Conditions
The platoon is conducting operations in a live training environment independently or as part of a company or larger force.
The platoon is dismounted.
While stationary or moving, the enemy engages the platoon with direct fire.
Some iterations of this task should be performed in mission-oriented protective posture (MOPP) 4 and at night.
Standards
The platoon reacts to direct fire contact while dismounted according to ATP 3-21.8.
The squad in contact returns fire immediately and seeks cover.
The squad in contact locates the enemy and places well-aimed fire on known enemy positions.
Leaders point out enemy positions and identify the types of weapons, such as small arms and light machine guns.
The squads not in contact assume the nearest covered and concealed position.
The platoon leader (PL) reports the contact.
Cue
The drill begins when the enemy initiates direct fire contact.
TASK STEPS
(Asterisks indicate a leader performance step.)
- The squad in contact immediately returns well-aimed suppressive fire on known or suspected enemy positions while taking up a covered position.
- The squads not in contact assume the nearest covered and concealed position.
(See figure 8-1 on page 8-2.)
* 3. The squad leaders engage known or suspected enemy positions with well-aimed suppressive fire and report information to the platoon leader and platoon sergeant.
* 4. The squad leaders control the fire of their Soldiers by using standard fire command (initial and supplemental) containing the following information:
a. Alert.
b. Weapon or ammunition (optional).
c. Target description.
d. Direction.
e. Range.
f. Method.
g. Control (optional).
h. Execution.
i. Termination.
- Soldiers maintain visual or vocal contact with their leaders and the other Soldiers on their left or right (if applicable).
- Soldiers maintain contact with the team leader and indicate the location of enemy positions.
* 7. Leaders visually or vocally check the status of their personnel.
* 8. The squad leaders maintain visual contact with the platoon leader.
* 9. The platoon leader moves up to a covered and concealed position where best to observe, communicate, and control the engagement.
(See figure 8-2.)
a. The platoon leader brings the radio-telephone operator, forward observer, squad leader of the nearest squad, and one crew-served weapon team (machine gun team if available).
b. The squad leaders of the squads not in contact move to the front of their squad.
c. The platoon sergeant moves forward with the remaining crew-served weapons and links up with the platoon leader and assumes control of the support element.
* 10. The platoon leader determines whether or not the platoon can gain and maintain suppressive fires with the squad already in contact (based on the volume and accuracy of enemy fires against the squad in contact).
* 11. The platoon leader confirms the commander’s criteria to disengage and determines whether or not the platoon must move out of the engagement area.
* 12. The platoon leader makes an assessment of the situation and identifies the—
a. Location of the enemy position and obstacles.
b. Size of the enemy force engaging the squad in contact.
(The number of enemy automatic weapons, the presence of any vehicles, and the employment of indirect fire are indicators of enemy strength.)
c. Vulnerable flanks.
d. Covered and concealed flanking routes to the enemy positions.
* 13. The platoon leader decides whether to conduct an assault, bypass (if authorized by the company commander), or break contact.
* 14. The platoon leader reports the situation and begins to maneuver the platoon.