent the enemy from reducing an obstacle.
• Employ the best weapons to the target. Establishing engagement priorities for specific friendly systems increases the effectiveness with which the unit employs its weapons. For example, the engagement priority of the Javelin could be enemy tanks first, then enemy personnel carriers; this would decrease the chance the platoon’s lighter systems will have to engage enemy armored vehicles.
• Distribute the unit’s fires. Establishing different priorities for similar friendly systems helps to prevent overkill and achieve distribution of fires. For example, platoon leaders may designate the enemy’s tanks as the initial priority for the weapons squad, while making the enemy’s personnel carriers the priority for one of the rifle squads.

Trigger

A-62. A trigger (see paragraph 5-208) is a specific set of conditions dictating initiation of fires. Often referred to as engagement criteria, a trigger specifies the circumstances in which subordinate elements should engage. The circumstances can be based on a friendly or enemy event. For example, the trigger for a friendly platoon to initiate engagement could be three or more enemy combat vehicles passing or crossing a given point or line. This line can be natural or man-made linear feature, such as a road, ridgeline, or stream. It also may be a line perpendicular to the unit’s orientation, delineated by one or more reference points.

Engagement Techniques

A-63. Engagement techniques are effects-oriented fire distribution measures. The following engagement techniques are common in platoon operations:

• Point fire.
• Area fire.
• Simultaneous.
• Alternating fire.
• Observed fire.
• Sequential fire.
• Time of suppression.
• Reconnaissance by fire.

A-64. Point fire. Entails concentrating the effects of a unit’s fire against a specific, identified target such as a vehicle, machine gun bunker, or antitank (AT) guided missile position. When leaders direct point fire, all unit weapons engage the target, firing until it is destroyed, or the required time of suppression has expired. Employing converging fires from dispersed positions makes point fire more effective because the target is engaged from multiple directions. The unit may initiate an engagement using point fire against the most dangerous threat, and revert to area fire against other, less threatening point targets.

A-65. Area fire. Involves distributing the effects of a unit’s fire over an area in which enemy positions are numerous or are not obvious. If the area is large, leaders assign sectors of fire to subordinate elements using a terrain-based distribution method such as the quadrant technique. Typically, the primary purpose of the area fire is suppression; however, sustaining suppression requires judicious control of the rate of fire.

A-66. Simultaneous fires. To mass the effects of their fires rapidly or to gain fire superiority. For example, a unit may initiate a support by fire operation with simultaneous fire, then, revert to alternating or sequential fire to maintain suppression. Simultaneous fire also is employed to negate the low probability of the hit and kill of certain antiarmor weapons. For example, a rifle squad may employ simultaneous fire with its M136 AT4-series to ensure rapid destruction of an enemy armored fighting vehicle engaging a friendly position.

A-67. Alternating fire. Pairs of elements continuously engage the same point or area target one at a time. For example, an Infantry rifle company may alternate fires of two platoons; an Infantry rifle platoon may alternate the fires of its squads; or an Infantry rifle platoon may alternate the fires of a pair of medium machine guns. Alternating fire permits the unit to maintain suppression for a longer duration than does volley fire; it also forces the enemy to acquire and engage alternating points of fire.

A-68. Observed fire. Usually is used when the platoon is in protected defensive positions with engagement ranges more than 2,500 meters for stabilized systems (when attached) and 1,500 meters for unstabilized systems. It can be employed between elements of the platoon, such as the squad lasing and observing while the weapons squad engages. The platoon leader directs one squad to engage. The remaining squads observe fires and prepare to engage on order in case the engaging element consistently misses its targets, experiences a malfunction, or runs low on ammunition. Observed fire allows for mutual observation and assistance while protecting the location of the observing elements.

A-69. Sequential fire. Entails the subordinate elements of a unit engaging the same point or area target one after another in an arranged sequence. Sequential fire also can help to prevent the waste of ammunition, as when a platoon waits to see the effects of the first Javelin before firing another. Additionally, sequential fire permits elements already have fired to pass on information they have learned from the engagement. An example would be a Soldier who missed an enemy armored fighting vehicle with M136 AT4-series fires passing range and lead information to the next Soldier preparing to engage the enemy armored fighting vehicle with an M136 AT4-series.

A-70. Time of suppression. The period, specified by the platoon leader, during which an enemy position or force is required to be suppressed. Suppression time is typically dependent on the time it will take a supported element to maneuver. Usually, a unit suppresses an enemy position using the sustained rate of fire of its automatic weapons. In planning for sustained suppression, a leader must consider several factors: the estimated time of suppression, the size of the area being suppressed, the type of enemy force to be suppressed, range to the target, rates of fire, and available ammunition quantities.

A-71. Reconnaissance by fire. The process of engaging possible enemy locations to elicit a tactical response, such as return fire or movement. This response permits platoon leaders and their subordinate leaders to make target acquisition and to mass fires against the enemy element. Typically, platoon leaders direct a subordinate element to conduct the reconnaissance by fire (see paragraph 2-52). For example, they may direct an overwatching squad to conduct the reconnaissance by fire against a probable enemy position before initiating movement by a bounding element.

Fire Patterns

A-72. Fire patterns are a threat-based measure designed to distribute the fires of a unit simultaneously among multiple, similar targets. Platoons use those most often to distribute fires across an enemy formation. Leaders designate and adjust fire patterns based on terrain and anticipated enemy formation. The basic fire patterns, illustrated in figure A-9, include:

• Frontal fires.
• Cross fires.
• Depth fires.

