8 - 21 ENTER A TRENCH TO SECURE A FOOTHOLD (07-3-D9410) CONDITIONS (CUE) — The platoon is moving tactically and receives effective fire from an enemy trench. The platoon is ordered to secure a foothold in the trench. The platoon has only organic weapons support available. The unit leader initiates drill by giving the order for the assault element to secure a foothold in the trench. STANDARDS—The platoon leader/squad leader quickly identifies the entry point. Platoon/squad secures the entry point, enters the trench, and secures an area large enough for the follow on unit. The platoon maintains a sufficient fighting force to repel enemy counterattack and continue the mission. PERFORMANCE MEASURES 1. A platoon's section/squad executes actions on contact to eliminate or suppress fires from the trench. 2. The section/ squad in contact— a. Deploys— (1) Returns fire. (2) Seeks cover. (3) Establishes fire superiority. (4) Establishes local security. (5) [Platoon sergeant] repositions other squads to focus supporting fires and increase observation. b. Reports— (1) Squad leader uses SALUTE format to report location of hostile fire to platoon leader from base of fire position using the SALUTE format. (2) Platoon leader sends contact report followed by a size, activity, location, unit, time, and equipment (SALUTE) report to commander. 3. Evaluate and develop the situation. a. The platoon leader evaluates the situation using the SITREPs from the squad in contact and his personal observations. His evaluation should at least include— (1) Number of enemy weapons or volume of fire. (2) Presence of vehicles. (3) Employment of indirect fires. b. The platoon leader quickly develops the situation by— (1) Conducting a quick reconnaissance to determine enemy flanks. (2) Locating mutually supporting positions. (3) Locating any obstacles that impede the assault or provide some type of cover or concealment. (4) Determining whether the enemy force is inferior or superior. (5) Analyzing reports from squad leaders, teams in contact, or adjacent units. 4. Choose a COA a. [Platoon leader] decides to enter the trench and selects his entry point. b. [Platoon leader] selects a covered and concealed route to his entry point. c. [Platoon leader] directs maneuver element to secure near side of entry point and reduce the obstacle to gain a foothold. d. [Platoon sergeant] repositions the remaining squad to provide additional observation and supporting fires. 5. Execute COA. Use suppress, obscure, secure, reduce, assault (SOSRA) to set conditions for the assault (Figure 8-17).