Fireteam Staggered Column
Fireteam staggered column sees the Fireteam split into two files, staggered so that one person is still in front of the other from one column to the other. They should never walk alongside each other, as this prevents one team member from being able to effectively return fire when contacted from the side.
Staggered column is usually utilized when following a road, which allows the team to quickly create a line when needed on one side or the other.
Staggered column does make it more difficult to effectively return fire to the front without forming a wedge but is useful for moving ahead of friendly vehicles and sweeping the roads.
Buddy teams should create the front and rear of the formation, not the left and right files. This is because, when contacted from the front or rear, one buddy team can return fire whilst the other maneuvers, or when contacted from the sides, allow the quick formation of a Fireteam line, with one buddy team on the left and right.
