Battle Drill 1 – Matthew Luke Publishing

Battle Drill 1, “React to Contact,” is an immediate action drill that occurs when a unit makes unexpected contact with an enemy force. The goal is to quickly gain fire superiority, establish security, and position the unit to assess the situation and determine the next steps.

How do our Soldiers respond to enemy engagement? How do they approach, subdue, and take an objective? These questions form the fundamentals for combat arms tactics. Walk through a light infantry training exercise with the 1-173 Infantry’s Charlie Company as they get back to basics with Battle Drill 1.

Battle Drill 1 emphasizes discipline, teamwork, and the ability to respond instinctively under pressure. Regular training ensures all unit members understand their roles, enabling swift execution during real-world operations. This drill is not just about reacting to contact but also about leveraging the principles of aggression, communication, and tactical acumen to maintain the initiative in a firefight.

Do you want to know more? Check Small Unit Tactics, Chapter 10.