FM 3-34.22 - Army Electronic Publications & Forms - U.S. Army

Chapter 4
information on enemy actions and changes to the terrain. A guard force prevents enemy ground
observation of and direct fire against the main body by reconnoitering, attacking, defending, and delaying.
Usually, the BCT assigns a guard mission to one of its maneuver units (such as a CAB or infantry
battalion); however, when augmented, the RS can perform guard operations under certain conditions.
4-12. A guard mission differs from a screen mission in that a guard force may be offensive or defensive in
nature, and the guard force is resourced with sufficient combat power to defeat, cause the withdrawal of, or
fix the lead elements of a specific enemy ground force before it can engage the main body with direct fire.
A guard force routinely engages enemy forces with direct and indirect fires. A screening force, however,
primarily uses indirect fires or close air support (CAS) to destroy enemy reconnaissance elements and slow
the movement of other enemy forces. A guard force uses all means at its disposal (including decisive
engagement) to prevent the enemy from penetrating to a position where it could observe and engage the
main body. It operates within the range of the main body FS weapons, deploying over a narrower front
than a comparable-sized screening force to facilitate the concentration of combat power.
4-13. A guard mission is appropriate when—
� Contact is expected.
� There is an exposed flank or a threat force to the rear.
� The protected force is conducting a retrograde operation.
� There is a requirement for greater protection than a screen.
4-14. A unit conducting a guard mission performs the tasks below within its capabilities unless otherwise
directed to alter this list. If a unit does not have the time or other resources available to complete all of
these tasks, it informs the commander assigning the mission and requests guidance on how to adjust the
task list. Guard tasks include the following:
� Destroy the enemy advance guard.
� Maintain contact with enemy forces and report activity in the AO.
� Maintain continuous surveillance of AAs into the AO under all visibility conditions.
� Impede and harass the enemy within its capabilities while displacing.
� Cause the enemy main body to deploy, and report its direction of travel.
� Allow no enemy ground element to pass through the security area undetected and unreported.
� Destroy or cause the withdrawal of all enemy reconnaissance patrols.
� Maintain contact with its main body and any other security forces operating on its flanks.
4-15. Whether the guard is for a stationary (defending) or moving (attacking) force, the various types of
guard missions and the knowledge of the terrain and enemy dictate the specific task organization of the
guard force. The guard force commander normally plans to conduct the guard mission as an area defense,
delay, zone reconnaissance, or movement-to-contact mission within the security area. The three types of
guard operations are as follows:
� Advance. An advance guard for a stationary force is defensive in nature. It defends or delays
according to the main body commander’s intent. An advance guard for a moving force is
offensive in nature and normally conducts a movement to contact. The advance guard develops
the situation so that the main body can use its combat power to the greatest effect. The advance
guard is also responsible for clearing the axis of advance or designated portions of the AO of
enemy elements. This allows the main body unimpeded movement, prevents the unnecessary
delay of the main body, and defers the deployment of the main body for as long as possible.
� Flank. A flank guard protects an exposed flank of the main body. A flank guard is similar to a
flank screen, except that the commander plans defensive positions in addition to OPs.
� Rear. The rear guard protects the exposed rear of the main body. This occurs during offensive
operations when the main body breaks contact with flanking forces or during a retrograde
operation. The commander may deploy a rear guard behind both moving and stationary main
bodies.
4-4 FM 3-34.22 11 February 2009