Overview
This section discusses some basic Squad and Fire Team formations, their various strengths and potential uses.
This section discusses some basic Squad and Fire Team formations, their various strengths and potential uses.
Formation are arrangements of elements and soldiers in relation to each other. Fireteams and Squads use formations for control flexibility and security. Think of formations as a way to spread out your eyes and ears to cover zones of fire in an organized manner. Formations are not static and should always bend, flex and adapt to situations. Basically, just because you move in formation doesn’t mean you don’t melt away or avoid a strong rush.
One of the main reasons to have a formation is to maximize firepower. The whole point of operating in a small unit is for maneuver and flexibility. You can react and adapt quickly to tactical situations. As opposed to a large mass or unorganized mob, you can all fire your weapons in a clear line of sight and won’t be blocked or trampled. It also helps maximize your team strengths. In a formation Leadership is in the front, helping to guide and mentor players.
Leaders choose formations based on their analysis of various factors including but not limited to terrain, structures, enemy location, time and or specific objectives. Leaders should be up front in formations. This allows the Squad and Fire Team Leader to lead by example, "Follow me and do as I do." Optimally all soldiers in the team should be able to see their leader. The exception to this rule is in USMC Fire Team Formations where the FTL will often be in the number 2 position. This allows increased tactical awareness as the FTL can rely on the point person to cover the front.
While Fire Teams can vary in size, think of each Fire Team member as a finger on a hand. Each finger alone is relatively weak and possesses limited abilities – but when working together acting as the hand they are incredibly strong and versatile.
"Each guys life depends on all, on each man doing his job, you cover your zone, you know the man on you right has got your right covered, you know the man on your left will kill everything on your left! You're all part of each other, fingers on a hand, A FIRE TEAM!" - Indian Joe
Remember to avoid the mistake of focusing so intently on keeping in formation that it compromises your alertness level for potential danger. Remember to keep those freaking heads on a swivel people!
We will be covering four basic Fire Team formations and touch briefly on Squad formations. While there are a wide variety of formations available, we find that for simplicity it’s best to focus on the most commonly used (and most effective) formations; A) Wedge, B) Column, C) Line and D) Serpentine.
A. Wedge (and/or Echelon)
The wedge is the basic formation for the fire team and the
one most commonly used in HvZ. The Wedge provides an excellent forward facing
field of fire while also providing some flank protection. The Wedge is best
utilized in open areas.In strict definitions a four person Fire Team in a wedge will end up in an Echelon formation, meaning that the wedge is not symmetrical and there are more soldiers on one side than the other (figure A.2) Since the Echelon is very similar to the Wedge, and Fire Teams are often comprised of four members, for training purposes and simplicity we refer to Echelon formations as Wedge formations. The main thing to keep in mind when in an Echelon formation is to orient the strong side toward the most likely enemy contact.
The Heavy is the slowest member of the group and you may want to consider allowing them to take point in the wedge and set the pace. This will help reduce fatigue for your Heavy and keep the team together. Also, by having the Heavy at the point and the FTL in 2nd position, this allows the FTL to have a better overall tactical awareness of the battlefield – because he can rely on the Heavy to cover the front. This becomes even more helpful when coordinating with other Fire Teams or Squads during combat.
Traditionally (in the Army, USMC) the interval between soldiers in the wedge formation is 10 meters – but for HvZ this is more like 4-6 feet. This may seem a bit close, but the idea is to have enough range to cover all other positions in the wedge – so that every soldier can fire in support of each other. For example, if each person is 6 feet apart, the farthest distance occupied in the wedge would be roughly 12-18 feet away. This means all blasters that can reach can potentially give support.
The wedge expands and contracts depending on the terrain. When constricting conditions or rough terrain, poor visibility, or other factors make control of the wedge difficult, Fire Teams modify the wedge. For example in limited visibility or narrow areas the normal interval/spacing between soldiers is reduced so that all team members can still see their team leader and the team leaders can still their squad leader. The sides of the wedge can contract to the point where the wedge resembles a single file. When moving in less rugged terrain, where control is easier, soldiers expand or resume their original positions.
