21st Light Recon and Assault Corps

Field Manual 2: Basics of the Light Rifle Squad

Written by: Alex Moore

I) The Basics
a) Definition: The Corps Light Rifle Squad (L.R.S.) is the backbone of all 21st
L.R.A. combat involvement whether independent or under a joint command (such
as a team contribution to a large scenario). It consists of no less than three
riflemen and no more than six.
b) Command Structure: A Corps Light Rifle Squad’s command structure varies
depending on size, but their must always be at least ONE commissioned officer
and ONE non-commissioned officer present. In highly specialized squads, one
commissioned officer and a group of all non-commissioned officers is acceptable.
c) Mission Types: The Corps Light Rifle Squad is best utilized in the following
missions: Assassination, Reconnaissance and Intelligence Gathering, Sabotage,
Ambush, Fast-Reaction, and all such tactical movements which require rapid
mobility and advanced training. Any tactical movements which require excessive
and persistent amounts of heavy fire power are not missions best achieved using
the L.R.S.
II) Movement
a) Considerations: When an officer begins to determine moving his squad to an
objective he must take into consideration the following things: Cover, Obstacles,
Necessary Speed, Enemy Location (confirmed or believed), Enemy Numbers, and
Mission Objectives.
b) Formation: Movement is best achieved in formations that allow for the squad
to move safely through all sorts of terrain and to reinforce each other when and if
contact is made with the enemy. The formations are as follow (Spearhead or
Arrowhead Formation, Staggered (Line) Formation, and the Straight (Line)
Formation. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages that should be
considered before a squad begins to move. The Arrowhead Formation provides all
 around protection but especially strong protection in the front and flanks, every
corpsman’s arc of fire overlaps and provides protection and reinforcement for his
squad mates. The Arrowhead Formation however takes up a lot of room and is not
as fast as the Straight Line. The Staggered Formation is the best compromise
between protection and speed and takes up little maneuvering room. The Straight
Line Formation is the fastest but gives the least protection against ambush and
enemy contact.
c) Enemy Contact: When contact with the enemy is made the formation must
readjust accordingly to bring maximum firepower on the enemy and to allow for
further maneuvers such as flanking and rushing. This readjusting is done on a
situation to situation basis and must be determined by the officers, but training for
the most common battlefield contact situations will decrease reaction time and
increase the likelihood of destroying or escaping the enemy contact. The decision
to engage or make a tactical retreat is another subject discussed further on in this
field manual.
III) Engaging the Enemy
a) Decision: When a LRS leader is faced with the decision to engage the enemy
or perform a tactical retreat/move he has lots to consider (see below).
 b) Engaging: When an LRS leader makes the decision to engage his next move
must be one that puts his squad in the most advantageous position. It is important
to remember that an LRS is not made for a long drawn out firefight and so must
win any engagement quickly or cut and run (which will be made more difficult if
the squad is in a firefight).
c) Tactical Retreat: This is the preferable option when a LRS has specific
objectives to achieve and isn’t just on a free roaming hunt. It does not necessarily
mean the squad must move backwards, it simply is the avoidance of contact with
the enemy which requires quick, silent movement around or away from the enemy
being extra careful not to alert them to the squad’s presence.
IV) Role of the Individual Rifleman
a) Overall: The responsibilities of the individual differ depending on his position
and specialties in the squad, but all individuals must be alert and watchful. The
following figure is examples of what individuals should be listening, watching,
smelling, and feeling for. Note: Not all of these apply to paintball but are happily
provided by the US Army (FM 7-92).
Sight. A soldier looks for –
Enemy personnel, vehicles, and aircraft.
Sudden or unusual movement.
Smoke or dust.
Unusual movement of farm or wild animals.
Activity of local inhabitants.
Vehicle or personnel tracks
Signs or evidence of enemy occupation.
Recently cut foliage or vegetation.
Muzzle flashes, lights, fires, or reflections.
Amount/type of trash.
Hearing. A soldier listens for—
Running engines or track sounds.
Voices.
Metallic sounds.
Gunfire (by type of weapon).
Unusual calm or silence.
Dismounted movement.
Aircraft.
Touch. A soldier feels for—
Warmth of coals/materials from fires.
Freshness of tracks.
Age of food or trash.
Smell. A soldier smells for—
Vehicle exhaust.
Burning petroleum products.
Cooking food.
Age of food or trash.
Human waste.
b) Light Rifleman (Point): The point man (or point) of a squad has special
responsibilities. He must “spook” any ambushes set for the moving team as well
as provide the initial base of fire when enemy contact is made up front. He needs
to be quick and be able to react almost instantly to incoming fire. It helps if he’s
loud and is under the impression he is immortal as well.
c) Heavy Gunner: The heavy gunner in a squad plays a support role to the more
maneuverable point and medium riflemen. His specialty is suppression fire. In an
LRS a Heavy Gunner is not always utilized because of the need for speed rather
than firepower. But when the objective is taking part in a major assault a heavy
gunner is a useful add to the team.
d) Medium Rifleman: A mix of some fire power and a lot of maneuverability the
basic rifleman needs to be able to put down bursts of accurate fire as well as move
quickly and quietly with his squad. He is the backbone of the squad.