ROTC Scholarship / Selection (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) Military Knowledge and Tactical Skills Syllabus

What is the difference between day and night land navigation techniques?

Day navigation relies heavily on terrain association and visual landmarks; night navigation relies more on dead reckoning, careful pace count, and the compass's luminous markings because visibility of terrain is limited.

What is a 'handrail' in land navigation?

A handrail is a linear terrain feature (road, stream, ridge, fence line) roughly parallel to your direction of travel that you keep alongside to maintain general direction without precise compass work.

What are the three individual movement techniques used by Soldiers under varying threat levels?

Low crawl (highest threat, lowest profile), high crawl (moderate threat, faster), and the rush (3-5 second bounds when little to no enemy fire is expected).

What is the recommended duration of an individual rush and why?

3 to 5 seconds. This is roughly the time it takes an enemy to acquire, aim, and fire at a moving Soldier ('I'm up, he sees me, I'm down').

What are the three basic squad movement formations?

Squad column, squad line, and squad file (also called Ranger file).

Compare the squad column and squad line formations in terms of control and firepower.

The squad column provides good control and all-around security and is the most common formation; the squad line provides maximum firepower to the front but is harder to control.

What are the three movement techniques used by squads and platoons?

Traveling (low threat, fast), traveling overwatch (contact possible), and bounding overwatch (contact expected, one element overwatches while another bounds).

What is a battle drill?

A battle drill is a collective action rapidly executed by a unit without a deliberate decision-making process, in response to enemy contact or a leader's signal - a trained, near-automatic reaction.

What is the immediate reaction in Battle Drill 'React to Contact'?

Soldiers immediately return fire, take cover, and the leader locates and identifies the enemy; the unit then suppresses the enemy and begins to maneuver as directed.

What is the standard reaction to an effective near ambush?

In a near ambush (within hand-grenade range), Soldiers in the kill zone immediately return fire, take cover, and assault through the ambush; throwing grenades and moving out of the kill zone.

What is the standard reaction to a far ambush?

In a far ambush (beyond hand-grenade range), Soldiers in the kill zone return fire, take cover, and suppress the enemy while elements not in the kill zone maneuver to assault or support by fire.

What does the acronym SOSRA stand for in breaching an obstacle?

Suppress, Obscure, Secure, Reduce, and Assault - the breaching fundamentals applied to overcome an obstacle under fire.

What are the four characteristics of the offense?

Surprise, concentration, audacity, and tempo.

What are the four primary forms of maneuver in the offense?

Envelopment, turning movement, infiltration, penetration, and frontal attack (the doctrinal forms; envelopment, turning movement, penetration, infiltration, and frontal attack).

What are the four types of offensive operations?

Movement to contact, attack, exploitation, and pursuit.

What are the characteristics of the defense?

Disruption, flexibility, maneuver, mass and concentration, operations in depth, preparation, and security.

What is the difference between an area defense and a mobile defense?

An area defense focuses on retaining terrain by absorbing the enemy in interlocking positions; a mobile defense focuses on destroying the enemy by allowing penetration and then striking with a counterattacking reserve.

What are the three types of fighting positions a Soldier may construct?

Hasty position, one-Soldier fighting position, and two-Soldier fighting position (with progressive stages of improvement and overhead cover).

What is a sector of fire and a principal direction of fire (PDF)?

A sector of fire is the area a Soldier or weapon is responsible for covering. The principal direction of fire is a specific direction within that sector assigned as the primary line of fire, often along a likely enemy avenue of approach.

What are the four types of patrols by purpose?

The two categories are reconnaissance patrols and combat patrols. Reconnaissance: area, zone, route, and point recon; Combat: ambush, raid, and security patrols.

What is the difference between a reconnaissance patrol and a combat patrol?

A reconnaissance patrol gathers information about the enemy or terrain and avoids contact; a combat patrol is sent to make contact and engage the enemy (e.g., ambush or raid).

What is an ambush, and what are its two general types?

An ambush is a surprise attack from a concealed position on a moving or temporarily halted enemy. The two types are point ambush (one kill zone) and area ambush (multiple coordinated point ambushes).

What are the three elements of a combat patrol's organization?

The assault element, the support (support-by-fire) element, and the security element.

