AN ENEMY’S DIRECT AND INDIRECT FIRE AS PER THE REFERENCES. EVALUATION GUIDELINES TO BE USED DURING TRAINING:
Conditions: The Seabee is provided a tactical scenario in any combat environment (day and night), commander's guidance, individual combat equipment (782 gear), and weapon with ammunition.
Standard: The Seabee must construct a hasty fighting position, an individual fighting position, and an improved two-man fighting position. The position must cover the assigned sector of fire and provide sufficient protection from enemy direct and indirect fire.
Administrative Note: Two Seabees may be evaluated simultaneously for construction of a two- man fighting position.
PERFORMANCE STEPS:
1. Receive the operations order which include the sector of fire and the type of fighting position to be
constructed.
NOTE: The process of constructing a fighting position should begin immediately once a unit is halted defensively. The position should be continually improved until departing the site. The process begins with a hasty fighting position and continues to develop into an integrated, hardened position.
2. Organize the ground.
a. Select the best site for a fighting position, if your squad leader did not specifically assign a location.
1) Select a position that will blend with the terrain and not contrast with the background. NOTE: Do not dig near an isolated tree, a clump of bushes, or any object that stands
out from the surrounding terrain.
2) Ensure that the location gives frontal protection from direct fire. 3) Ensure that the location allows you or your unit to fire.
4) Select a site, which conceals your position from enemy aircraft, as well as ground troops, if possible.
NOTE: If the position is under a bush or tree or in a building, it is less likely to be seen from above. Leaves, straw, or grass placed on the floor of the hole hide the contrast of the fresh earth with the ground around it. Do not use sticks; they may stop grenades from rolling into the grenade sumps.
b. Mark the position for sector of fire stakes with aiming and limiting stakes. c. Partially clear fields of fire within your assigned sector.
- See Performance Step 6 of this task.
NOTES: Do not destroy natural camouflage around your position. Save grass clumps,etc., for camouflage later.
Do not disclose your position by carelessly clearing fields of fire and leaving tracks to and around the position.
3. Construct a hasty fighting position.
a. Use a natural hole or ditch, if available.
NOTE: The position should be in a small depression or hole at least 1/2 meter (18 inches) deep.
b. Dig or scrape a depression to protect you while in a prone position if a natural hole or ditch is not available (Figure 1).
1) Remove the topsoil of the selected position carefully so that it may be used to camouflage the position.
2) Dispose of the excess dirt under bushes, on dirt roads, or in streams, ponds, or ravines.
4. Construct an individual fighting position (Figure 2).
NOTE: Sometimes you may have to build and occupy a one-man fighting position. The hole of a one- man position is only large enough for you and your equipment.
Figure 2 a. Dig a hole about armpit deep.
NOTE: Do not disturb the natural concealment around your position while digging. Avoid creating fresh paths near the position. Use old paths or vary the route to and from the position. Camouflage the path if necessary.
c. Leave enough earth at the base of the hole to form a fire step. d. Dig a grenade sump at the bottom of the hole.
e. Build a parapet around the hole.
1) Use dirt taken from the hole to form the parapet or use a natural parapet, such as a tree or mound.
2) Leave enough distance between the hole and the parapet to make an elbow rest where you can put your elbows when firing.
5. Construct a two-man fighting position (Figure 3).
Figure 3
NOTES: In the defense, you and another Seabee may build a two-man fighting position. Keep the hole small. The smaller the hole, the less likely it is that rounds, grenades, or air burst fragments will get into it. It should be large enough for you and your buddy in full combat gear. It should extend beyond the edges of the frontal cover enough to let you and your buddy observe and fire to the front. The hole is usually dug straight, but it may be curved around the frontal cover.
Figure 4
- Dig a trench-shaped grenade sump at each end of the position (Figure 5). -- Dig the trenches as wide as an entrenching tool blade, as deep as the
entrenching tool, and as long as the position is wide. -- Slope the floor toward the sumps.
NOTE: The slope should be steep enough so that a grenade thrown in the position will roll into one of the sumps.
6. Complete clearing fields of fire.
a. Clear only what is absolutely necessary.
b. Get into firing position, and check observation and fields of fire.
c. Save any cut foliage, dirt, grass clumps, etc., for camouflaging the position. 7. Improve your fighting position.
a. Camouflage the fighting position.
NOTE: Camouflage is continuous throughout the occupation of a defensive position. 1) Camouflage your position using the natural materials you saved from clearing the field of fire.
NOTE: Replace the materials often since they quickly wilt and change color. 2) Check the camouflage by moving 35 meters to the front and looking back at your fighting
position.
3) Continue camouflaging as needed. b. Construct overhead covers (Figure 6).
Figure 6