Team SOP - Patrol Team Roles
Common Roles
| Role | Description |
|---|---|
| Rifleman | This is everyone |
| Team Leader (TL) | The one in charge of the FIRE TEAM, makes decisions |
| Medic | Someone with more medical training and/or gear |
| Radio Telephone Operator (RTO) | The radio guy. Probably has bigger, badder radio and skills responsible to communicate with higher/base. Responsible for making sure everyone has programmed radios (if TL did not) |
| Gunner | The guy with a drum and gun that can sustain suppressing fire |
| Designated Marksman (DM) | Precision shooter, magnified optic |
| Drone Operator | The guy with a drone that can scout, have thermal, etc |
Team Roles
- Team Leader. Only guy using radio if no RTO
- ATL (Alternate Team Leader). Only if 5+ in fire team
- Pointman / Navigator. In front of the stack/patrol. He needs to know where to go and how to get there. Does NOT pace count or perform compass. Sole responsibility is forward security and leading the team to destination
- RTO (Radio Guy). The one maintaining radio contact, giving sitreps, back to base, ensuring team comms all work. If no dedicated RTO, Team Leader is responsible
- Rifleman / Specialized (everyone else). Could be medic, drone operator, etc
Paceman is not a role we need to define, a bit niche and “nobody actually does this” (keeps pace counts) per national guard guys.
Fire Team Compositions
- 2-man buddy pair
- 3-man buddy element
- 4-man team: 2x buddy pairs
- 5-man team: 2x buddy pairs, 1x leader
- 6-man team: 2x buddy elements (3 men each element)
- 6-man team: 3x buddy teams, one containing the leader
Squad Compositions
- US Army Squad is (9) men, consisting of two teams of four, each with a team leader, and a squad leader as the 9th man
- US Marine Corps Squad is (13) men, consisting of three teams of four, and a squad leader
- British Army Squad is (8) men, consisting of two teams of four, with a section commander (team lead) and section second in command (ATL)
Forming a Team
For training purposes, we may form and mix up teams. Based on the training scenarios, we may need to adjust who is on each team.
The team leader should be elected by the team, ideally someone with the most experience. A new team leader can be elected. For training, we may constantly change to allow everyone experience at leading a team.
The team does not operate as a democracy. Everyone gets to vote on planning, etc but the Team Leader has the final call/decision. The team may elect a new team leader.
Buddy Team
Two men as a buddy team, one MAY be “in charge” as the leader.
- Team Leader
- Rifleman
Fire Team
Three to four men in a “fire team”. One man should be the Team Leader making decisions.
- Team Leader
- Rifleman
- Specialized where/when needed/able