[Dozer523]

ANNEX D (Recon Patrol Tips) Reconnaissance Tips of the Trade (con’d)

46. All team members should take notes while on an operation and compare them jointly. Each member should keep a list of tips and lessons learned and add to them after each operation.
47. Each man on the team must continuously observe the man in front of him and the man behind him, an addition to watching for other team members’ arm and hand signals.
48. A recon team should never place more than one mine, AP or AT in a small section of a road or trail at a time. If more than one is set out the team is just resupplying the enemy, because when the mine goes off, a search will be made of the immediate area for others and they will surely be found.
49. During the dry season, do not urinate on rocks or leaves, but rather in a hole or small crevice. The wet spot may be seen, and the odor will carry further.
50. When carrying the M-79 on patrol, use a retainer band around the stock to hold the safety on safe while moving.
51. When crossing streams, observe first for activity, then send the point man across to check the area. Then cross the rest of the patrol, with each one taking water as he crosses. If in a danger area, have all personnel cross prior to getting water. Treat all trails (old and new), streams and open areas as danger areas.
52. Carry one extra pair of socks plus foot powder, on patrol, especially during the rainy season. In addition, each team member should carry a large sized pair of socks to place over his boots when walking across a trail or stream.
53. During rest halts don’t take your pack off or leave your weapon alone. During long breaks, such as for noon chow, don’t take your pack off until the perimeter has been checked for at least 40 - 60 meters out and for 360 degrees. During breaks throw nothing on the ground. Either put the trash in your pocket or spray it with CS powder and bury it.
54. In most areas, the enemy will send patrols along roads and major trails between the hours of 0700 - 1000 and from 1500 - 1900. Since most of the enemy’s vehicular movement is at night, a team that has a road watch mission should stay no less than 200 meters from the road during the day and move up to the road just prior to last light. When the enemy makes a security sweep along a road, usually twice a week, he normally does not check further then 200 meters to each flank.
55. If you hear people speaking, move close enough to hear what they are saying. The reason is obvious. The VN team leader should make notes.
56. While on patrol, don’t take the obvious course of action and don’t set a pattern with your activities, such as, always turning left when “button hooking” to ambush your own back trail.
57. A dead enemy’s shirt and the contents of his pockets, plus pack, if he has one, are normally more valuable than his weapon.
58. If the enemy is pursuing you, you should deploy delay grenades and / or claymores of 60 - 120 seconds. In addition, throw CS grenades to your rear and flanks. Give the enemy a reason and / or excuse to quit.
59. Do not fire weapons or use claymores or grenades if the enemy is searching for you at night. Use CS grenades instead. This will cause him to panic and will not give your position away. You can move out in relative safety while they may end up shooting each other. If claymores become necessary, use time-delayed or time delayed WP.