Marine Rifle Squad

8-24
(b) En Route Rally Points. These are pointsselected along the patrol's
route to the objective and from the objective back to friendly
lines/area. The patrol leader selects them as the patrol passes through
likely areas for which rally points are needed.
(c) Objective Rally Point. This is the rally point nearest the objective
at which the patrol reassembles after the mission is accomplished. It
may be located short of, to a flank, or beyond the objective. This may
also be used as the final preparatiOn point (see below).
(2) Selecting Rally Points. The patrol leader selects likely locations for
tentative rally points during his map study or reconnaissance. He always
selects a tentative initial rally point and tentative objective rally point,
and identifies them in his patrol order. He also selects additional rally
points along the patrol route, if necessary. Rally points should always
be designated on both the near and far sides of danger areas, such as
roads, trails, open areas, and streams.
(3) Actions at Rally Points. The patrol leader plans the actions to be taken
at rally points and instructs the patrol accordingly during the patrol order.
Planned actions at the initial rally point and en route rally points must provide
for the continuation of the patrol as long as there is a reasonable chance to
accomplish the mission. Actions to be taken at rally points should address—
• Recognition signals for assembly at rally points.
• The minimum number of men required and the maximum waiting
time before the senior man at the rally point moves the rallied patrol
members on to the objective.
• Instructions for patrol members who find themselves alone at a
rally point.
(4) Final Preparation Position. The final preparation position is that location
in the vicinityof the objective where the patrol makes the final preparations
prior to approaching the objective. This position must provide
the patrol concealmentfrom enemy observation and, if possible, cover
from enemy fires. It is this position from which the patrol leader's reconnaissance
is made; it serves as the release point from which units and
teams move into position to accomplish the mission at the objective. If
the situation permits, the final preparation point can also be used as the
objective rally point. Using thefinal preparation position as the objective
rally point provides the patrol with the advantage of leaving behind clothing
and equipment not required at the objective.