PART 2. INFANTRY PATROLLING
CHAPTER 8. FUNDAMENTALS OF INFANTRY PATROLLING
This chapter begins Part 2 and provides basic information about infantry patrols;
specifically, their purpose, types, and missions. Infantry patrol training is also
addressed and keys to successful patrolling are presented. Subsequent chapters of
this part cover patrol organization, preparation, movement, and reconnaissance
actions.
8001. DEFINITIONS
A patrol is a detachment of ground, sea or air forces
sent out for the purpose of gathering information or
carrying out a destructive, harassing, mopping-up or
security mission (Joint Publication [JP] 1-02). The
mission to conduct a patrol may be given to a fire
team, squad, platoon or company.
8002. RELATION OF PATROLLING TO
SCOUTING
Each patrol member must be knowledgeable in the
principles of scouting and maintain membership of a
larger team. To develop the teamwork skills required
among the members of a patrol, additional training
beyond the basic principles is necessary to become a
well-trained scout. A patrol member must respond
quickly to the decisions and orders of the patrol leader.
There must be complete confidence among all
members of the patrol and the confidence that they, as
a team, will be successful in their mission.
8003. PURPOSE
A commander must have current information about
the enemy and the terrain in order to employ the unit
effectively. Patrols are an important means of gaining
this information and are used to destroy enemy
installations, capture enemy personnel, perform
security missions or prevent the enemy from gaining
information. Modern warfare places a high premium
on effective patrolling because units have larger areas
of operations and can be threatened from all
directions. As distances between units increase, more
patrolling becomes necessary to prevent infiltration by
guerrillas or small enemy units, as well as to maintain
contact with friendly adjacent units. Active patrolling
by numerous small groups is needed to locate the
enemy and gather information on the enemy’s
disposition, strength, morale, and weapons, as well as
gather and confirm information about the terrain.
8004. TYPES OF PATROLS
Classification as to Mission
Reconnaissance Patrol
Reconnaissance patrols gather information about the
enemy, terrain or resources. Relying on stealth rather
than combat strength, they gather this information and
fight only when necessary to complete the mission or
to defend themselves. The distance covered by re-
connaissance patrols varies based on the terrain and
mission. The squad is ideally suited for reconnaissance
patrol missions because of its relative small size and
its experience of working together.
Combat Patrol
A combat patrol is a fighting patrol assigned missions
that require engagement with the enemy in combat.
Larger and more heavily armed than reconnaissance
patrols, combat patrols have a mission to capture
enemy documents, provide security, and capture or
destroy enemy equipment and installations. Such
action is ordinarily followed by a return to friendly