B. Column/File
The File or Column is a
single or double file line. The File formation is used in narrow areas, and/or
to get to places quickly. Like a battleship, the File is stronger on the sides,
where the team can unleash a “broadside” of fire. The File has limited forward
facing firepower but excellent lateral visibility. Be sure to stagger your
assigned fields of fire – each person in succession covers the either the right
or the left. (Figure B.1)
C. Line/Skirmish
The Line or Skirmish formation is normally used when the enemy
location is known. These formations bring maximum firepower to bear towards the
front. The traditional Line formation is simply a horizontal line of soldiers
facing one direction. The Skirmish line is normally staggered in two rows,
several feet or yards from each other. A common use of these formations would
be moving from Wedge to Line as you come into frontal contact with Zombies and
bring all weapons to bear on your targets.
Again, as with all formations, strive to keep overlapping
fields of fire in support of all soldiers. This means
keeping the spacing between soldiers at roughly 4-6 feet.
D. Serpentine
The Serpentine is a specialized formation used frequently
when moving through certain types of environments that are common on most campuses.
Teams that master the Serpentine movement and clearing techniques can greatly
increase combat survivability operating in urban and enclosed environments.
This formation was specifically designed for urban
operations and enclosed areas. It is best utilized when moving through
intersections between buildings or into courtyards, hallways or any area with
corners. The Heavy moves to the rear and provides rear facing sector of fire
while the front three members maneuver to clear danger zones. This is probably our
most advanced formation as far as specialized movement techniques -- and mastery
does require a higher level of effort at team coordination and execution. (See section V MOVEMENT: Clearing Techniques)
E. Squad Formations
You could write an entire
manual on Squad formations and movements alone. We won’t do that here.
In general, in most
situations – for simplicity we normally keep all Fire Teams in Wedge formations
for Squad size operations. With this in mind, for Squad Formations think of each
Fire Teams as individual members (soldiers) in a Fire Team. With 2-4 Fire Teams
to a Squad, you can place the Fire Team wedges into one large Wedge.
Alternately, when a Squad moves in File, they move as Fire Team wedges moving
in a File formation. Same with Squad “Line” formation, etc.
The Squad Leader should
lead from the front – this normally means directly behind the lead Fire Team.
Alternately for security reasons the Squad Leader may attach themselves to the
lead Fire Team during combat.
The exception to the above rule of operating in Wedges formations, for urban operations we recommend the Rolling T squad formation.
The Rolling T is created by assigning one or two lead Fire Teams to operate abreast of each other, each in the Serpentine (or wedge) formation at the point to clear areas, supported by Fire Teams that are in Wedge formations, arranged in File. This is the “Rolling T”.
The lead two Fire Teams, both individually in Serpentine are supported by the middle/central Fire team as a relief force and reinforcement. The rear-most Fire Team acts as rearguard and security. If the rear team is attacked it too is supported by the central team. The Squad Leader is positioned directly behind the two lead teams. (Figure E.1)
You use the two arms or “fists” to engage the enemy, and when things get rough you pin them with your “body” and kick them with your “leg”. (The Squad Leader might even lend a “head-butt” when viable and safe to do so) You can use one hand to “grab” or “pin” while the other moves and strikes. Alternately you can swing both hands from opposite directions together like a pincer, or both together like a big hammer. You can lightly touch like a finger or smash like a fist.
Sometimes visualizing the teams in this way helps with rapid decision-making during combat – instead of thinking of individual formations working independently.
DEFENSE IN DEPTH
One last important Squad Formation or exercise to consider practicing is defense in depth. Have Fire teams practice moving (spreading out) to primary, secondary and tertiary lines of defense, with a small rear guard force for security, etc. Coordinate Grenadiers and Sniper elements, practice ranges and calling out targets, sending distraction teams to harass and divert while defending, etc. Your goal as Squad Leader is to be a leader – get creative, take the initiative; chip away at the horde. De-synch those stun timers on small groups of zombies at a time and keep them from a massive horde rush