"Warfighting Tactics" by the United States Marine Corps

• Tactics focuses on the application of combat power to defeat an enemy force in combat at a particular time and place.
• The Marine rifle squad is the foundation of the Marine Corps.
• Tactics is the art and science of winning engagements and battles.
• Theory is the why and tactics is the how.
• A maneuver warfare mindset requires decisions to be made quickly and at the lowest level possible.
• Commander’s intent is what the commander wants accomplished, when the mission is concluded, and why.
• The commander’s intent sets the framework within which the subordinates need to work.
• Subordinates are allowed to make the necessary tactical decision to support the commander’s intent.
• The purpose of the operation order is to convey a plan to accomplish that mission.
• All successful orders contain certain key characteristics:
• Clarity - Clearly conveys the intent to all subordinates.
• Completeness - Contains all information necessary to accomplish the mission.
• Brevity - Short and to the point without sacrificing completeness.
• Trust - Mission-type orders that do not infringe on subordinate initiative.
• Affirmative format - Always uses positive statements to avoid confusion.
• The three standard formats of operations orders are:
• five-paragraph order
• warning order
• fragmentary order
• All operations orders follow the same basic format, the format of the five-paragraph order. The warning and fragmentary orders are scaled down versions of the five-paragraph order.
• The five-paragraph order is the backbone of the Marine Corps process for giving operations orders. It is very thorough and contains all the information a subordinate will need to execute a mission. It is generally referred to by the acronym SMEAC, which stands for:
• situation
• mission
• execution
• administration and logistics
• command and signal
• A warning order, issued upon receipt of a mission, is essentially a “heads up” to your subordinates that gives them advance notice of the contemplated action. They at least contain a mission statement and the time of execution.
• The purpose of the warning order is to allow your subordinates time to plan for the mission.
• The fragmentary order is used to provide changes to existing orders or to prepare for a follow-on mission. A “FragO” contains a mission statement, an execution plan, and any other part of the order that has changed.
• The five-paragraph order, designed to be delivered orally, is usually delivered using a terrain model or operational graphics. It is primarily used at the company level and below.
• Paragraph 1: Situation
• This section contains the overall status and disposition of both friendly and enemy forces.
• The focus of this information is on facts that could pertain to mission accomplishment.
• Enemy composition: SALUTE
• Size - the size of the enemy force.
• Activity - the last known activity of the force.
• Location - the last known location.
• Unit - the type of unit or designation, if known.
• Time - the last time the enemy was observed.
• Equipment - the weapons and vehicles the enemy has.
• Enemy's most probable course of action: DRAW-D
• Defend
• Reinforce
• Attack
• Withdraw
• Delay
• Friendly forces: HASS
• Higher
• Adjacent
• Supporting
• Security
• Paragraph 2: Mission
• The mission statement is the heart of the order and must stand alone without reference to any document other than a map.
• The mission statement expresses the unit’s primary task and purpose by addressing the “five Ws”:
• Who (Unit)
• What (Task)
• When (Time)
• Where (Location)
• Why (...in order to...)
• The purpose is always preceded by the words “in order to.”
• Standard offensive tasks:
• Destroy the enemy
• Clear terrain
• Seize terrain
• Secure terrain
• Standard defensive tasks:
• Retain terrain
• Disrupt the enemy
• Delay the enemy
• Block the enemy
• Attrit the enemy
• Paragraph 3: Execution
• The execution paragraph contains the “how to” information of the order.
• The commander’s intent describes the commander’s desired end state of the operation.
• In the scheme of maneuver section, using either a terrain model or a map graphic, the commander explain the plan. The scheme of maneuver must be brief and in a logical order, beginning with the current location, continuing through each phases of the operation, and concluding at consolidation.
• Paragraph 4: Administration and Logistics
• This paragraph contains all the information required for the subordinate units to coordinate their initial supply, resupply, recovery or equipment, and evacuation of the wounded and prisoners of war (POWs).
