b. Demolitions are often needed to defeat more elaborate barriers or to 
produce a desired effect to aid the initial entry. See Appendix L for a 
discussion of expedient demolitions for breaching common urban barriers. 
c. Mechanical breaching is not addressed here, but it is an assumed 
capability within all units. Whether or not to take the time to defeat weak 
barriers, such as doors or windows, by means of crowbars, saws, 
sledgehammers, or axes is a decision that must be made based on the 
conditions of METT-T. Mechanical breaching should always be planned as a 
backup to a ballistic or explosive breach. 
K-7. BREACH POINT 
Clearing team members must approach the breach point quickly, quietly, and 
in standard order. This approach preserves the element of surprise and allows 
for quick entry and domination of the room. 
a. The order of movement to the breach point is determined by the method 
of breach and the intended actions at the breach point. The members of the fire 
team are assigned numbers 1 through 4, with the team leader always 
designated number 3. If one member of the clearing team is armed with the 
SAW rather than an M16 rifle or carbine, he should be designated number 4. 
(1) The order of movement for a shotgun breach has the shotgunner up 
front, followed by the number 1 man, number 2 man, and then the number 3 
man (team leader). After the door is breached, the shotgunner falls to the rear 
of the lineup and acts as the number 4 man. 
(2) The order of movement for a demolition breach is number 3 (team 
leader), number 2, number 1, and then number 4. The team leader provides 
security at the doorway. The number 2 man carries the demolition charge and 
places it. Number 1 carries a fabricated blast shield. Number 4 provides rear 
security. After the demolition charge is placed, number 2 falls in behind 
number 1 (with the blast shield), and number 3 (team leader) falls in behind 
number 2, re-forming the standard 1, 2, 3, 4 configuration. 
(3) If neither a shotgun nor a demolitions breach is required, the order of 
movement is the standard 1, 2, 3, 4 configuration. 
b. The clearing team must always be alert. Team members provide security 
at the breach point and to the rear, laterally down corridors, and upward if near 
stairs or landings. The two basic techniques for moving down hallways are 
shown in Figure K-2. Hallway intersections are dangerous areas and should be 
approached cautiously as shown in Figures K-3 and K-4. 
(1) The serpentine technique is used in narrow hallways. The number 1 
man provides security to the front. His sector of fire includes any enemy 
soldiers who appear at the far end of the hall or from any doorways near the 
end. The number 2 and number 3 men cover the left and right sides of the 
number 1 man. Their sectors of fire include any soldiers who appear suddenly 
from nearby doorways on either side of the hall. They cover the number 1 
man's flanks. The number 4 man, normally carrying the SAW, provides rear 
protection against any enemy soldiers suddenly appearing behind the clearing 
team