Tactics - Movement

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The FM outlines our core skills, policies and guides to ensure every member stands ready for the mission ahead.

Bounding overwatch is the process of ensuring that one team is moving, whilst another is stationary and providing overwatch. When a bounding maneuver is called there are five parts described:

1. The type of bounding (successive or alternate)
2. The maneuver element scale (individual, buddy team, fireteam, squad), 
3. The direction of movement (bearing or landmark)
4. (optional) The desired stop point (distance, location or number of bounds)
5. Which element is moving first

E.g.:

• A squad leader calling “This is Alpha 1-0. Successive, Fireteam bounding, towards that barn, 1 move" wants one Fireteam to move as a whole element, while the other provides cover, for one bound, then stop to allow the other Fireteam to move. He does not want the Fireteams to then utilise buddy team bounding.
• A squad leader instructing teams to “Alternating, Buddy Team Bounding, North, 400m” implies that each Fireteam will move North at the same time, with one buddy team moving in each Fireteam at a time.

The size of each bound should be based on the terrain, visibility, proximity of enemy threat, etc. For instance, bounds across relatively open terrain can be long - both in the interest of getting across as quickly as possible and because the range of the overwatch element is higher due to the open terrain. Urban bounds, on the other hand, are typically short due to the increased density of the area and the desire to maintain security and not overextend any one element.

Bound using the follow method:

1. The lead element calls for bounding and designates which element will move first
   1. e.g. “This is actual. Successive Fireteam bounding North. 1 move first.”
2. The first element acknowledges and shouts "Moving"
3. The first element moves to a position and holds shouting “Set”
4. The second element shouts “Moving” and moves to the same position as the first, confirming “Set”
5. The first element now moves, again shouting “Moving”, to the next position and holds, shouting “Set” again
6. The second element again calls and moves up to the same position as the first

This process is repeated until the unit reaches the desired end position.

Compared with FM/BS-504 - Bound using alternating bounding this process provides a higher level of security, but is slower.

Above:

Bound using the follow method:

1. The lead element calls for bounding and designates which element will move first
   1. e.g. “This is actual. Alternating Fireteam bounding North. 1 move first.”
2. The first element acknowledges and shouts "Moving"
3. The first element moves to a position and holds shouting “Set”
4. The second element shouts “Moving” and moves to a new position past the first element, confirming “Set”
5. The first element now moves, again shouting “Moving”, again passing the other element, to a futher position and holds, shouting “Set” again
6. The second element again calls and moves past the first element.

This process is repeated until the unit reaches the desired end position.

Compared with FM/BS-503 - Bound using successive bounding this process is faster, but provides a lower level of security

Above:

‘Peeling’ is a squad or fireteam movement used when encountering a larger force with overwhelming firepower. During a peel the team employs continuous suppressive fire while successively and rapidly moving, one person at a time, in the chosen direction. This is different to bounding as a peel implies a defensive tactic being performed, whereby a bound can be both offensive and defensive.

A peel is used when an element is operating on its own when no other forces are available to provide mutual support, and splitting the element would be detrimental to the engagement. The engagement is maintained until contact is successfully broken and the element is safe or until a mutual support element is in place to provide fire to cover their withdrawal.

A center peel is used when the element encounters an overwhelming force from the front, especially in staggered column, and needs to withdraw to their rear. This will be used when operating in urban terrain and the element needs to move back down a street or in open terrain where natural cover and concealment is to the rear.

A line peel is used when the element encounters an overwhelming force from the front and needs to withdraw to cover on their right or left. This will be used in urban terrain when moving off a main street onto a side road or when out in the open to move towards natural cover and concealment.

Peel using the following method:

1. The element under fire immediately forms and maintains a staggered column towards the contact, with at least enough room in the middle for one person to sprint through.
2. The two persons abreast facing the contact begin suppressive fire.
3. The person furthest up disengages, shouts ‘MOVING!’ and turns inwards to run down the column to take the rearmost position on the same side, then calls ‘SET!
4. As soon as the first person passes the next on the opposite side, they also immediately disengage, shouting ‘MOVING’ to run down the column and calling ‘SET!’ in the rear.
5. This continues down the column until the leader calls the transition to a different manoeuvre towards a safe position or support arrives.

Above: Center peel diagram

Peel using the following method:

1. The unit under fire immediately forms a line with all guns facing the direction of contact and initiating suppressive fire.
2. The person on the far end of the line disengages, shouting ‘MOVING!’, and runs passing behind the line towards the designated direction of retreat, then calls ‘SET!’
3. As soon as the next person in line on the far end is passed by the first, they disengage shouting ‘MOVING!’, continuing the cycle.
4. This process repeats, shuffling the unit sideways one by one while keeping up suppression until disengaged.

Above: Line peel diagram