Chapter I: Foreword: 1. Purpose

Marine Corps Warfighting Publication (MCWP) 3-11.3, _Scouting and Patrolling_, provides the doctrinal foundation and the tactics, techniques, and procedures for scouting and patrolling conducted by Marines from the fire team to the company level. Although the information focuses on infantry units, much of the information is also applicable to combat support units that are assigned patrolling missions.

2. SCOPE

MCWP 3-11.3 provides all Marines with the instructional material they need to build the skills necessary to become effective scouts and patrol team members. This publication provides the fundamentals of scouting and patrolling and their relationship to each other. It also addresses organizational structure of teams and patrols, the training required to develop teamwork, and reporting requirements.

3. SUPERSESSION

MCWP 3-11.3 supersedes Fleet Marine Force Manual (FMFM) 6-7, _Scouting and Patrolling_, dated 6 January 1989.

4. CERTIFICATION

Reviewed and approved this date.

BY DIRECTION OF THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS

J. E. RHODES
Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps
Commanding General
Marine Corps Combat Development Command

DISTRIBUTION: 143 000075 00

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1. SCOUTING

Chapter 1. Fundamentals of Scouting

1001 Purpose 1-1
1002 Required Scouting Skills 1-1

Chapter 2. Terrain, Maps, and Direction

2001 Terrain Features 2-1
2002 The Lensatic Compass 2-1
2003 Stars, Sun, and Other Features 2-5
2004 Range Determination 2-6

Chapter 3. Enemy Activity

3001 Estimating Enemy Strengths 3-1
3002 Interpreting Signs and Tracks 3-1
3003 Knowing the Enemy 3-2

Chapter 4. Daylight Scouting

4001 Cover and Concealment 4-1
4002 Camouflage 4-2
4003 Individual Movement 4-3
4004 Route Selection 4-5

Chapter 5. Night Scouting

5001 Night Vision 5-1
5002 Appearance of Objects 5-3
5003 Sounds 5-3
5004 Smells and Touch 5-3
5005 Clothing and Weapons 5-3
5006 Concealment 5-3
5007 Aids to Night Scouting 5-4
5008 Aids to Night Movement 5-4
5009 Locating and Plotting the Enemy at Night 5-6
50010 Routes of Movement 5-8

Chapter 6. Observing and Reporting

6001 Observation Posts 6-1
6002 Reporting 6-2

Chapter 7. Scouting Fire Team

7001 Positioning 7-1
7002 Locating Enemy Positions 7-2
7003 Action With an Attacking Platoon 7-2
7004 Action With an Enveloping Unit 7-5

PART 2. INFANTRY PATROLLING

Chapter 8. Fundamentals of Infantry Patrolling

8001 Definitions 8-1
8002 Relation of Patrolling to Scouting 8-1
8003 Purpose 8-1
8004 Types of Patrols 8-1
8005 Training 8-2
8006 Keys to Successful Patrolling 8-3

Chapter 9. Patrol Organization

9001 General Organization 9-1
9002 Task Organization 9-1

Chapter 10. Patrol Preparation

10001 Mission 10-1
10002 Factors Influencing Patrol Size 10-1
10003 Commander’s Duties 10-1
10004 Patrol Leader Duties 10-2

Chapter 11. Movement to and Return from the Objective Area

11001 Passage of Lines 11-1
11002 Organization for Movement 11-1
11003 Control Measures for Movement 11-4
11004 Precautions at Danger Areas 11-5
11005 Hide 11-6
11006 Immediate Actions Upon Enemy Contact 11-6
11007 Patrol Leader’s Action in a Developing Situation 11-10
11008 Return From Objective Area 11-10

Chapter 12. Reconnaissance Patrols

12001 General Missions 12-1
12002 Specific Missions 12-1
12003 Types of Reconnaissance 12-2
12004 Task Organization 12-2
12005 Size of Reconnaissance Patrols 12-3
12006 Reconnaissance Equipment 12-3
12007 Reconnaissance Patrol Actions at the Objective Area 12-3

Chapter 13. Combat Patrols

13001 Task Organization 13-1
13002 Equipment 13-1
13003 Raid Patrols 13-1
13004 Contact Patrols 13-3
13005 Ambush Patrols 13-3
13006 Security Patrols 13-7
13007 Urban Patrols 13-8

Chapter 14. Information and Reports

14001 Reporting 14-1
14002 Captured Items 14-1
14003 Prisoners 14-2
14004 Patrol Report 14-2
14005 Patrol Critique 14-2

Appendix A. Patrol Warning Order A-1

Appendix B. Patrol Order B-1

Appendix C. Patrol Evaluation Checklist C-1

Appendix D. Ambush Formations D-1

Appendix E. Acronyms E-1

Appendix F. References F-1