• The administration and logistics paragraph covers the “Five Bs”:
• Beans - chow
• Bullets - ammunition
• Batteries - communication resupply
• Band-aids - medical evacuation
• Bad Guys - enemy POWs
• The length of time the mission will take directly impacts the logistical planning.
• If the unit will be able to resupply during the operation, they will need to carry fewer supplies up front.
• Ordinance that is required to accomplish the mission.
• If the unit will be able to resupply during the operation, they will need to carry fewer supplies up front.
• Paragraph 5: Command and Signal
• The command and signal paragraph contains the instructions and information relating to the functions controlling the unit.
• Signal specifies the signal instructions to be used during the operation.
• Command identifies the location of all the key leaders as required.
• The two main items that need to be taken from the commander’s order are that you:
• Must understand the mission, the tasks, the plan, and all the specifics of the commander’s order.
• Need to extract information from the commander’s order to write the order you will give to your subordinates.
• When receiving an order, the commander should tell all subordinates to hold all their questions until the end of the order.
• Take good notes and be sure to write down any questions.
• To ensure that you fully understand the commander’s order:
• Take thorough notes throughout the order.
• Pay attention to all parts of the order.
• Ask questions.
• It is absolutely imperative that, when you leave the order, you fully understand all aspects of the operation because you will be giving the order to your subordinates.
• The mission statement in the subordinate’s order is copied verbatim from the task statement the commander gave to the subordinate leader in the execution paragraph.
• Several things the commander can do to ensure the order is successfully deliver to his subordinates are to:
• Make sure the order is clear. An order that can be misunderstood will be.
• Make sure all subordinate leaders, including leaders of any attachments, are present.
• Not read the order. Refer to the order, but use the terrain model to walk through it.
• Repeat the mission statement to ensure everyone has it.
• Always conduct a back brief with your subordinates.
• An assembly area is an area in which a command is assembled preparatory to further action.
• Desirable characteristics of an assembly area are:
• cover and concealment
• adequate space for dispersion
• ease of ingress and egress
• out of range of enemy fire
• An attack position is the last cover and concealed position short of the line of departure (LOD).
• The LOD is a line designated to coordinate the beginning of an attack.
• The axis of advance indicates a general direction of movement for a unit and is labeled with a code name or a unit designation.
• A phase line is utilized for the control of forward movement and coordination of units.
• An assault position is the last covered and concealed position before the objective.
• A restrictive fire line (RFL) is used to limit the fires and effect of fires of maneuver elements. The purpose of this line is to prevent friendly fire casualties.
• The objective is the physical object of the attack.
• Several factors that will affect the types of formation you choose are:
• Mission
• Terrain, vegetation, and weather
• Enemy situation
• Speed
• Flexibility
• The mission you are assigned will be the primary factor influencing the choice of formation.
• You want to be able to control your unit, but you want to maintain tactical dispersion.
• Your unit always needs to be prepared to deploy quickly against the enemy.
• Tactical column allows for much faster movement.
• When you opt for more speed, you are sacrificing security.
• The attack phase consists of these steps:
• Moving from the LOD to the FCL
• Assaulting from the FCL through the objective
• Consolidating on the objective
• Reorganizing and preparing for follow-on missions
• Your unit must be ready to execute the mission:
• Do all personnel know the plan?
• Is the unit properly oriented to the terrain?
• Do the unit leaders know their responsibilities?
• Did you think through the possible enemy reactions?
• It is imperative when you seize an objective that you keep it.
• Quickly organize your unit and prepare for a counterattack.
• The best time to drive a force off an objective is immediately after you have seized it.
• During reorganization, the squad leader is responsible for:
• Replacing team leaders and automatic riflemen who were casualties.
• Redistributing ammunition.
• Removing casualties and EPWs.
• Updating the platoon commander of the situation and awaiting further guidance.
• The scheme of maneuver is the plan for moving your forces in the attack.
• The key task in a mission analysis is for you to understand exactly what you are supposed to do.
• To achieve the commander’s goals, you may need to change your plan.
