Selecting a Hasty Fighting Position involves choosing a temporary defensive setup that provides immediate protection and a clear line of sight to engage the enemy. These positions are used when time and materials are limited, such as when a unit is in immediate contact with the enemy, during short halts, or after seizing an objective while anticipating a counterattack.
Key Selection Criteria
When selecting a hasty fighting position, soldiers must evaluate the terrain based on several critical factors:
- Cover and Concealment: The position must be behind whatever natural or man-made cover is available, such as trees, rocks, berms, or shell craters.
- Frontal Protection: It must provide frontal cover capable of stopping small arms fire (ideally at least 18 inches of dirt or equivalent).
- Sectors of Fire: The position must allow the soldier to observe and effectively fire both to the front and at an oblique angle into their assigned sector of fire.
- Minimal Exposure: It should allow the soldier to fire around the side of an object while concealing most of their head and body.
- Strategic Advantage: The location should maximize visibility of the enemy while minimizing the soldier’s own exposure and reducing the likelihood of being flanked.
Common Types of Hasty Positions
Soldiers often utilize existing battlefield features as the foundation for their position:
- Shell Crater: A natural depression (typically 2-3 feet wide) that provides immediate cover and concealment. It is improved by digging a steep face on the side toward the enemy.
- Skirmisher’s Trench (Ranger Grave): A shallow, body-length pit that allows a soldier to lie prone. It is often the first position dug after moving into contact.
- Natural Depressions: Existing ditches or hollows that get the soldier level with the ground.
Construction and Improvement
While “hasty,” these positions almost always involve some level of preparation and continuous improvement:
- Initial Digging: If no natural hole is available, a prone shelter about 18 to 20 inches deep is dug using an entrenching tool (E-tool).
- Parapet Construction: Excavated dirt is piled in front of the position to form a low wall (parapet) to provide additional protection from direct fire and fragments.
- Grenade Sump: A trench-shaped hole is dug in the floor (ideally the length of an E-tool) to allow grenades to roll away from the soldier.
- Camouflage: Once established, the position is hidden using local vegetation, grass clumps, or branches to blend with the surroundin
Position Feature
Standard/Requirement
Position Feature
Tactical Purpose
Depth
18 inches (minimum)
Depth
Provides protection from direct and indirect fire.
Frontal Cover
At least 18 inches of earth
Frontal Cover
Minimum thickness required to stop small arms fire.
Orientation
Oblique to enemy fire
Orientation
Reduces silhouette and exposure to incoming fire.
Grenade Sump
Deep as an E-tool
Grenade Sump
Absorbs the blast of a grenade thrown into the hole.
In basic infantry training, Select Hasty Fighting Positions is the task of choosing and establishing immediate, temporary cover and concealment when time is limited or contact with the enemy is imminent. These positions are typically used during offensive operations or while on the move, providing just enough protection for a soldier to return fire effectively while minimizing their exposure.
Key Selection Criteria
When selecting a hasty fighting position, soldiers must ensure it meets the following standards:
- Cover and Concealment: It must be behind whatever natural or man-made cover is available (e.g., logs, rocks, berms, or shell craters).
- Frontal Protection: The position must provide a minimum of 18 inches (approx. 0.5 meters) of dirt or equivalent material to stop small arms fire.
- Sector of Fire: It must allow the soldier to shoot both to the front and at an oblique angle to cover their assigned area of responsibility.
- Low Silhouette: It should be in a small depression or hole that is at least 18 inches deep to keep the soldier level with the ground.
Types of Hasty Positions
- Skirmisher’s Trench: A shallow, body-length pit that provides temporary prone cover. It is often the first step before developing a more permanent hole.
- Shell Crater: A natural crater from a bomb or shell that offers immediate cover. Soldiers often dig a steep face on the side toward the enemy to improve it.
- Urban Positions: In cities, this involves using building corners, windows (staying well back to hide the muzzle flash), or rooftops for cover.
Preparation Steps
- Immediate Setup: Find a natural hole or depression. If none exist, use an entrenching tool (E-tool) to scrape a prone shelter.
- Digging: Excavate dirt to a depth of about 18 inches and pile it around the front to form a parapet (a protective wall).
- Camouflage: Use grass, branches, or foliage to blend the position into the surrounding environment, ensuring no fresh dirt is visible to the enemy.
- Continuous Improvement: As time allows, a hasty position is deepened and reinforced until it becomes a deliberate fighting position with overhead cover and grenade sumps