Patrolling

Patrolling is defined as a military tactic. Small groups or individual units are deployed from a larger formation to achieve a specific objective and then return.

In the military, there are many types of patrols. Each has its purpose and inherent value. For the Homeland Defender, not all of the different patrol types are necessary.  Working with the presumptions that the Minuteman will have a small group and no major ground or air combat vehicles, not all patrols will be necessary.  Also under consideration is that the Minuteman will have limited amounts of supplies and personnel.

So what patrols should the Patriot train?

Recon Patrol
A patrol to gather information. Recon patrols tend to avoid contact (fighting), but not always. 

Ambush
Sometimes it is necessary to ambush an enemy patrol.  This might be a hasty ambush, or a planned and executed ambush. 

Raid
Whereas an ambush attacks an enemy patrol away from their domicile, a raid is an attack upon a building, encampment, or other sort of domicile or secured area.

Security patrol
A security patrol, or presence patrol, is performed to scout potential enemy movement against the base or stronghold.

Clearing patrol
After a successful raid of an area or building, a clearing patrol is performed to ensure all enemy forces have been captured, eliminated, or driven from the area. This patrol is similar to a security patrol.

Patrol formations
There are many potential formations that a patrol might use.  The Patriot and his team need to be very familiar with Ranger File, staggered column, and the wedge formations. 

Duties
A person on patrol might have specific duties within the fire team, squad, or platoon. Some examples might include: heavy gunner, designated marksman, medic, team lead, communications, etc.

Furthermore, each person will have areas of responsibility, determined largely by their position within the patrol: point, rear security, or in the middle.


Contact
In addition to the patrol mission, the Minuteman needs to be prepared for contact - fighting with the enemy. This may take the form of your patrol being ambushed. Contact may also be initiated by your patrol via a hasty ambush of the enemy. You and your team need to practice taking contact, getting on line, then responding appropriately. 

According the US Army Ranger Handbook, an ambush should only be performed if your numbers are twice or more compared to the enemy's numbers. It must be assumed that if you've walked into an ambush, they have superior numbers. In this case, you need to be able to peel back and get out of dodge.

If a target of opportunity presents itself, you may wish to initiate a hasty ambush. These can be successful even if your team does not have an advantage in numbers, particularly if your team has force multipliers - automatic weapons and/or designated marksmen.


Conclusion
This has been just the tip of the iceberg - an overview of several main patrolling considerations. You and your team need to learn and train. Dig deeper.