The most versatile movement formation is the Squad Column Formation. The squad column allows the patrol leader to maximize firepower to his front while ensuring his patrol has the depth and dispersion required to limit exposure to enemy fire, and to quickly react to enemy contact. This formation allows the Patrol Leader (PL) the ability to engage the enemy with half his force while providing the ability to maneuver the remaining team, not in contact, to either flank the enemy to destroy him or move to an overwatch position to suppress the enemy while the team in contact bounds to safety.
The interval between individual members is normally 10-15 meters and is based on expected enemy threat, impact of terrain and light conditions. The distance between teams is normally 25-50 meters and is again influenced by the conditions listed for individual intervals. If contact occurs the squad immediately seeks cover. The team in contact returns fire in order to suppress the enemy. The PL then makes a decision based on the size of the enemy force to either destroy the enemy with a flanking maneuver along a route that provides both cover and concealment, or break contact with the enemy if the patrol is engaged with a superior force or has taken significant casualties. Later posts will discuss actions on contact in more detail.