The patrol leader selects patrol members from the platoon or squad he commands. He should maintain the regular fire team or squad organization when possible. No man who may interfere with the mission should be included in the patrol. An example is a man with a cold. His coughing or sneezing could give the patrol away to the enemy.

The patrol takes along only those weapons absolutely necessary for mission accomplishment. The same criterion applies to the equipment. Five categories of equipment are usually required. They are as follows:

l OBJECTIVE AREA equipment. This IS the equipment you need to accomplish the mission. It includes such items as weapons and ammunition, demolition charges, and fiber line (small stuff) for binding prisoners.

l EN ROUTE equipment. This is equipment that assists or enables you to reach the objective. It includes such items as maps, compasses, binoculars, flashlights, wire cutters, and stream-crossing lines.

l CONTROL equipment. This is equipment for maintaining communications and control. It includes telephones, whistles, pyrotechnics, flashlights, and luminous tape.

l WATER AND FOOD. Every man carries a canteen of water. On a long patrol, each man may carry two canteens plus rations to cover mealtimes during absence. For a very long patrol, arrangements must be made to resupply food and water.

l ROUTINE equipment. This is the equipment patrol members carry. It includes the uniform and web equipment. Usually, each man carries a poncho and one extra pair of socks. Gloves should be worn, even in warm weather, to protect your hands from thorns, sharp rocks, and barbed wire.