“My decision would be to send a patrol out on the road to the —— (direction).”
_The Director_: “Your estimate seems to cover the necessary points and I think we can agree that you have arrived at the proper decision. Just a mention of this ‘Estimate of the Situation.’ It is a logical process of thought involving the elements just mentioned by Captain Harvey, terminating in a tactical decision. This is what you have to do in the solution of all tactical problems. The patrol leader does it in every move of his patrol. The platoon as a flank guard requires the same process on the part of the platoon leader. The company commander, as commander of the advance party of an advance guard, must consider these same elements in the conduct of his covering detachment. It is the same with the battalion commander, the regimental commander, and on up to the commander of a division. When you are presented with a tactical situation for solution, figure out all the elements of it; your mission, your situation with respect to the enemy, the influence of the terrain, and then arrive at a clean-cut decision as to what you are going to do. Captain Hodges, what would be the strength of the patrol?”
_Captain Hodges_: “I would make it one squad. I think that would be about right.”
_The Director_: “Whom would you detail in charge of the patrol?”
_Captain Hodges_: “Sergeant Wilkins, the left guide of the platoon.”
_The Director_: “When would you issue your orders for the patrol?”
_Captain Hodges_: “As we march along I will call Sergeant Wilkins to the head of the support and give him his orders as we march along. That would do away with the necessity for halting the column while I am giving the orders.”
_The Director_: “Now, Captain James, tell us just how you would give the orders to the patrol and just what you would say.”
_Captain James_: “As we approach the cross-road I will call Sergeant Wilkins to join me. As we march along I will give him the orders for the patrol:
“‘We have not heard or seen anything of the enemy. Our flank guard is now marching abreast of the distance between the advance guard and main body of our column on the (_a_)-(_b_) road.
“‘You will take the sixth squad and patrol down the road we are approaching to the (direction) to cover the passage of the main body. Remain out about 35 minutes and then return. Catch up with the flank guard when you can.