• The acronym for estimating the situation is METT-TSL which stands for:
• Mission
• Enemy
• Terrain and Weather
• Troops and Fire Support Available
• Time, Space, and Logistics
• Until you fully understand your task, you cannot formulate a plan for completing it.
• Determine the enemy’s most likely course of action and which of his actions would be the most dangerous to your squad.
• Compare the strengths of your squad and the enemy against whom you will be operating.
• The purpose of offensive combat is “to destroy the enemy or his will to fight.”
• The Marine Corps has 16 fundamentals of offensive tactics:
• Orient on the enemy
• Gain and maintain contact
• Develop the situation
• Exploit known enemy weaknesses
• Achieve surprise
• Seize or control key terrain
• Gain and retain the initiative
• Neutralize enemy capability to react
• Advance by fire and maneuver
• Maintain the momentum of the attack
• Act quickly
• Concentrate superior power at the decisive time and place
• Exploit success
• Be flexible
• Be aggressive
• Provide for the security and integrity of the force
• Hit the enemy where he is the weakest.
• Achieve surprise through deception, stealth, and ambiguity.
• Key terrain is any type of terrain that is important for us to hold or to deny the enemy from holding, if it impairs our mission.
• Maintain the initiative and operate faster than the enemy.
• Disrupt and degrade the enemy's ability to react to the attacker.
• The combination of fire and maneuver puts the enemy in a dilemma and forces him to react to you.
• Continue to force him to react to your will.
• Acting quickly can often lead to a decisive victory.
• Concentrating superior power is the concept known as mass. You only need to have more power at a specific point. The key is to use this power in a quick, decisive manner to destroy the enemy.
• Quickly exploiting a successful operation against the enemy further forces him to react to you and can seriously degrade his ability or will to fight.
• Flexibility allows you to respond to unforeseen situations.
• Reserve force provide commanders the flexibility they need to act or react to most of these situations.
• Marine unites always need to have security.
• Every offensive mission should be related to one of these 11 fundamentals.
• The four most common [offensive] tasks are:
• attack to destroy
• attack to clear
• attack to seize
• attack to secure
• Attacking to destroy means that you are being sent to kill enemy personnel and destroy his equipment. Your objective is the enemy.
• Attacking to clear means to derive an enemy force off a specific piece of terrain. The objective of attacking to clear is to clear the area.
• Attack to seize an attacking to secure are nearly identical. Both tasks involve grabbing a piece of terrain, but an enemy may or may not be there.
• “Securing” a piece of terrain signifies for a limited time while “seizing” the ground signifies a longer commitment.
• The base unit is used to control the direction and speed of the attacking force in the absence of verbal commands. At the squad level, the base unit is a fire team.
• The three basic forms of offensive maneuver are:
• frontal attack
• envelopment
• penetration
• Penetration is a form of maneuver that requires at least a company-size element. This maneuver is where the enemy force is pinned down, a breaching force penetrates the enemy lines, and an exploitation force moves into the enemy rear area.
• A frontal attack is the most commonly used form of maneuver by small units in the Marine Corps. A frontal attack will work well against weak, unorganized, or poorly trained forces.
• The envelopment is a form of maneuver that can be used by units ranging in size from a squad to a division. An envelopment involves an attack (a supporting attack) engaging the enemy from the front while another attack (the main attack) hits the enemy from the flank or the rear.
• The envelopment is the simplest way for a maneuver unit to put the enemy in a dilemma.
• The three weapons organic to a Marine rifle squad are the M16, M203, and the M249 SAW.
• M16 is the precision, one shot, one kill weapon.
• M203 is the grenade launcher used for shock and to cover dead space.
• M249 SAW is the squad’s suppressive fire weapon.
• The M240G machine gun is the small unit’s long-range, direct-fire weapon. The M240G is not a weapon that is designed to be carried into the assault.
• Machineguns are the backbone of your supporting attack.
• You want to create a situation where the enemy is in a no-win situation. This is usually achieved by mixing indirect fire assets with direct fire weapons.
