Individual Movement Techniques
Encyclopedia
Individual Movement Techniques or IMTs (also known as Infantry Minor Tactics in Australia
) are the most basic tactics that are employed at the squad
, section
or platoon
level. They are similar in most modern armies.
In most situations except static defense, IMTs are based on the principle of fire and movement
. That is, firing and moving, often in pairs, with one soldier firing to suppress
the enemy whilst the other moves either toward the enemy or to a more favourable position. The movement is often only 5-10 metres per move. This technique is sometimes referred to as "pepper-potting" (British/Commonwealth) or "fireteam rushes" (US).
IMTs are typically taught to all arms and services both in basic training and often also whilst undergoing non-infantry specialty training. In some military forces, such as the Australian Army
, the entire British Armed Forces and the United States Marine Corps
all units in the field force regardless of corps
, regiment
, trade or specialty are supposed to undergo annual refresher training in IMTs, on the basis that all soldiers can be expected to at least provide local security for their unit.
Most IMTs are taught in the form of a battle drill
, a series of choreographed steps that occur automatically in reaction to certain stimuli, such as sighting an enemy to the front, or being fired upon by an enemy from the flank
. The initial stages of the drill are always the same and therefore action does not require full appraisal of the situation. Such stimulus-response training allows coordinated responses without the need for direct orders.
In combat, this allows the first few moments of the engagement to occur almost automatically and gives the soldiers a way to respond appropriately and predictably while the unit commander evaluates the situation prior to issuing orders.
The basic drill is:
The basic drill is designed to provide a soldier with simple steps to follow under the stress of combat. The essential goal of the basic drill is to move the soldier into cover, remove him from the last position where he was likely to be seen by the enemy, and keep him positively engaged by identifying and shooting any targets in range until his commander makes an appraisal and issues instructions.
Examples of drills that are employed when contact has been initiated or is considered imminent are contact drill, ambush drill and counter ambush drill.
By quickly and aggressively executing these drills without waiting for orders the unit can gain or regain the initiative without needing to wait for orders from their commander.
An example of a drill that is employed when contact with the enemy is not considered imminent is harbor drill (a harbor is a overnight defensive position, stopping place or patrol base.
These drills generally take the form of a standardised reaction depending on the type of drill and the direction of enemy contact if any.
Similar drills are laid down and rehearsed for armoured or mechanized units, and units mounted in soft transport.
Below are some example section and platoon drills used by the Australian Army up until the 90s.
These drills are intended for stealthy patrolling in close country.
There were extensively and effectively used and improved throughout various conflicts in South East Asia, including Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
) are the most basic tactics that are employed at the squad
Squad
In military terminology, a squad is a small military unit led by a non-commissioned officer that is subordinate to an infantry platoon. In countries following the British Army tradition this organization is referred to as a section...
, section
Section (military unit)
A section is a small military unit in some armies. In many armies, it is a squad of seven to twelve soldiers. However in France and armies based on the French model, it is the sub-division of a company .-Australian Army:...
or platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
level. They are similar in most modern armies.
In most situations except static defense, IMTs are based on the principle of fire and movement
Fire and Movement
Fire and movement or fire and manoeuvre is a military tactic that uses suppressive fire, or threat thereof, to decrease the enemy's ability to return fire, organization and unit cohesion, and morale. The tactic is used by small unit commanders on the modern battlefield...
. That is, firing and moving, often in pairs, with one soldier firing to suppress
Suppressive fire
In military science, suppressive fire is a fire that degrades the performance of a target below the level needed to fulfill its mission. Suppression is usually only effective for the duration of the fire. Suppressive fire is not always a direct form of fire towards targets; it can be an effective...
the enemy whilst the other moves either toward the enemy or to a more favourable position. The movement is often only 5-10 metres per move. This technique is sometimes referred to as "pepper-potting" (British/Commonwealth) or "fireteam rushes" (US).
IMTs are typically taught to all arms and services both in basic training and often also whilst undergoing non-infantry specialty training. In some military forces, such as the Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
, the entire British Armed Forces and the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
all units in the field force regardless of corps
Corps
A corps is either a large formation, or an administrative grouping of troops within an armed force with a common function such as Artillery or Signals representing an arm of service...
, regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
, trade or specialty are supposed to undergo annual refresher training in IMTs, on the basis that all soldiers can be expected to at least provide local security for their unit.
Most IMTs are taught in the form of a battle drill
Battle drill
An Infantry battle drill describes how platoons and squads apply fire and maneuver to commonly encountered situations. They require leaders to make decisions rapidly and to issue brief oral orders quickly....
, a series of choreographed steps that occur automatically in reaction to certain stimuli, such as sighting an enemy to the front, or being fired upon by an enemy from the flank
Flanking maneuver
In military tactics, a flanking maneuver, also called a flank attack, is an attack on the sides of an opposing force. If a flanking maneuver succeeds, the opposing force would be surrounded from two or more directions, which significantly reduces the maneuverability of the outflanked force and its...
. The initial stages of the drill are always the same and therefore action does not require full appraisal of the situation. Such stimulus-response training allows coordinated responses without the need for direct orders.
In combat, this allows the first few moments of the engagement to occur almost automatically and gives the soldiers a way to respond appropriately and predictably while the unit commander evaluates the situation prior to issuing orders.
