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7/28/2019 Crossing Danger Areas
1/12
Crossing a Danger Areas ( Trail or Road)
from tacticalmarkers.com
The object of this drill is to have the team cross the danger area in the
formation and location specified by the team leader leader. On the far side of
the danger area, team personnel and equipment are accounted for. The
team continues the mission.
This is done in a series of steps. Below is directly out of the US Army FM 7-8
What i want to do here is first leave the Army doctrine in place and then
after you finish reading this Ill explain how it really works.
Army speak starts here:
(1) When the lead team signals "danger area" (relayed throughout the
platoon), the platoon halts.
(2) The platoon leader moves forward, confirms the danger area, and
determines what technique the platoon will use to cross. The platoon
sergeant also moves forward to the platoon leader.
(3) The platoon leader informs all squad leaders of the situation and the near-
side and far-side rally points.
(4) The platoon sergeant directs positioning of the near-side security (usually
conducted by the trail squad). These two security teams may follow him
forward when the platoon halts and a danger area signal is passed back.
(5) The platoon leader reconnoiters the danger area and selects the crossing
point that provides the best cover and concealment.
(6) Near-side security observes to the flanks and overmatches the crossing.
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(7) When the near-side security is in place, the platoon leader directs the far-
side security team to cross the danger area.
(8) The far-side security team clears the far side.
(9) The far-side security team leader establishes an OP forward of the cleared
area.
(10) The far-side security team signals to the squad leader that the area is
clear. The squad leader relays the message to the platoon leader.
(11) The platoon leader selects the method the platoon will use to cross the
danger area.
(12) The platoon quickly and quietly crosses the danger area.
(13) Once across the danger area, the main body begins moving slowly on
the required azimuth.
(14) The near-side security element, controlled by the platoon sergeant,
crosses the danger area where the platoon crossed. They may attempt to
cover any tracks left by the platoon.
(15) The platoon sergeant ensures everyone crosses and sends up the report.
(16) The platoon leader ensures accountability and resumes movement at
normal speed.
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NOTE: The same principles stated above are used when crossing a smaller
unit across a danger area.
End of Army Speak!!
Ok, everybody got that? Sure, and you all understand it completely. Well my
team of real soldiers didn't. This simple little drill was practiced maybe 50
times before it really worked the way it should and we were suppose to know
what we were doing. So, in the paintball field it works the same way.
Throughout this site I'm sure you have noticed that I preach practice andpractice as a team. Do the little things and get them down, cold. Then start
putting those small tasks and drills together and build into a real formidable
team.
So, enough jaw jacking, let's break this down.
For our purposes we are going to use a medium sized team. Not quite as big
as a normal infantry squad but close enough. We have eight members. And,
let's set some other parameters. We are in a scenario game that has a
decent size field. This is not the 15 min , run in the middle and spray paint
game. This is the type we all love to play. Games with an objective, a
mission or task to complete. A game that lasts a while. That means you
really get to use tactics and skill.
Our field is a wooded area, there are trails and paths or maybe even a road. (
like a power line easement) to cross. These areas are fairly open and clear.
They make natural boundaries and natural places to really get smoked.
The crossing
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So your team is moving through the woods and comes upon a path. You have
to get your team across this path. It is about 20 feet wide. ( about the same
as a two lane road). There are woods on either side. From your side of the
road you can't really see into the other side woods more than a few feet. So,
what do you want to do? Normally in paintball the team will either run across
or maybe even try to cross all at once in a mad dash. I want you would-beteam leaders to ask yourself a question.
Where is the danger on this danger area?
Is it:
a. the road
b. the far side
c. the near side
Actually it's all three, but you knew that. Also we need to back up a bit here
and talk about how you get to this danger area. How is your team organized?
There are three basic formations (organizations) for moving your team
through the bush.
An Army acronym called METT-T will determine how this happens.
For your learning pleasure as per the US Army:
METT-T
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Mission. Commanders pass to their subordinates a clear concise statement of
what is to be done and for what purpose. Whenever possible commanders
assign subordinates an objective and a zone with few restrictive measures. A
time is specified to coordinate actions of various subordinate units.
Enemy. Commanders consider the enemy's dispositions, equipment, doctrine,
capabilities and probable courses of action. They aggressively seek enemy
weaknesses. Requires a constant active and predictive intelligence effort
oriented on critical units and areas.
Terrain and Weather. Commanders exploit terrain to provide maneuver
opportunities and cover and concealment. Key terrain directly impacts the
success or failure of an operation, providing a significant advantage to the
force controlling it. Weather and visibility conditions can provide concealment
from enemy forces and opportunities for friendly forces.
Troops Available. The number and type of friendly troops available affect the
tactical plan. Choosing which units for which types of actions is vital to
success and is influenced by the status of the units' training and the
experience of their leaders. Units are employed according to their capabilities
and perform the functions of the battlefield operating systems.
Time. Timing is critical to the synchronization of the battlefield operating
systems. Rapid execution is key to conducting operations that keep the
enemy off balance, acting inside his decision cycle.
Reference: FM 100-5
The Line
All members move in a line abreast of each other. This is hard to control but
give the most firepower forward. Can be used to assault through the other
teams position.
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The Wedge
Good moving formation with pretty good security all around. An eight personteam will use two wedges
The File
Easy to move through heavy brush or on trails. Good firepower to flanks,
weak to front and rear.
