FMF Combat & Tactical Training 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the role of the point man in a patrol formation?
- Carry the heaviest weapon
- Navigate using GPS
- Detect danger to the front and warn the patrol (Correct answer)
- Communicate with higher headquarters
Correct answer: Detect danger to the front and warn the patrol
The point man moves ahead of the patrol to detect enemy, obstacles, or IEDs and signal danger before the main element is exposed.
Question 2: When establishing a patrol base, which action is conducted FIRST upon arrival?
- Issue a five-paragraph order
- Set up sleeping positions
- Conduct an immediate 360-degree security sweep (Correct answer)
- Establish communication with higher headquarters
Correct answer: Conduct an immediate 360-degree security sweep
An immediate security sweep ensures the patrol base area is clear of enemy before any administrative actions are taken.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a 'hasty ambush'?
- To conduct a deliberate, planned attack on a known route
- To quickly take advantage of an unplanned meeting with the enemy (Correct answer)
- To establish a long-term observation post
- To destroy a fixed enemy position
Correct answer: To quickly take advantage of an unplanned meeting with the enemy
A hasty ambush is an immediate action drill used when a patrol unexpectedly encounters the enemy and must react in seconds.
Question 4: In close combat, what is the Marine Corps doctrine regarding escalation of force?
- Deadly force is always the first option when threatened
- Marines must exhaust all non-lethal options before engaging
- Use the minimum force necessary to accomplish the mission and protect lives (Correct answer)
- Rules of engagement override all tactical decisions
Correct answer: Use the minimum force necessary to accomplish the mission and protect lives
Marine doctrine calls for using the minimum force necessary to accomplish the mission while protecting the lives of Marines and civilians.
Question 5: What does 'fire superiority' mean in tactical terms?
- Having more weapons than the enemy
- Firing more rounds per minute than the enemy
- Delivering fire that degrades the enemy's ability to return effective fire (Correct answer)
- Controlling all indirect fire assets in the area
Correct answer: Delivering fire that degrades the enemy's ability to return effective fire
Fire superiority is achieved when friendly fire degrades the enemy's ability to effectively return fire, enabling maneuver.
Question 6: Which element of METT-TC represents the influence of time on tactical planning?
- Mission
- Enemy
- Terrain and weather
- Time available (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Time available
Time available in METT-TC requires leaders to assess how much planning and preparation time exists and allocate it appropriately.
Question 7: What is the correct immediate action when a Marine's M4 experiences a stoppage?
- Remove the magazine and inspect the chamber
- Conduct SPORTS: Slap, Pull, Observe, Release, Tap, Squeeze (Correct answer)
- Call for a weapons team
- Transition to secondary weapon immediately
Correct answer: Conduct SPORTS: Slap, Pull, Observe, Release, Tap, Squeeze
SPORTS is the standardized immediate action drill to quickly clear most M4 stoppages under fire.
FMF Combat & Tactical Training 3
What is the role of the point man in a patrol formation?