Basic Drill
Perhaps the most basic of all IMTs is the "Basic Drill". The Basic Drill is one that all individual soldiers are supposed to perform if they come under fire.The basic drill is:
- Double tapDouble tapA double tap or controlled pair is a shooting technique where two well-aimed shots are fired at the same target with very little time in between shots. Instruction and practice of the double-tap improves overall accuracy as shooters often do not have the gun fully extended on the first shot meaning...
- Run two or three steps
- Drop to the ground or into cover
- Crawl a few yards (or move under concealment/cover)
- Observe
- Shoot (identified targets of opportunity within effective range)
- Move
- Observe
- Shoot
- Repeat until issued orders.
The basic drill is designed to provide a soldier with simple steps to follow under the stress of combat. The essential goal of the basic drill is to move the soldier into cover, remove him from the last position where he was likely to be seen by the enemy, and keep him positively engaged by identifying and shooting any targets in range until his commander makes an appraisal and issues instructions.
Other Drills
In addition to the basic drill, many forces, especially British Commonwealth forces have a variety of standard drills intended to deal with common situations/scenarios. These drills include drills for situations where contact with the enemy is has been initiated or is considered imminent as well as drills that do not anticipate imminent contact with the enemy.Examples of drills that are employed when contact has been initiated or is considered imminent are contact drill, ambush drill and counter ambush drill.
By quickly and aggressively executing these drills without waiting for orders the unit can gain or regain the initiative without needing to wait for orders from their commander.
An example of a drill that is employed when contact with the enemy is not considered imminent is harbor drill (a harbor is a overnight defensive position, stopping place or patrol base.
These drills generally take the form of a standardised reaction depending on the type of drill and the direction of enemy contact if any.
Similar drills are laid down and rehearsed for armoured or mechanized units, and units mounted in soft transport.
Below are some example section and platoon drills used by the Australian Army up until the 90s.
These drills are intended for stealthy patrolling in close country.
There were extensively and effectively used and improved throughout various conflicts in South East Asia, including Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam.
Contact Drill
- Scouts engage the enemy
- Gun team moves to the high ground or right hand side
- Rifle group deploys behind the gun group and awaits orders.
- Generally the section command will use the rifle team to attack the enemy's flank
Counter Ambush Drill
- Elements caught under effective fire in the ambush kill zone fight back
- Other elements form up and assault the ambushers from the flank
- If all elements are caught under effective fire in the ambush kill zone, the unit aggressively assaults into the ambush
Harbor Drill (Infantry/Dismounted Troops)
The mnemoic word to aid memory for this drill is DROSCCSS- Deception - a deception manourvre is undertaken, e.g. a "hook" where the unit loops back and ambushes its own trail to ensure it is not being tailed
- Recon - the commander performs a recon of the proposed harbor site
- Occupation - the unit occupies the harbor. This is often undertaken as a drill where the elements of the unit's positions are based on a clock. E.g. Commander indicates a direction to be 12 O'Clock. 1 section occupies 12-4 O'clock, 2 section occupies 4-8 O'clock, 3 section occupies 8-12 O'Clock and platoon headquarters occupies the center. As the unit occupies the harbor each unit files past the commander and each individual is counted. Normally machine guns will be placed at 12,4 and 8 O'Clock.
- Stand to - all troops stand to - that is face out in cover, weapons in hand, combat equipment on, packs off.
- Clearing patrols - scout teams perform a local patrol around the perimeter of the harbor. Clearing patrols stay within sight of the perimeter.
- Co-ord - the commander tours the perimeter and ensures that the sub units are providing all round defence and the key terrain/approaches is appropriately covered. Claymores, tripflares etc. are deployed.
- Sentries - the machine guns are manned, a radio watch is established and additional sentries may be deployed.
- Stand down - troops not on sentry or other duties are stood down and begin harbour routine, e.g. preparing fighting positions, clearing firelanes, weapon servicing, personal admin etc.
Harbor Drill Cavalry Unit
- Deception - a deception manourvre is undertaken, e.g. a "hook" where the unit loops back and ambushes its own trail to ensure it is not being tailed
- Recon - the commander performs a recon of the proposed harbor site
- Occuptation - the unit occupies the harbor. Vehicles move into a position of all round defence, facing out. depending on terrain the rear of the vehicles may be almost touching (in very close terrain) or they may be 10s of meters apart, in more open terrain. At a visual signal from the commander all vehicles are switched off simultaneously. This makes it difficult for any enemy that can hear the vehicles to count the number of vehicles.
- Stand to - crewmen remain in their fighting positions. Assault troops or infantry will dismount and move out in front of the vehicles to the edge of visibility or 20-100m depending on terrain.
- Clearing patrols - scout teams perform a local patrol around the perimeter of the harbor.
- Co-ord - the commander tours the perimeter and ensures that the sub units are providing all round defence and the key terrain/approaches is appropriately covered. Concertina wire may be placed in front of or between the vehicles, depending on the terrain and situation. Claymores, tripflares, seismic sensors etc. are deployed.
- Sentries - sentries are posted and a number (the number depends on the situation) turrets are manned. Dismounted static or mobile sentries may also be posted.
- Stand down - troops not on sentry or other duties are stood down and begin harbour routine, e.g. servicing, clearing fire lanes,battle procedure, personal admin etc.