RECRUIT SUSTAINMENT PROGRAM SOLDIER TRAINING READINESS MODULES React to Contact 17 June 2011 SECTION I. Lesson Plan Series Task(s) Taught Academic Hours References Student Study Assignments Instructor Requirements Equipment Required Materials Required ADMINISTRATIVE DATA React to Contact Task Number INDIVIDUAL The academic hours required to teach this lesson are as follows: Test Test Review Total Hours: Resident Hours/Methods 0 hrs 10 mins / Conference / Discussion 0 hrs 40 mins / Practical Exercise (Performance) 0 hrs 0 hrs 0 hrs 50 mins Number Title Date TRADOC Pam 600-4 FM 3-21.8 (PREV. FM 7-8) FM 5-19 None The Soldier s Blue Book The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad Composite Risk Management a. 1 Instructor per 35 Soldiers 09 Jun 2010 28 Mar 2007 21 Aug 2006 b. Be familiar with this Training Support Package (TSP) Id Name None Instructor Materials: a. This Training Support Package (TSP) Stu Ratio Additional Information Inst Ratio Spt Qty Exp Student Materials: a. TR Pam 600-4, Soldier s Blue Book Classroom, Training Area, and Range Requirements Instructional b. Other materials as directed by RSP Unit SOP Field Environment NOTE: Before presenting this lesson, instructors must thoroughly prepare by 1
Guidance studying this lesson and the identified reference material. NOTE: Instructor s this lesson is best presented in an area where there is good cover and concealment. Many RSP units have been successful using paintball equipment or Air Soft guns as alternatives to MILES gear. NOTE: It is strongly suggested that the instructor(s) re-familiarize themselves with regulatory guidance before teaching this lesson. If time allows, rehearse the attack and possible subsequent actions on behalf of the students. 2
SECTION II. INTRODUCTION Method of Instruction: Conference / Discussion Instructor to Student Ratio is: 1:35 Time of Instruction: 5 mins Media: None Motivator Terminal Learning Objective Safety Requirements Risk Assessment Level Evaluation Instructional Lead-In During individual tactical training, you received instruction on how to move and react to certain situations as an individual. We will now combine the individual training you received with squad training and learn how to perform as a member of a dismounted infantry squad under attack. NOTE: Inform the students of the following Terminal Learning Objective requirements. At the completion of this lesson, you [the student] will: Action: Conditions: Standards: React to Contact Given a squad patrolling in a tactical environment, and receiving incoming fire from an enemy force Squad reacted to contact by stating the enemy distance direction and description Conduct a safety brief prior to training as needed and IAW unit and installation policies. Moderate - Risk Assessment to be produced locally IAW FM 5-19, July 2006. None Just a few years ago these skills were taught to the Army National Guard because they were simply a Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) requirement. Today, they have become real. The uniform and location may have changed, but the reality of dismounted close combat is carried out every day in Iraq and Afghanistan. Be observant throughout this instruction, if only to assist those Soldiers who are more likely to enter into this type environment in the near future. 3
SECTION III. PRESENTATION 1. Learning Step / Activity 1. React to Squad Contact Method of Instruction: Practical Exercise (Performance) Instructor to Student Ratio: 1:35 Time of Instruction: 40 mins Media: None NOTE: NOTE: Similar to a previously taught lesson, Conduct Squad Attack, there are no hard and fast rules. The key to this learning activity is to understand and exhibit an automatic response to individual responsibilities as well as the positions and responsibilities of each member of the squad. The following talking points are a reminder of the duties, responsibilities and suggested actions of each member of the squad. Use your own experiences in combat or training to accentuate areas you feel should be stressed, given the particular staged environment in which you are training. a. React to Contact situation. A squad or platoon receives fire from enemy individual or crewserved weapons. b. Required actions: (1) Soldiers immediately take up the nearest covered positions and return fire in the direction of contact. NOTE: At this point you may wish to observe the students selection of covered positions and make on the spot corrections. If necessary stop the current scenario and explain to all what a good covered position would look like. (2) Team or squad leaders locate and engage known or suspected enemy positions with well-aimed fire. Then, they pass the information to the squad/platoon leader. (3) Fire team leaders control fire using standard fire commands (initial and supplemental). The fire commands contain the following elements: (a) Alert. (b) Direction. (c) Description of target. (d) Range. (e) Method of fire (manipulation and rate of fire). (f) Command to commence firing. (4) Soldiers maintain contact with the Soldiers on their left and right sides. (5) Soldiers maintain contact with their team leaders and report the location of enemy positions. (6) Leaders check the status of their personnel. (injuries, ammo, water, position reassignments) 4
(7) The team or squad leaders maintain contact with the squad or platoon leader. c. The squad or platoon leader: (1) Moves up to the fire team or squad in contact and links up with its leader. The platoon leader brings his Radio/Telephone Operator (RATELO), platoon Forward Observer (FO), the squad leader of the nearest squad, and one machine gun team. The squad leader of the trail squad moves to the front of his lead fire team. The platoon sergeant also moves forward with the second machine gun team and links up with the platoon leader, ready to assume control of the base-of-fire element. (2) Determines whether or not his squad or platoon must move out of an engagement area. (3) Determines whether or not he can gain and maintain suppressive fires with his element already in contact. He bases the decision on the volume and accuracy of enemy fires against the element in contact. (4) Assesses the situation. He identifies: (a) The location of the enemy position(s) and obstacles. (b) The size of the enemy force. (The number of enemy automatic weapons, the presence of any vehicles, and the employment of indirect fires indicate enemy strength.) (c) Vulnerable flanks. (d) Covered and concealed flanking routes to the enemy position. NOTE: At this point the instructor has the prerogative of determining what the next course of action should be. Another course of action may follow to exhibit to students the differences in situations. (5) Determines the next course of action (for example, fire and movement, from the platoon chain of command; assault; breach; knock out bunker; enter and clear a building or trench). (6) Reports the situation to the platoon leader or company commander; begins to maneuver. (7) Calls for and adjusts indirect fire (mortars or artillery). Squad leaders relay requests through the platoon leader. (8) Team leaders lead their teams by example for example, Follow me!" or "do as I do. (9) Leaders relay all commands and signals. NOTE: This lesson is a full fifty minutes long. If time allows review the lesson plan and pull questions from the demonstration. If a student has brought up a question during the demonstration, ask them the same question they asked. 5
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE ACTION: React to Contact CONDITIONS: STANDARDS: Given a squad patrolling in a tactical environment, and receiving incoming fire from an enemy force Squad reacted to contact by stating the enemy distance direction and description 6
SECTION IV. ASK FOR QUESTIONS AND SUMMARY Method of Instruction: Discussion Instructor to Student Ratio: 1:35 Time of Instruction: 5 mins Media: None a. Ask students if they have any questions. b. Answer all questions or agree to get back to students with a complete or appropriate answer. NOTE: SUMMARY Explain what you have discussed during this block of instruction. 7
SECTION V. Testing Requirements Feedback Requirements STUDENT EVALUATION (OPTIONAL) None None 8
Appendix A - Viewgraph Masters (N/A) VIEWGRAPHS A-1
Appendix B - Test(s) and Test Solution(s) (N/A) B-1
Appendix C - Practical Exercises and Solutions Built into Lesson Plan C-1
Appendix D - Student Handouts (N/A) D-1