6-96. Troop movement is the movement of Soldiers and units from one place to another by any available means (FM 3-90). This is inherent in all military operations. Successful movement places Soldiers and equipment at their destination at the proper time, ready for combat. Infantry small units perform troop movements using different methods such as dismounted and mounted movement. The method employed depends on the situation, the size and composition of the moving unit, the distance the unit must cover, the urgency of execution, and the condition of the troops. This section addresses the types of troop movement and the methods of troop movement.
Types Of Troop Movement
6-97. The ability of small Infantry leaders to posture their units in the right starting location to conduct operations depends on their ability to move their forces. The essence of battlefield agility is the capability to conduct rapid and orderly troop movement to concentrate combat power at decisive points and times. Units can expect the enemy to attempt to deny freedom of movement throughout their assigned area. The two types of troop movement are nontactical and tactical movement.
Nontactical Movement
6-98. Nontactical movement is a movement in which troops and vehicles are arranged to expedite their movement and conserve time and energy when no enemy ground interference is anticipated (FM 3-90). Units only conduct nontactical movements in secure areas. Examples of nontactical movements include rail and highway movement in the continental United States. Once units deploy into a theater of operation, they do not normally conduct nontactical movements.
Tactical Movement
6-99. A tactical movement is a movement in which troops and vehicles are arranged to protect combat forces during movement when a threat of enemy interference is possible (FM 3-90). Units maintain security against enemy attacks from both the air and ground and prepare to take immediate action against enemy ambushes, although they do not expect contact with significant enemy ground forces. During movement, the moving force employs security measures, even when contact with enemy ground forces is not expected. During a tactical movement, units are always prepared to take immediate action. There are three methods of a tactical movement that units of all types can conduct: approach march, forced march, and tactical road march.
Approach March
6-100. An approach march is the advance of a combat unit when direct contact with the enemy is intended (FM 3-90). Units employ an approach march when they know the approximate location of enemy forces. The approach march terminates in a march objective—such as an attack position, TAA, assault position—or it can be used to transition to an attack, for example, when the unit is no longer conducting a movement to contact. During approach marches, units use movement formations and movement techniques (see chapter 3) to balance security and speed throughout the operation. (See ATP 3-21.10 for additional information concerning approach marches.)
Forced March
6-101. A forced march is a march longer or faster than usual or in adverse conditions (FM 3-90). Forced marches require speed, exertion, and an increase in the number of hours marched each day beyond normal standards. Soldiers cannot sustain forced marches for more than a short period. In a forced march, the platoon may not halt as often or for as long as recommended for maintenance, rest, and feeding, or when vehicles are attached, fuel. Leaders must understand that immediately following a long and fast march, Soldiers experience a temporary deterioration in their physical condition. The combat effectiveness and cohesion of the unit also temporarily decreases, and the plan must accommodate stragglers. (See ATP 3-21.18 for additional information concerning forced marches.)
Tactical Road March
6-102. A tactical road march is a rapid movement used to relocate units within an assigned area to prepare for combat operations (FM 3-90). The primary consideration of the tactical road march is rapid movement. Typically, Infantry small units executes a tactical road march using the dismounted method of troop movement (see paragraph 6-104). Based on the mission variables of METT-TC (I) a unit can execute a mounted method of troop movement (see paragraph 6-105). In both methods, the moving force employs security measures, even when contact with enemy ground forces is not expected. During a tactical road march, the leader is always prepared to take immediate action if the enemy attacks. (See ATP 3-21.10 for additional information concerning tactical road marches.)
Note. The organization for a tactical road march and forced march is the march column. A march column is all march serials using the same route for a single movement under control of a single commander (FM 3-90). The subordinate element for a march column is a march serial. A march serial is a subdivision of a march column organized under one commander (FM 3-90). An example is a battalion serial formed from a brigade-sized march column. The subordinate element for the march serial is a march unit. A march unit is a subdivision of a march serial (FM 3-90). It moves and halts under the control of a single commander who uses voice and visual signals. An example of a march unit is a company from a battalion-sized march serial. Units organize a march column into four elements: reconnaissance, quartering party, main body, and trail party. Organized march columns employ three ground movement techniques: open column, close column, and infiltration march. All techniques use scheduled halts to control and sustain the road march. (See ATP 3-21.20 and ATP 3-21.10 for additional information.)
