BASIC COMBAT FORMATIONS Fire Team. Normally each fire team leader will determine the formation for his own unit. Thus, a squad may contain a
variety of fire team formations at any one time and these formations may change frequently. The relative position of
the fire teams within the squad formation should be such that one will not mask the fire of the others. It is not
important that exact distances and intervals be maintained between fire teams and individuals as long as control is
not lost. Sight or voice contact will be maintained within the fire team and between fire team leaders and squad
leaders. All movement incident to changes of formation is usually by the shortest practical route. There are four
types of fire team formations.
a. Column
1) Permits rapid controlled movement.
2) Favors fire and maneuver to the flanks.
3) Vulnerable to fire from the front.
4) Provides the least amount of fire to the front.

Column b. Wedge
1) Permits good control.
2) Provides all-security.
3) Formation is flexible.
4) Fire is adequate in all directions.

Wedge
c. Skirmishes Right (Left)
1) Maximum firepower to the front.
2) Used when location and strength of enemy are known.

d. Echelon Right (Left)
1) Provides heavy to front and echeloned flank.
2) Used to protect an open or exposed flank.

Squad. The squad leader prescribes the formation for his squad. The platoon leader and squad leader may prescribe
the initial formation for their respective subordinate units when the situation dictates or the commander so
desires. Subsequent changes may be made my subordinate unit leaders.
The characteristics of squad formations are similar to those of the fire team.
The fire team is the maneuver element in squad formations.

a. Squad Column. Fire teams are arranged in succession one behind the other.
1) Easy to control and maneuver.
2) Excellent for speed of movement or when strict control is desired.
3) Especially suitable for narrow covered routes of advance, maneuver through gaps between areas receiving hostile
artillery fire, moving through areas of limited observation, and moving under conditions of reduced visibility.
4) Vulnerable to fire from the front.
5) Used for night operations.

b. Squad Wedge. Same as fire team formation for the wedge.

c. Squad Vee
1) Facilitates movement into squad line.
2) Provides excellent firepower to front and flanks.
3) Provides all around security.
4) Used when the enemy is to the front and his strength and location are known. May be used when crossing large open areas.
d. Squad Line. Same as fire team formation for skirmishes