Fighting Position Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a fighting position?

A location on the ground from which fire is delivered by an individual, a fire unit, a squad or fire team, or crew served weapon.

What are the types of fighting positions?

Alternate Fighting Position (correct)

Secondary Fighting Position

Primary Fighting Position (correct)

Hasty Fighting Position (correct)

What is a primary fighting position?

The best available position which the assigned sector of fire can be covered.

What is an alternate fighting position?

Not normally assigned to individuals or units in the platoon, primarily used by crew-served weapons. Signup and view all the answers

What is a supplementary fighting position?

Prepared to guard against attack from directions other than those from which the main attack is expected. Signup and view all the answers

What is a hasty fighting position?

Used when there is little time for preparation. Signup and view all the answers

What is a sector of fire?

The area that is required to be covered by an individual, a fire unit, a squad, or a fire team. Signup and view all the answers

What are lateral limits?

Readily identifiable terrain features selected to indicate the line of sight of the sector. Signup and view all the answers

What is the forward limit?

The forward limit is established at the range at which the weapon will open fire. Signup and view all the answers

What are limiting stakes?

Two stakes placed near the position on the weapon indicating the lateral limits during restricted visibility. Signup and view all the answers

What are aiming stakes?

They create a pivot point for the weapon. Signup and view all the answers

What does clearing fields of fire allow you to do?

It allows you to better observe the enemy and ensure your fires are able to hit the enemy. Signup and view all the answers

What do you do when constructing a fighting position?

Know your sector of fire and use the acronym SAFE (Security, Automatic Weapons, Fields of Fire, and Entrench). Signup and view all the answers

What are some other considerations when constructing your fighting hole?

Soil consideration and placement, camouflage, overhead cover, sand bags. Signup and view all the answers

What are the types of fighting holes?

Two Man Fighting Hole Signup and view all the answers

What are the dimensions for a one man fighting hole?

As small as practical, wide enough to accommodate the shoulders of a man sitting on the fire step, two helmets wide, long enough for use of an e-tool, one rifle length, and armpit deep to the fire step. Signup and view all the answers

What is the parapet and its size?

It protects from direct fire weapons and is three feet thick, no more than six inches high leaving eight inches of space from the hole to elbow rest. Signup and view all the answers

What is the elbow rest used for and its size?

At least eight inches wide all the way around the hole, elbow holes are dug in the sector of fire. Signup and view all the answers

What is a water sump and its size?

It collects water and provides space while seated on the first step, 12 inches deep and sloped downward at an angle of 30 degrees toward the first step. Signup and view all the answers

What is a grenade sump and its size?

A circular sump dug into the center front, cone-shaped with an opening measuring as wide as the spade of the e-tool narrowing to five inches in diameter at the end, sloped downward at 30 degrees and as deep as a Marine can make it. Signup and view all the answers

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a two man fighting hole?

Offers less protection against tank crossings, bombs, and fragments. Allows for continuous observation and redistribution of ammunition between occupants. Signup and view all the answers

What are the dimensions of a two man fighting hole?

Wide enough for the two shoulders of men sitting on the fire step, two helmets wide, enough for a water sump in the center, two rifle lengths, tall as the tallest man's armpits on the first step. Signup and view all the answers

What is the dimension of parapet, elbow rest, and grenade sump on a two man fighting hole?

Same as a one man fighting hole. Signup and view all the answers

What is the size of the firing step?

Same as one man fighting hole, except can be different if Marines are of different heights. Signup and view all the answers

Look over fire plan sketch on page 7.

Refer to page 7. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fighting Positions Overview

A fighting position is a designated ground area where fire is delivered, providing cover from enemy fire for individuals or units.

Types of Fighting Positions

Types include:
- Primary Fighting Position (PFP): The best advantageous location covering the assigned sector.
- Alternate Fighting Position: Generally used by crew-served weapons when the primary position is unsuitable.
- Supplementary Fighting Position: Prepared for defense against attacks from unanticipated directions.
- Hasty Fighting Position: Created quickly with minimal preparation, providing direct fire protection.

Sector of Fire and Limits

Sector of Fire: The designated area that must be covered by a combat unit, ensuring optimal firepower distribution.
Lateral Limits: Defined by identifiable terrain features indicating the sector's line of sight.
Forward Limit: The established range at which weapons will open fire.

Limiting and Aiming Stakes

Limiting Stakes: Two sturdy stakes marking lateral limits during poor visibility.
Aiming Stakes: Serve as pivot points for the weapon to ensure fire covers the assigned sector accurately.

Field of Fire Clearing

Clearing fields of fire enhances enemy observation capabilities and effectiveness of fire.

Construction Guidelines for Fighting Positions

Understand the sector of fire using the acronym SAFE (Security, Automatic Weapons, Fields of Fire, Entrench).
Place lateral limit stakes and outline the fighting hole.

Fighting Holes

Types include:
- One Man Fighting Hole
  - Dimensions: Compact but wide enough for shoulder space, one rifle length long, and armpit deep to the fire step.
- Two Man Fighting Hole
  - Dimensions: Similar width for two men, includes a central water sump, adequate height for occupants.

Parapets and Elbow Rests

Parapet: Protects against direct fire, must be three feet thick and no more than six inches high.
Elbow Rest: At least eight inches wide, enhancing shooting accuracy through established reference points.

Water and Grenade Sumps

Water Sump: Collects water; dimensions include 12 inches deep, sloping towards the first step.
Grenade Sump: Cone-shaped for grenade protection, with specifications including a spade wide opening narrowing to five inches in diameter.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Two Man Fighting Hole:
- Advantages: Allows ongoing observation and redistribution of ammunition between occupants.
- Disadvantages: Provides less protection against larger ordnance.

Summary of Dimensions

Two man fighting holes replicate the dimensions of one man fighting holes for all elements, including parapets and elbow rests.

Firing Step Size

Generally follows the one-man fighting hole specifications, with potential variations based on individual height.

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Description

Test your knowledge of fighting positions with these flashcards. Learn definitions and types, including primary, alternate, supplementary, and hasty fighting positions. This quiz is perfect for military training and understanding combat tactics.