Methods Of Troop Movement
6-103. There are five methods of troop movements that units can execute. Generally, units can execute these methods in combination. For example, a unit can initially execute a mounted movement and then transition to a dismounted movement. Additionally, each method can be applied to nontactical or tactical movement. These methods are—dismounted movement, mounted movement, air movement, rail movement (see ATP 4-14 for additional information concerning rail movement), and water movement (see TC 3-21.76 for additional information concerning waterborne operations).
Dismounted Movement
6-104. A dismounted movement is a movement of troops and equipment mainly by foot, with limited support by vehicles (FM 3-90). Dismounted movement is also called foot marches. Foot marches are characterized by combat readiness (because all Soldiers can immediately respond to enemy attack without the need to dismount), ease of control, adaptability to terrain, slow rate of movement, and increased Soldier fatigue. Foot marches do not depend on the existence of roads. (See ATP 3-21.18 for additional information concerning dismounted movement.)
Mounted Movement
6-105. A mounted movement is the movement of troops and equipment by combat and tactical vehicles (FM 3-90). The speed of the march and the increased supplies that can accompany the unit characterize this movement method. Infantry maneuver units cannot move themselves with organic truck assets and require assistance from transportation elements to conduct mounted movement. (See ATP 3-21.10 for additional information concerning mounted movement.)
Air Movement
6-106. Air movement is air transport of units, personnel, supplies, and equipment including airdrops and air landings (JP 3-36). Planning for air movements is like other missions. In addition to the normal planning process, however, air movement planning must cover specific requirements for air infiltration and exfiltration. They include—
- Coordinate with the supporting aviation units.
- Plan and rehearse with the supporting aviation unit before the mission, if possible. If armed escort accompanies the operation, the platoon leader and company commander, as well as the assault or general support aviation unit, should ensure aircrews are included in the planning and rehearsals.
- Gather as much information as possible, such as the enemy situation, in preparation of the mission.
- Plan and coordinate (commonly accomplished at battalion and above echelons) joint suppression of enemy air defense.
- Plan and coordinate (commonly accomplished at battalion and above echelons) different ingress and egress routes, covering the following:
- Planned insertion and extraction points.
- Emergency extraction rally points.
- Lost communications extraction points.
6-107. Planned extraction points and emergency extraction rally points require communications to verify the preplanned pickup time or coordinate an emergency pickup time window. Planning must include details for extraction when communications between higher headquarters and unit are lost. The lost communications extraction point involves infiltration teams moving to the emergency extraction point after two consecutive missed communications windows and waiting up to 24 hours for pickup. (See FM 3-99 for additional information concerning air movement.)
Water Movement
6-108. Use of inland and coastal waterways may add flexibility, surprise, and speed to tactical movements. Use of these waterways also increases the load-carrying capability of dismounted Infantry rifle units. See TC 3-21.76 chapter 12 for additional information on tactical movement by watercraft (specifically, the combat rubber raiding craft).
Note. During tactical movement by watercraft and crossing water obstacles, leaders identify weak or non-swimmers and pair them with good swimmers in their squads.
6-109. When platoons or squads must move by, into, though, or out of rivers, lakes, streams, or other bodies of water, they treat the water obstacle as a danger area. While on the water, the platoon is exposed and vulnerable. (See TC 3-21.76 for information on waterborne operations.) Common techniques during the employment of waterborne operations include:
- To offset the detection challenges, the platoon—
- Moves during limited visibility.
- Disperses.
- Moves near the shore to reduce the chances of detection.
- When moving in more than one boat, the platoon—
- Maintains tactical integrity and self-sufficiency.
- Cross-loads essential Soldiers and equipment.
- Ensures the radio is with the leader.
- If boats are not available, several other techniques can be used such as—
- Swimming.
- Poncho rafts.
- Air mattresses.
- Waterproof bags.
- A 7/16-inch rope used as a semisubmersible, one-rope bridge, or safety line.
- Water wings (made from a set of trousers).
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