Before leaving friendly lines, the patrol leader must select a route to his final destination. This maybe done on a map, on an aerial photograph, or on the actual ground to be covered. He should select intermediate objectives along that route. These successive objectives regulate the progress of the patrol.

A patrol should always designate one or more rally points where it can reassemble if it is dispersed, ambushed, or surprised by enemy attack Normally, an intermediate objective becomes the rallying point as the patrol moves beyond it. In this way, the patrol leader can be sure each individual of the patrol is thoroughly familiar with the rallying point locations.

Members of a dispersed patrol should try to reach the designated rallying point quickly so the mission may be readily resumed. If the patrol leader does not arrive within a reasonable period of time, the second in command must reorganize the patrol and carry out the mission.

SPECIAL ORGANIZATION

A special organization is simply a general organization varied to suit a particular mission or a particular set of circumstances; for example, in area reconnaissance, a patrol might be organized into several reconnaissance teams with each team providing its own security and NO separately organized security element; however, the patrol leader uses the same. Security techniques he uses for a day patrol, modifying them only as necessary.