two canteens plus rations to cover mealtimes during
STUDY TERRAIN AND SITUATION
absence. For a very long patrol, arrangements must be
Study the friendly and enemy situation closely for
made to resupply food and water.
the effect that troop dispositions, strengths, and
ROUTINE equipment. This is the equipment
capabilities may have on your mission. These factors
will influence the route you take, the size and
patrol members carry. It includes the uniform and web
organization of your patrol, and the weapons and
equipment. Usually, each man carries a poncho and one
equipment the patrol will carry.
extra pair of socks. Gloves should be worn, even in
Study the map of the terrain over which the patrol
warm weather, to protect your hands from thorns, sharp
intends to operate. The nature of the terrain in the
rocks, and barbed wire.
vicinity of the objective will determine the number of
security teams needed and the manner in which you will
ISSUE THE WARNING ORDER
conduct your leader's reconnaissance of the objective.
ORGANIZE THE PATROL
To given individual patrol members maximum time
to prepare, the patrol leader should issue a WARNING
Organizing consists of determining the elements
and teams required to accomplish the mission of the
ORDER to ALL members as soon as possible after the
patrol. Organization of the patrol, either special or
patrol order is received. The warning order should
general, is given in the patrol warning order.
include the following:
A brief statement of the situation so patrol
SELECT MEN, WEAPONS, AND
EQUIPMENT
members will know what friendly and enemy
units are doing.
The patrol leader selects patrol members from the
The mission of the patrol, given exactly as it was
platoon or squad he commands. He should maintain the
regular fire team or squad organization when possible.
received.
No man who may interfere with the mission should be
General instructions.
included in the patrol. An example is a man with a cold.
His coughing or sneezing could give the patrol away to
General instructions should include the following:
the enemy.
The patrol's general or special organization; that
The patrol takes along only those weapons
is, assigning specific tasks to specific elements.
absolutely necessary for mission accomplishment. The
same criterion applies to the equipment. Five categories
The specified uniforms, including any
of equipment are usually required. They are as follows:
camouflage and identification measures.
OBJECTIVE AREA equipment. This IS the
The specific weapons, ammunition, and
equipment you need to accomplish the mission. It
equipment.
includes such items as weapons and ammunition,
demolition charges, and fiber line (small stuff) for
The individuals to accompany the patrol leader
binding prisoners.
on reconnaissance and those individuals that are
to supervise subcategories of preparation.
EN ROUTE equipment. This is equipment that
assists or enables you to reach the objective. It includes
Instructions for obtaining water, rations,
such items as maps, compasses, binoculars, flashlights,
weapons, ammunition, and equipment.
wire cutters, and stream-crossing lines.
The chain of command. (In a patrol composed of
CONTROL equipment. This is equipment for
personnel from different units, the patrol leader
maintaining communications and control. It includes
establishes a chain of command.)
telephones, whistles, pyrotechnics, flashlights, and
luminous tape.
The time schedule. (The time schedule includes
mealtimes and the time, place, and uniform for receiving
WATER AND FOOD. Every man carries a
canteen of water. On a long patrol, each man may carry
the patrol leader's order.)
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