Fireteam staggered column
The fireteam staggered column sees the fireteam split into two adjacent column formations, staggered so that each member of each column is diagonal from those in the adjacent column. They should never be directly next to each other, as this prevents one team member from being able to effectively return fire when contacted from the side. Additionally, being staggered improves the spacing between fireteam members, reducing risk from explosives and ambushes.
The staggered column is usually utilized when following a road, and is useful for scouting ahead of friendly vehicles and sweeping the road for hazards. It also allows the team to maintain improved security over a single column, while avoiding walking on the center of the road. The team can easily condense into a single column on either side of the road at any time.
The staggered column does make it more difficult to effectively return fire to the front without forming a wedge, though is still better than a single column formation.
Buddy teams should create the front and rear of the formation, not the left and right columns. When the team takes contact from front or rear, this allows one buddy team to return fire whilst the other maneuvers to support them. When taking contact from the sides, it allows for the quick formation of a fireteam line, with one buddy team on the left and right.
Strengths:
- Good dispersion of troops
- Allows large volume of fire on both sides
- Better forward and rearward sectors of fire than a column
- Good maneuverability and movement control
Weaknesses:
- Fairly vulnerable to the front and rear
- Allows limited volume of fire forward and rearward
- Difficult to transition into base of fire, bounding overwatch, or flanking maneuvers
