FM 71-1 Table of Contents * FM 71-1 Headquarters Field Manual Department of the Army No 71-1 Washington, DC, 26 January 1998 FM 71-1 TANK AND MECHANIZED INFANTRY COMPANY TEAM TABLE OF CONTENTS COVER CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 2 BATTLE COMMAND CHAPTER 3 OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS CHAPTER 4 DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS CHAPTER 5 OTHER TACTICAL OPERATIONS CHAPTER 6 COMBAT SUPPORT CHAPTER 7 COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT APPENDIX A COMBAT ORDERS APPENDIX B ROAD MARCHES AND ASSEMBLY AREAS file:///C|/WINDOWS/Desktop/to CDR695/mcwp3131/TOC.HTM (1 of 3) [12/8/2000 11:04:40 AM] FM 71-1 Table of Contents APPENDIX C RISK MANAGEMENT APPENDIX D FRATRICIDE PREVENTION APPENDIX E CONTINUOUS OPERATIONS APPENDIX F LIMITED VISIBILITY OPERATIONS APPENDIX G NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL, CHEMICAL, AND SMOKE OPERATIONS APPENDIX H INTEGRATION OF HEAVY AND LIGHT FORCES APPENDIX I MILITARY OPERATIONS IN URBAN TERRAIN APPENDIX J STABILITY OPERATIONS APPENDIX K SUPPORT OPERATIONS APPENDIX L DIRECTED-ENERGY WEAPONS APPENDIX M OPERATIONS SECURITY APPENDIX N SNIPER OPERATIONS APPENDIX O ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION GLOSSARY REFERENCES AUTHORIZATION Distribution Restriction: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. * This publication supersedes FM 71-1, 22 November 1988. file:///C|/WINDOWS/Desktop/to CDR695/mcwp3131/TOC.HTM (2 of 3) [12/8/2000 11:04:40 AM] FM 71-1 Table of Contents Preface Because of its mix of weaponry, personnel, and supporting elements, the company team is one of the most versatile combat assets on the modern battlefield. Whether it fights "pure" as a tank or mechanized infantry company or is task organized as a tank-heavy or mech-heavy company team, it gives the commander a powerful combination of firepower, mobility, and shock effect. This manual describes how the company team fights. It focuses on the principles of company team operations and the TTP the company team uses to exploit its combat power and minimize its limitations and vulnerabilities. FM 71-1 is for leaders at all levels of the company team. Because weapons and equipment vary among the different company-level organizations (pure tank and mechanized infantry companies and tank- and mech-heavy company teams), users should adapt information presented in the manual to fit their specific requirements. Where capabilities of the various company team systems differ significantly, the manual examines alternative considerations and techniques for their employment. The proponent of this publication is HQ TRADOC. Readers are invited to submit comments on the manual and recommendations for improving it. Prepare these comments using DA Form 2028, and send the form to Commander, US Army Armor Center, ATTN: ATZK-TDD-P, Fort Knox, Kentucky 40121-5000. Unless otherwise stated, masculine nouns and pronouns do not refer exclusively to men. file:///C|/WINDOWS/Desktop/to CDR695/mcwp3131/TOC.HTM (3 of 3) [12/8/2000 11:04:40 AM] file:///C|/WINDOWS/Desktop/to CDR695/mcwp3131/cover.gif file:///C|/WINDOWS/Desktop/to CDR695/mcwp3131/cover.gif (1 of 2) [12/8/2000 11:05:00 AM] file:///C|/WINDOWS/Desktop/to CDR695/mcwp3131/cover.gif file:///C|/WINDOWS/Desktop/to CDR695/mcwp3131/cover.gif (2 of 2) [12/8/2000 11:05:00 AM] FM 71-1 Chapter 1 Introduction CHAPTER 1 Introduction Tank and mechanized infantry companies and company teams can fight and win engagements on any part of the battlefield in a conventional, nuclear, or chemical environment. The company team is normally task organized by the battalion task force commander, based on his estimate of the situation, to perform a variety of tactical missions as part of task force operations. In filling this combat role, the company team integrates with combat, combat support (CS), and combat service support (CSS) elements. Company teams are capable of deploying in an 18-hour deployment sequence as part of the Army's force projection mandate. (NOTE: For a more detailed discussion of deployment operations and force projection operations, refer to FM 100-5.) They also can conduct stability and support operations as part of a joint task force or multinational force. CONTENTS Section 1 Mission, Organization, Capabilaities, and Limitations Tank Company Headquarters Mechanized Infantry Company Headquarters Tank Platoon Mechanized Infantry Platoon Combat Support Assets Combat Service Support Assets Section 2 Company Team Battlefield Focus Section 3 Duties and Responsibilities of Key Personnel Commander Executive Officer First Sergeant Platoon Leader Platoon Sergeant Fire Support Officer Communications Specialist Supply Sergeant NBC NCO Armorer Master Gunner Maintenance Team Chief Senior Aidman file:///C|/WINDOWS/Desktop/to CDR695/mcwp3131/Chapter 1.htm (1 of 22) [12/8/2000 11:05:06 AM] FM 71-1 Chapter 1 Introduction Section 4 Operating Systems Command and control Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Intellignece Maneuver Fire Support Information Operations Air Defense Mobility and Survivability Combat Service Support Section 5 The Human