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Basic unit movement and formations

General introduction into movement and sector keeping.

Basic formations

Formation - A formation is defined as an arrangement. The way something, in this case members of a squad, are arranged or coming together. The endgoal of keeping formations lies in working together as a single entity, providing cover and keeping sectors cleared so the integrity of the can be guaranteed.

Column

A column is frequently used in non-combat situations when moving towards a set point over the mainland. Whilst this formation is one of the most frequently used, goal of it gets misused even more. If one wants to make optimal use of this formation it is of the upmost importance to keep sectors.

The first person in line always keeps the sector right in front while navigating towards the objective. The second person chooses and vocalises wether he is taking the left or right side relative to the person in front. All soldiers who follow will take the opposite side of the person in front of him, while ultimately the last person checks the rear from time to time to make sure noone can creep up behind.

Staggered Column

A staggered column is frequently used in non-combat situations when moving towards a set point in urban areas or along main roads.

Combat movement

Bounding

The bounding tactic is a combat maneuvre frequently used to safely reach your objective when there is not much cover and when you want to keep a maximum firepower at all times.

This tactic consists of one fireteam bounding to a certain point, once that fireteam is set, the second overwatching fireteam 'bounds' up to the first fireteam's location. Which allows a maximum amount of firepower if troops come into contact with enemies. This movement gets repeated untill the full squad reaches his destination.

Alternate Bounding a.k.a. Leapfrogging

The tactic of alternating movement of coordinated units to allow, if necessary, suppressive fire in support of offensive forward movement or defensive disengagement.

In essence, a fireteam takes up an overwatch position whilst the other members advance to cover. These two fireteams continuously switch roles towards their objective. This allows the overwatch position to suppress enemy fire when necessary.

The diffrence between normal bounding and leapfrogging lies in the fact that the leapfrogging tactic overtakes the overwatch position instead of halting at the overwatching fireteam.