3-99. Maneuver begins once a unit has made contact with the enemy. Direct fire is inherent in maneuver, as is close combat. At the platoon level, maneuver forms the heart of every tactical operation and task. Platoon leaders maneuver their squads to close with, gain positional advantage over, and ultimately destroy the enemy.
Base-Of-Fire Element
3-100. Combining fire and movement requires a base of fire. Some platoon elements (usually a squad, for example, the weapons squad) remain stationary to provide protection for bounding elements by suppressing or destroying enemy elements. For example, the rifle squads of the platoon can maneuver while protected by the weapons squad in a base-of-fire position and then establish another base of fire with the weapons or a rifle squad.
3-101. Because maneuver is decentralized in nature, platoon leaders determine from their terrain analysis where and when they want to establish a base of fire. During actions on contact, they adjust maneuver plans as needed. Making maneuver decisions normally falls to the leader on the ground, who knows what enemy elements can engage the maneuvering element and what friendly forces can provide the base of fire.
3-102. The base-of-fire element occupies positions that afford the best possible cover and concealment, a clear view, and clear fields of fire. Platoon leaders normally designate a general location for the base of fire, and the element leader selects the exact location. Once in position, the base-of-fire element suppresses known, likely, or suspected enemy elements while aggressively scanning its assigned sector. It identifies previously unknown elements and then suppresses them with direct and indirect (when available) fires. The base-of-fire element allows the bounding unit to keep maneuvering so it can retain the initiative even when the enemy can see and fire on it. While maneuvering to or in position, the base-of-fire element leader is constantly looking for other locations that may provide better support for the maneuvering element. If a more suitable position is identified, the base of fire element leader will direct buddy team maneuver, while the rest of the element continues supporting the maneuvering element until the base of fire element has reached its new position.
Bounding Element
3-103. Maneuver is inherently dangerous. Enemy weapons, unknown terrain, and other operational factors all increase the danger. When maneuvering, the platoon leader considers the following:
- The bounding element must take full advantage of whatever cover and concealment the terrain offers.
- Squad members must always maintain all-around security and continuously scan their assigned sector of fire.
- The mission variables of METT-TC (I) dictate the length of the bounds. However, the bounding element should never move beyond the range at which the base-of-fire element can effectively suppress known, likely, or suspected enemy positions. General practice is to limit movement to no more than two-thirds the effective range of the supporting weapon system.
- In severely restricted terrain, the bounding element makes shorter bounds than it would in more open areas.
- The bounding element must focus on its ultimate goal—gaining a positional advantage. Once achieved, the element uses this advantage to destroy the enemy with direct fires and dismounted Infantry assault.
Note. Skillful integration of supporting direct fires improves the survivability and lethality of the Infantry rifle platoon. For example, the supporting heavy weapon systems of the Infantry weapons company of the Infantry battalion (see ATP 3-21.20 appendix D) may focus on destroying armored enemy vehicles and dismounted Soldiers at long ranges or become the base of fire while an Infantry maneuver element bounds.
Platoon As The Reserve
3-104. The designation of a reserve allows the commander to retain flexibility during an attack or the defense. The commander should be prepared to commit the reserve to exploit success and to continue the attack or to reinforce the defense. The reserve may repulse counterattacks during consolidate and reorganization. The reserve is normally under a commander’s control and positioned where it can best exploit the success of the attack or defense. The reserve should not be so close that it loses flexibility during the assault or defense.
3-105. During the attack or defense, the Infantry rifle platoon may be designated the company or battalion reserve. A reserve is an uncommitted unit, though it may have a be-prepared mission. The company or battalion commander commits the reserve to reinforce the main effort and to maintain the momentum. To exploit the success of the other attacking units, the reserve should attack the enemy from a new or unexpected direction. Because of the many missions the platoon may be assigned, the platoon leader has to maintain situational awareness, know the missions and tactical plans of the other units, and be familiar with the terrain and enemy situation in the whole AO. It must react quickly and decisively when committed.
3-106. The reserve platoon may be assigned one or more of the following be-prepared missions:
- Protect the flank and rear of the unit.
- Conduct a counterattack or establish a blocking position.
- Maintain contact with adjacent units.
- Clear—a tactical mission task in which a unit eliminates all enemy forces within an assigned area (FM 3-90)—a position that has been overrun or bypassed by another unit.
- Reduce—a tactical mission task in which a unit destroys an encircled or bypassed enemy force (FM 3-90)—a position that has been encircled or bypassed enemy.
- Establish a support by fire position.
- Assume the mission of an attacking or defending unit.
- Attack from a new or unexpected direction.
- Protect or assist in the consolidate and reorganization on the objective.
Next Page : Chapter 4 – Offense