The Company Commander

[Compass Rose]

LESSON #3 The Company Commander
By Frank Harmon



OK, now were getting into the hard stuff. Moving and maneuvering a company is not an easy task if done so correctly, but can produce excellent results if applied with skill. It allows a commander to respond to numerous situations with numerous options and allows rapid response and extremely effective fire delivered on target with minimal casualties. However it can get a bit confusing when considering what platoons to place in what formation, what routes to take, etc. After reading this you will understand why such variation exists amongst the quality of infantry officers and it'll make you shake your head at the phrase "dumb grunt". The following material was taken directly from US Army Field Manual FM 7-10, 1990.




3-1. FUNDAMENTALS
The CO's estimate of the situation assists him in deciding how to most effectively move his unit. There is no set method for this. The following fundamentals provide guidance for planning effective company movements.


a. Do Not Confuse Movement With Maneuver. Maneuver is defined movement supported by fire to gain a position of advantage over the enemy. At company level, there is considerable overlap between the two. When planning company movements, the CO must ensure the unit is moving in a way that support a rapid transition to maneuver.


b. Conduct Reconnaissance.
Reconnaissance should be conducted by all echelons. The enemy situation and the available planning time may limit the units' reconnaissance, but leaders at every level must aggressively seek information about the terrain and enemy. One effective technique is to send a reconnaissance element forward of the lead platoon. Even if this unit is only a short distance ahead of the company, it can still provide valuable information/reaction time for the company.


c. Effectively use the terrain and weather.
The company should move on covered and concealed routes. Moving during visibility provides more concealment, and the enemy may be less alert during these periods. Plan to avoid known danger areas.


d. Move Platoons in Platoon Formations.
The advantages to moving the company by squads and platoons include:

• Faster movement.
  
• Better dispersion. The dispersion gained by moving the company by squads makes it much more difficult for the enemy to concentrate his fires against the company, especially indirect fires and CAS. Subordinate units also gain room to maneuver.
  
• Better OPSEC. It is much more difficult for the enemy to determine what the friendly force is doing if all he has are isolated squad-sized spot reports. Although the advantages normally outweigh the disadvantages, when planning decentralized movements, the CO should also consider the following: In the event of enemy contact, massing combat power to support a hasty attack or disengagement may take longer.
  

e. Maintain Security During the Movement. A primary responsibility of the CO is to protect his unit at all times. This is critical during movement because the company is extremely vulnerable to enemy fire. In addition to the fundamentals listed earlier, the CO provides security for the company by applying the following:

• Use the proper movement formation and technique.
  
• Move as fast as the situation will allow. This may degrade the enemy's ability to detect the unit and the effectiveness of his fires once detected.
  
• Ensure that subordinate units correctly position security elements to the flanks, front, and rear at a distance that prevents enemy direct fire on the main body. (Normally, the company formation and movement technique provides greater security to the front, it is the flanks and rear that must be secured by these security elements. The company SOP should state who is responsible for providing these security elements.
  

f. Make Contact With the Smallest Element Possible. By making contact with a small element, the CO maintains the ability to maneuver with the majority of his combat potential. The soldiers who first receive enemy fires are most likely to become casualties. They also are more likely to be suppressed and fixed by the enemy.




3-2. LOCATIONS OF KEY LEADERS AND WEAPONS
The locations for key leaders and weapons depend on the situation, the movement formation and technique, and the organization of the rifle company. This paragraph provides guidance for the CO in deciding where these assets should locate.


a. The Company Commander.
The CO locates where he can see and control the company. Normally, he positions the CP at his location, but at times he may move separate from the CP. He may take just his company RTO and travel with one of his platoons. This allows him to move with a platoon without disrupting their formation. Generally, the CO (with the CP) operates just behind the lead platoon.


b. The Company Command Post. The CP consists of the CO, his RTO, the CO HQ and possibly other personnel and attachments (XO, 1SG, or a security element). The company CP is located where it can best support the CO and maintain communications. To maintain communications, the CP may need to locate away from the CO. In this case, the XO would control the CP (or part of it) and maintain communications with higher or adjacent units while the CO locates where he can best control the company. Although the CP can move independently, it is normally located in the company formation where it is secured by the other platoons and sections.


c. The Company Fire Support Officer. The company FSO normally moves with the CO. At times, he may locate elsewhere to control indirect fires or relay calls for fire from the platoon FOs.


d. The Company Mortars. The company mortars are located in the formation where they can provide Responsive fires in the event of enemy contact. They should be positioned where they gain security from the other units in the company. They normally are not positioned last in the company formation, because they have limited capability to provide security and their soldier's load often makes them the slowest element in the company. Also, when last in movement, their ammunition, carried by the other soldiers in the company, is not readily available. The mortar squads may be attached to platoons. This would allow two platoons the ability to provide indirect fires (of reduced effects) when in overmatch without having to shift the mortar section each time.


e. The Anti armor Section. This section may move as a unit or attach its teams to the platoons. Moving as a section allows the CO to more quickly mass his anti armor fires. Attaching teams to the platoons provides some anti armor and thermal capability throughout the company. This also allows alternating overmatch platoons without having to shift the anti armor section from platoon to platoon.


f. Other Attachments. The locations of other attachments will depend on the situation. CS assets, such as engineers or other support, are positioned where they can best support the company. For example, the engineers may follow the lead platoon where they would be more responsive, and the Stinger team positioned where the terrain best supports engaging enemy aircraft.


g. Wheeled Vehicles. Wheeled vehicle attachments, such as TOWS, the mortar platoon, ambulances, or resupply vehicles, present certain problems to the rifle company commander. The terrain that the infantry company normally moves along will not support wheeled vehicles. It may be possible for the company to secure the roads or traits these vehicles will move on by moving through and securing more restrictive terrain on the flanks.


