FT Column

Used when speed and control are governing factors, such as when moving through densely wooded areas, fog, smoke, and along roads and trails

Advantages:

- Permits fire and maneuver to the flanks

- Permits rapid controlled movement

Disadvantages:

- Vulnerable to fire from the front

- The ability to fire to front is limited

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FT Wedge

Used when enemy situation is uncertain and terrain and visibility require dispersion

Advantages:

- It is easily controlled

- Provides all around security

- Fire is adequate in all directions

- It is flexible

Disadvantages:

- It can not move as fast as a column

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FT Skirmishers (L/R)

Advantages:

- Permits maximum firepower to the front

- Used when the location and strength of the enemy are known, during the assault, and crossing short open areas.

Disadvantages:

- It is extremely difficult to control

- Movement is slow.

- The ability to fire to the flanks is limited.

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FT Echelon (L/R)

This formation is similar to a skirmish except that one flank is angled to the rear.

Advantages:

- Permits fire to the front and one flank

- It is used mainly to protect exposed flanks

Disadvantages:

- It is extremely difficult to control

- Movement is slow

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Squad Column

Used for speed and control, like FT Column.

Advantages:

- Permits rapid and easily controlled movement

- Permits fire and maneuver to the flanks (same as fire team)

Disadvantages:

- Vulnerable to fire from the front

- The ability to fire to the front is limited

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Squad Line

Places all three fire teams on line and is normally used in the assault during rapid crossing of short, open areas.

Advantages

- Maximum firepower is concentrated to the front

Disadvantages

- The ability to return fire to the flanks is limited

- Movement is slow

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Squad Echelon (L/R)

Used mainly to protect open and exposed flanks.

Advantages:

- Provides heavy firepower to the front and in the direction of echelon

Disadvantages:

- Difficult to control

- Movement is slow

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Squad Wedge

Used when enemy situation is uncertain.

Advantages:

- It is easily controlled

- Provides all around security

- It is flexible

- Fires adequately in all directions (same as fire team).

Disadvantages:

- It cannot move as fast as a column. (Same as fire team) 

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Squad Vee

An inverted squad wedge. Used when the enemy is to the front and his strength and location are known. May be used when crossing large open areas.

Advantages:

- Facilitates movement into squad line

- Provides excellent firepower to the front and to the flank

Disadvantages:

- It cannot move as fast as a column

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  Decrease Speed - extend the arm horizontally sideward, palm to the front, and wave arm downward several times, keeping the arm straight.  Arm does not move above the horizontal plane.

 Change Direction - extend arm horizontally to the side, palm to the front.

 Enemy In Sight - hold the rifle horizontally, with the stock on the shoulder, the muzzle pointing in the direction of the enemy

 Range - extend the arm fully towards the leader or men for whom the signal is intended with fist closed.  Open the fist exposing one finger for each 100 meters of range

 Cease Fire - raise the hand in front of the forehead, palm to the front, and swing the arm and forearm up and down several times in the front of the face.

 Assemble - raise the arm vertically to the full extent of the arm, fingers extended and joined, palm to the front, and wave in large horizontal circles.

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 Form Column - raise either arm to the vertical position.  Drop the arm to the rear, making complete circles in a vertical plane parallel to the body.

 Are You Ready - extend the arm toward the leader for whom the signal is intended, hand raised, fingers extended and joined, raise arm slightly above horizontal, palm facing outward.

I Am Ready - execute the signal, are you ready

 Shift - raise the hand that is on the side toward the new direction across the body, palm to the front; then swing the arm in a horizontal arc, extending arm and hand to point in the new direction.

 Echelon - face the unit being signaled, and extend one arm 45 degrees above the other arm 45 degrees below the horizontal, palms to the front.  The lower arm indicates the direction of echelon.

  Skirmisher - raise both arms laterally until horizontal, arms and hands extended, palms down.  If it is necessary to indicate the direction, move in the desired direction at the same time.

 Wedge - extend both arms downward and to the side at an angle of 45 degrees below the horizontal plane, palms to the front.

 Vee - extend arms at an angle of 45 degrees above the horizontal plane forming the letter ‘V’ with the arms and torso.

Fireteam - place the right arm diagonally across the chest

Squad - extend the arm and hand toward the squad leader, palm of the hand down, distinctly, moving the hand up and down several times from the wrist holding the arm steady.

 Platoon - extend both arms forward, palm of the hands down and make large vertical circles with hands

 Close Up - start signal with both arms extended horizontally, palm forward, and bring hands together in front of the body momentarily.

  Open Up or Extend - start signal with arms extended in the front of the body, palms together, and bring arms to the horizontal position, palms forward.

 Disperse - extend either arm vertically overhead, wave the hand and arm to the front, left, right, and rear, the palm toward the direction of each movement.

I Do Not Understand - raise both arms horizontally at the hip level, bend both arms at elbows, palms up, and shrug shoulders in the manner of universal “I don’t understand.”

 Forward - face and move to the desired direction of march, at the same time extend the arm horizontally to the rear, then swing it overhead and forward in the direction of movement until it is horizontal, palm down.

 Halt - carry the hand to the shoulder, palm to the front then thrust the hand upward vertically to the full extent of the arm and hold it in the position until the signal is understood.

 Freeze - make the signal for a halt and make a fist with the hand.

 Down, Take Cover - extend arm sideward at an angle of 45 degrees above horizontal, palm down, and lower it to the side.

 Double Time - carry the hand to the shoulder, fist closed rapidly thrust the fist upward vertically to the full extent of the arm and back to the shoulder several times.

Hasty Ambush (LEFT OR RIGHT) - raise fist to shoulder level and thrust it several times in the desired direction.

 Rally Point - touch the belt buckle with one hand and then point to the ground.

Objective Rally Point - touch the belt buckle with one hand, point to the ground, and make a circular motion.