How to be a pointman/scout?

[shakespeare]

I'm trying to learn to be a better pointman (first guy in a patrol, is that the right term?), as well as a scout (going ahead to check out stuff, not LRRP but just a squad level scout).

Can somebody describe how to do this for me?

Also, is there any equipment necessary for this job?

[Cyph34r]

1. Yes thats the right term.
2. Be VERY aware of your surroundings.
3. Make sure the rest of your squad actually follows you, I've thought I had an entire squad following me, just to turn around and find myself completely alone.

No real advice for recon, other than that you have to have really good trigger control, dont shoot unless you absolutely have to.

Edit: Capitalization
Edit: How did I manage to type recon wrong?

[Eyes On]

Research KIM's Game.

Remember, it is not just a point man out there, it is a good point TEAM (Point, Slack left, Slack Right)

A good point team spots an enemy patrol quickly, an excellent point team spots the enemy while they are laying in ambush in concealed positions.

[Android]

Land navigation skills are really handy if you're the one leading a team through the wild. Learning basic map reading skills & how to judge range/distance are invaluable tools.

As for recon work, honing your observation/communication skills are great when you need to relay what you see to your squad/fireteam leader.

[Eyes On]

Navigation is not the job of the point team. Navigation falls to the PL or an alternate. The PL steers the point team.

If you turn around and your patrol is not behind you, it is due to bad communication between the point team and the rest of the patrol. You walk a couple of steps, and take a quick look back at the guy behind you to see if he is trying to send you a hand/arm signal. This goes for everyone in the patrol. This is why hand/arm signals are repeated by EVERYONE in the patrol except the first and last man.

[TexMex]

Navigation is not the job of the point team. Navigation falls to the PL or an alternate. The PL steers the point team.

If you turn around and your patrol is not behind you, it is due to bad communication between the point team and the rest of the patrol. You walk a couple of steps, and take a quick look back at the guy behind you to see if he is trying to send you a hand/arm signal. This goes for everyone in the patrol. This is why hand/arm signals are repeated by EVERYONE in the patrol except the first and last man.

This is critical if radios are not working, or you dont have any. What the Rangers usually do is have the point man a little farther ahead of the squad, what he signals/radios goes. I never question the point man because he is keeping my a$$ out of danger. I think it is even smart for each player in the squad to confirm the order that the pointman gives.

[Solid]

A bolt action seems to work well for that, just to use the scope for scouting purposes, plus it keeps you from having the urge to start spraying BB's

[Eyes On]

What the Rangers usually do is...

I'm assuming that you mean your team, the Dunedain Rangers, and not the US Army Rangers. Correct?

[TexMex]

What the Rangers usually do is...

I'm assuming that you mean your team, the Dunedain Rangers, and not the US Army Rangers. Correct?

Correct i do not speak for the US Army Rangers.

[Snake_Eyes]

When I am on PLA's recon element team, myself and my other scout are constantly relaying troop movement, number of troops, and armament. This is key for a recon group. You are the eyes and ears of the main force.

Also you must know cover, concealment, and the aforementioned trigger control. You will not have the most "kills" on your team but you will enable your team to out manuevor your enemy and destroy them.

As for a point team, you want to rehearse and train with your team hand signals and so that you won't have to give away your position when you are relaying information.

There are plenty of others but Gunny has more specifics than I do. I gave you what works for me.

[spector]

i was a point man for the longest time until i got my m4.

1:a shotgun is useful for being a pointman
2:you better have balls, cause for all you know around that corner is a guy with a minigun
3:DONT ASK DONT TELL

[Wombat Six]

i was a point man for the longest time until i got my m4.

1:a shotgun is useful for being a pointman
2:you better have balls, cause for all you know around that corner is a guy with a minigun
3:DONT ASK DONT TELL

Your advice is not useful.

A shotgun is useless for the point team. If you're at the point where you're in shotgun range, your team is doing it wrong.

Same thing with the minigun.

And WTF?

[Eyes On]

i was a point man for the longest time until i got my m4.

All of two weeks?

1:a shotgun is useful for being a pointman

Not in airsoft.

2:you better have balls, cause for all you know around that corner is a guy with a minigun

If you're leading your patrol into someone with a minigun unexpectedly, you have no business being on point... or on the field for that matter.

3:DONT ASK DONT TELL

We didn't ask, but your post tells anyway.

13 year-olds responding with anything other than links to reputable sources should probably simply avoid hitting the reply button.

[spector]

i was a point man for the longest time until i got my m4.

All of 1 year




fixed that for you

[spector]

i was a point man for the longest time until i got my m4.

1:a shotgun is useful for being a pointman
2:you better have balls, cause for all you know around that corner is a guy with a minigun
3:DONT ASK DONT TELL

Your advice is not useful.

A shotgun is useless for the point team. If you're at the point where you're in shotgun range, your team is doing it wrong.

Same thing with the minigun.

And WTF?

the minigun was just a thing to say, ull never know whats around that corner