MARCHES &

BIVOUACS
 CLASS RULES

• Dress Code: White round neck T-shirt and Maong

long pants.
• Microphone Device should be muted.
• No sit-in audience during class session.
• Create a quiet work place.
• Questions will be entertained after class session.
• Unnecessary use of devices, websites and other
applications during class session are prohibited.
• No eating during class session.
 SCOPE
FOOTMARCH

❑DEFINITION
❑CLASSIFICATION
❑TYPES
❑FACTORS AFFECTING FOOTMARCH
❑EXECUTION OF FOOTMARCH

BIVOUACS
❑DEFINITION
❑TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
❑UNDESIRABLE SITES
❑OCCUPATION AND SANITATION OF BIVOUAC
AREA
 FOOT MARCH
Foot marches are the movement of troops and
equipment mainly by foot with limited support
of vehicles
Foot march do not depend on the existence of
roads
Characterized by
combat readiness
ease of control
adaptability to terrain
slow rate of movement
increased personnel fatigue
 FUNDAMENTALS
Troop movement is the transporting of troops fm
one place to another by any available means
A successful move places troops & equipment at
their destination at the proper time ready for
combat.
Detailed plans are required for effective troop
movement. However, units must be notified early of an
impending move to allow for effective planning
A successful troop movement also depends on effective
control of units during movement. Such control is
accomplished through the chain of command & by proper
supervision & organization of the force
CLASSIFICATION OF
MARCHES
TACTICAL
ADMINISTRATIVE
 CLASSIFICATION
OF MARCHES
TACTICAL
Conducted in the cbt zone to emphasize
tactical considerations such as scty & the use
of cbt-ready formation
Reemphasize efficiency & ease of movement
Anticipate ground contact with the enemy en
route or after arriving at the destination
Movements may be conducted over unsecured
routes
when relocating in the cbt zone
when they prepare to conduct cbt opn
when contact is made
 CLASSIFICATION
OF MARCHES
ADMINISTRATIVE
Conducted prior to the combat zone
Emphasize the best method of movement &
reemphasize tactical considerations
Based on likely ground contact with the enemy
being remote
Normally conducted over secure routes
Units shld maintain integrity & practice s
ecurity technique that pertain to tactical road
marches
TYPES OF MARCHES

DAY MARCHES
LIMITED VISIBILITY MARCHES
FORCED MARCHES
SHUTTLE MARCHES
 TYPES OF MARCHES

DAY MARCHES
Preferred in the absence of enemy threats
Permit faster movement & are less tiring
for troops
Characterized by
disperse formation
ease of control & recon
increased vulnerability to enemy
observation & air attack
 TYPES OF MARCHES
LIMITED VISIBILITY MARCHES
Characterized by
closed formations
difficult command & control & recon
slow rate of march
good concealment fm hostile observation &
air attack
Night marches exploit darkness to gain
surprise & help units avoid extreme heat
Requires detailed planning, stringent control
measures, thorough trng & march, light &
communication discipline
 TYPES OF MARCHES
FORCED MARCHES
Requires speed, exertion & more hours marched
Normally accomplished by increasing the marching
hrs for each day rather than the rate of march
Reason for march must be told to ensure maximum
effort
SHUTTLE MARCHES
Alternate riding & marching in troop movement
Normally due to lack of enough vehicles to carry
the entire unit
Requires transporting types, equipment &
supplies by a series of round trips with the same
vehicle
 FACTORS AFFECTING
FOOT MARCH

the march
the location of enemy forces,
the nature of the terrain and weather, and
the activity of enemy aviation.
Contact with the enemy should be
expected from any direction that is not
protected by friendly forces or terrain
barriers.
 FACTORS AFFECTING
FOOT MARCH

Other factors that commonly affect the

conduct of a march include
the distance to be marched;
planning effectiveness;
march discipline and supervision;
time available; and
physical condition, training status, and
attitude of the soldier.
 EFFECTS OF WEATHER
AND TERRAIN

