Movement Techniques

Objective
 Action: Apply the movement techniques necessary to
lead a patrol.
 Condition: As a patrol leader in a simulated combat
environment.
 Standard: Understood the principles of squad movement
IAW FM 3-21.8, The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad,
and SH 21-76 Ranger Handbook.
 Movement Formations

 Movement formations are the ordered arrangement of

forces that describes the general configuration of a unit
on the ground.
 They determine the distance between Soldiers, sectors of
fire, and responsibilities for 360-degree security.
 They provide the Leader:
– Control
– Flexibility
– Security
 Movement Techniques

 Like formations, movement techniques provide varying degrees

of control, security, and flexibility. Movement techniques differ
from formations in two ways:
 Formations are relatively fixed; movement techniques are not.
The distance between moving units or the distance that a squad
bounds away from an over watching squad varies based on factors
of METT-TC.
 Formations allow the platoon to weight its maximum firepower in
a desired direction; movement techniques allow squads to make
contact with the enemy with the smallest element possible. This
allows leaders to establish a base of fire, initiate suppressive fires,
and attempt to maneuver without first having to disengage or be
reinforced.
 Movement Techniques

 Movement techniques describe the position of

squads and fire teams in relation to each other
during movement. Platoons and squads use three
movement techniques:
– Traveling,
– Traveling Overwatch
– Bounding Overwatch.
 METT-TC

 Mission
 Enemy
 Terrain
 Troops
 Time
 Civilian
 OKOCA
 Observation / fields of fire
 Key terrain
 Obstacles
 Cover and concealment
 Avenues of approach
 Fire Team Formations

 Wedge
 Modified Wedge
 File
 Diamond
 Line
 Vee
 Formations can change due to terrain, visibility, and
speed of movement
 Fire Team Wedge

TL

AR GRN

RFLM

5-10m
Modified Wedge
 TL

AR

GRN

RFLM

Fire Team File

Fire Team Diamond
Fire Team Line
Fire Team Vee
 Fire Team Leaders

 Up front in formations
 Lead by example
 Use hand and arm signals
 Use voice commands
 Four Basic Squad Formations

 Squad Column
 Modified Wedge
 Squad File
 Squad Line
 Staggered Column
10m

Squad column, Fire Teams in Wedge

Modified Wedge
 Squad File

RFLM

GRN AR
TL
SL
GRN
RFLM
AR

TL
 Squad Line

TL TL
AR GRN AR GRN
RFLM SL RFLM
Staggered Column
 Weapons Squad Movement Formations
 The weapons squad is not a rifle squad and should not be treated
as such.
 The weapons squad can either travel together as a separate entity,
or can be broken up and distributed throughout the formation.
 The platoon leader places the weapons using two criteria: ability
to quickly generate fire superiority, and protection for these high
value assets.
 Weapons Squad

AH AT AH MG AG MG AG
SL AT
 Movement Techniques

 Movement techniques are not fixed formations.

 They refer to the distances between Soldiers, teams, and squads
that vary based on mission, enemy, terrain, visibility, and any
other factor that affects control. (METT-TC)
 There are three movement techniques:
– Traveling
– Traveling Overwatch
– Bounding overwatch
 The selection of a movement technique is based on the likelihood
of enemy contact and the need for speed. Factors to consider for
each technique are control, dispersion, speed, and security.
 Squad Basic Movement Techniques

 Traveling
 Traveling Overwatch
 Bounding Overwatch
– Successive
– Alternate
Squad Traveling

20m

10m

Contact Not Likely, Speed is Desired

Squad Traveling
Squad Traveling Overwatch

50m

10m

Contact is Likely, Speed is Slower

 Bounding Overwatch Successive
 If the squad uses successive bounds, the lead team, covered by
the trail team, advances and occupies a support-by-fire position.
 The trail team advances to a support-by-fire position abreast of the
lead team and halts.
 The lead team moves to the next position and the move continues.
 Only one team moves at a time, and the trail team avoids
advancing beyond the lead team.
 Contact is expected, movement is the slowest.
 Bounding Overwatch Successive

4th move
3rd move

2nd move
1st move

Initial Position
 Bounding Overwatch Alternate

 Covered by the rear team, the lead team moves forward, halts,
and assumes overwatch positions.
 The rear team advances past the lead team and takes up overwatch
positions.
 The initial lead team then advances past the initial rear team and
takes up overwatch positions.
 Only one team moves at a time. This method is usually more rapid
than successive bounds.
 Contact is expected, movement is the slowest.
 Bounding Overwatch Alternate

4th move
3rd move

2nd move
1st move

Initial Position
Review

 Three movement techniques

– Traveling
– Traveling Overwatch
– Bounding Overwatch