INTRODUCTION
Urban combat exposes Marines to the realization of how easily an operation may fail, and with a high percentage of casualties, due to the lack of proper preparation. Urban battles such as Hue City, Grozny, and Mogadishu, have all been won, lost, or indecisive due to the prior training of the forces involved. Proper and continuous training enables Marines to take the proper action as a "second nature" in MOUT. This cannot be understated.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this period of instruction is to provide an introduction to the combat skills required to clear a building. Through study and practical application, each Marine can learn the valuable lessons that lead to survival and mission accomplishment.
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING STANDARDS
Ref: MCO 1510.101A, MCO 1510.35C
0300.1.7, 0300.1.6, 0300.1.7, SS21.02.02, SS221.02.03, SS21.02.04, SS21.02.05
SS21.02.06, SS21.03.13, SS21.02.18
MISSION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Without aid of reference and in accordance with MCWP 3-35.3, the Marine should understand and demonstrate the proper method to clear rooms and floors of a building.
ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Know the combat team organization for fighting inside a building.
2. Know the proper preparation items for each team.
3. Know the principles for fighting inside a building.
4. Know the planning considerations for combat within a building.
5. Know the required action for clearing a building that must be left intact.
6. Know the three factors in choosing the proper technique for clearing a room.
7. Know the two different positions used when preparing to enter a room.
8. Know the four methods for crossing a threshold.
9. Know the one, two, three, and four man clearing techniques.
10. Know the seven advantages for conducting a multiple entry.
11. Know the least preferred method for clearing a room.
12. Know the steps for clearing a room through an open doorway.
13. Know the techniques for tactical movement in a hallway.
14. Know the three techniques of clearing a straight hallway.
15. Know the techniques of clearing a L-shaped enclosure.
16. Know the two methods of moving between floors.
17. Know the method for clearing an elevator shaft.
18. Know the proper shotgun technique to breach a door.
METHOD AND MEDIA
This class will be taught through lecture and demonstration.
TESTING
This period of instruction will be evaluated through a period of practical application in a MOUT environment situation.
TRANSITION
BODY
1. Organization: Before a squad can begin clearing a building, it must be properly task organized for this particularly difficult combat operation:
a. Assault Element: One fire team organized into a clearing team (rifleman and the assistant automatic rifleman) and the cover team (automatic rifleman and the team leader).
b. Support/Security: Two fire teams, the squad leader and attached weapons.
Note: ALL THREE fire teams must be organized to conduct the assault on call - urban combat produces a high casualty rate - every Marine must be prepared to assume another Marine's mission at any time.
2. General Principles: The general principles for fighting inside a building are only guidelines for the decision making process. The assault element leader uses these guidelines for planning - he also remains flexible and resourceful as the situation dictates.
a. Clear from the Top Down: Whenever the combat situation allows, the assault element should enter a building from an upper level and clear down to the bottom level. Gravity will carry momentum of both the Marines and their weapons. This is especially true in the use of grenades. As it is easier to attack downhill on a rural battlefield, the same concept applies to buildings. An enemy who is forced from the ground level to the roof is often left with no avenue of escape. Often in such situations, the enemy may chose to fight to the death rather than jump or surrender. The support element may also be used to maximum benefit. As the enemy attempts to escape on the ground level, the support element can engage him in the "no man's land" outside the building.
b. Entering Low: Sometimes the situation will force a low entry. When this is a case, establish a foothold in the building, move up if possible, and then clear down. This technique is similar to the first in that the first floor is cleared and secured, a path to the top is then cleared and secured, then the process of clearing top down is used. The path downward and the original floor of entry become the "no man's land" for enemy personnel attempting to escape.
c. Avoid Silhouetting: Marines must avoid silhouetting themselves in doorways, windows and other openings. Remember that simply closing a window shutter does not mean that the area immediately inside the window is safe for movement across.
d. Use Grenades: If ROE and building construction considerations allow, hand grenades should be used before entering a room. Keep in mind that the grenade blast will kick up secondary projectiles and dust.
e. GET IN FAST: Waste no time crossing the threshold to a building or room. This is the area of maximum silhouetting. There should be no delay by any members of the team regardless of the number of Marines entering. Grenades can be used to their maximum effect by taking advantage of the initial shock immediately following the blast. Because fragmentation does not always find its intended target and isn't always fatal, double tap all enemy in the room. DO NOT HESITATE!
f. Avoid Clearing Patterns: Vary the room clearing techniques used. The enemy behind the next door may be the same ones cleared from a previous building or room. That said, DO NOT sacrifice tactically sound procedures to avoid patterns.
