Formations

The formations below are for a squad, but the same shapes are used at platoon level. Each one trades firepower, security, concealment and manoeuvrability differently, so pick the one that fits the ground and the threat.

Wedge

Pros

• Good situational awareness
• Flanks are secured
• Good firepower towards the front
• Good flexibility to change to other formations

Cons

• Concealment is limited; wide squad

Use when

• It is the default squad formation
• You expect hostiles from a ~180° arc in front of you
• You are in the centre of a platoon wedge

Staggered column

Pros

• Easy to establish
• Very good flank security
• Good concealment
• Good flexibility to change to other formations
• Good for crossing difficult terrain

Cons

• Bad firepower to the front

Use when

• In a platoon staggered column
• Moving along a road while not expecting hostiles
• In limited terrain

Line

Pros

• Maximum firepower to the front
• Ideal for popping up on ridge lines in ambush scenarios

Cons

• Bad firepower to the flanks
• Limited manoeuvrability

Use when

• Attacking hostiles in front of you while not expecting hostiles on the flanks
• Climbing an elevation line to conduct an assault with hostiles in front
• In a platoon line

File

Pros

• Easy to establish
• Good flank security
• Very good concealment
• Good for crossing difficult terrain

Cons

• Very bad firepower to the front
• Bad manoeuvrability

Use when

• In very limited terrain
• Moving through minefields

Echelon (right)

Pros

• Good firepower to the front
• Flank security to one side
• Can switch to line very easily

Cons

• Limited manoeuvrability to one flank (here: left)

Use when

• Intending to switch to line soon
• Moving in a platoon wedge

Diamond

Pros

• Excellent all-round (360°) security
• Good firepower in every direction, including the rear
• Strong when the threat can come from any bearing

Cons

• Spread out, so concealment is limited
• Needs space and is harder to hold in tight terrain
• Less concentrated firepower to the front than a wedge or line

Use when

• You expect contact from any direction, including the rear
• In the combat area or close quarters with an all-round threat
• The threat bearing is unclear

Wedge on wedge

A squad column with both fire teams in a wedge, and the default squad movement formation. The lead fire team moves in a wedge, the trail fire team follows in its own wedge, and the squad leader (with the medic) sits between them: far enough forward to see the lead team and react to contact, far enough back to avoid being caught in the first exchange of fire. The lead team is most likely to make first contact; the trail team is the squad leader’s manoeuvre element once it does.

Pros

• Good all-round security: the two wedges cover the front, both flanks and the rear
• Good dispersion, while staying close enough for voice and hand-signal control
• Strong firepower to the front and the flanks
• The lead team can return fire immediately without masking the trail team
• Flexible: collapses into a line to assault, or a file for tight terrain

Cons

• Wide and spread out, so concealment is limited
• Not the fastest formation through dense terrain
• Less firepower to the front than a line

Use when

• It is the default squad movement formation
• Contact is possible but you still need to cover ground
• You want front, flank and rear security with the leader kept covered