071-430-0006 (SL4) - Conduct a Defense by a Platoon

1.   Analyze the mission.

a.
You are given a mission
to defend by the company commander.
It is either an operations order (OPORD)
or a warning order.

b.
Identify both specified
tasks and implied tasks.

c.
Make an estimate of the
situation using the factors of
mission, enemy, terrain, troops, and
time available (METT-TC).

2.   Issue a warning order to the squad leaders. The
warning order should include the
mission, time, place for issuing the
OPORD, and any special instructions
needed to start preparation for the
mission.

3.   Make a tentative plan.

4.   Conduct a reconnaissance.

a.
As a minimum, make a map
reconnaissance.

b.
If at all possible,
conduct a ground reconnaissance.

c.
Evaluate the terrain
based on how the available
observation, fields of fire, cover
and concealment, obstacles, key
terrain, and avenues of approach
best support your mission and the
commander’s intent.

d.
Request that the squad
leaders, radiotelephone operator,
and forward observers accompany the
platoon leader on the
reconnaissance. You may need to take
along some additional security
depending on the tactical situation.

5.   Start necessary movement or preparations. 
The platoon sergeant should:

a.
Initiate orders to
prepare for any necessary movement
and prepare for the defense as soon
as the warning order is issued.

b.
Request and draw
ammunition rations, water, and any
special equipment required.

c.
Accomplish any needed
maintenance.

d.
Perform any movement
required.

e.
Accomplish this during
the time you and your reconnaissance
party are conducting the
reconnaissance.

6.   Complete the plan.

a.
The plan is completed or
revised based on continuing analysis
and completion of the
reconnaissance.

b.
As a minimum, the plan
should provide for-

(1) 
The deployment of
squads.

(2) 
The deployment of key
weapons.

(3) 
The use of indirect
fire.

(4) 
The use of mines and
obstacles.

(5) 
The establishment of
security measures.

(6) 
The selection and
operation of command and
observation posts.

7.   Occupy the position.

a.
Establish local security.
Locate observation posts to make
maximum use of long-range
observations.

b.
Position key weapons.
Ensure machine guns cover infantry
avenues of approach, have primary
and secondary sectors of fire, and
provide as much grazing fire as
possible, and are assigned either a
final protective line (FPL) or a
principal direction of fire. 
Ensure Javelins or Dragons
cover armor avenues of approach,
have primary and secondary sectors
of fire, are positioned to engage
targets from the flank, and are
mutually supporting.

c.
Clear fields of fire.  Ensure
each fighting position clears its
field of fire to engage the
advancing enemy without exposing
friendly positions. Range cards are
prepared for each machine gun and
Dragon.

d.
Ensure positions have
overlapping sectors of fire.

e.
Improve fighting
positions, as time is available.
Improving overhead cover, aiming and
limiting stakes, and camouflage are
on-going activities.

f. 
Select and improve
alternate and supplementary
positions. Improve them, as time is
available.

8.   Emplace early warning devices. Platoon early
warning system is used, if available.
Trip flares are set out. Improvised
early warning devices can be used,
such as noisemakers, trip wire
grenades, or other explosives.

9.   Emplace hasty minefields and other obstacles. These
should be covered by observation and
fire.

10. Establish communication systems. Depend on radio as little as
possible. Wire networks should be
established down to each squad and up
to the company command post (CP).

11. Stockpile ammunition, water, food, and other supplies. Ensure
that any materiel is protected from
direct fire and is provided overhead
protection.

12. Engage the enemy at maximum range. When the enemy appears in
the platoon sector, he is engaged with
supporting direct and indirect fires.
As he comes within the range of your
organic weapons, you direct your
gunners to start engaging the enemy.

a.
When the enemy encounters
your minefields and obstacles, use
all friendly fires to break up the
enemy formations.

b.
If the enemy is able to
start an assault, repel or destroy
him by calling for final protective
fires (FPF) of small arms and
machine guns, and FPF from mortars
and artillery.

1.   Analyzed the mission.

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2.   Issued a warning order.

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3.   Made a tentative plan.

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4.   Conducted a reconnaissance.

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5.   Caused necessary movement and preparation to be
initiated.

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—

6.   Completed the plan and issued the order.

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7.   Occupied the position.

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—

a.
Established local
security.

b.
Positioned
key weapons.

c.
Ensured
fields of fire were cleared.

d.
Ensured
overlapping sectors of fire.

e.
Selected
alternate and supplementary
positions.

8.   Ensured early warning devices were installed.

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—

9.   Ensured hasty protective minefields and other
obstacles were constructed.

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—

10. Established communication systems, wire and radio.

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11. Requested ammunition, food, water, and other supplies for
stockpiling.

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12. Engaged the enemy at maximum ranges.

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—

a.
Covered obstacles with
fire.

b.
Called
for FPL and FPF.

FM
3-21.71

FM
7-7

FM
7-8

FM
3-90.1