Battle Drill 3: Break Contact
CONDITIONS: The unit is moving as part of a larger force, conducting a movement to contact or an attack. Direct fire contact with the enemy has occurred, and the unit leader decides to break contact.
CUE: This drill begins when the unit leader gives the command to break contact.
STANDARDS: The unit breaks contact using fire and movement, and continues to move until the enemy can no longer observe or engage them. The unit leader reports the contact to higher headquarters.
Task Steps
- The unit leader directs an element to suppress the enemy.
- The unit leader orders vehicles to support the disengagement of the dismounted element. If vehicles cannot support, one squad or fireteam is directed to suppress the enemy to aid in the disengagement.
- The unit leader specifies a distance, direction, terrain feature, or last rally point for the movement of the element in contact.
- The platoon leader employs available fire support to suppress enemy positions.
- The bounding element moves to an overwatch position, using smoke (M320, grenade launchers, indirect fire) and, if necessary, fragmentation or concussion grenades to cover their movement.
- The base-of-fire element continues to suppress the enemy.
- The moving element occupies the overwatch position and engages enemy positions.
- The unit leader directs the base-of-fire element to its next covered and concealed position. The moving element may use fire and movement techniques based on terrain and enemy fire.
- The unit continues to bound away from the enemy until it has:
- Broken contact (continuing to suppress the enemy as they withdraw).
- Passed through a higher-level support-by-fire position.
- Elements are in assigned positions to conduct the next mission.
- For mounted elements, the platoon leader directs vehicles to a rally point and links up with the dismounted element.
- The leader may change the unit's direction of movement after breaking contact to reduce enemy indirect fire effectiveness.
- Disrupted elements stay together and move to the last designated rally point.
- Unit leaders account for soldiers, report the situation to higher leadership, reorganize as needed, and continue the mission.
Leadership Actions
- The unit leader issues the command to break contact and coordinates with elements to suppress the enemy and disengage.
- The unit leader directs the movement and positioning of elements to ensure effective suppression and safe disengagement.
- The unit leader monitors the progress of the break contact maneuver, adjusting plans as necessary based on enemy actions and terrain.
- The unit leader ensures all elements regroup, account for personnel, and report the situation to higher headquarters.