3-59. The actual number of useful combinations of squad and fire team movement formations within the platoon movement formations is numerous, creating a significant training requirement for the unit. Add to the requirement to modify formations with movement techniques, immediate action drills, and other techniques, and it is readily apparent that what the platoon leader needs a few simple methods. These methods should be detailed in the unit tactical standard operating procedure (SOP).
Platoon Leader Responsibilities
3-60. Like squad leaders, platoon leaders exercise command and control primarily through their subordinates and move in the formation where they can best achieve this. The squad leader and team leader execute the movement formations and movement techniques within their capabilities based on the platoon leader’s guidance.
3-61. Platoon leaders are responsible for 360-degree security, for ensuring each subordinate unit’s sectors of fire are mutually supporting, and for being able to transition the platoon rapidly upon contact. They adjust their platoon’s formation as necessary while moving, primarily through the three movement techniques. Like the squad and team, this determination is a result of the task, the nature of the threat, the closeness of terrain, and visibility.
3-62. Platoon leaders are responsible for ensuring their squads can perform their required actions. They do this through training before combat and rehearsals during combat. Well-trained squads can employ movement formations, movement techniques, actions on contact (see chapter 2), and stationary formations (for example, security halts, see paragraphs 6-70 to 6-75).
Platoon Headquarters
3-63. Platoon leaders must decide how to disperse the platoon headquarters elements (themselves, their radiotelephone operator [known as RTO], forward observer [FO], platoon sergeant, and combat medic). These elements do not have fixed positions in the formations. Rather, they should be positioned where they can best accomplish their tasks. Platoon leaders position their element where best to conduct actions on contact, supervise navigation, and communicate with higher. The FO team should be where they can best see the battlefield and where they can communicate with the platoon leader and company fire support officer. This is normally near the platoon leader. The platoon sergeant’s element should be wherever the platoon leader is not. Typically, this means the platoon leader is toward the front of the formation, while the platoon sergeant is toward the rear of the formation. Because of the platoon sergeant’s experience, the platoon sergeant should be given the freedom to assess the situation and advise the platoon leader accordingly.
Base Squad
3-64. Platoon leaders designate one of the squads as the base squad. They control the platoon’s speed and direction of movement through the base squad, while the other squads and attachments cue their movement off the base squad.
Moving as Part of a Larger Unit’s Movement
3-65. Infantry platoons and squads often move as part of a larger unit’s movement. The next higher commander assigns the platoon a position within the formation. Platoon leaders assign their subordinates an appropriate formation based on the situation and use the appropriate movement technique. Regardless of the platoon’s position within the formation, it must be ready to make contact or to support the other elements by movement, by fire, or by both.
3-66. When moving in a company formation, the company commander normally designates a base platoon to facilitate control. The other platoons cue their speed and direction on the base platoon. This permits quick changes and lets the commander control the movement of the entire company by controlling only the base platoon. The company commander normally locates within the formation where best to see and direct the movement of the base platoon. The base platoon’s center squad is usually its base squad. When the platoon is not acting as the base platoon, its base squad is its flank squad nearest the base platoon.
Platoon Movement Formation Comparisons and Examples
3-67. Platoon formations include the column, the line (squads online or in column), the vee, the wedge, and the file. Leaders should weigh these carefully to select the best formation based on the unit’s mission and on their METT-TC (I) analysis. Comparisons of the different formations are in table 3-4. Figures 3-7 to 3-12 on pages 3-21 through3-26 are examples and do not dictate the location of the platoon leader or platoon sergeant.
Table 3-4. Comparison of platoon movement formations
Table 3-4. Comparison of platoon movement formations (continued)
Platoon Column
3-68. In the platoon column formation, the lead squad is the base squad. (See figure 3-7.)
Figure 3-7. Platoon column, example
Note. METT-TC (I) considerations determine where the weapons squad or medium machine gun teams locate in the platoon formation.
Platoon Line, Squads Online
3-69. In the platoon line, squad’s online formation, or when two or more platoons are attacking, the company commander chooses one of them as the base platoon. The base platoon’s center squad is its base squad. When the platoon is not acting as the base platoon, its base squad is its flank squad nearest the base platoon. The weapons squad may move with the platoon, or it can provide the support by fire position. This is the basic platoon assault formation. (See figure 3-8.)
3-70. The platoon line with squads online is the most difficult formation from which to make the transition to other formations. It may be used in the assault to maximize the firepower and shock effect of the platoon. This is normally done when there is no intervening terrain between the unit and the enemy when antitank (AT) systems ares uppressed, or when the unit is exposed to artillery fire and must move rapidly.
Figure 3-8. Platoon line with squads online, example
Platoon Line, Squads in Column
3-71. When two or more platoons are moving, the company commander chooses one of them as the base platoon. The base platoon’s center squad is its base squad. When the platoon is not the base platoon, its base squad is its flank squad nearest the base platoon.(See figure 3-9.) The platoon line with squads in column formation is difficult to transition to other formations.
Figure 3-9. Platoon line with squads in column, example
Platoon Vee
3-72. This formation has two squads upfront to provide a heavy volume of fire on contact. (See figure 3-10 on page 3-24.) It also has one squad in the rear either overwatching or trailing the other squads. The platoon leader designates one of the front squads as the platoon’s base squad.
Figure 3-10. Platoon vee, example
Platoon Wedge
3-73. This formation has two squads in the rear overwatching or trailing the lead squad.(See figure 3-11.) The lead squad is the base squad. The wedge formation—
- Can be used with the traveling and traveling overwatch techniques.
- Allows rapid transition to bounding overwatch.
Figure 3-11. Platoon wedge, example
Platoon File
3-74. This formation may be set up in several methods. (See figure 3-12 on page 3-26.) One method is to have three-squad files follow one another using one of the movement techniques. Another method is to have a single platoon file with a front security element (point) and flank security elements. The distance between Soldiers is less than normal to allow communication by passing messages up and down the file. The platoon file has the same characteristics as the fire team and squad files. It normally is used for traveling only.
Figure 3-12. Platoon file, example
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