Marine Rifle Squad

and/or consultation with others who have been over the terrain. He chooses
a route which affords concealment from enemy observation, where little
or no enemy opposition is expected, and yet presents a minimum of obstacles
to the patrol. For a night patrol, the route should normally be planned
to avoid thick undergrowth, dense woods, and ravines. Whenever practicable,
the patrol leader should plan the return via a different route. Patrol
routes are pointed out to the patrol members by—
• Indicating the routes on a map or overlay.
• Designating objectives and checkpoints.
c. Conduct of the Patrol. The patrol leader's plan must address all the
following:
• Patrol formation and order of movement.
• Departure from and reentry to friendly lines or areas.
• Rally points and actions at rally points.
• Final preparation position and actions at that position.
• Objective rally point and actions to be taken at that point.
• Actions at danger areas.
• Actions on enemy contact.
• Actions at the objective.
d. Arms and Ammunition. The patrol leader checks to see if the arms
and ammunition specified in the warning order have been obtained.
a Uniform and Equipment. The patrol leader checks to see if all
required equipment was available and was drawn.
f. Wounded and Prisoners. The procedures for handling wounded may
vary, depending on the seriousness of the wound and if it occurs en route
to the objective, at the objective, or on the return to friendly areas. A patrol
may continue on to the objective carrying its casualties, may send them
back with a detail of men, the entire patrol may return with the casualties,
or the patrol may have to call on its parent unit for assistance. Personnel
who become casualties at the objective area or on the return to friendly
areas will normally be transported by whatever means are available —carried
by the patrol, in vehicles, or by helicopter. Prisoners normally travel with
the patrol, guarded by personnel so designated in the patrol order.
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