TASK:

Squad crossing a linear danger area

CONDITION:
Given man-made linear danger areas i.e. enemy
obstacles, roads, trails, and railroad track and
natural linear danger areas i.e. streams, creeks,
and erosion ditches
STANDARD:
The unit prevents the enemy from surprising the main
body, all personnel and equipment cross the
danger area, and the unit prevents decisive
engagement by the enemy
 References:
FM 3-21.8 The Infantry Rifle Platoon and
Squad pg. 3-34

Ranger Handbook 4-9

 CROSSING A LINEAR DANGER AREA
FARSIDE FSRP

E
N A Tm

E
M
Y

C
O
N 1. DESIGNATE NEAR & FAR SIDE
T HQ RALLY POINTS
2. EMPLACE NEAR SIDE SECURITY
A 3. CLEAR FAR SIDE
C 4. CONTINUE UNIT CROSSING
5. RETRIEVE NEAR SIDE
T SECURITY & COMPLETE
B Tm UNIT CROSSING
6. ACCOUNTABILITY/ HEADCOUNT

NEAR SIDE
NSRP
 Battle Drill Definition
A Battle Drill is a collective action executed
without applying a deliberate decision
making process

Infantry battle drills describe how platoons

and squads apply fire and maneuver to
commonly encountered situations.
 Characteristics of Battle Drill

• Minimize amount of verbal noise

• Standard throughout the Army
• Sequential actions
• Trained responses to enemy actions or
leader’s orders
• Train all soldiers to give “go where, do
what” orders
 2 Types of LDA’s
There are two types of LDA'S: known and unknown.
• A known LDA is one that is depicted on the map and
that you plan on crossing either going to or coming
from the objective.
• An unknown linear danger area is one that is not
depicted on the map and that your patrol comes upon
unexpectedly. For unknown linear danger areas, your
crossing point is where your direction of travel crosses
the linear danger area; it must be a suitable crossing
point. If not maneuver around to a better site.
 Active & Inactive LDA’s
Known and unknown linear danger areas
are either going to be active or inactive.
1.An active linear danger area is one with
signs of enemy presence or use, such as
footprints or tracks from a vehicle.
2.An inactive linear danger area has no
such signs. An inactive linear danger area
does not warrant clearing
 Hand & Arm Signals
• Linear Danger Area
• Near Side Security
• Far Side Security
• Rally Point
• Headcount
• Scroll the Road
 Actions at LDA
Lead team signals LD. The squad takes a
short halt posture- getting on a knee,
behind cover concealment, with your
rucksack on your back, weapon at the
ready, and pulling security in your sector.
The SL comes forwarded, confirms,
assesses, and determines the technique
 Actions at LDA
Step 1: Designate Near & Far Side Rally Point
-Hand Arm Signals
When determining the near and far side rally
points, you will look for the five characteristics of
a good rally point.
*Off natural lines of drift,
*Provide good cover and concealment from
both ground and air
*Away from high-speed avenues of approach
*Of little or no tactical value to the enemy
*Easily defendable for a short period of time.
 Actions at LDA
Step 2: Emplace Near Side Security
 Actions at LDA
Step 3: Clear Far Side

-Clover Recon
-Heart Recon
-Box Recon
 Actions at LDA
Step 4: Continue Unit Crossing
 Actions at LDA
Step 5: Retrieve near side security and
complete crossing
 Actions at LDA
Step 6 Accountability

-Headcount Hand Arm Signal

 CROSSING A LINEAR DANGER AREA
FARSIDE FSRP

E
N A Tm

E
M
Y

C
O
N 1. DESIGNATE NEAR & FAR SIDE
T HQ RALLY POINTS
2. EMPLACE NEAR SIDE SECURITY
A 3. CLEAR FAR SIDE
C 4. CONTINUE UNIT CROSSING
5. RETRIEVE NEAR SIDE
T SECURITY & COMPLETE
B Tm UNIT CROSSING
6. ACCOUNTABILITY/ HEADCOUNT

NEAR SIDE
NSRP
Contour vs Detour Method
of Small Open Area
 2 MAT 00
CROSSING A SMALL OPEN
AREA
FSRP 300M ON AZIMUTH

E
N
E 90

M X 90
Y

C CONTOUR OPEN
DETOUR BY-PASS
LIMITED VISIBILITY
GOOD VISIBILITY
O IDENTIFIABLE TF FAR SIDE NO TF
SERIES OF 90
ESTIMATE PACE TO FAR SIDE
N AREA DEGREE TURNS

T
A 90
C 90
O

T
300M ON BACK AZIMUTH S
NSRP
 CROSSING A LINEAR DANGER AREA
FARSIDE FSRP

E
N A Tm

E
M
Y

C
O
N 1. DESIGNATE NEAR & FAR SIDE
T HQ RALLY POINTS
2. EMPLACE NEAR SIDE SECURITY
A 3. CLEAR FAR SIDE
C 4. CONTINUE UNIT CROSSING
5. RETRIEVE NEAR SIDE
T SECURITY & COMPLETE
B Tm UNIT CROSSING
6. ACCOUNTABILITY/ HEADCOUNT

NEAR SIDE
NSRP