Army ROTC - Platoon Defense Training Exercise

Cadets will be trained on the three basic defensive tasks: area defense, mobile, and retrograde. Each contains elements of the others, and usually contains both static and dynamic aspects. the platoons serve as the primary maneuver element, or terrain-controlling units for the Infantry company. They can defend areas of operation, positions; serve as a security force or reserve as part of the company’s coordinated defense. As part of a defense, the platoon can defend, delay, withdraw, counterattack, and perform security tasks. The platoon usually defends, as part of the rifle company’s defense in the main battle area. It conducts the defense to achieve one or more of the following ─

• Gain time.
• Retain essential terrain.
• Support other operations.
• Preoccupy the enemy in one area while friendly forces attack in another.
• Wear down enemy forces at a rapid rate while reinforcing friendly operations.

An area defense concentrates on denying enemy forces access to designated terrain for a specific time rather than destroying the enemy outright. The focus is on retaining terrain where the bulk of the defending force positions itself in mutually supporting positions and controls the terrain between positions. The leader uses the reserve force to reinforce fires, add depth, block penetrations, restore positions, counterattack to destroy enemy forces, and seize the initiative.