Lesson 3/Learning Event l
The reconnaissance party briefs the unit commander on their findings. The
commander
then
selects
the
site
which
has
the
most
favorable
characteristics.
The commander organizes and briefs an advance party to
occupy and prepare the area for the unit.
ADVANCE PARTY COMPOSITION
The makeup and size of the advance party is governed by two things: the
tactical situation and the amount of work required to prepare the site for
occupancy. Personnel in the advance party may include--
First sergeant.
Assistant section chiefs/platoon sergeants.
Food service personnel.
Tactical wire operations specialist.
Field sanitation team.
Maintenance personnel.
Additional troops for labor and security.
ADVANCE PARTY DUTIES
The advance party will place road guides and route markers from the old
bivouac site to the new location.
These will be picked up by the last
vehicle in the convoy. The first task of the advance party on arrival is to
clear and secure the new site. After dismounting, the troops are organized
into fire teams.
These fire teams move through the area searching for
mines, booby traps, information of intelligence value, and any other signs
of the enemy's presence.
As soon as the area has been cleared, a light
security screen is provided around the bivouac site.
This is done by
establishing observation posts and strong points along likely avenues of
approach to provide early warning and limited protection during the
occupation of the bivouac site. The tentative location of the company and
platoon command posts (CP) should be identified and provision for wire
communications made. Platoon and maintenance section representatives select
and mark off their areas.
See Figure 22 for a sample maintenance section
layout.
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