Introduction to Infantry Operations
Honor. Patriotism. Duty.
INSTRUCTOR
1LT JESSIE C BUCAL O-134004 PA (RES)
COMMANDANT
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
▪In case of emergency, students should
follow the escape routes as prescribed
by the evacuation plan
▪In case of fire, do not panic and if
possible, bring along valuables outside
and proceed to the designated area
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
▪In case of earthquake, do not panic, do
the drop-cover and hold technique. Find
your way calmly and proceed at the
designated area.
CLASSROOM RULES
Silent Mode Take Note of Any Queries
Participation
Silently go towards CR if
in need.
No Sleeping Policy
REFERENCES
The Philippine Army
Infantry Operations Manual
(PAM 3-01)
SCOPE
❖Importance and Beginning of the Infantry
❖The Infantry Echelons
-Squad
-Platoon
-Battalion
-Brigade
-Division
❖Philippine Army’s Doctrine
❖Principles of War
❖Elements of Combat Power
Introduction to Infantry Operations
The Infantry
The Infantry is the oldest and traditionally the largest
component of an Army.
Even in this modern age, the infantryman or the foot
soldier is at the core of a country’s defense forces.
Infantry forces are organized to fight as a combined arms team.
Combined arms warfare is the simultaneous application of combat,
combat support, and combat service support components geared
towards a common goal.
These arms and services are integrated horizontally at each
command echelon, normally from the battalion to the division.
Combined arms warfare produces effects that are greater than the
sum of the individual parts.
The combined arms team strives to conduct fully integrated
operations in the dimension of time, space, purpose, and resources.
Combined arm forces operate over increasingly large areas of the
battlefield with less force density than in the past.
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
The Importance of the Infantry
The importance of the infantry has been vividly described by T.B
Fehrenbach when he said,
“You may fly over land forever; you may bomb it, atomize it, pulverize it
and wipe it clean of life - but if you desire to defend it, protect it, and
keep it for civilization, you must do this on the ground, the way the
Roman Legions did, by putting your young men into the mud.”
For a contested piece of land can never be declared as conquered
without the Infantry occupying it.
Infantry units conduct operations in all types of weather and terrain.
They are the dominant arms in fast-paced operations because of their
rapid deployment capability. In such events, they can take the initiative
early; seize, secure, and hold the terrain; and concentrate fires to stop
the enemy in close terrain.
They are particularly effective in urban territory. They can infiltrate and
move rapidly to the enemy rear and exfiltrate easily. Their tactical
mobility is greatly improved with helicopter support and tactical airlift.
Infantry units are capable of rapid deployment due to their austere but
lethal organization.
They may operate all over the battlefield and can be rapidly reinforced
for any task or situation. These units are especially advantageous for
operation in restrictive terrain and urbanized areas.
They operate exceptionally at night or during periods of limited visibility
in close or difficult terrain. Infantry units attain decisive results by using
organic and supporting forces and weapons systems.
The Beginning of the Infantry in the
Philippine Army
Development of the Philippine Army Infantry
The present day Philippine Army Infantry is by and large influenced by
the US Army Infantry. The PA Infantry traces its roots to the Katipuneros
of the Filipino-Spanish War era, then to the Revolutionary Government
of Gen Emilio Aguinaldo during the Filipino – American war of the late
1800s.
The Commonwealth Government was mainly responsible for the
development of the Philippine Army whose core was the Infantry. Prior
to the establishment of the Commonwealth Government the United
States had assumed all obligations for national defense and maintained
a garrison in the Islands for defense purposes. The garrison numbered
to about 10,000 men, half of whom where Philippine Scouts, a US Army
unit in which the enlisted men, with some exceptions were Filipinos and
most of the officers were American.
The creation of the Philippine Constabulary in 1901 overtook the
development of the Philippine Army. When the National Defense Act
was enacted, there was no Army to start with - there was only the
Infantry coming from the Philippine Constabulary
Influence of Other Countries to the Infantry
The US Army has greatly influenced to the development of the Infantry
particularly during the formative years of the Philippine Army. Up to
today the United States Army continue to influence the growth and
development of the Infantry in the Philippine Army. Other countries that
influenced the Infantry are Great Britain, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia,
Singapore, Bangladesh, India and several other countries. Introduction
to their doctrines filtered to the Infantry as Filipino graduates from their
military institutions are utilized as instructors/trainors in our military
schools.
The Infantry Echelons
The Infantry is echeloned into infantry divisions then brigades, battalions,
companies, Platoons and the smallest is the squad.
Infantry Divisions
Mission: To destroy enemy military forces and to control land areas in
support of the unified command mission.
The Infantry Division is the largest composition of Infantry units in the
Philippine Army. It is a self-sustaining force requiring austere logistical
support and is capable of independent operation for long periods of time.
The division equips the Army with strategic flexibility. It is rapidly
deployable and can respond quickly to Army situation anywhere in the
country. It is effective in any spectrum of conflict and it can operate in
any type of local weather and terrain.
Infantry Division (Light) Organization
The Infantry Brigade
Mission: To provide command, control and supervision of the tactical
operations of the brigade and attached units.
The Infantry Brigade controls three (3) or four (4) infantry battalions. It
has a Headquarters and Headquarters Service Company to provide the
Command and Control and supervision of the tactical operation. It has
also attached units, to provide Combat Support and Combat Service
Support.
Infantry Brigade Task Organization
The Infantry Battalion
Mission: To close with the enemy by means of fire and maneuver, to
destroy or capture him or repel his assault by fire, close combat and
counter attack. To conduct stability operations in an internal defense
and internal development environment.
The Infantry Battalion is composed of a Headquarters and Headquarters
Service Company and three (3) rifle companies.
