TYPES OF CHECKPOINTS

D-31. There are two types of checkpoints: deliberate and hasty.

DELIBERATE CHECKPOINT

D-32. A deliberate checkpoint is permanent or semi-permanent. It is established to control the movement of vehicles and pedestrians, and to help maintain law and order. They typically are constructed and employed to protect an operating base or well-established roads. Like defensive positions, deliberate checkpoint should be improved continuously. Deliberate checkpoints─

• Control all vehicles and pedestrian traffic so crowds cannot assemble
• Known offenders or suspected enemy personnel can be arrested
• Enforce curfews
• Deter illegal movement
• Prevent the movement of supplies to the enemy
• Deny the enemy contact with the local inhabitants.
• Dominate the area of responsibility around the checkpoint. (This includes maintaining law and order by local patrolling to prevent damage to property or injury to persons.)
• Collect information.

Watch the video below about checkpoints

HASTY CHECKPOINT

D-33. A hasty checkpoint differs from a deliberate v in it is not, in most cases, preplanned. A hasty checkpoint usually will be activated as part of a larger tactical plan or in reaction to hostile activities such as a bomb, mine incident, or sniper attack, and can be lifted on the command of the controlling headquarters. A hasty checkpoint always will have a specific task and purpose. Most often used to avoid predictability and targeting by the enemy. It should be set up to last from five minutes to up to two hours using an ambush mentality. The short duration reduces the risk of the enemy organizing an attack against the checkpoint. The maximum time suggested of the checkpoint to remain in place would be about eight hours, as this may be considered to be the limit of endurance of the units conducting the checkpoint and may invite the checkpoint to enemy attacks.

D-33. Characteristics of a hasty checkpoint (see figure D-7) include:

• Located along likely enemy avenues of approach.
• Achieve surprise.
• Temporary.
• Unit is able to carry and erect construction materiels without additional assistance.
• Uses vehicles as an obstacle between the vehicles and personnel, and reinforces them with concertina wire.
• Soldiers are positioned at each end of the checkpoint.
• Soldiers are covered by mounted or dismounted automatic weapons.
• Assault force/response force is concealed nearby to attack or assault in case the site is attacked.

D-35. The hasty checkpoint’s success is brought about by swift and decisive operations. In many cases, there may be no clear orders before the checkpoint is set up. Leaders must rely on common sense and instinct to determine which vehicles or pedestrians to stop for questioning or searching. They are moved quickly into position, thoroughly conducted, and just as swiftly withdrawn when lifted or once the threat has passed.