The Army Training System - AskTOP

FM 3-20.98__________________________________________________________________________123456789101112131415161718192021222324WEAPONS ERRORSI-14.BATTLEFIELD HAZARDSI-15.the tactical “picture” available at each level and can lead to erroneousclearance of supporting fires.Lapses in individual discipline can result in fratricide. Theseincidents include charge errors, accidental discharges, mistakes withexplosives and hand grenades, and use of incorrect gun data.A variety of explosive devices and materiel may create danger onthe battlefield: unexploded ordnance; unmarked or unrecordedminefields, including scatterable mines; booby traps. Failure to mark,record, remove, or otherwise anticipate these threats will lead tocasualties.RELIANCE ON INSTRUMENTSI-16.A unit that relies too heavily on systems such the FBCB2 andGPS devices will find its capabilities severely degraded if these systemsfail. The unit will be unable to maintain situational awareness. Toprevent potential dangers when system failure occurs, the reconnaissanceplatoon leader must ensure that his he and his scouts use a balance oftechnology and traditional basic soldier skills in observation, navigation,and other critical activities.25SECTION IV – FRATRICIDE RISK ASSESSMENT2627282930313233343536373839404142434445I-17. Figure I-1 is a worksheet for evaluating fratricide risk in thecontext of mission requirements. The worksheet lists six missionaccomplishmentfactors that affect the risk of fratricide, along withrelated considerations for each factor. Leaders should assess the potentialrisk in each area (low, medium, or high) and assign a point value to each(one point for low risk, two for medium risk, three for high risk). Theythen add the point values to calculate the overall fratricide assessmentscore.I-18. The resulting score is used only as a guide, however. The leader’sfinal assessment must be based both on observable risk factors, such asthose listed on the worksheet, and on his “feel” for the intangible factorsaffecting the operation. Note that descriptive terms are listed only in thelow- and high-risk columns of the worksheet. The assessment of eachfactor will determine whether the risk matches one of these extremes orlies somewhere between them as a medium risk.I-4