The varying types of terrain over

which troops must march present
different problems for commanders,
depending on the specific area of
operations.
Weather conditions combined with
terrain affect the mobility of marching
troops.
 MARCH DISCIPLINE
March discipline includes observing and
enforcing the rules and instructions that govern a
unit on a march, which include
formation
distances between elements
speed
the effective use of concealment and cover
It must also include specific controls and
restrictions such as water, light, noise, and
communication disciplines.
March discipline is the culmination of effective
training, which results in enthusiastic teamwork
among all soldiers of the unit.
 WATER DISCIPLINE
Water discipline must be observed by all unit
members to ensure best health and marching
efficiency. The following rules must be adhered
to:
Drink plenty of water before each march to aid
sustainment during movement.
Drink only treated water from approved sources.
Drink water often. Water should be consumed
before, during, and after the march.
Drink small quantities of water rather than gulping or
rapid intake.
Drink water even when not thirsty.
Drink water slowly to prevent cramps or nausea.
Avoid spilling water.
Refill canteens at every opportunity.
 ACCLIMATIZATION
PROCEDURES
Soldiers must be physically and mentally conditioned to
effectively participate in foot marches.
The many types of terrain and climate require
different acclimatization procedures for successful
operations.
Ideally, troops should be trained to
Ideally, troops should be trained to operate in all areas
with a minimum of preparation each area has specific
requirements that must be met before operating in it. For
example, troops scheduled for operations in mountains
would normally participate in high-altitude training.
Psychological adjustment eliminates preconceived
notions and fears about specific locations and climates.
Training conducted logically and realistically causes
most soldiers to lose previously held fears of height,
cold, or isolation.
 MORALE

Morale can greatly affect the marching

effectiveness of troops.
Low morale can be contagious and
magnifies any discomfort soldiers
might experience.
Leaders can improve morale by
applying proper march and leadership
techniques
 INDIVIDUAL LOAD

To prevent an individual load from

hindering a marching soldier’s mobility
and combat readiness, commanders
must reduce the carried load to the
minimum mission-essential and
survival equipment.
 EXECUTION OF
FOOTMARCH
ORGANIZATION
Recon Party
Quartering Party
Main body
Trail Party
ORGANIZATION OF
FOOTMARCH
 Organization

Recon Party
Reconnoiters the route to determine
the following:
travel time
capacity of underpasses & bridges
locations of ferries & culverts
to identify points & obstacles
It can be conducted to confirm &
supplement map studies, higher hqs
& air recon
 Organization
Quartering Party
Prepare for the systematic arrival of
units
Bn Quartering Party consists of :
Quartering Party Comdr (usually HHC Co)
S4 Rep
Coy Rep to include supply & NBC personnel -
selects loc for Coy hqs, pltns, feeding areas &
latrines
Commo personnel - install commo equipment
Medical Personnel - gives advise on sanitation
measures & select site for the aid stn
Security personnel
 Organization

Quartering Party
The quartering party does the
following:
formulates a plan to receive & guide
units from the release point to their
areas
indicates the location of major
subordinate units on the ground
select exact loc for the Bn Command &
Admin installations
 Organization

MAIN BODY - bulk or the rest of the

unit
TRAIL PARTY
last march unit in a battalion serial
it is usually lead by the Bn
Maintenance Officer (BMO)
consists of elements of the
maintenance platoon & medical
personnel
 Organization
TRAIL PARTY
maintenance platoon & medical
personnel
recovers disabled vehicles &
stragglers
Maintenance Section
disabled vehicle that cannot be
repaired/towed, the vehicle &
crew are moved off the road into
a secure area with food & water
 Organization
maintenance platoon & medical
personnel
Medical Section
Compose the personnel evacuation
section
Responsible for recovering stragglers
that require medical care
Coy medical aidmen try to treat
casualties within their abilities but
must not allow it to delay the
movement
Must have troop-carrying assets to
pick-up & treat stragglers
 EXECUTION OF
FOOTMARCH
SECURITY
Passive measures w/c may include the ff:
use of concealed routes & assembly
areas
movement on secure routes
night marches
increased intervals between elem
dispersion when under attack
 EXECUTION OF
FOOTMARCH

