Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad - Sakai

Chapter 1
• Have the frequencies and call signs on his person in a location known to all Soldiers in the
platoon.
• Assist the platoon leader with information management.
• Assist the platoon leader and platoon sergeant employing digital C2 systems available to the
squads and platoon.
• Determine his combat load prior to operations and manage his batteries during operations.
FORWARD OBSERVER
1-70. The forward observer (FO), along with a fire support RTO, is the unit’s SME on indirect fire
planning and execution. The FO is the primary observer for all fire support (FS) assets to include company
mortars (if assigned), battalion mortars, field artillery, and any other allocated FS assets. He is responsible
for locating targets and calling and adjusting indirect fires. He must know the mission and the concept of
operation, specifically the platoon’s scheme of maneuver and concept of fires. He works directly for the
platoon leader and interacts with the next higher headquarters’ fire support representative. The FO must
also—
• Inform the FIST headquarters of the platoon situation, location, and fire support requirements.
• Prepare and use maps, overlays, and terrain sketches.
• Call for and adjust indirect fires.
• Operate as a team with the fire support RTO.
• Select targets to support the platoon’s mission.
• Select observation post(s) (OP) and movement routes to and from selected targets.
• Operate digital message devices and maintain communication with the battalion and company
fire support officer (FSO).
• Maintain grid coordinates of his location.
• Be prepared to back up the platoon leader’s radio on the higher headquarters net if needed.
• Be prepared to employ close air support assets.
PLATOON MEDIC
1-71. The platoon medic is assigned to the battalion medical platoon and is attached upon order. His
primary function is force health protection. As such, he is the unit’s SME on treatment and evacuation of
casualties. He works directly for the platoon sergeant. However, he also interacts heavily with the
company’s senior medic. During operations the medic—
• Treats casualties and assists the aid and litter teams with their evacuation.
• Advises the platoon leader and platoon sergeant on all force health protection matters, and
personally checks the health and physical condition of platoon members.
• Reports all medical situations and his actions taken to the platoon sergeant.
• Requests Class VIII (medical) supplies for the platoon through the company medic.
• Provides training and guidance to combat lifesavers.
INFANTRY FIRE TEAM
1-72. The Infantry fire team is designed to fight as a team and is the fighting element within the Infantry
platoon. Infantry platoons and squads succeed or fail based on the actions of their fire teams.
1-73. The Infantry fire team is designed as a self-contained team (Figure 1-5). The automatic rifleman
(AR) provides an internal base of fire with the ability to deliver sustained suppressive small arms fire on
area targets. The rifleman provides accurate lethal direct fire for point targets. The grenadier provides high
explosive (HE) indirect fires for both point and area targets. A team leader (TL) who provides C2 through
leadership by example (“Do as I do”) leads this team.
1-14 FM 3-21.8 28 March 2007