Ranger Basic Course Phase 1: The Fort Phase

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Rifleman 1b: Move 2

Move: Lesson 8 – Battle Drill 2: Conduct a Squad Assault

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Battle Drill 1A: Squad Attack is a foundational US Army drill where a squad suppresses an enemy with one fire team while the other flanks and destroys them. Initiated upon contact, it involves fixing the enemy, maneuvering to the flank, shifting/lifting fire, seizing the objective, and consolidating to secure against counterattacks.
This video provides a visual overview of the squad attack battle drill:
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03:43
Tactical Forge
YouTube• Nov 12, 2024
Key Components of Battle Drill 1A

Action on Contact (3Ds): The team in contact immediately takes cover, returns fire, and reports the 3Ds: Direction, Distance, and Description of the enemy.
Establish Suppressive Fire: The squad leader (SL) determines if the team in contact can suppress the enemy. If so, they continue firing (base-of-fire element) to fix the enemy in place.
Maneuver (Flank Attack): The SL takes the second team (assault element) to move along a concealed route to the enemy’s exposed flank.
Shift/Lift Fire: As the assault element gets close, the base-of-fire element shifts fire (moves fire away from the assault team) or lifts fire (raises fire over the objective) to allow the assault team to maneuver safely.
Assault and Consolidation: The assault team rushes the objective, utilizing grenades and close-quarters fire. Once the objective is seized, the team calls the Limit of Advance (LOA).
Reorganize: The squad leader assigns sectors of fire, checks casualties, and prepares for counterattacks (360-degree security).

Key Personnel Roles

Squad Leader: Assesses the situation (enemy size, location, vulnerabilities) and directs the maneuver.
Base-of-Fire Team (usually one fire team): Suppresses the enemy with heavy, accurate fire (M249, M4, M203).
Assault Team (usually one fire team): Executes the flanking maneuver to destroy the enemy.

Note: This drill assumes a roughly 3-to-1 advantage over the enemy to avoid a “break contact” scenario, though the primary focus is winning the fire fight through superiority

Battle Drill 1A: Squad Attack
is the standard US Army collective action for a squad to engage and destroy an enemy force after making contact. It transitions the unit from a reactive posture (React to Contact) to an offensive maneuver.
Step 1: Action on Enemy Contact
The drill begins the moment the squad receives enemy fire.

Immediate Return Fire: Soldiers in the “kill zone” or lead element immediately return fire and seek the nearest cover.
The 3Ds: Soldiers shout the Distance, Direction, and Description of the enemy to alert the rest of the squad.
Gain Fire Superiority: The team in contact suppresses the enemy with a high volume of accurate fire.

Step 2: Locate the Enemy

Squad Leader Assessment: The Squad Leader (SL) moves forward to the team in contact to visually confirm enemy positions and strength.
Report: The SL reports the situation (enemy size, location, and nature of contact) to the Platoon Leader.

Step 3: Suppress the Enemy

Establish Support-by-Fire: The SL determines if the team in contact can suppress the enemy. If so, they become the “Support-by-Fire” (SBF) element.
Fixing the Enemy: The SBF element maintains continuous suppression to keep the enemy’s “heads down,” preventing them from maneuvering or effectively returning fire.

Step 4: Attack (Maneuver)

Flanking Maneuver: The SL takes the fire team not in contact (the assault element) and moves them along a covered and concealed route to the enemy’s flank.
Shift and Lift Fire: As the assault element nears the objective, the SL signals the SBF element to Shift Fire (aim away from the assault path) and then Lift Fire (stop or aim high) to avoid fratricide.
Assault: The assault element charges through the objective to destroy the enemy force.

Step 5: Consolidate and Reorganize

Establish Security: Once the objective is seized, the squad establishes 360-degree security at the Limit of Advance (LOA).
ACE Reports: Team leaders provide Ammunition, Casualty, and Equipment (ACE) reports to the SL.
Special Teams: The SL deploys teams for tasks like EPW (Enemy Prisoner of War) searches, Aid and Litter (treating casualties), and Demolition

 

 

A rifle squad assault, typically involving two four-soldier fire teams (Alpha and Bravo) and a squad leader, relies on specialized roles to maneuver and fire simultaneously. The fundamental principle of the assault is the “base of fire” (support) allowing the other team to “maneuver” (assault) the objective.
Here is a breakdown of the specific roles each soldier plays during the assault:
1. Squad Leader (SL)
  • Role: Tactical Command and Control.
  • Assault Tasks: Commands the overall movement of the two fire teams. The SL maneuvers the squad using fire and movement, controls the rate and distribution of fire, communicates with the platoon leader (SITREPs), and positions themselves where they can best control the assault.
2. Fire Team Leader (FTL)
  • Role: Lead by Example / Tactical Control.
  • Assault Tasks: Typically a Corporal or Sergeant leading a four-man fire team. They carry out the SL’s orders, guide the team’s fire and movement, and ensure security of the team’s area. Often serves as the grenadier to provide specialized fire support.
3. Automatic Rifleman (AR)
  • Role: Base of Fire / Suppression.
  • Assault Tasks: Operates the squad automatic weapon (SAW, M249, or M27 IAR) to deliver high-volume, rapid fire. During an assault, they provide base of fire to pin down the enemy, enabling the rest of the team to maneuver. They aim for area targets, bunkers, or enemy machine gun positions.
4. Grenadier
  • Role: High-Explosive Support / Specialized Fire.
  • Assault Tasks: Armed with a rifle and an attached 40mm grenade launcher (M203/M320). They engage point targets (bunker apertures, windows) and area targets with HE or HEDP grenades, providing fire that rifles cannot. They also use smoke grenades to mask the assault team’s movement.
5. Rifleman
  • Role: Assaulter / Point Man.
  • Assault Tasks: Usually armed with a standard M16/M4, providing precise fire on point targets. They often serve as the “point man” (scout) taking the lead during movement and are tasked with clearing enemy positions during the final phase of the assault. They may carry additional ammo for the AR or anti-tank weapons.
6. Assistant Automatic Rifleman (AAR)
  • Role: Suppressive Support / Ammo Management.
  • Assault Tasks: Armed with a rifle, they accompany the AR to provide extra ammunition and target spotting. They replace the AR if they become casualty and assist in identifying targets through spotting tracer fire.
Common Assault Team Structure (Example)
  • Assault Element (Team 1): Moves to close with and destroy the enemy (FTL, Grenadier, Rifleman, Rifleman).
  • Support Element (Team 2): Provides suppressing fire on the objective to disrupt the enemy (FTL, Automatic Rifleman, AAR, Rifleman).
Key Assault Tactics:
  • Ready-Team-Fire-Assist (USMC): A mnemonic for the fire team: Rifleman (Ready), Team Leader (Team), Auto Rifleman (Fire), Assistant Auto Rifleman (Assist).
  • Fire and Maneuver: While one team suppresses, the other moves. The process is repeated until the objective is reached.
  • Actions on the Objective: Clearing of key terrain, killing/capturing the enemy, and clearing obstacles.