BY 2028, A WORLD-CLASS ARMY THAT IS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
Infantry Battalion (Light) Organization
The Infantry Company
Mission: To close with enemy by means of fire and maneuver, to
destroy or capture him or repel his assault by fire, close combat and
counter attack.
The Infantry Company is composed of a company headquarters and
three (3) rifle platoons.
Infantry Company Organization
The Infantry Platoon
The Infantry Platoon is composed of a platoon headquarters and three
(3) rifle squads.
Infantry Platoon Organization
The Infantry Squad
THE PA INFANTRY SQUAD IS A 9-MAN SQUAD
RIFLE SQUAD AND WEAPONS
a. SQD LDR/TM LDR “A”/Basic Infantry weapon
b. GUNNER/Squad Automatic Weapon
c. Basic Infantry Weapon/Light Anti-tank Weapon
d. SNIPER/Basic Infantry weapon with Grenade Launcher
e. RIFLEMAN-AIDEMAN/Basic Infantry Weapon
f. ASST SQD LDR/TM LDR “B”/ Basic Infantry Weapon/ Grenade
Launcher
g. GUNNER/Squad Automatic Weapon
h. Basic Infantry Weapon/Light Anti-tank Weapon
i. Basic Infantry Weapon with Grenade Launcher
Philippine Army’s Doctrine
The Philippine Army Infantry Operations’ doctrine was shaped from the
national interests, objectives, and concern for unity, independence,
culture, and the Filipino people’s pursuit for a democratic way of life. It
links Army roles and missions to the National Military Strategy and the
military’s ability to respond quickly and decisively to national
requirements.
The Philippine Army’s war fighting doctrine is by and large of US origin. It
was designed to make the organization an effective and efficient army
that could perform its mandated missions.
The Philippine Army has been basing its doctrine on the development of
the US Army’s doctrine from the Active Defense of the early 70’s to the
Airland Battle Doctrine of today. From the sequential operations to
simultaneous operations in depth.
Active Defense versus Airland Battle
Doctrine
The Active Defense Doctrine was a product of the post Vietnam War
when the US established defense bases in Europe to deter the Soviet
expansion. For fear of the emergence of a Communist bloc, US forces
established strong Defense positions with European Allies. The Active
Defense was for defense purposes.
The defending forces were prepared to defeat the enemy’s attacking
forces then conduct a counter attack. The Active Defense Doctrine was
espousing a counter-action to the sequential operations of the attacking
enemy
The Airland Battle Doctrine is as complex as the mind itself when
capabilities are limited. The challenges lies on the Commander of the
Infantry (L) Divisions on how he will win the battle and collectively win
the nation’s war.
Principles of War
The principles of war are the fundamental truths governing the
prosecution of war. These principles represent the generally accepted
major factors essential to the successful conduct of military operations.
The principles represent the threshold to understanding military
operations, but they do not themselves constitute the art of war. They
closely resemble an index used to fill one’s knowledge of the military
art. Consequently, the degree of application of any specific principles
varies depending upon the situation.
Wisdom gained from the study of the basic principles of war underscores
that war is not the business of managers with checklists it is the art of
leaders
Principle of Objective.
Direct all military operations toward a clearly defined, decisive, and
attainable objective.
Principle of Offensive.
Seize, retain and exploit the initiative.
Principle of Mass.
Concentrate combat power at the decisive place and time.
Principle of Economy of Force.
Allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts.
Principle of Maneuver.
Place the enemy in a position of disadvantage
through the flexible application of combat power.
Principle of Unity of Command.
For every objective, ensure unity of command under one responsible
commander.
Principle of Security.
Never allow the enemy to acquire an unexpected advantage.
Principle of Surprise.
Surprise can decisively shift the balance of combat power.
Principle of Simplicity.
Prepare clear, uncomplicated, and concise plans and orders to ensure
thorough understanding among common personnel.
Principle of Population Support.
The military must at all times be the protector and defender of the
citizenry.
Elements of Combat Power
The elements of combat power such as firepower, maneuver, protection,
and leadership when available to the commander affect the strength
and morale of the unit. In applying the principles of war, the
development and application of combat power are essential in order to
attain decisive results.
The development of combat power relates directly to the principles of
mass and economy force. The application of combat power is qualified
by the intelligent application of the remaining principles of war.
Elements of Combat Power
Firepower. Firepower is the volume of fire, which may be delivered
effectively by a position, unit or weapon system. It includes the effects
of all available weapons under the direct control of a commander or
deployed outside his command.
Maneuver. Maneuver is an essential ingredient of combat power. It
contributes materially in exploiting success and in preserving freedom of
action and reducing vulnerability.
Protection. Protection conserves the fighting potential of the force so
that commander can apply it at a decisive time and place. Protection
has four components: (1) operational security and deception operations;
(2) maintenance of health and morale of soldiers; (3) safety; and (4)
avoidance of fratricide.
Leadership. Leadership provides purpose, direction and motivation in
combat. Leaders determine how maneuver, firepower and protection
are used, ensuring that these elements are effectively employed against
the enemy.
Related Factors
Terrain. Terrain is an important factor in the application of combat
power. The significance of terrain varies with the echelon of command
and the nature of operation.
Climate and Weather. Climate and weather have significant effects on
all types of military operation. Weather affects observation, control, and
performances of personnel, air support, and the range and effectiveness
of weapons.
Coordination and Control. The effective application of combat power
requires full coordination of effort throughout all echelons. Coordination
is a basic function of command and is particularly significant in deriving
full advantage from fire and maneuver.
Vulnerability and Risk. Vulnerability is the susceptibility of a force to be
damaged by enemy action. Such measures as deception, dispersion,
cover, concealment, movement, speed of reaction, airdefense, counter
battery fires, intelligence, and control may assist in reducing
vulnerability.
THANK YOU
QUESTIONS?
