The Six Section Battle drills

1. Prep for battle

This drill is carried out before heading out on an Op. The purpose is to ensure that when the
section gets underway there isn't a sudden problem halfway to the FUP where the new guy shouts
Fuck, forgot my rifle. The drill uses the mnemonic:

P Protection, e.g. sentries and other force protection methods

A Ammunition, Ensuring you have some and it's of the right calibre for your weapon
W Weapon. Cleaned, serviceable and prepped for firing. For ArmA purposes; Make sure
you have a weapon
P Personal Cam.
E Equipment. Your own. The right kit for the job, and that you have enough to operate
with
R Radios, make sure you have the correct frequencies/comms plan. Conduct a radio check
S Specialist Equipment Counter IED kit, ECM, bolt cutters, sledge hammers, IR kit,
ladders etc.
O Orders, issued and cascaded down.

2. Reaction to Effective Enemy Fire

Return fire, Take cover, Return appropriate fire (RTR). This means that when you come under
contact you fire a few shots, usually a double tap (3-5 round burst if carrying the MG) in the
direction of the enemy. The section then takes cover, using whatever is available, and looks in the
direction the fire came from and returns accurate fire (an aimed shot from a recognised firing
position).
3. Locate the enemy
Find the enemy, scan the ground for movement, muzzle flashes, puffs of smoke/dust, movement
etc. Once found the section IC will issue a fire control order.
Target indication/fire control orders use the following mnemonic

G Group, e.g. Section

R Range, e.g. 200
I Indication, e.g. Reference tree line. Right hand edge of tree line. Enemy.
T Type of Fire, e.g. Rapid FIRE

This is issued as if speaking to foreigners: Clear, Loud, As an order, with Pauses (CLAP).

The Attack- Split into two parts

4. The Approach
Using dead ground, fire support bases of fire and so on, the section advances to the target to
prepare for the assault.
5. The Assault
Fairly self explanatory. Using pairs fire and manoeuvre the section advances to target. Upon
reaching the objective, the section beaks down into individual fire and manoeuvre and will fight
through the objective. Once cleared the section will move past the objective into appropriate
cover, to avoid the possibility of enemy OS hitting the objective, and re-org...
6. The Re-Org
Once the objective has been cleared the section will re-org past the objective. Using the
mnemonic

P Protection, getting into all round defence in ideal cover.

A Ammo. Section 2ic will get an ammo state from all members of the section and pass
this to the section commander
C Casualties. Section 2ic will, at the same time as getting ammo state, account for all
members of the section and check for injuries.
E Equipment. All members of the section will account for their equipment (if any daysacks
etc. were left in a muster area these will be bought forward.
S Searches. Section 2ic will organise members of the section to go and search the
objective for any intelligence or items of military value
D Dig in/Deploy either go firm or make your way to another objective as per the O-Group.
O Orders. Self explanatory.

PACESDO only needs one S (there used to be two, the second S meaning Sit-reps) because your
section IC won't need reminding to issue a sit-rep; the platoon scaley/commander will be in his ear
constantly badgering him for it. The 2ic is responsible for searchers, any PW captured, CASAM and
overseeing digging of shell scrapes if necessary, and making the section IC aware of the above.
Remember that it's usually a re-org at platoon level.