RECRUIT SUSTAINMENT PROGRAM SOLDIER TRAINING READINESS MODULES Conduct Squad Attack 17 June 2011 SECTION I. Lesson Plan Series Task(s) Taught Academic Hours References Student Study Assignments Instructor Requirements Equipment Required Materials Required Classroom, Training Area, and Range Requirements Instructional Guidance ADMINISTRATIVE DATA Conduct Squad Attack 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 FM 3-21.8 (PREV. FM 7-8) TRADOC Pam 600-4 None The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad The Soldier s Blue Book a. 1 Instructor per 35 Soldiers 28 Mar 2007 09 Jun 2010 b. Be familiar with this Training Support Package (TSP) Id Name None Instructor Materials: a. This Training Support Package (TSP) Stu Ratio Student Materials: a. Other materials as directed by RSP Unit SOP Field Environment Additional Information Inst Ratio Spt Qty Exp NOTE: Before presenting this lesson, instructors must thoroughly prepare by studying this lesson and the identified reference material. NOTE: This lesson plan is extremely complicated and requires absolute knowledge of the concepts of a Squad Attack. The reference material should be covered thoroughly by the instructor with knowledge that it is a hands on lesson plan. 1
NOTE: Typically, homework is not assigned, however the student handout may be given to the Soldiers in advance to familiarize and prepare students for this particular challenge. NOTE: Instructors should add as much realism as possible, for instance, if resources are available have students wear MILES gear, carry weapons, and full battle rattle. If smoke bombs are available make use to show how movement can be made. Have several instructors pose as enemy Soldiers. NOTE: Weapons and blank ammunition should be added to equipment and materials requests. 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 Infantry platoons and squads have a distinct position on the battlefield the point of decision. Their actions take place at the point where all of the plans from higher headquarters meet the enemy in close combat. This role requires leaders at all levels to quickly understand the situation, make decisions, and fight the enemy to accomplish the mission. Offensive close combat has the objective of seizing terrain and destroying the adversary. Defensive close combat denies an area to the adversary and protects friendly forces for future operations. Both types constitute the most difficult and costly sorts of combat operations. NOTE: Inform the students of the following Terminal Learning Objective requirements. At the completion of this lesson, you [the student] will: Action: Conditions: Standards: Conduct Squad Attack On a simulated battlefield, the squad is moving as part of a platoon conducting a movement to contact or hasty or deliberate attack Conducted squad attack including: a. The squad was not surprised or fixed by the enemy b. Squad members located and engaged known or suspected enemy positions with well-aimed fire Safety Requirements Risk Assessment Level Evaluation Instructional Lead-In c. The squad killed, captured, or forced the withdrawal of the enemy, and could continue operations 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 During individual tactical training, you received instruction on how to move and react to certain situations as an individual. Today, you will learn how to perform as a member of a dismounted Infantry squad. 3
SECTION III. PRESENTATION 1. Learning Step / Activity 1. Battle Drill 1A, Conduct Squad Attack Method of Instruction: Practical Exercise (Performance) Instructor to Student Ratio: 1:35 Time of Instruction: 40 mins Media: Student Handout 1 NOTE: NOTE: The students have will have covered this lesson plan, in part, during previous lesson plans. If your group is as many as 35 Soldiers, it would be advisable to have at least one instructor per Fire Team to ensure that they are in place, and following procedure (for instance if the fire team leader is shot, who takes over next, or be prepared to reteach or correct use of hand signals). The following is a scenario to Conduct Squad Attack for the purpose of establishing action, conditions and standards. Do not feel obligated to stay with this scenario, however, it is important to change the action, conditions and standards should you find it necessary to change the scenario. a. Act on Enemy Contact. (1) Soldiers making visual contact alert squad using hand-and-arm signal for enemy contact. Without being detected by the enemy they take up the nearest positions that afford protection from enemy fire (cover) and observation (concealment). (2) The fire team in contact immediately discharges a heavy volume of suppressive fire