Marine Rifle Squad

5-14
FORWARD EDGE
SIDE
UNIT SYMBOL
Figure 5-7. Sketch Symbols.
5107. The Rifle Squad in the Defense
a. Organization of the Ground. Theplatoon commander organizes the
fire team in the defense by specifying a sector of fire and a primary fighting
position. He selects terrain features to indicate the lateral and forward limits
of the squad sector of fire. He points out, on the ground, the general location
of the squad fighting position to be occupied. He designates the general
fighting positions and principal directions of fire for specific automatic rifles
which are critical to the defense of the entire platoon. He may assign a
supplementary fighting position for the squad to protect the flanks or rear
of the platoon battle position. (See fig. 5-8.)
b. Fire Plan. The squad leader formulates the squad fire plan so as to
physically occupy the assigned primary fighting position and to be able
to cover by fire the sector of fire assigned by the platoon commander. (See
fig. 5-9.) The fire plan includes the assignment of fire team sectors of fire,
fire team fighting positions, principal directions of fire for the automatic
rifles, and the squad leader's fighting position.
c. Fire Team Positions
(1) The squad leader distributes his fire teams so that they physically
occupy the assigned fighting position and are able to cover by fire the
assigned squad sector of fire.