text: Chapter 5
  Stay-Behind Opportunities
  • Teams may have the opportunity to achieve surprise if insurgents attempt to return to areas
  after another counterinsurgent unit has conducted an operation.
  Security
  • Sniper teams should move with a security element (squad or platoon) whenever possible. This
  allows the teams to reach their area of operation faster and safer than if alone. The security
  element also protects snipers during operations. When moving with a security element, snipers
  follow these guidelines:
  (cid:131) The leader of the security element leads the sniper team.
  (cid:131) Snipers must appear to be an integral part of the security element. To do so, each sniper
  carries his weapon system in line with and close to his body to hide the weapon's outline
  and barrel length. Snipers also conceal from view all sniper-unique equipment (optics
  and ghillie suits).
  (cid:131) Sniper uniforms must be the same as that of security element members.
  (cid:131) Snipers and element members maintain proper intervals and positions in the element
  formation.
  Infiltration
  • The key to sniper infiltration is undetected occupation of hide positions. An insertion may be
  as simple as a drop off in close proximity and moving dismounted to the position. It can be
  as complex as conducting a cordon and search/knock and leaving a stay-behind team. Planning
  considerations for insertion include the mission variables and a detailed understanding of the
  terrain and people. Planning considerations include—streetlights, barking dogs, nightlife
  establishments, insertion vehicle noise (HMMWV engines, vehicle ramps hitting the ground),
  and local nationals who may sleep on their roof or outdoors during hot summer months.
  Exfiltration
  • Exfiltration is just as important; snipers do not want to compromise a position you may want
  to use again in the future. The amount of time spent in a Sniper Position is dependent on the
  situation. Sniper teams should have a preplanned emergency exfiltration route to a safe zone,
  known by all supporting elements. The snipers can withdraw dismounted, during hours
  of limited visibility, to a designated rally point, where the QRF can retrieve them
  • Some units use a quick reaction force (QRF) as a means of reinforcement or emergency
  extraction, as well as maintaining or regaining contact with insurgents engaged by the snipers.
  When properly employed, the US sniper teams can contribute significantly to the fight by
  overwatching key areas, serving as an economy of force, eliminating insurgents, and causing
  uncertainty within the insurgents. For further information on conventional sniper employment
  techniques, see FM 3-21.11.
  COIN PATROLS
  5-181. A patrol is a detachment sent out by a larger unit to conduct a combat or reconnaissance
  operation. A patrol may be a fire team, squad, platoon, or company. Conventional patrolling doctrine
  applies to counterinsurgency operations, but some modifications must be made to account for the
  insurgent’s activities and the operational environment. Aggressive patrolling in an area greatly reduces the
  insurgents’ freedom of movement, disrupts operations, and weakens their influence on the local population.
  Furthermore, Patrolling becomes more significant in counterinsurgency operations because of the difficulty
  in locating and identifying insurgent forces. This section discusses the important role patrols play
  in defeating the insurgent force. There are two types of patrolling in COIN operations: Reconnaissance
  patrols and combat patrols. Patrols are an integral part of clear-hold-build operations, strike operations,
  and PRC operations.