Combat Formations

The team (Force Recon platoon) column, with fire teams arranged in succession one behind the other, is used to maintain speed and control when moving through thick terrain such as jungle or woods, during darkness or other periods of reduced visibility and along roads, trails or narrow routes of advance.  Although easily controlled, it is open to enemy fire from the front and permits only a limited amount of fire to be returned to the front.  The column does favor fire and maneuver to the flanks.














The team wedge, with one fire team forward and two fire teams back, is normally used when the enemy situation is generally unknown and the terrain and visibility require dispersion.  Characteristics of the wedge are ease of control, all around security and ability to fire and maneuver to both the front and flanks.















The echelon right (left) with fire teams echeloned or angled to the rear (right or left) is used to protect an open or exposed flank.  It is a difficult formation to control, and is open to enemy fire from the flank that is not echeloned.  This formation can concentrate maximum fire power to the front and the flank that is echeloned or angled to the rear.

















The vee formation has the same characteristics of control, all around security and ability to fire and maneuver to the front and flanks as the wedge.  Arranged with two fire teams forward and one back, it is used when the enemy is located to the front and the strength and location are generally known.  It may also be used when crossing large open areas.  The vee facilitates movement into the line for assault.