3. Planning Considerations for Combat Within a Building
a. Determine the point of entry, this point may be a roof, side wall or subsurface area. Marines may blow a mouse hole, blow or kick a door open, or break through a window. The point of entry is determined by METT-T.
b. Plan for the use of verbal and visual signals. This includes code words for the employment of shotguns, demolitions, hand grenades and other supporting arms. Plan for signals in darkened areas. These signals must be second nature to ALL MEMBERS of the team.
c. Plan for the use of hand grenades and demolitions. Resupply is always an important consideration in MOUT. Urban combat is a "sponge" that sap resources quickly. Always plan ahead on how you will use grenades and demolitions with special consideration of building construction, ROE and METT-T.
d. Plan to spread load ammunition and special equipment. The assault element has the priority of ammunition and equipment, but all teams must be prepared to assume the assault.
e. Determine the order in which each room is to be cleared. Rooms should be cleared in one direction on a given floor - this does not mean that two rooms cannot be cleared simultaneously. Avoid establishing a pattern. Change direction from floor to floor.
f. Determine the technique for moving through hallways. The wall construction material (i.e. wood or masonry) will determine if you move along the center or against the walls. Remember that studies have shown that small arms rounds tend to ricochet off of walls and travel 1-5 inches along the wall in a line. As a rule 6-8 inches off the wall is a good "rule of thumb" for movement within an enclosed area.
g. Determine the method for clearing rooms. The choices are the one, two, three and four man clears. Choose the technique that will work best for your team. At the same time, avoid establishing patterns.
h. Determine the means for reinforcing and relieving the assault element(s) and clearing team. This must be well planned as it requires coordination between fire teams, squads and platoons, often in the midst of heavy urban combat.
i. Determine the means for marking cleared rooms and secured buildings. This may be dictated from higher headquarters. Options may include paint, chalk, or chemlights for night. The use of panels is an option for the building's exterior.
j. Determine the means for handling friendly casualties. Keep in mind that open areas can quickly become "no man's land". A medevac plan must be established. MOUT is casualty intensive. Plan to assign aid and litter teams as part of the support element.
k. Determine the method of handling enemy casualties. Always keep in mind the "Five S's and a T" - search, silence, segregate, speed, safeguard and tag.
l. Plan for re-consolidation and reorganization. In the casualty intensive MOUT environment, this phase takes on great importance. Key leaders may have to be replaced and weapons, ammunition and equipment redistributed and/or resupplied.
4. Room Clearing: The only method of clearing a building while leaving the building intact is to clear it room by room. The three variables in planning room clearance are the method of entry, the number of Marines clearing the room and the position of the Marines conducting the clearing operation. The position of the room is determined by "reading the room" - taking into consideration the room dimensions and the number of doors and the door positions. Never neglect to consider the other methods of entry to a room such as attics, basement entries, windows, laundry/garbage chutes, etc.
5. Room Entry Positions
a. Split Position: This is the preferred method. This technique allows for greater vision of the room and its contents prior to entry. This method is normally used when the door is closed. Two Marines are along the wall on opposite sides of the entry. Marine number one enters and moves to the opposite corner of the room nearest the hallway. Marine number two follows and moves to the opposite corner of the room nearest the hallway. This places both Marines in corners nearest the entry point and covering the room. This is done while utilizing the techniques of room entry discussed in this and previous sections of the MOUT Training POI.
b. Stacked Position: When moving down a hallway with open doors, it may not be tactically sound to assume the split position. In this situation a team may wish to employ the stacked position. The movement within the room by the Marines is the same. The difference is that the entry is made from one side of the doorway rather than opposite sides. Again, this is done utilizing the techniques of room entry discussed in this and previous sections of the MOUT Training POI.
