1. Select the initial and the en route rallying points
patrol leader tells personnel at the position the
to prevent complete disintegration of the patrol if it is
information they may need to assist him, such as the size
unavoidably dispersed before reaching the objective.
of his patrol, his general route, and his expected time of
return.
2. The objective rallying point makes it possible
for the patrol to reassemble after it has dispersed to carry
Request the latest information on the enemy, the
out the objective.
terrain to the front, and any known obstacles or dangers.
Check for communication facilities, fire support, and
3. If the patrol is dispersed in friendly areas, it
other assistance they can provide. Check the challenge
reassembles at the initial rallying point.
and password, and determine whether the same
4. If the patrol is dispersed between the initial
personnel will be manning the position when you return.
rallying point and the first en route rallying point, it will
If not, ask them to relay information about your patrol
assemble atone or the other of these points. The patrol
to their relief. If you intend to be out longer than 1 day,
leader must designate in his patrol order whether he
obtain the challenge and passwords for each day you are
desires reassembly at the initial rallying point or the first
out.
en route rallying point.
5. If the patrol is dispersed between en route
Rallying Points
rallying points, it will assemble either at the last rallying
point or at the next (tentative) rallying point. Again, the
A rallying point is a designated place where a patrol
patrol leader must designate which of these alternatives
that has been dispersed can assemble and reorganize. It
he desires. In this and the former case, circumstances
should provide cover, concealment, and be defensible
will control his decision.
for at least a short time. It must be easily recognizable
and be known to all members of the patrol. Until a
Action on Enemy Contact
rallying point has been actually reached and found to be
suitable, you should designate it as a TENTATIVE
RALLYING POINT. To designate a definite rallying
A patrol is subject to two types of enemy contact:
point, the patrol leader halts the patrol when he arrives
(1) CHANCE contact and (2) AMBUSH. In chance
there. He then announces, "This is a rallying point," and
contact, you come on the enemy unexpectedly, and the
points out the identifying features.
enemy is not prepared to deal with you. In ambush, you
are subjected to an intentional surprise attack by an
There are three TYPES of rallying points:
enemy that is concealed and lying in wait.
1. INITIAL rallying point. This is a point within
In a chance contact, you must break contact as
the friendly area where the patrol can rally if it becomes
quickly as possible and continue the mission. If you
scattered before leaving the friendly area or before
engage the enemy any longer than necessary, you could
reaching the first tentative rallying point outside the
jeopardize the mission. The "clock" system is one way
friendly area.
of breaking contact. The line of direction along which
the patrol is moving is considered to be 12 o'clock. If
2. EN ROUTE rallying point. This is a rallying
the patrol leader called out "10 o'clock-200," that would
point lying between the foremost friendly area and the
order the patrol to move off 200 yards in the 10 o'clock
objective.
direction. The patrol must, as far as possible, keep the
3. OBJECTIVE rallying point. This is a rallying
original formation.
point near the objective where the patrol assembles after
FIRE AND MOVEMENT is another way of
accomplishing the mission.
breaking a chance contact. One portion of the patrol
The patrol leader must select and designate a
returns enemy fire while another portion moves off. The
tentative initial and objective rallying point before the
two groups alternate covering fire and movement until
patrol starts off. If these points prove suitable when he
both have broken contact.
reaches them, then he confirms them by declaring them
In an ambush, you may have the alternative of an
rallying points. He will select other points en route as he
assault in force to break through the ambush or a
reaches suitable locations.
withdrawal like that used in a chance contact; however,
The following are general rules for the use of
a well-placed ambush usually prevents withdrawal by
rallying points:
the flank. When you must break through by assault,
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