Dimension Section 6 Specialized Operating Environments Military Operations in Urban Terrain Desert Operations Jungle Operations Mountain Operations Cold-Weather Operations SECTION 1 - MISSION, ORGANIZATION, CAPABILITIES, AND LIMITATIONS The mission of the tank and mechanized infantry company team is to close with the enemy by means of fire and movement to defeat or capture him or to repel his assault by fire, close combat, or counterattack. In accomplishing its assigned missions, the company team employs CS and CSS assets within its capabilities. The company team is an organization whose effectiveness depends on the synergy of its subordinate elements, including tanks, BFVs, infantry, engineers, and support elements. These components have a broad array of capabilities; individually, however, they also have a number of vulnerabilities. Effective application of the company team as a combined arms force can capitalize on the strengths of the team's elements while minimizing their respective weaknesses. TANK COMPANY HEADQUARTERS file:///C|/WINDOWS/Desktop/to CDR695/mcwp3131/Chapter 1.htm (2 of 22) [12/8/2000 11:05:06 AM] FM 71-1 Chapter 1 Introduction Figure 1-1 illustrates the organization of a tank company. The company headquarters includes the following personnel and equipment: ● Two tanks with full crews, commanded by the company commander and the XO. ● An M113A2 APC with crew under the command of the 1SG. ● Two M998 HMMWVs with drivers. These vehicles carry the company master gunner and the company NBC NCO. ● One cargo truck with 400-gallon water trailer. Manning this vehicle is the company supply section, which comprises the supply sergeant and the armorer. Figure 1-1. Tank company organization. MECHANIZED INFANTRY COMPANY HEADQUARTERS Figure 1-2 illustrates the organization of a mechanized infantry company. The company headquarters includes the following personnel and equipment: ● Two BFVs with full crews under the command of the company commander and the XO. ● An M113A2 APC with crew under the command of the 1SG. ● Two M998 HMMWVs with drivers. ● Two cargo trucks with one 400-gallon water trailer and one cargo trailer. The company supply section mans these vehicles. file:///C|/WINDOWS/Desktop/to CDR695/mcwp3131/Chapter 1.htm (3 of 22) [12/8/2000 11:05:06 AM] FM 71-1 Chapter 1 Introduction Figure 1-2. Mechanized infantry company organization. TANK PLATOON The tank platoon is considered the smallest maneuver element in the company. It normally fights as a unified element, with its sections fighting in concert with one another. Based on METT-TC factors, however, tank sections may be task organized with other elements. Examples include the task organization of a tank section with an infantry company during light/heavy operations or the task organization of a tank section with a mechanized infantry platoon during MOUT. Personnel As noted, the tank platoon comprises four tanks, normally M1-series and vehicles, organized in two sections. The platoon leader (Tank 1) and PSG (Tank 4) are the section leaders. Tank 2 is the wingman in the equipment platoon leader's section, and Tank 3 is the wingman for the PSG's tank. Each four-man crew consists of the TC, gunner, loader, and driver. For a detailed description of the tank platoon's organization and personnel responsibilities, refer to FM 17-15. Figure 1-3 illustrates tank platoon organization. file:///C|/WINDOWS/Desktop/to CDR695/mcwp3131/Chapter 1.htm (4 of 22) [12/8/2000 11:05:06 AM] FM 71-1 Chapter 1 Introduction Figure 1-3. Tank platoon organization. Capabilities The tank platoon has the following capabilities: and ● It has the necessary manpower and equipment to effectively limitations develop the situation. ● It can conduct operations requiring firepower, mobility, armor protection, and shock effect. ● When equipped with mine rollers and mine plows, it can reduce mine and wire obstacles. ● It can employ maneuver (a combination of fire and movement) to destroy enemy tanks, fighting vehicles, antiarmor systems, and emplacements (such as strongpoints and bunkers). ● It can assault enemy positions. ● It can secure terrain. ● It can defend, repelling enemy attacks with fires. ● It can conduct combat operations under limited visibility conditions. ● It can conduct mounted patrols. ● It can provide support, in the form of armor protection and fires, to infantry and engineer elements in restricted terrain or during an assault. ● It can suppress enemy positions with machine gun and/or main gun fire. ● It can ford water obstacles up to 4 feet in depth. ● It can operate in an NBC environment. ● It can operate in a stability and support environment. file:///C|/WINDOWS/Desktop/to CDR695/mcwp3131/Chapter 1.htm (5 of 22) [12/8/2000 11:05:07 AM] FM 71-1 Chapter 1 Introduction The tank platoon has these limitations: ● Built-up areas, wooded areas, and other types of restricted or rugged terrain can severely limit the platoon's maneuverability. ● Tanks are vulnerable to antiarmor weapons. ● Water crossing operations present a variety of difficulties because of the weight of the platoon's tanks and requirements for fording sites and/or bridges that can support them.