6. Methods of Crossing the Threshold: There are four ways to "cross the threshold" (or methods used at the point of entry when clearing a room)
a. Buttonhook: As soon as the grenade explodes or the command is given, Marine moves quickly through the threshold using the combat glide and "guns and eyeballs" techniques. He will first cover his "fatal frontal" by looking at the forward area, double tapping any targets he finds. Then using "guns and eyeballs" he will "turn" the corner and move to corner back towards the direction he entered from the hallway and closest to the hallway. The Marine has now reached a point of domination in the corner, and must scan the remainder of the room for targets. All of this is done in a matter of seconds, and the Marine must NOT check with peripheral vision - "guns and eyeballs".
b. Cross: As soon as the grenade explodes or the command is given, the Marine moves quickly through the threshold using the combat glide and "guns and eyeballs" techniques. He will first cover his "fatal frontal" by looking at the forward area, double tapping any targets he finds. He will then quickly turn into the opposite direction of the wall he was originally stacked along, his weapon aimed into the corner while moving into the room to check it (do not check with peripheral vision)> This should only take a split second. The Marine will then move to the point of domination in the corner, scanning the remainder of the room for targets. This all takes place in a couple of seconds.
c. Limited Penetration: Either of the two methods mentioned above can be used to enter the room by the first Marine, but in the limited penetration, the second or third Marine will not move to a corner but next to the Marine scanning the room. The Marines will still remain semi-dispersed.
d. Straight Entry: One of the follow on Marines will move straight into the room to a point of domination specified by the senior Marine already in the room. For example, to cover a doorway in another part of the room.
7. Detailed Room Clearing: This includes one, two, three, and four man clearing techniques. All methods can be effective when applied in the appropriate situation.
a. One Man Room Clearing: This is the least preferred method of clearing a room. However, there may be times when this is the only option available, such as gaining access to an upper level room. The steps to this method are:
1) Move to a position near the opening.
2) If necessary, throw in a grenade.
3) Immediately after the grenade explodes, cross the threshold scanning the room for targets and double tapping any enemy that appears.
4) Enter, preferably with the buttonhook technique.
5) Once all targets are eliminated search the room. If another Marine enters immediately after clearing he will search the room.
6) Once cleared, mark the room.
7) Post security.
b. Two Man Room Clearing: When clearing a room with two men, it is preferred to limit the methods of entry to the cross or buttonhook. If the door or opening is open and allows for observation into the room use the cross entry. This will allow for entry into an area already observed. Either of these two methods places the Marines in corners of the room and with interlocking fields of fire and security to their rear. This method is also used by the first two Marines entering a room when there are more than two Marines assigned to clear a room.
c. Three Man Room Clearing: Clearing a room with three Marines is the same as with the two man method for the first two Marines. The Third Marine follows immediately behind using either the limited penetration or straight entry method. Again, the initial two Marines will use either a cross or buttonhook or both to enter.
d. Four Man Room Clearing: As with the other multiple techniques, the first two Marines will enter using a cross or buttonhook or both to gain the corners of the room. This limits the third and fourth marine to limited penetration or straight entry. Only one Marine may conduct a straight entry, the other must make a limited penetration. Both, however, may conduct a limited penetration with one Marine moving left of the opening and one to the right (one crosses into a limited penetration and the other executes a button hook into a limited penetration)
The MOUT Homepage Hot Links:
U.S. Army FM 90-10-1 An Infantryman's Guide to Combat in Built-up Areas (PDF)
Combat Leaders Guide: Chapter 19 - Combat in Cities (U.S. Army - PDF)
Small Unit Night Fighter Manual (CALL - Enter and Clear Buildings and Rooms)
FM 90-10-1 Appendix G: How to Attack and Clear Buildings
Replace Battle Drill 6: Clearing a Room (CALL - an alternative to Battle Drill 6)
Operation Just Cause Lessons Learned: Building Clearing
FM 90-10-1 Appendix D: Urban Aeas (HOW TO: Move - Enter a Building - Use Hand Grenades - Fighting Positions)
The "Defile" Breach: Tactics - Techniques - Procedures (CALL)
Engineer MOUT Attack Planning Considerations
The MOUT Homepage Comments Site
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