Tactical Employment of Forces:

Organization: You organize your squad, response force, or backup force (persons and equipment) to best implement the tactical plan. That is, for the most part, simply telling each person what to do and with what weapons. Once you decide which person or weapon to assign to each task, you must give clear orders.

Wedge Formation: One movement formation used by the fire team is the wedge. In formation, the fire team leader is in the lead position with their personnel echeloned to the right and left behind them, each with an assigned sector of observation to gain all-around security. The normal interval between personnel is about 30 feet, but may be less if visibility is poor. Terrain may also dictate temporary modification of the wedge formation. However, as soon as conditions permit, the wedge is resumed automatically and without command. The position for all but the fire team leader may vary. This simple formation lets the fire team leader lead by example. The fire team leader may give specific orders to their personnel if time permits. However, without orders, when the fire team leader moves to the right, their personnel also move to the right; when the fire team leader fires, their personnel also fire. The Wedge formation may be heavy left or heavy right. This is determined by which side of the wedge the support is placed on.

Movement Technique: Movement techniques are used to reduce exposure under hostile conditions. The selection of a movement technique is based on the likelihood of enemy contact and the need for speed. To offset the advantage of the adversary, you must use movement techniques that will cause initial contact to be made with the least number of personnel and with fire teams in position to fire or fire and maneuver in support of the fire team that makes contact. This means that when not in contact you should move with your smallest element leading--a fire team leads a squad or response force. The rest of the unit follows behind the lead fire team and over-watches its movement (over-watch means being in position to immediately support the lead fire team by fire and/or maneuver. Likelihood of contact is divided into three categories. From the least chance of contact to the greatest, they are: (1) not likely, (2) possible or (3) expected. Adjust the basic movement technique to fit the likelihood of contact.

Likelihood of Contact Movement Technique

Not likely: Traveling
Possible: Traveling over-watch
Expected: Bounding over-watch

These movement techniques are not fixed formations. Distance between fire teams varies based on the terrain and visibility. Fire team leaders maintain visual contact with the fire team to their front. One person in each fire team maintains visual contact with the fire team to the rear. Personnel should be able to move most of the time using hand-and-arm signals for control.

Traveling: Use the traveling technique when speed is important and contact with the enemy is not likely. One fire team follows the other, keeping about 60 feet apart depending on the terrain. When traveling, the best location for the force leader normally is with the lead fire team to aid navigation, movement, and control.

Traveling Over-watch: Use the traveling over-watch technique when the chance of hostile contact is possible. Caution is justified, but speed is desirable. This technique gives you more time and distance in which to react if the lead fire team unexpectedly runs into hostile fire.

The trailing fire teams drop behind the lead fire team about 150 feet, and are prepared to support the lead fire team. If the lead fire team receives fire the trailing teams are far enough to the rear so they will not be hit by the same hostile fire, yet close enough to fire and/or maneuver in support of the lead fire team.

When using traveling over-watch, the force leader goes where they can best control the force in the event of contact. Normally, this is with the trailing fire teams. This follows the rule of using the least number of persons to find the enemy force, and enhances the ability to support the lead fire team by fire and to influence the situation. An exception to the force leader's normal location with the trail fire team, they may temporarily accompany the lead fire team when conditions so dictate, such as, when limited visibility precludes good control of the force from the trail fire teams' position.

Bounding over-watch: Bounding over-watch is used when contact is expected. This is the most deliberate and cautious of the movement techniques. The over-watch covers the progress of the bounding fire team from a covered and concealed position. This position offers observation and field of fire against potential hostile positions. The over-watching fire team(s) can immediately support the bounding fire team by fire and/or maneuver if the bounding fire team makes contact. The bounding fire team moves forward to another position covered by the over-watching fire team(s). When the bounding fire team reaches the new position, they secure it so that the over-watching fire team(s) can move forward.


For airsoft, a bound should not normally more than 150 or 2000 feet forward of the
over-watch fire team(s). It must be closely tied to terrain, the range of the over-watching fire team's weapons, field of fire of the over-watch, and the ability of the force leader to control all fire teams.

The force leader must ensure that the bounding fire team leader knows where the fire team is to move and by which route, what to do when they get there, the location of the force leader and the over-watch fire team(s), and how to get their next instructions. The over-watch fire team leader(s) must know the route and the destination of the bounding fire team. Each person in the over-watch fire team(s) must select positions which give them cover, concealment, observation, and a good field of fire.

Observation to the flanks of the over-watch position may be critical. Individual positions must be adjusted to ensure observation of all locations that pose a possible threat.

During movement by bounding over-watch, force leaders must be where they can best control their forces. They may change their location from one team to another. They normally will join the over-watching fire team(s) as the bounding fire team passes. When with a bounding fire team, the force leader moves in a position which will not mask its fire, interfere with its movement, or cause its personnel to shift position as the leader joins or leaves the fire team. The leader normally locates to the rear and on a flank which facilitates the leader's drop-off to the fire teams(s) being passed. The force leader must issue clear and concise orders.

The key to this movement technique is the proper use of terrain. All personnel in the force must exploit all cover and concealment. The chance of exposure to hostile observation must be avoided.