SECURITY
Active measures include the use of
organic & attached weapons
main weapons throughout the column
are oriented on specific sectors. The
first elements cover the front, following
elements cover alternate flanks & the
last elements covers the rear
 EXECUTION OF
FOOTMARCH
COMMUNICATION
Messengers are the primary means of
communication but visual signals & road guides
can also be used
Radio is only used in emergencies & when no
other means can be used since the en might
have direction finding equipment
Visual communication means include
flashlights, lanterns, luminous markers, flags,
pyrotechnics, smoke & arm and hand signals.
The use & meaning are standardized to avoid
misunderstanding
 EXECUTION OF
FOOTMARCH
COMMUNICATION
Sound communication includes voice,
whistles, horns and gongs which can be
used to assemble troops or to warn of an
en attack
It should also be standardized
 EXECUTION OF
FOOTMARCH
HALTS
enforced routinely to rest personnel & adjust
equipment
regulated by SOP or by the road movement
order
Day marches shld end early to provide trps with
rest & time to prepare for the following day
Mid day heat or en action can require the unit to
make long daylight halts or night marches
 EXECUTION OF
FOOTMARCH
HALTS
Under normal conditions, a fifteen (15) minute
halt provides rest after the forty-five (45)
minutes of marching.
Following the first halt a ten (10) minute halt is
enforced for every fifty (50) minutes of marching
Variations are made if a halt time occurs when
passing through a built-up area or when cover
or concealment are required but not avail
At halt signal, trps shld move to the sides of the
road while staying close to their units
 EXECUTION OF
FOOTMARCH
ACCORDION EFFECT
It is caused by changes in the rate of
march & often occurs as lead elements
ascend or descend terrain or pass through
critical points along the march route.
To reduce its effects:
lead elem to slow their movement after passing
obstacles to permit rearward elems to maintain
distances w/o running
lengthening or shortening the step
taking up the slack to maintain prescribe
distance
 EXECUTION OF
FOOTMARCH
DISTANCE
Terrain, weather & the en sitn influence distances
between soldiers & units
Distances shld sustain march efficiency & reduce
the effects of accordion action
Normal distances are usually included in the unit
sop
Distances between men
Daytime distances vary fm 2 to 5 meters to provide
dispersion & space for marching comfort. In excess of 5
meters increases the length of column & hinders control
Night time the distance shld be reduced to 1 to 3 meters
between soldiers to assist in maintaining contact &
facilitating control
 EXECUTION OF
FOOTMARCH
DISTANCE BETWEEN UNITS
Daytime = 100 meters between companies
= 50 meters between platoons
Reduce visibility
= 50 meters between companies
= 25 meters between platoons
TIME DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP
Average rates of march for foot troops
On Roads Cross Country
Day 4 kph 2.4 kph
Night 3.2 kph 1.6 kph
 BIVOUACS

BIVOUACS are establish at the end of

marches to allow the elements of the
marching unit to rest
 BIVOUACS
TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
nearness to the route of march
good road net
large enough to permit dispersion of entire
unit
adequate cover & concealment
elevated & well drained site
sandy loam or gravel soil, favorable for
waste disposal
accessibility to good source of water 7 fuel
defensible in case of en attack
 BIVOUACS
UNDESIRABLES FOR BIVOUACS
dry river or stream bed
ravines
adjacent to swampy ground
steep slopes
clay or dusty soil
does not allow for adequate dispersion of
units
 BIVOUACS

OCCUPATION OF BIVOUAC AREA

SANITATION OF THE BIVOUAC AREA

 TASK

1. What are the factors affecting Foot March.

2. What are the four execution of Foot March