SITE SELECTION

6-40. The leader selects the tentative site from a map or by aerial reconnaissance. The site’s suitability must be confirmed and secured before the unit moves into it. Plans to establish a patrol base must include selecting an alternate patrol base site. The alternate site is used if the first site is unsuitable or if the patrol must unexpectedly evacuate the first patrol base.

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

6-41. Leaders planning for a patrol base must consider the mission, passive and active security measures. A patrol base must be located so it allows the unit to accomplish its mission─

• Observation posts and communication with observation posts.
• Patrol or platoon fire plan.
• Alert plan.
• Withdrawal plan from the patrol base to include withdrawal routes and a rally point, rendezvous point, or alternate patrol base.
• A security system that makes sure specific individuals are awake at all times.
• Enforcement of camouflage, noise, and light discipline.
• The conduct of required activities with minimum movement and noise.
• Priorities of work.

SECURITY MEASURES

6-42. The following security measures should be taken into consideration as a minimum─

• Select terrain the enemy probably would consider of little tactical value.
• Select terrain off main lines of drift.
• Select difficult terrain impeding foot movement, such as an area of dense vegetation, preferably bushes and trees spreading close to the ground.
• Select terrain near a source of water.
• Select terrain defendable for a short period and offers good cover and concealment.
• Avoid known or suspected enemy positions.
• Avoid built up areas.
• Avoid ridges and hilltops, except as needed for maintaining communications.
• Avoid small valleys.
• Avoid roads and trails.

OCCUPATION

6-43. A patrol base is reconnoitered and occupied in the same manner as an ORP, with the exception the platoon will typically plan to enter at a 90-degree turn. The leader leaves a two-Soldier observation post at the turn; the patrol covers tracks from the turn to the patrol base.

6-44. The platoon moves into the patrol base. Squad-sized patrols generally will occupy a cigar shaped perimeter; platoon-sized patrols generally will occupy a triangle shaped perimeter.

6-45. The leader inspects and adjusts the entire perimeter as necessary.

6-46. After the leader has checked each squad’s portion of the perimeter, each squad leader sends a two-Soldier R&S team to the leader at the patrol’s command post. The leader issues the three R&S teams a contingency plan, reconnaissance method, and detailed guidance on what to look for (enemy, water, built up areas or human habitat, roads, trails, or possible rally points).

6-47. Where each R&S team departs is based on the leader’s guidance. The R&S team moves a prescribed distance and direction, and reenters where the leader dictates─

• R&S teams will prepare a sketch of the area to the squad front if possible.
• The patrol remains at 100 percent alert during this recon.
• If the leader feels the patrol was tracked or followed, he may elect to wait in silence at 100 percent alert before sending out R&S teams.
• The R&S teams may use reconnaissance methods such as a box or fan discussed later in this chapter. Regardless of the method chosen; the R&S team must be able to provide the leader with the same information.
• Upon completion of the information collection by the R&S teams, the platoon leaders makes a decision to either stay in the current patrol base and begin priorities of work or move the patrol base to an alternate location.

PRIORITIES OF WORK

6-48.Once the leader is briefed by the R&S teams and determines the area is suitable for a patrol base, the leader establishes or modifies defensive work priorities in order to establish the defensive posture of the patrol base. Priorities of work are not a laundry list of tasks to be completed, priorities of work must consist of a task, a given time, and a measurable performance standard. For each priority of work, a clear standard must be issued to guide the element in the accomplishment of each task. It also must be designated whether the work will be controlled in a centralized or decentralized manner. Priorities of work are determined in accordance with METT-TC. Priorities of work may include the tasks described below, but are not limited to them—

Continuous Security
6-49. Prepare to use all passive and active measures to cover the entire perimeter all of the time, regardless of the percentage of weapons used to cover all the terrain. Employ all elements, weapons, and personnel to meet conditions of the terrain, enemy, or situation.

Withdraw Plan
6-50. The leader designates the signal for withdrawal, order of withdrawal; platoon rendezvous point and/ or alternate patrol base.

Continuous Communication
6-51. Communications must be maintained with higher headquarters, observation posts, and within the unit. Other Soldiers within the patrol may rotate duties with the platoon’s RTO allowing accomplishment of continuous radio monitoring, radio maintenance, act as runners for leader, or conduct other priorities of work.

Mission Preparation and Planning
6-52. The leader uses the patrol base to plan, issue orders, rehearse, inspect, and prepare for future missions.

Weapons and Equipment Maintenance
6-53. The leader ensures medium machine guns, weapon systems, communications equipment, and night vision devices (as well as other equipment) are maintained. No more than one-third of any given type of system carried by the patrol should be disassembled for preventative checks and services at any one time. As a general rule weapons should not be disassembled for routine maintenance at night. If one of the patrol’s medium machine guns is down for maintenance, then security levels for all remaining systems are raised.

Water Resupply
6-54. The platoon sergeant or assistant patrol leader organizes watering parties as necessary. The watering party carries canteens in an empty rucksack or duffel bag, and must have communications and contingency plans related to their making enemy contact en route or returning from the water point or if the patrol base has to displace during their absence prior to their departure from the patrol base.

Mess Plan
6-55. At a minimum, security and weapons maintenance are performed prior to mess. Normally no more than half the platoon eats at one time. Soldiers typically eat one to three meters behind their fighting positions to avoid distracting those Soldiers providing security.

Rest and Sleep Plan Management
6-56. All leaders within the platoon must understand the problems associated with sleep deprivation and the consequences of not following the unit rest and sleep plan. The body needs regular rest to restore physical and mental vigor. When a Soldier is tired, his bodily functions are sluggish, and his ability to react is slower than normal, which makes him more susceptible to sickness, and to making errors that could endanger him or others members of the platoon. For the best health, you should get six to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep each day. As that is seldom possible in combat, use rest periods and off-duty time to rest or sleep.

6-57. The platoon leader must develop and enforce the unit sleep plan that provides Soldiers with a minimum of 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep in a 24-hour period. If sleep is interrupted, then 5 hours should be given. During continuous operations when uninterrupted sleep is not possible, blocks of sleep which add up to 6 hours in a 24-hour period are adequate for most people. Remember, 4 hours each 24-hour period is far from ideal. Do not go with only 4 hours sleep each 24 hours for more than two weeks before paying back sleep debt. Recovery time should be approximately 8 to 10 hours sleep each 24 hours over a 5- to 7-day period.

Alert Plan and “Stand To”
6-58. The leader states the alert posture and stand to time. He develops the plan to ensure all positions are checked periodically, observation posts are relieved periodically, and at least one leader always is alert. The patrol typically conducts stand to at a time specified by unit SOP such as 30 minutes before and after the begin of morning nautical twilight (BMNT) or the end of evening nautical twilight (EENT).

Resupply
6-59. Distribute or cross load ammunition, meals, equipment, and so on.

Sanitation and Personal Hygiene
6-60. The platoon sergeant or assistant patrol leader and medic ensure a slit trench is prepared and marked. All Soldiers will brush their teeth, wash their face, shave, wash their hands, armpits, groin, and feet. The patrol will not leave trash behind. METT-TC always is taken in consideration prior to executing sanitation and personal hygiene.

Watch the following video about the Priorities of Work