Reporting Contacts

A three minute video that demonstrates the 1stMIP SOP (standard operating proceedure) of reporting contacts with enemies. The squad leader’s voice is not captured here, but all squad member voices are recorded. The main voice (one with an accent) is that of my Sargent, 1stMIP Jeepo, the leader of fireteam Alpha. Notice that contacts with enemy will be reported, and often will include directional information.

1stMIP squad members are required to report all enemy contacts as well as the location of the contacts (using cardinal points). Details should include the number of enemy and weapons, if available. When an enemy is killed, the soldier must relay the message ‘contact down.’ This is critical information as the squad leader must know the number and location of the enemy if fireteams are to be deployed effectively.

1stMIP squad members are always to move with their fireteam leader, unless otherwise ordered. This ensures that when enemy contact is made we have two to three guns trained on the same target, and in ideal situations, six guns working together.

The execution of the SOP is not perfect in this sample. As squad leader I was not exercising sufficient control over fireteams Alpha and Bravo, and as a result our assault on the enemy rally point was inefficient. I failed to make use of our strategic advantages – high ground, oversight, and distance. I failed to command Bravo to lay down suppressing fire on the enemy location from our high ground (my position), and then send Alpha forward on a flank. This use of Bravo to suppress an enemy while Alpha engages is another 1stMIP SOP, and my failure to execute the SOP increased our risks and failed to use the advantage afford us by the local terrain.

The last moments of the video show me, as squad leader, making a very foolish decision to move, without proper support, into an area known to be hostile. The result was predictable.

[media]http://www.strangelove.com/Strangemovies/contact.flv[/media]

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