INTRODUCTION
GAIN ATTENTION
From Mogadishu, Somalia, to the Los Angeles riots and in operations throughout the world, Marines have participated in some form of check point operations. In fact, whenever Marines travel onto a Marine Corps base they pass through a check point at the gate.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this period of instruction is to give the student an understanding and the confidence to perform check point operations in support of Marine Corps operations.
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING STANDARDS
5803.7.5, 5811.1.5, 5811.1.12
MISSION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Without the aid of references and in accordance with MCWP 3-35.3, the student will be able to demonstrate how to conduct check point operations.
ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Know the types of check points.
2. Know how to set up and employ a vehicle check point.
3. Know how to set up and employ a personnel check point.
4. Know the two types of personnel check points.
5. Know how to set up and employ a systematic check point.
6. Know how to set up and employ a random check point.
METHOD AND MEDIA
This period of instruction will be taught by lecture with the aid of assistants who will demonstrate check point procedures.
TESTING
This period of instruction will be tested during practical application exercises.
TRANSITION
BODY
1. Check Points:
Check points are established to enable a unit to control access to the unit's area of responsibility. By searching people and vehicles at checkpoints, weapons or other items that may used to undermine the unit's mission can be discovered and confiscated. Check points allow the area of operations to remain immune from outside influence and to keep the ratio of enemy to friendly forces unchanged. They also deny the enemy intelligence gathering opportunities. Check points make a large contribution to the security of military personnel and units and to the local population within the area of operations. To be effective check points must be set up in such a way so that they cannot be "by passed".
2. Check Point Types:
There are two types of check points, vehicle and personnel, both have their own characteristics.
a. Vehicle Check Point (VCP):
1) Location - In many of the conflicts Marines will find themselves operating in, the location of vehicle checkpoints will often be between two or more ethnic, political or religious factions. In these cases, check points will have to be erected along the existing boundaries between the warring factions. If given a choice in selecting a check point location, Marines must take the following into consideration:
a) If possible, set up VIPS on the upward slope or on the crest of high ground. This aids in negating the problem associated with vehicle brake failure and having an uncontrolled vehicle crashing into the check point.
b) If possible, set up VIPS at crossroads as this aids in denying enemy freedom of movement or a by pass of the VCP.
c) When a VCP is used for controlling access to a building or building complex, ensure that the VCP is far enough away from the building in order to deny hostile intelligence collection on the building and to prevent a large bomb that is detonated at the check point from damaging the building.
d) Checkpoints that are used for controlling entrance and exit should be located side by side to one another.
e) VIPS should be located on one-way streets.
2) Check point set up - In setting up a VCP the following guidelines should be followed:
a) Place signs advising of a check point ahead approximately 100 meters away from the VCP.
b) Ensure that vehicles are stopped with its front facing a barricade (berm, tank, wall or other obstacle) that is capable of stopping a moving truck.
c) Ensure vehicles entering the VCP are canalized in such a way that they cannot exit until checked by the Marines manning the check point.
d) Ensure the VCP is set up in such a way that the vehicle being checked is isolate from other vehicles. This may be done through the use of barriers or by a Marine who regulates the flow of traffic.
e) Place a crew served weapon at a position opposite the Marine (s) conducting the check. The weapon is maintained in an elevated position covering the driver. Ensure that the Marines manning the weapon are positioned to observe the vehicle driver at all times. Develop a Standing Operational Procedures (SOP) or signal that allows for employment of the weapon when necessary.
f) Ensure that all other Marines are on the same side as the crew served weapon to avoid friendly fire incidents.
3) Verifying procedures:
a) The approach man is always the same Marine. He counts the number of vehicle occupants prior to the vehicle coming to a complete stop.
b) The driver is asked to open his window if not already down.,br>
c) Have the driver shut off the engine. If the trunk and hood can be released from the inside have the driver do so.
d) Ask the driver for his identification and/or other official papers.,br>
e) If the driver is wanted or suspect, a prearranged signal is used to alert the Marines manning the VCP. This signal must be of a nature so as to warn the Marines but not the driver and other occupants of the vehicle.
f) Have the driver exit the vehicle and open the trunk and hood fully. Ensure that you stand behind him/her at all times.
g) In a hostile situation/environment, have the driver kneel and raise his hands where they can be seen by all VCP Marines.
h) In a hostile situation/environment, repeat the preceding step with all vehicle occupants one at a time.
i) If the driver is detained for whatever reason, do not allow a passenger or other individual to drive the vehicle away. The vehicle and all evidence gathered is to be turned over to the proper authorities.
j) A permanent radio watch is maintains contact with higher headquarters at all times.
k) At the battalion level, a reaction force of at least one squad must be prepared at all times to support the VCP.
4) In many circumstances and depending on the local situation, it is usually best to have all vehicle passengers (NOT THE DRIVER) removed to a holding area away from the vehicle during the search. It aids in conducting a controlled search and ensures that the passengers do not interfere in any way with the conduct of the search.
5) Always record/document all personnel and vehicles that pass through the check point. Use a standardized format but always note any additional information you might feel is pertinent.
6) Speed bumps and speed limit signs have little tactical value in preventing a vehicle from running through a check point. However, they are a good indication ("heads up") in determining the driver's intent.
7) Check point immediate action drills should be developed and rehearsed for many situations. Some common examples are:
a) Vehicle attempting to ram through the VCP.
b) Preventing collateral damage should weapons engagement be necessary.
c) Signals for all VCP search situations.
d) Signals for driver/passenger search.
e) Arrest or impound procedures.
f) Rules of Engagement (ROE) - especially important when considering fleeing personnel.
8) Examples of improvised road obstacles include:
a) The Beirut toothpick - nails driven through lumber and placed across the road or other vehicle accessible areas.
b) Vehicles.
c) Felled trees.
d) Debris, rubble or large rocks.
e) Highway construction barriers.
f) Dumpsters.
9) When there is host nation/local police or military personnel available it is usually useful to have them present and to make any necessary arrests. Many times this can aid in avoiding incidents or an escalation in tensions at the VCP.
b. Personnel Check Points (PCPs):
PCPs, though they do not involve the search of vehicles, are set up in a similar manner as are VCPs. There are two types of PCPs, systematic and random.
1) Systematic check points - a complete and comprehensive check of all persons is conducted. Characteristics of a systematic PCP include:
a) Civilians are told what papers are required to cross the PCP.
b) Barriers are used to regulate the flow of people.
c) Situational dependent, more than one entrance line may be utilized.
d) At least one squad is required to man a PCP.
e) The number of people in each line must be kept to a manageable level.
f) From the rear of the of the check line, people should be at least 10 meters back and in a line.
g) A fire team should be in an overwatch position and have line of sight over the entire PCP.
h) As with VCPs, PCPs must have pre-established and well known and rehearsed signals. This is especially important should the squad leader need to signal the fire team overwatch of a potential volatile situation.
2) Random check points - a random PCP is similar to a systematic check point except in that it is designed to cross people quickly, and yet be screened for items such as weapons/explosive devices, drugs or to identify known terrorists/criminals. Characteristics of a random check point include:
a) Should not interfere with the normal flow of pedestrian traffic.
b) Requires fewer Marines to operate than a systematic check point.
c) Must be located in such a way so that a person may not escape if confronted.
d) Small streets and alleys should be used to channel pedestrians in both a random and systematic check point.
QUESTIONS
SUMMARY
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