An Army of One

071-430-0006 (SL4)
Conduct a Defense by a Platoon

Trainer
SSG Paxton

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 An Army of One

Conditions: Given a specified

area to defend, a platoon with
table of organization and
equipment (TOE), and a
requirement to defend that
area.

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 An Army of One

Standards: The threat was

engaged in accordance with
the defensive plan, fires were
controlled, terrain was
retained, and the threat was
destroyed or repelled.

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 An Army of One

Troop Leading Procedures/Performance Steps

3. Analyze the mission

4. Issue a warning order to the squad leaders
5. Make a tentative plan
6. Conduct a recon
7. Start necessary movement or preparations
8. Complete the plan
9. Occupy the position
10.Emplace early warning devices
11.Emplace hasty minefields and other obstacles
12.Establish communication system
13.Stockpile ammunition, water, food, and other supplies
14.Engage the enemy at maximum range

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 An Army of One

Analyze the Mission

a. You are given a mission to defend by the company

commander. It is either an operations order (OPORD) or a warning
order.

b. Identify both specified tasks and implied tasks.

c. Make an estimate of the situation using the factors of

mission, enemy, terrain, troops, and time available (METT-TC).

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Issue a Warning Order to the Squad Leaders

The warning order should include the mission,

time, place for issuing the OPORD, and any
special instructions needed to start preparation
for the mission.

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Make a Tentative Plan

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Conduct a Reconnaissance

a. As a minimum, make a map reconnaissance.

b. If at all possible, conduct a ground reconnaissance.

c. Evaluate the terrain based on how the available

observation, fields of fire, cover and concealment, obstacles,
key terrain, and avenues of approach best support your
mission and the commander’s intent.

d. Request that the squad leaders, radiotelephone

operator, and forward observers accompany the platoon
leader on the reconnaissance. You may need to take along
some additional security depending on the tactical situation.

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Start Necessary Movement or Preparation

The Platoon Sergeant should;

a. Initiate orders to prepare for any necessary movement

and prepare for the defense as soon as the warning order is
issued.
b. Request and draw ammunition rations, water, and any
special equipment required.

c. Accomplish any needed maintenance.

d. Perform any movement required.

e. Accomplish this during the time you and your

reconnaissance party are conducting the reconnaissance.

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Complete the Plan

Slide 1 of 2

a. The plan is completed or revised based on

continuing analysis and completion of the
reconnaissance.
b. As a MINIMUM, the plan should provide for;

(1) The deployment of squads

(2) The deployment of key weapons

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Complete the Plan

Slide 2 0f 2

(3) The use of indirect fire

(4) The use of mines and obstacles

(5) The establishment of security measures

(6) The selection and operation of command and

observation posts

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Occupy the Position

Slide 1 of 2

a. Establish local security. Locate observation posts to make

maximum use of long-range observations.

b. Position key weapons. Ensure machine guns cover infantry

avenues of approach, have primary and secondary sectors of fire,
and provide as much grazing fire as possible, and are assigned
either a final protective line (FPL) or a principal direction of fire.
Ensure Javelins or Dragons cover armor avenues of approach, have
primary and secondary sectors of fire, are positioned to engage
targets from the flank, and are mutually supporting.

c. Clear fields of fire. Ensure each fighting position clears its

field of fire to engage the advancing enemy without exposing
friendly positions. Range cards are prepared for each machine gun
and Dragon.

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 An Army of One

Occupy the Position

Slide 2 of 2

d. Ensure positions have overlapping sectors of fire.

e. Improve fighting positions, as time is available. Improving

overhead cover, aiming and limiting stakes, and camouflage are on-
going activities.

f. Select and improve alternate and supplementary positions.

Improve them, as time is available.

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 An Army of One

Emplace early Warning Devices

Platoon early warning system is used, if available.

Trip flares are set out. Improvised early warning
devices can be used, such as noisemakers, trip
wire grenades, or other explosives.

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 An Army of One

Emplace Hasty Minefields and other

Obstacles

Note:
These should be covered by observation and fire.

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Establish Communication Systems

Depend on radio as little as possible. Wire

networks should be established down to each
squad and up to the company command post (CP).

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Stockpile Ammunition, Water, Food, and

other Supplies

Ensure that any material is protected from direct

fire and is provided overhead protection.

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Engage the Enemy at Maximum Range

When the enemy appears in the platoon sector, he is

engaged with supporting direct and indirect fires. As he
comes within the range of your organic weapons, you direct
your gunners to start engaging the enemy.

a. When the enemy encounters your minefields and

obstacles, use all friendly fires to break up the enemy
formations.

b. If the enemy is able to start an assault, repel or

destroy him by calling for final protective fires (FPF) of small
arms and machine guns, and FPF from mortars and artillery.

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Platoon Sketch Acronyms

•AR Automatic Rifle
•SL Squad Leader
•OP Observation Post
•MG Machine Gun
•EA Engagement Area
•PP Patrol Point
•PL Platoon Leader
•TRP Target Reference Point
Map Symbols Used
Individual Sectors Of Fire
Unit Location

AB0004
Target
Reference Point
x-x-x-x-x-x Wire

OP Point

Road
Mine Field
////////////// Dead-space

… … … Stream
Alternate Position

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Example of a platoon sector sketch.

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STANDARD RANGE CARD

For use of this form see FM 7-7J . The proponent agency is TRADOC.

SQD

PLT May be used for all types of direct fire w eapons.

MA GNETIC
CO NORTH

DA 5517-R

DATA SECTION
POSITION IDENTIFICA TION DA TE

WEA PON EA CH CIRCLE EQUA LS

METERS
DIRECTION/
NO. DEFLECTION ELEV ATION RA NGE A MMO DESCRIPTION

REM ARKS:

DA FORM 5517-R, FEB 1986 USAPA V1.00

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Summary

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 An Army of One

Practical
Exercise
You are an MLRS Platoon Occupying a Valley
You have
1 POC,
3 Launchers,
2 OP’s,
2 Avenues of Approach, 1 NW and 1 SE of your location,
1 MK 19,
50 caliber MG,
mines for a minefield,
wire,
stream going E to W, and it is in the valley with 1 hilltop on your W, NW
side and a mountainous region covering your eastern flank
Your Op area is 750 meters by 1100 meters

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An Army of One

-X-X
X-X-X

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An Army of One

Questions?

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