in the direction of the enemy. (a) Soldiers in the fire team move to positions where they can fire their weapons. They position themselves to ensure that they have observation, fields of fire, cover, and concealment. NOTE: It is suggested that instructor s carry whistles to stop the action at any time to make on the spot corrections. (b) The team assumes the over-watch position. (c) After contact, the fire team takes covered and concealed positions in place. From there, they observe to the flanks and rear of the squad. b. Locate the Enemy. (1) Using sight and sound, the fire team in contact acquires known or suspected enemy positions. (2) The fire team in contact begins to place well-planned fire on suspected enemy positions. (3) The squad leader moves to a position where they can observe the enemy and assess the situation. c. Suppress the Enemy. (1) The squad leader determines if the fire team in contact can achieve fire superiority based on the volume and accuracy of the enemy fire. 4
(2) If not, the squad leader then deploys the fire team not in contact to establish a support-by-fire position and reports the situation to the platoon leader. d. Assault. If the fire team in contact can suppress the enemy, the squad leader determines if the fire team not in contact can maneuver. The squad leader makes the following assessment: (1) Enemy location. (a) If the answer is YES, the fire team leader continues to suppress the enemy. (b) The fire team destroys or suppresses enemy crew-served weapons first. (c) The fire team leader continues to control fires using tracers or standard fire commands. Fires must be well-planned and continue at a sustained rate with no lulls. (d) Buddy teams fire their weapons so that they reload their weapons at different times. (2) Size of the enemy force. (3) Vulnerable flank. (4) Covered and concealed flanking route to the enemy position. (a) If the answer is YES, the squad leader maneuvers the fire team in the assault. (b) The squad leader directs the fire team in contact to support the movement of the other fire team. The squad leader then leads or directs the assaulting fire team leader to maneuver their fire team along a route. This route should place the fire team in a position to assault the enemy. (c) Once in position, the squad leader gives the prearranged signal for the supporting fire team to shift or lift fires to the opposite flank of the enemy position. (d) The assaulting fire team fights through enemy positions using fire and movement. (To lift and shift fire the supporting fire team must be able to identify the near flank of the assaulting fire team.) (e) If the answer is NO, the squad leader then deploys the fire team not in contact to establish a support-by-fire position. The squad leader reports the situation to the platoon leader. e. Consolidate and Reorganize: (1) Once the assaulting fire team has seized the enemy position, the squad leader establishes local security. The squad leader must quickly prepare to defeat any enemy counterattack. After the assault, the squad is most vulnerable. (a) The squad leader signals for the supporting fire team to move up into a designated position by the quickest route. (b) The squad leader assigns sectors of fire to both fire teams. (c) The squad leader positions key weapons. 5
(d) All Soldiers take up hasty defensive positions. (2) The squad performs the following tasks: (a) Reestablishes the chain of command. (b) Redistributes and re-supplies ammunition. (c) Redistributes critical weapons and equipment such as, radios, NBC, and NVGs. (d) Treats casualties and evacuates wounded. (e) Secures EPWs. (f) Gathers enemy information. (3) Team leaders provide ammunition, casualty, and equipment (ACE) reports to the squad leader. (4) The squad leader consolidates the ACE report. (5) After receiving instructions from the platoon leader, the squad continues the mission. TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE ACTION: Conduct Squad Attack CONDITIONS: STANDARDS: On a simulated battlefield, the squad is moving as part of a platoon conducting a movement to contact or hasty or deliberate attack Conducted squad attack including: a. The squad was not surprised or fixed by the enemy b. Squad members located and engaged known or suspected enemy positions with well-aimed fire c. The squad killed, captured or forced the withdrawal of the enemy, and could continue operations 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, and offer any personal experiences to introduce the contemporary operating environment. 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 Battle Drill 1A (if needed to use as a homework assignment prior to conducting the training) D-1