Marine Rifle Squad Overview and Tactics

Marine Rifle Squad Overview

• The defensive mission of the Marine rifle squad is to repel enemy assaults through fire and close combat.
• The offensive mission is focused on locating, closing with, and destroying the enemy by fire and maneuver.
• The primary purpose of offensive combat is to dismantle the enemy’s will to fight.

Squad Composition and Structure

• A Marine rifle squad consists of three fireteams.
• Each rifle platoon includes 41 Marines, with a standard squad composed of 13 Marines.
• A Fireteam consists of four Marines.

Maneuver and Attack Methods

• Two main forms of maneuver for the Marine rifle squad include Frontal Attack and Single Envelopment.
• Three methods of advance utilized by the squad are Squad rush, Fireteam rush, and Individual rush.

Engagement Phases and Responsibilities

• The conduct phase is triggered when the squad engages the enemy, leaves the assembly area, or crosses the Line of Departure.
• The area of responsibility covered by fire is referred to as a Sector of Fire, typically encompassing 150 meters.

Defense Types and Firing Positions

• There are two types of defense strategies: Perimeter and Linear defense.
• The three firing position types are:
  • Primary: Ideal for mission accomplishment.
  • Supplementary: Used for alternate missions.
  • Alternate: Activated if the primary position becomes unsuitable.

Firing Position Characteristics

• Good firing positions must: accomplish the mission, provide good cover and concealment, and ensure effective fields of fire.
• PDF, or Principle Direction of Fire, is a crucial consideration for engagement.

Additional Tactical Elements

• Position to repel an enemy attack to the flank is referred to as the supplementary position.
• The final coordination line is the imaginary line located immediately in front of the objective.
• Sectors of Fire can also be controlled using Limiting Stakes for better management.
• Types of checkpoints in the field include Line and Point checkpoints.