1. Conduct class to point where outguard is supposed to be posted. Hand out Situation No. 3.
2. Explain what is done by patrol leader. Tell outguard commander about patrol going out. Arrange for recognition signal. Get information of enemy.
3. Proceed to solution. Require member of class to state exact words used by patrol commander.
4. Explain the method of using the recognition signal.
5. Explain necessity for details. Measure success by number of casualties avoided.
The class is now conducted along the route of the patrol for a distance of some 600 yards, where it is halted.
_The Director_: “It is assumed that the patrol has advanced a distance of some two miles from the outpost and has arrived at this vicinity. This assumption is made in order to save time and energy. We can get just as much training out of our Terrain Exercise by coming this 600 yards as we could by walking the entire two miles. The idea is that we get into new terrain for each phase of the problem.”
The Director now distributes the papers bearing Situation No. 4 to the members of the class.
You, Sergeant B, the patrol leader, have arrived at this point. There has been no contact with the enemy.
What is the formation of your patrol at this moment?
_The Director_: “Before going into the details of this situation, I desire to say a few words about the conduct of the operations of a patrol. It is impossible to lay down any hard and fast rule for the conduct of a patrol. Each situation will have to be worked out by itself. Each solution will vary with the nature of the country over which you are operating and what the enemy does. A few general principles only may be enunciated.
“The patrol leader, as he advances toward his objective, will mentally make note of various intermediate objectives to serve as stepping stones for his further advance. He can never be certain that he will not encounter the enemy, and must be prepared at all times for such an event.
“If the patrol advances in one body, a hostile patrol will allow them to approach and then ambuscade and capture them. Further, all the members of the patrol would not be able to see much more than one man. If the patrol advances in an extended line of skirmishers, capture is rendered much more difficult, but each man will be acting more or less independently, and it will be most difficult for the patrol leader to control the operations.