3-3. MOVEMENT FORMATIONS
The company uses six basic movement formations; the column, the line, the vee, the wedge, the file, and the echelon, right or left. These formations describe the locations of the company's platoons and sections in relation to each other. They are guides on how to form the company for movement. Each formation aids control, security, and firepower to varying degrees. The best formation to use depends on the--

• Mission.
  
• Enemy situation.
  
• Terrain.
  
• Weather and visibility conditions (ability to control).
  
• Speed of movement desired.
  
• Degree of flexibility desired.
  

a. When moving cross-country, the distance between soldiers and between platoons varies according to the terrain and the situation. Soldiers should constantly observe their sectors for likely enemy positions, and look for cover that can be reached quickly in case of enemy contact.


b. The commander may specify the platoon formations to be used within the company formation. If he does not, each platoon leader selects his platoon's formation. For example, the lead platoon leader may select a formation that permits good observation and massing of fire to the front (vee formation). The second platoon leader may select a formation that permits fast movement to overmatch positions and good flank security (Wedge formation). (Squad and platoon movement formations and techniques are discussed in the platoon formation article above.




c. When moving in a formation, the company normally guides on the base platoon to ease control. This should be the lead platoon. In the line or the vee formation, the CO must specify which is the base platoon. The other platoons key their speed and direction on the base platoon. This permits quick changes and lets the commander control the movement of the entire company by controlling just the base platoon. The commander normally locates himself within the formation where he can best see and direct the movement of the base platoon. Terrain features may be designated, using the control measures for the base platoon to guide on.




Company Column
(1) Column. This movement formation allows the company to make contact with one platoon and maneuver with the two trail platoons. It is a flexible formation, allowing easy transition to other formations. It provides good all-round security and allows fast movement. It provides good dispersion and aids maneuver and control, especially during limited visibility. The company can deliver a limited volume of fire to the front and to the rear, but a high volume to flanks. Figure 3-2 depicts one version of a company column; it shows the lead platoon in vee formation, middle platoon in a wedge formation, and the last platoon in column.




Company Line
(2) Company line. This formation puts three platoons forward along the same direction of movement and provides for the delivery of maximum fire to the front, but less to the flanks. It is the most difficult formation to control. The company commander should designate a base platoon (normally the center platoon) for the other platoons to guide on. Flank and rear security is generally poor but is improved when the flank platoons use echelon formations. The figure depicts one example of a company line; it shows the left platoon in echelon left, the center platoon in line, and the right platoon in echelon right



Company Wedge
(3) Company wedge. This formation has two platoons in the rear that can overmatch or trail the lead platoon. It provides for immediate fire to the front of the flanks. The commander can make contact with a small element and still maneuver one or two platoons. If the company is hit from the flank, one platoon is free to maneuver. This formation is hard to control, but it allows faster movement than the company vee formation. The figure depicts one example of the company wedge; it shows the lead platoon in wedge, the left platoon in column, and the right platoon in echelon right.




Company Vee
(4) Company vee. This formation has two platoons forward to provide immediate fire on contact or to flank the enemy. It also has one platoon in the rear, which can either overwatch or trail the others. If the company is hit from either flank, two platoons can provide fire and one is free to maneuver. This formation is hard to control and slows movement. The commander designates one of the forward platoons as the base platoon. The figure depicts one example of a company vee; it shows all platoons in wedge.



Company File
(5) Company file. This formation is formed by arranging platoon and section files behind the lead element. This is the easiest formation to control. It allows rapid movement in close/restricted terrain or limited visibility and enhances control and concealment. It is also the least secure formation and hardest from which to maneuver. The figure depicts one example of a company file; it shows the lead unit in wedge with all other units in file.


(a) The commander locates well forward with the lead platoon headquarters or right behind the lead security element. This increases to commander's control by being in position to make critical decisions. The CP can be placed farther back (behind the lead platoon) to avoid interfering with the lead platoon's movement and to aid communications with the other elements.


(b) The XO or 1st Sgt is placed last, or nearly last, in the company file to provide leadership and to prevent breaks in contact within the file.


© The company file is vulnerable to breaks in contact and should only be used when necessary and for short periods of time. A company of 120 men will stretch out over 600 meters in a company file with a pass time of more than 20 minutes




Company Echelons
(6) Echelon right or left. This formation is used if the situation is vague and enemy contact to the front or on one of the flanks is likely. Normally, an obstacle or another friendly unit exists on the flank of the company opposite the echeloned flank. This prevents enemy contact on that side. This formation provides a good volume of fire and protection to the echeloned flank. The figure depicts one example of the echelon right formation; it shows the lead platoon in echelon left, the middle platoon in wedge, and the last platoon in column.



Formation selection. The CO selects the formation that provides the proper control, security, and speed.