Aim

1. The purpose of this brieing note is to inform on the topic of demolition guard, both on its
purpose and the proper set up of a demolition guard.

Background

2. a. The task of denying the enemy's access to vital terrain such as river crossing is done
through the usage of cratering or demolition that specific ground.
1. There are two types of demolition
a. preliminary demolition involves the immediate destruction of the objective by the engineers, or on
the command of local commander and thus does not require a demoltion guard
b. reserved demolition which is controlled, due to its strategic importance or the the value of the
structure itself is guarded by infantry platoon, or up to a battalion depending on the importance of the
objective.
i. There are three commander who are involved in a reserved demolition
aa. Authroized commander is usually a brigade or divisional commander, or a battalion/battle ground
commander who would permit the demolition
bb. Demolition guard commander is usually a company or platoon commander who's responsible for
the safety of personnel at demolition site
cc. Demolition Firing Party commander is usually an NCO or engineer officer whos job is to insure the
successful detonation of the objective
b. The authorization for demolition falls higher than those personnel on the ground of a reserved
demolition ojbective. Thus communication is established between the HQ and the Demolition
Guard commander through the combination of radios, line communications or a liason officer.

Discussion

3. The duty of a Demoltion Guard comander is in charge of all troops at the demolition objective,
including the engineers. His specirfic orders are issued from higher commander, however, he is to
entrusted to hold the demolition objective as well as detonation only when order. Thus the demolition
guard commander must ensure the proper defensive of the the site.
4. The are many factors to take into consideration when guarding a demolition site
1. site must be defended from all possible approach including heli borne attack
2. controlled access from all approaches, including the control of possible water access
in case of bridge demolition
3. Rapid access and plan to ensure the ease of movement for recovery of vehicle,
drawal of demolition firing party, and contral of passing civilian population
4. the establishment of the Command Post is positoined where its free from the danger
of the demolition, but also with clear visibility on objective
5. the firing point is established on the friendly side where it has esay communication
to the CP, and easy access from the demolition objective
6. the alterative firing point is established on the hostile side in case the main firing
point is comprimised in anyway
7. once demolition occurs, the engineer firing party is to ensure the effectiveness on
target before withdrawing. The demolition guard commander is responsible for
passing the effect on target to the authorized commander.
8. The same drill for demolition guard is also documented in Chapter 4 of the “US
Army Explosive and Demolition Hand Book” from the Depart of the Army from by
 Skyhorse Publishing inc.

Conlusion
5. Demolition is neccessary to ensure tactically vital terrtain does not fall into enemy
hands. However, the strategic planning may still require the acess to the vital terrain
until demolition order is given by the authorized commander. The demolition guard is
thus required to ensure not the defensive of the vital ground until demolition order, but
also the safety of the engineering firing party.

Recommendation
7. I recommend all army trades, particulary those of combat arms be taught the proper drills of
demolition guard and its importance, as demolition is vital part of denying enemy movement
during armed conflicts.