Click this thumbnail to see the larger view of this formation
These formations are controlled by hand signals most of the time. If your
team has voice activated radios and they are quiet these work real well too.
The formation I try to use the most is a combination of wedge and file This is
shown on the left side of the illustration above "column with teams in
wedges". This allows a lot of flexibility.
Below are my terrible artist's renditions of what is happening.
Position #1
The team approaches the danger area As mentioned before we will use this
road depicted in the diagrams below.
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The forward element of the team ( A1) signals to the team leader (TL) that
a danger area is ahead.
The TL will normally move forward to observe the situation and decide of a
plan of action.
Several decisions are to be made.
1. Does the team cross the danger area?
2.Can the team go around and not expose itself to observation
3. Is there time to detour or will this affect the overall plan (mission).
4. How will the team cross ( if the decision has been to to cross).
So our TL decides to dross the team. Below is ONE way to do it.
The team leader after deciding to cross ( decision takes only a second or
two) signals that rear security needs to report to him.
He signals with hand signals that security is to come to him. The signal is
passed back down the line by every team member. It is important that each
team member passed the signal. Not only does this get the message passed
but it also lets each member to know what is going on. The guy in back may
be 20-30 yards or more from the danger area and all they know is the
formation has stopped. Communicate. ( I can't stress this enough)
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Click this thumbnail to see the larger view of this formation
Rear security (B3 and B4) move up through the team and report. The TL
points out the crossing area and sets the security to work
B3, B4 move to the departure point in the near side of the crossing. A2 and
A3 give the B3,B4 team cover as they cross.
Click this thumbnail to see the larger view of this formation
B3 and B4 cross the danger area and immediately recon the far side. This is
done quickly as this is when they are most vulnerable.
B4 remains at the farthest point on the recon and acts as a guide for the rest
of the team to move to. B3 returns to the crossing point and checks that the
main body of the team is ready. B3 motions the team across.
Click this thumbnail to see the larger view of this formation
As the team crosses the path B3 covers the path from his side as each team
member come across. The team normally crosses in pairs. The A team
members will move up and the rear B members will take their place. When all
the team has crossed the A team once again takes up the lead and the B
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team falls in the rear resuming the formation and positions before the
crossing. As the team moves past the forward B4 member, he remains and
moves out when his team passes once again taking rear security.
Click this thumbnail to see the larger view of this formation
Now once again excuse the artwork but you should get the idea.
As the team crosses the path B3 covers the path from his side as each team
member come across.
It this is a open road with a long view up and down it may be best to cross
the team ( once the far side security has been set by the B3 and B4 team
members) all at once. This will give someone looking down the road only
one chance to see the team cross instead of 5 or 6 separate crossings.
Terrain will dictate this.
With practice this drill is seamless, It moves so fast that it looks to the
casual observer like nothing happened at all but it did. This drill, like all
others depends on a clear understanding of what to do and practice.
At the start of this drill I mentioned the TL signals for rear security to move up
to him. How is that done?
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My squad used a couple signals. Pointing to the eyes and then putting three
fingers on the upper arm told everyone that the security ( the eyes) needed
to go to the SGT. (3 stripes)
What Happens if something goes wrong?
Goes wrong? That never happens right? In fact it darn near ALWAYS
happens.
There are a couple of situations that are glaringly open to questions here.
Let's try to answer those.
Question #1
What if my security team runs into the opposing team on the other side of
the danger area?
That's why you send a small security force. First, your whole team isn't
committed into something they don't want ( like an ambush) and second,
your remaining team may be able to support the security force somewhat
but the main thing is the security force is really on its own. It has to watch
out for each other. The far side security team knows the main team is behind
it so they concentrate on front and sides. Their safety and the rest of the
team's depends on how well they do the job,
Question #2. Ok, the security team is watching out but they run into a large
force on the other side when they are doing the recon.
They should , if unseen, quietly move back to the main body. Tell the TL
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what they found and the TL will then need to adjust either plan of travel or
action to remove the opposing threat . On the other hand, if seen and the
paint hits the air, they should break and run, yelling all the way, dumping
paint back at the attackers. The rest of the team should come online at the
far side of the danger area and lay down covering fire to help the now
running security force back to safety. Once the security team is back acrossand joined up with the team, the whole team can start movement back to a
safe rally point to adjust what is happening, reload and regroup. OR attack
the security teams pursuers if it is a small patrol or just a couple players
They may think the 2 security team members are all there is. (since that
would be normal in paintball play) and run headlong into your now setup
hasty ambush.
Question #3
What is my team gets caught in the middle of the crossing?
Answer? RUN. Cardinal rule when getting shot at. Move out of the kill
zone.
If the far side is secure them move there if not then don't but try not to gettoo split up. If in fact you end up with a team that is half on one side and half
on the other side of a danger zone, try to move against your attackers. One
half of your team will most likely be able to keep them occupied as the other
side ( the unengaged half) of your team can move to flank the attacking
players.
Question #4
What is we are getting creamed?
Break contact and move to the designated rally point , either the last or the
next. (Hmmm, anyone figure this might take some preplanning?)
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Question #5
What if we get all messed up and all our players are getting hit?
Go immediately back to the start point, Do not pass Go. Do Not collect two
hundred dollars. Get a drink and wait for the next game. But DO have an
AAR. After Action Review.
AAR?,