Break Contact

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Break Contact

• By SGT Russman
• Reference FM 3-21.8 Ranger Handbook

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Terminal Learning Objectives

• TASKS Learn multiple techniques for breaking
  contact from Enemy Fire.
• CONDITIONS A class full of highly motivated
  Noncommissioned Sergeants ready to learn about
  Breaking Contact.
• STANDARDS You will learn a total of five Break
  Contact Methods, as well as the importance of
  Battle Drills.

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TLO (cont.)

• SAFETY There are not to many just be careful
  when maneuvering around the classroom watch out
  for loose wires, do not fall asleep and slam on
  head on the desk, and do not lean back in your
  chair.
• ENVIROMENTAL In case of a fire follow the fire
  evacuation fan posted on the back wall, in case
  of flood we will move upstairs, and in case of a
  tornado we will move to the basement.
• RISK ASSESSMENT Low
• EVALUATION At the end of the class there will be
  a Check on Learning Quiz, the quiz is a four
  question test, but there are total of ten
  answers. You must receive at least a 70 to pass.

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TABLE Of CONTENTS

• Definitions of Break Contact
• Importance of Battle Drills
• Break Contact from Front
• Australian Peel
• Break Contact from the Rear
• Break Contact from Left or Right
• Freeze Method
• Questions
• Check On Learning

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BREAK CONTACT

• Utilizes your units METT-TC with your OPORD and
  rehearsals with Battle Drills.

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SITUATION

• While on (Dismounted or Mounted) operations you
  are attacked by a superior force where the Team
  Leader is forced to withdraw his team to a safer
  location or rally point utilizing his team and
  other assets on hand if available.

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DEFINITION (cont.)

• To train leaders and soldiers to know their role
  in this maneuver to help prevent further loss of
  soldiers and equipment by using all assets
  effectively.

• The team breaks contact as soon as possible
  because it lacks the assets to stay and fight.
  METT-TC determines which drill is executed.

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MISSIONS

• Missions are usually planned for expected types
  of contact and the amount of assets that youll
  need. But sometimes the enemy will expect your
  course of action and bring more to the battle
  than you or your unit expects. Thats why Battle
  Drills incorporates Breaking contact drills.

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BATTLE DRILLS
Well-rehearsed battle drills are critical to the
success of a dismounted team. The team is lightly
armed with a limited supply of ammunition and can
expect little or no fire support. If indirect
fires are Pre-coordinated, they should be
maximized while breaking contact. An immediate
suppression fire mission on a near target from
the target overlay may support the team breaking
contact then, once in a covered and concealed
position, adjusted fire missions may be executed
against the enemy. Indirect fires should be
considered whenever breaking contact, emphasizing
the need for thorough fire support planning.
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CONTACT From The FRONT
When contact occurs from the front, the first
member fires a full magazine (automatic or
burst). Every other member does the same, one at
a time. Each member waits until the member in
front of him is even with him or on his left or
right before firing a weapon. Individuals move
straight back through the inside of the
formation, avoiding masking the fires of the
members providing covering fire. The assistant
team leader or the last member throws a hand
grenade (fragmentary). During limited visibility,
the battle drill may be executed without firing
weapons. In this event, the battle drill is still
executed in the same sequence. Upon completion of
the first iteration, the team can emplace a
Claymore mine with a time-delay fuse to slow the
enemy. The team initiates fires only if it has
been compromised. If the enemy element breaks
contact and ceases fire, the team should cease
fire immediately to prevent revealing their new
position.
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BREAK CONTACT From The FRONT
The team executes fire and movement by two- or
three-man teams until contact with the enemy is
broken. When contacted from the front, the senior
observer and another observer return fire with
one full magazine each. An observer and the team
leader move to a position to provide support for
the withdrawal of the senior observer and
observer.
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THE AUSTRALIAN PEEL
The Australian peel is a method to break contact
from the front or rear. This technique, which
should be executed as a battle drill, is most
effective while the team is in a file formation,
where the vegetation is dense, or during limited
visibility. The second through the sixth team
members take one or two steps to the left or
right, depending on the terrain. One member at a
time passes back through the formation.
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REAR CONTACT
If contact occurs from the rear, the Australian
peel technique is executed in the reverse
sequence. The first member is the last to throw a
hand grenade (fragmentary). Once the drill is
completed, the team moves to the designated rally
point.
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REAR CONTACT (cont)
If contact occurs from the rear, the Australian
peel technique is executed in the reverse
sequence. The first member is the last to throw a
hand grenade (fragmentary). Once the drill is
completed, the team moves to the designated rally
point.
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LEFT or RIGHT BREAK

• If a patrol finds itself in threat ambush, it
  must get out of the kill zone or face
  destruction. Team members in the kill zone,
  without order or signal, immediately return fire,
  throw smoke, and move quickly out of the kill
  zone by the safest route.

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FREEZE
This immediate action drill is used when a
patrol, not yet seen by the threat, observes the
threat and does not have time to take any
other action. All patrol members remain still
until signaled to continue or take another action
as directed.
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ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE CHECK ON LEARNING?
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The Quiz

1. Name the five types of Break Contact Methods
   discussed in this Class?
2. Give a brief Description of three of the five
   Break Contact methods listed above.
3. What is a Battle Drill?
4. T or F. There are more than five Break Contact
   Methods.