• When creating your scheme of maneuver, you must tailor it to the types of weapons you have.
• Immediate Action drills are the actions that a unit will automatically take when a specific event occurs.
• The purpose of defense is to defeat an enemy attack.
• Make the most thorough preparations for combat that time allows.
• The tactical carry is used when no immediate threat is present. In the tactical carry, the butt stock of the weapon is placed alongside the body at approximately hip level, and the barrel is angled upward approximately 45 degrees in the general direction of the enemy.
• The alert carry is faster to engage the enemy. In alert carry, the butt stock of the rifle is placed in the shoulder with the muzzle angled down approximately 45 degrees and point in the likely direction of the enemy.
• The ready carry is employed when contact with the enemy is imminent because it allows for immediate target engagement. In ready carry, the butt stock of the rifle is in the shoulder with the muzzle of the rifle pointed in the direction of the enemy as shown below.
• Rifles are short stocked to increase their maneuverability in an enclosed area and reduce possible “target indicators” for the enemy. The short stocking technique may be used in any carry.
• Four firing techniques are: pieing, aimed quick fire, pointing quick fire, and instinctive shooting.
• Pieing is an effective technique for clearing dead space inside rooms and buildings to gain security of hallways, stairwells, and mouse holes. When pieing, aim your weapon at a sector of a window, doorway, corner, or hallway, and slowly move it at different angles until each sector is cleared of any threat.
• In aimed quick fire, your initial focus remains on the target. As you bring your rifle up, your firing eye looks through or just over the rear sight aperture. Use the front sight post to aim at the target. Fire two quick shots. Your focus remains on the front sight post throughout the aiming process.
• The pointing system is based on the phenomenon that when you look at an object and simultaneously point a finger at it, your finger aligns itself on the point of focus of your eye with no conscious effort on your part. Keep both eyes open. Concentrate intensely on s small, specific focal point near the base of the target mass. Simultaneously bring your rifle to the hollow of your shoulder and hold your head high with the stock welded to your jaw. Your eyes should be 2 to 3 inches over the top of the sights, staring intently at the target. When you bring your rifle to your shoulder, fire two quick shots.
• Instinctive shooting occurs in situation in which you are surprised and need to react immediately. Your weapon and body are quickly “pointed” and the target is engaged. You should engage the threat by using the tip of the front sight post; however, speed is more important. Once you have fired the first two shots and regained the initiative, quickly move your weapon to your shoulder and use the tip of the front post for sighting subsequent shots.
• Crossing a wall: After reconnoitering the other side, quickly roll over the wall, keeping a low silhouette as shown below. The speed of your movement and a low silhouette deny the enemy a good target.
• Observing around corners: There are two techniques to reduce exposure to the enemy when observing around corners -- short stocking and popping the corner. The most common mistake Marines make a t corners is to allow their weapons to extend beyond the corners before observing, this exposing their positions
• Moving past windows: The correct technique for passing a window is to stay below the window level. Make sure you do not silhouette yourself in the window. Remain as closer to the side of the building as possible. The most common mistake when passing a window is exposing your head to enemy observation from inside the room. Use the pieing technique to get past windows. Never run or walk past a basement window because you present a good target to the enemy inside the building. The most common mistake Marines make when passing a basement window is not being aware of the window. Stay close to the wall of the building. Step or jump past the window without exposing your legs.
• Do not use doorways as entrances or exits because they are normally covered by enemy fire.
• When moving within a building that is under attack, always avoid silhouetting yourself against doors and windows. If forced to use a hallway, move by hugging the wall to avoid presenting targets to the enemy.
• Clearing a building from top down is the preferred method.
• The corner of a building provides cover for a hasty firing position if used properly. When firing around corners of buildings, you should be in a prone position.
• When firing from behind walls, you should fire around cover -- not over it. You should remain far enough back from the cover so that your weapon does not extend beyond it.
• To properly fire from a window you should keep well back into the room to prevent muzzle flash from being seen, and knell to limit exposure and avoid silhouetting yourself.