A-73. Frontal fires. Leaders may initiate frontal fires when targets are arrayed in front of the unit in a lateral configuration. Weapon systems engage targets to their respective fronts. For example, the left flank weapon engages the left-most target; the right flank weapon engages the right-most target. As weapon systems destroy targets, weapons shift fires toward the center of the enemy formation from near to far.

A-74. Cross fires. Leaders initiate cross fires when targets are arrayed laterally across the unit’s front in a manner permitting diagonal fires at the enemy’s flank, or when obstructions prevent unit weapons from firing frontally. Right flank weapons engage the left-most targets; left flank weapons engage the right-most targets. Firing diagonally across an engagement area provides more flank shots, thus increasing the chance of kills; it also reduces the possibility of the enemy detecting friendly elements should the enemy continue to move forward. As friendly elements destroy targets, weapons shift fires toward the center of the enemy formation.

A-75. Depth fires. Leaders initiate depth fires when enemy targets disperse in-depth, perpendicular to the unit. Center weapons engage the closest targets; flank weapons engage deeper targets. As the unit destroys targets, weapons shift fires toward the center of the enemy formation.

Figure A-9. Fire pattern, examples

Target Array

A-76. Target array enables leaders to distribute fires when an enemy force is concentrated, and terrain-based controls are inadequate. Forces create this threat-based distribution measure by superimposing a quadrant pattern on the enemy formation. Soldiers center the pattern on the enemy formation, with the axes running parallel and perpendicular to the enemy’s direction of travel. The target array fire control measure is effective against an enemy with a well-structured organization and standardized doctrine. However, it may prove less effective against an enemy presenting few organized formations or those that do not follow strict prescribed tactics. Leaders describe quadrants using the quadrants’ relative locations. The examples in figure A-10on page A-24 illustrate the target array technique. Target arrays may be planned in both the offense or defense, or simply designated upon contact with an enemy force.

Figure A-10. Target array, examples

Fire Commands

A-77. Fire commands are oral orders issued by leaders to focus and distribute fires as required achieving decisive effects against the enemy. They allow leaders to articulate their firing instructions using a standard format rapidly and concisely. Fire commands (for Soldiers, leaders, crews, teams, and small units) include these elements, which are discussed in the following paragraphs:

• Alert.
• Weapon or ammunition (optional).
• Target description.
• Direction.
• Range (optional).
• Method.
• Control (optional).
• Execution.
• Termination.

Alert

A-78. The alert specifies the elements directed to fire. It does not require leaders initiating the command to identify the unit. Examples of the alert element (call signs and code words based on unit SOP) include the following:

• “GUIDONS” (all subordinate elements).
• “RED” (1st platoon only).

Weapon or Ammunition (Optional)

A-79. This element identifies the weapon and ammunition to be employed by the alerted elements. Leaders may designate the type and number of rounds to limit expenditure of ammunition. Examples of this element include the following:

• “JAVELIN.”
• “TOP ATTACK” or “DIRECT ATTACK.”

Target Description

A-80. Target description designates which enemy elements are to be engaged. Leaders may use the description to focus fires or achieve distribution. Examples of target description include the following:

• “TROOPS IN TRENCH.”
• “BUNKER.”
• “ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER.”

Direction

A-81. This element identifies the location of the target. There are several ways to designate the location of target, including the following:

• Closest TRP. Example: “TRP 13.”
• Clock direction. Example: “ONE O’CLOCK.”
• Terrain quadrant. Example: “QUADRANT ONE.”
• Friendly quadrant. Example: “LEFT FRONT.”
• Target array. Example: “NEAR/FAR.”
• Tracer on target. Example: “ON MY TRACER.”
• Laser pointer. Example: “ON MY POINTER.”

Range (Optional)

A-82. The range element identifies the distance to the target. Announcing range is not necessary for systems ranging finder-equipped or employing command-guided or self-guided munitions. For systems requiring manual range settings, leaders have a variety of means for determining range, including the following—

• Predetermined ranges to TRPs or phase lines.
• Handheld range finders.
• Range stadia.
• Mil reticle.

Method

A-83. Method describes to the firer the way or method the target(s) are engaged. Leaders use this element when presented with multiple targets to identify which target to engage first. For collective fire commands, this can also indicate the fire pattern used to engage the threats. Multiple methods may be used in one fire command.

Control (Optional)

A-84. The platoon leader may use this optional element to direct desired target effects, distribution methods, or engagement techniques. Subordinate leaders may include the control element to supplement the platoon leader’s instructions and achieve distribution. Examples of information specified in the control element include the following:

• Target array. Example: “NEAR/FAR.”
• Fire pattern. Example: “FRONTAL.”
• Terrain quadrant. Example: “QUADRANT ONE.”
• Engagement priorities. Example: “M320/SHOULDER-LAUNCHED MUNITIONS ENGAGE BUNKERS; MACHINE GUNS ENGAGE TROOPS.”
• Engagement technique. Example: “VOLLEY.”
• Target effect. Example: “AREA.”

Execution

A-85. The execution element specifies when fires will be initiated. The platoon leader may wish to engage immediately, delay initiation, or delegate authority to engage. Examples of this element include the following:

• “FIRE.”
• “AT MY COMMAND.”
• “AT YOUR COMMAND.”
• “AT PHASE LINE ORANGE.”

Termination

A-86. Termination is the ninth element of the fire command. It informs the Soldiers to stop firing all weapons and systems in their control. All fire commands are terminated. This command may be given by any Soldier or crewmember for any reason.

A-87. The leader that issued the fire command is required to terminate the fire command at the completion of every engagement, regardless of another Soldier or crewmember announcing it. All fire commands, regardless of type or who issued them, are terminated by the announcement of CEASE FIRE.

Next Page : Section 2 – Standard Range Card And Sector Sketches