FMI 3-34.119 - Soldier Support Institute - U.S. Army

Appendix FMilitary SearchMilitary search operations are imperative to uncovering and neutralizing concealedenemies and devices. Friendly forces seize the initiative through offensive militarysearch operations locating people, information, and material resources employed bythe enemy and then acting to interdict the ability of the enemy to conduct operations.Friendly forces protect themselves and friendly populations against attack, in largepart, through defensive military search operations. As a principle means of bothcarrying the fight to the enemy and of defending friendly forces, effective searchoperations are vital to success.MILITARY SEARCH PRINCIPLESF-1. The following principles are essential to a successful search mission:• Be systematic. The approach to any search operation must be careful, deliberate, safe, detailed,and methodical to avoid oversight. The systematic search principle applies equally to theplanning, coordination, and execution of all search operations.• Be flexible. TTP and equipment must adapt to an evolving operational and tactical environmentwhere the adversary constantly changes its methods of operations in an attempt to trap, deceive,mislead, or misdirect the searcher. All procedures should be considered to be flexible, but dueconsideration should be given to ensuring consistency while not compromising safety.• Be safe. Achieve search safety by the mitigation of risk. Some examples include—• The minimum number of personnel operating in an area. Search pairs should operate withsome sort of buffer zone between them and the next pair (for example, two rooms).• The minimum time on the target. If a suspect item is found, the minimum time should bespent obtaining the relevant details of the target.• The movement of things remotely to obtain a better view of a suspected device. If there isthe slightest doubt about an item, it should be reported to EOD using the explosive hazardspot report.• The wait times (a waiting period). Wait times should be used after every positive action andshould be varied to eliminate forming a procedural pattern.• Not picking anything up.• Minimize disruption and destruction. Military search operations must both minimize thedestruction of property and the disruption to the local population. This principle is important tomaintaining the good will of the local population or at least minimizing the ill will generated.Commanders at all levels have a continuous responsibility to balance long-term physical andlong-term psychological damage caused by search operations with the benefit gained. A policymust be considered for compensating searched individuals for any damage occurring duringsearch operations.• Document. Careful documentation ensures that search teams are correctly tasked, the search iscontrolled and thorough, and the maximum benefits are gained from the search.• Isolation. Cordon and protection are vital to any search task; the teams are not there todefend themselves against outside influence. The cordon to must maintain the sterility ofinterference by friendly forces.21 September 2005 FMI 3-34.119/MCIP 3-17.01 F-1