The Problem
Situation No. 6:
You have arrived at outguard No. 3. The outguard has just been alarmed by the sentinel. The outguard commander suggests that you, Corporal Canes, accompany him to the sentinel post. You agree. The Corporal and yourself and the two members of your visiting patrol proceed towards the sentinel. As you approach the sentinel identifies you and calls “Silence.” He tells you that he has heard a suspicious noise in front of his post and points in the direction from whence it came.
Required:
What do you do?
Solution
The Director: “Captain Hall, what would you do under the circumstances?”
Captain Hall: “It is the business of the visiting patrol to investigate suspicious incidents that may be reported by the sentinels. So I would go out and investigate this one. I would take the two men of my patrol with me.”
The Director: “We will assume that you are senior to the outguard commander. Would you give him any instructions?”
Captain Hall: “I think I would have him send out a small patrol to the interval between outguard No. 3 and No. 2.”
Lieutenant Barry: “That is a point I had been thinking about and I had just decided that I would not do that.”
The Director: “On what line of reasoning did you base the decision?”
Lieutenant Barry: “Well, sir, if I were Corporal Canes and going out with my visiting patrol I would not want any other patrol out working around in my immediate vicinity. There would be too much danger of an accident. I would have to put in about half of my time watching out for the other patrol to keep from shooting them or to keep them from shooting me. I am sure if I knew another patrol from the outguard were out here I could not devote my undivided attention to my reconnaissance of the enemy. I would have Corporal R bring two of his men up to the sentinel post and remain there until I get back or if anything happens to me to come to my assistance. I would have the remaining men of the outguard remain on the alert at their post.”
The Director: “I think you are right in all you have said and I feel sure that Captain Hall will agree with you on reconsideration. Is that not so, Captain Hall?”
Captain Hall: “Yes, sir.”
The Director: “We then decide that Corporal Canes is to make the reconnaissance with the two remaining men of his visiting patrol; that he is going to have Corporal R bring up two men of the outguard to the vicinity of the sentinel post and that the remainder of the outguard is to remain at the alert at its post. Now, Lieutenant Hunt, just how will you put this decision into the form of orders?”
Lieutenant Hunt: “I would issue my orders as follows:
“‘You have all the information of the enemy and our own troops.
“‘The visiting patrol will conduct a reconnaissance in that direction (indicating).
“‘Manley and Harrison will follow me at the usual distance.
“‘Corporal R, have two men of your outguard come up here. If anything happens to my patrol come to our assistance. Have the remainder of your men remain at the outguard on the alert.’
“When all is ready I will say:
“‘Manley and Harrison, follow me.’
“We will proceed in Indian file towards the suspicious noise reported by the sentinel.”
Visiting Patrol Card No. 6
Director’s Key
1. On arrival at Outguard No. 3 distribute Situation No. 6 and explain.
2. Duty of visiting patrol to investigate suspicious occurrences on outpost line.
3. Question of Patrol from outguard.
4. Visiting patrol makes reconnaissance. Two men brought up to sentinel post as a reserve. Outguard to remain in place at the alert.
5. Orders.
Procedure
The class is now conducted to a point about 100 yards to the front of the sentinel post of Outguard No. 3, where Situation No. 7 is distributed and such explanation as may be necessary is made.