What type of attack can a rifle squad conduct to protect its flanks?

Prepare for the USMC Battle Skills Test with comprehensive quizzes featuring multiple-choice questions. Gain confidence and improve your skills with detailed explanations and references.

A rifle squad can conduct a single envelopment to protect its flanks effectively. This tactic involves maneuvering to engage an enemy force from one side, allowing the squad to use the terrain and their positioning to create a protective shield against potential threats from the sides.

The single envelopment achieves a focused assault on an enemy's flank, which can disrupt their formation and minimize the risks from direct retaliation. This maneuver is particularly advantageous when the squad is aware of enemy positions and can capitalize on offensive positioning to secure their perimeter and enhance their combat effectiveness.

In contrast, the other tactics mentioned are not as suitable for flank protection. A double envelopment involves attacking the enemy’s flanks simultaneously from both sides, requiring more forces and larger formations than typically available to a single squad. A retreat indicates falling back rather than offensive action, which does nothing to secure the flank. Finally, a head-on assault lacks the advantage of flanking tactics, as it directly confronts the enemy without addressing potential threats to the sides, leaving flanks vulnerable.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy