Overwatch Marines manning an ECP should have other Marines providing back up or overwatch. Overwatch is a tactical technique in which one element is positioned to support by fire the movement of another element by observing known or suspected enemy locations and engaging the enemy if he is visible or tries to fire on the friendly unit. This is a critical aspect of an ECP and should be rehearsed and inspected more than any other action. Some key planning considerations for overwatch positions are listed below:
• Geometry of fires should allow the ECP Marines a covered place to go so as not to be exposed to friendly fire from the overwatch.
• Enemy action should not influence the action of the ECP and the overwatch with the same action.
• Immediate action drills for the ECP and overwatch should be rehearsed daily—out of view of the enemy.
Example of an ECP
The graphic below shows the layout of a “Personnel Only” ECP with two overwatch positions. The overwatch positions are located outside the blast range of grenades, rockets and the typical suicide bomber. The Marines manning the ECP are in a covered position to avoid friendly fire from the overwatch positions. Wire provides depth for the ECP Marines.
Continued on next page
MCI Course 0326 3-19 Study Unit 3, Lesson 2
Entry Control Points,
ContinuedWeaponeering Overwatch positions of an ECP should have two different weapons capabilities:
• Weapons that can stop a speeding vehicle
• M240G or MK19 have proven effective
• SMAW or AT-4 are less effective because they are not rapid fire and missing the target will have a greater chance of collateral damage.
• Precision weapons that provide the least collateral damage
• Designated marksman with M-16A2/4
• Trained sniper
Communication Communication between a firm base ECP and all other elements are critical for effective operations. Failure to maintain effective communications could result in a friendly fire mishap or slow reaction time to enemy threats. Some key considerations are listed below:
• Have an alternate and dual communications plan to guarantee constant communications.
• PRRs operate on a nonsecure net; use of brevity words should be used.
• Maintain net discipline to ensure the net is free for vital information.
• If a Marine has to leave the net, he should broadcast a collective call. An SOP should be in place to respond to a “Unit not answering, Reasons Unknown” situation.
• Listen before transmitting.
• Make sure there are rehearsed distress signals established for all Marines on the ECP and overwatch—both visual and via radios.
Guardian Angel
All Marines should have a guardian angel. This is nothing more than the buddy system formalized. The guardian angel’s main purpose is to provide security for his buddy so that he can maintain focus on his task without being uncertain about his personal security.
This is not the same as ECP overwatch positions; rather, this is close security for the individual Marine.
Continued on next page
MCI Course 0326 3-20 Study Unit 3, Lesson 2
Entry Control Points,
ContinuedCrew Training Presumably, all Marines will rotate through the overwatch positions. All Marines need to be constantly trained on the crew served weapons if they are not primarily assigned those weapons.
Geometry of Fires
The ECP geometry of fires should allow the Marines a covered place to go so as not to be exposed to friendly fire from the overwatch.
This should be checked and inspected at each change of guard or rotation of elements into the overwatch positions.
MCI Course 0326 3-21 Study Unit 3, Lesson 2 Exercise
Lesson 2 Exercise
Directions Complete items 1 through 9 by performing the action required. Check your answers against those listed at the end of this lesson.
Item 1 What should a unit establish to verify and check the security of a firm base?
a. Guard Red Cell b. Civil Action Leader c. Special Projects Marines d. Fun and Games Officer
Item 2 How often should a unit rotate the members of a firm base that compose the Guard Red Cell?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Item 3 What should be established in a patrol service station to quickly pass pertinent information in the shortest amount of time?
a. Entry control point b. Battle rhythm c. Information boards d. Overwatch position
Item 4 To enhance the deception plan of a firm base, it should a. restrict the movement of personnel.
b. rotate from the primary to the alternate entry control point location.
c. clean weapons during hours of darkness only.
d. open several entry control points at the same time.
Continued on next page
MCI Course 0326 3-22 Study Unit 3, Lesson 2 Exercise
Lesson 2 Exercise,
ContinuedItem 5 A tactical technique in which one element is positioned to support by fire the movement of another element by observing known or suspected enemy locations is called
a. depth.
b. weaponeering.
c. overwatch.
d. fire and maneuver.
Item 6 State a key planning consideration when establishing overwatch positions.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Item 7 To guarantee constant communications within a firm base, it should always have
a. an alternate and dual communications plan.
b. the least amount of distance between posts.
c. electricity to charge the radio batteries.
d. night vision goggles or thermal imaging capabilities.
Item 8 The main purpose of a guardian angel is to a. test the firm bases’ security.
b. maintain constant communications with higher.
c. provide ammo and chow as needed.
d. provide security for his buddy.
Continued on next page
MCI Course 0326 3-23 Study Unit 3, Lesson 2 Exercise
Lesson 2 Exercise,
Continued
Item 9 A Marine at an entry control point that has a covered place to go so he will not be exposed to friendly fire from the overwatch shows his understanding of a. geometry of friendly fires.
b. proper communications procedures.
c. proper red cell procedures.
d. guardian angel plans.
Continued on next page
MCI Course 0326 3-24 Study Unit 3, Lesson 2 Exercise
Lesson 2 Exercise,
ContinuedAnswers The table below provides the answers to the exercise items. If you have any questions, refer to the reference page listed for each item.
Item Number Answers Reference Page
1 a 3-15
2 As often as possible 3-15
3 c 3-16
4 b 3-17
5 c 3-18
6 • Geometry of fires should allow the ECP Marines a covered place to go so as not to be exposed to friendly fire from the overwatch.
• Enemy action should not influence the action of the ECP and the overwatch with the same action.
• Immediate action drills for the ECP and overwatch should be rehearsed daily, out of view of the enemy.
3-18
In this lesson, you learned about the collateral duties, patrol service station, and entry control points used in a firm base.
In the next lesson, you will learn about entering and exiting the lines, alert tools used in a firm base, and a specific patrolling technique widely used in stability and support operations.
MCI Course 0326 3-25 Study Unit 3, Lesson 3