Detection and Confirmation Tools.

There are a range of tools that may be available to

infantry units to counter explosive hazards. These include—

• Unmanned aerial systems can aid in the confirmation of suspected IEDs and possible
ambush locations.
• Optics (i.e., binoculars, rifle combat optics, thermals, and NVDs) can be used from
various angles from a tactically safe position.
• Robots are on the tables of equipment for combat engineer and EOD units.
Reconnaissance robots are frequently available for infantry units during contingency
operations.
• Military working dog support should be requested from the law enforcement battalion
by infantry units.
• Sickle sticks have proven to be effective devices to confirm or deny the presence of
explosive hazards, though they have reduced standoff.
• Handheld metal detectors are a last choice, as they bring Marines into close proximity
with suspected devices.

Actions on Contact in a Stability Environment. Every explosive hazard discovered,

whether it detonates or not, must be treated as an enemy attack. The actions taken upon contact
are dictated by the situation. The “5-C’s” have proven to be a good technique in stability
missions where the exploitation of explosive hazards for intelligence value is critical. The
“5-Cs” are—

• Confirm. When a suspected explosive hazard is identified, the unit confirms the
presence of a suspected explosive hazard. The unit attempts to confirm the suspected
device from a safe distance, maximizing the use of hard cover and spotting equipment.
It is preferable that infantry Marines not approach a potential explosive device. Safety
should never be compromised for positive identification of the item. Once confirmed,
an EOD 9-line report should be made to HHQ (see MCRP 10-10D.2, Multi-Service
Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Explosive Ordnance Disposal [EOD]).
• Clear. All personnel should be cleared from the area to a tactically safe distance. Five
and 25-meter checks of the area should be conducted for secondary hazards, as a
secondary detonation may be imminent. The minimum safe distance from explosive
ordnance for exposed personnel is 300 meters.
• Cordon. The danger area should be cordoned off to all vehicles and foot traffic, and an
incident control point established to prevent the entry of unauthorized personnel. The
size of the cordon is determined based on METT-T considerations.
• Check. The immediate area should be checked for secondary devices using 5- and
25-meter checks. The search area can be expanded as time and the hazard permit.
• Control. The area inside the cordon should be controlled to ensure only authorized
personnel (e.g., EOD, medical, and intelligence collection teams) have access. Security
should be maintained at the established safe distance while maximizing available cover
to afford protection from the hazard.

Route Security and Clearance Operations. In certain operational environments, an

infantry platoon may be tasked to conduct route security and clearance. Platoons may be

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