What does the acronym GOTWA / the 5-point contingency plan cover before a leader departs?

G - where the leader is Going; O - Others he is taking; T - Time he will be gone; W - What to do if he does not return; A - Actions on contact for the departing element and the main body.

What is the cyclic and sustained rate of fire of the M4 carbine?

The M4's cyclic rate is roughly 700-970 rounds per minute, the sustained (effective) rate is about 12-15 rounds per minute, and the maximum effective rate is roughly 45 rounds per minute (semi-automatic).

What are the four fundamentals of marksmanship?

Steady position, aiming (sight alignment and sight picture), breathing control, and trigger squeeze.

What is the difference between sight alignment and sight picture?

Sight alignment is the relationship between the front and rear sights and the aiming eye (centering the front sight post in the rear aperture); sight picture adds the target - placing the aligned sights on the desired point of aim.

What are the four weapons safety rules every Soldier must follow?

Treat every weapon as if it is loaded; never point the weapon at anything you do not intend to destroy; keep your finger straight and off the trigger until ready to fire; keep the weapon on safe until you intend to fire.

What does the acronym SPORTS stand for for clearing a weapon malfunction?

Slap (the magazine), Pull (the charging handle), Observe (the chamber for ejection), Release (the charging handle), Tap (forward assist), Squeeze (the trigger).

What is the maximum effective range of the M4 carbine against a point target and an area target?

Approximately 500 meters for a point target and about 600 meters for an area target.

What is the sequence of care under fire / the three phases of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC)?

Care Under Fire (return fire, move casualty to cover, stop life-threatening bleeding), Tactical Field Care (more deliberate treatment once relatively safe), and Tactical Evacuation Care (care during transport to a medical facility).

What does the MARCH algorithm stand for in TCCC?

Massive hemorrhage, Airway, Respiration (breathing), Circulation, and Hypothermia/Head injury - the prioritized sequence for treating a combat casualty.

What is the first priority of care for a casualty under TCCC and why?

Controlling massive hemorrhage (severe bleeding), because uncontrolled bleeding from extremity wounds is the leading cause of preventable death on the battlefield. A tourniquet is applied first.

How is a tourniquet correctly applied?

Place it 2-3 inches above the wound (or high and tight on the limb), tighten until bleeding stops and the distal pulse is gone, secure the windlass, and mark the time of application on the tourniquet or casualty.

What are the three categories of camouflage, cover, and concealment factors a Soldier must defeat?

Shape/silhouette, shadow, shine, color/contrast, movement, and noise - the signatures that reveal a position to the enemy.

What is the difference between cover and concealment?

Cover protects against direct and indirect fire (e.g., a wall, a log, a fighting position); concealment hides you from observation but offers no ballistic protection (e.g., bushes, smoke, shadows).

What are the priorities of work when establishing a defensive position?

Security, communications, weapons positioning/sectors of fire, fighting position construction, camouflage, fields of fire clearance, range cards, and rest/maintenance - performed continuously and in priority.

What is the survival rule of threes a Soldier should remember?

A person can survive roughly 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without shelter in harsh conditions, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food - guiding survival priorities.

What does the survival acronym SURVIVAL stand for?

Size up the situation; Use all your senses; Remember where you are; Vanquish fear and panic; Improvise; Value living; Act like the natives; Live by your wits (basic skills).

What are the priorities of survival in a survival situation?

Generally: security/protection, water, fire/shelter, food, and signaling - with the exact order driven by the environment and immediate threats.

What is the position of attention in drill, and what command places a Soldier in it?

Attention is the basic military position: heels together, feet at 45 degrees, body erect, arms at sides, thumbs along trouser seams, eyes forward. The command is 'Squad/Platoon, ATTENTION.'

What is the difference between 'Parade, REST' and 'At ease' in drill?

At parade rest, the left foot moves about 10 inches to the left, hands clasped behind the back, and the Soldier remains silent and still. At ease allows the Soldier to relax and move but keeps the right foot in place and requires silence.

What is the difference between a preparatory command and a command of execution?

The preparatory command states the movement to be carried out and alerts the unit (e.g., 'Forward'); the command of execution tells when to carry it out (e.g., 'MARCH').

How many steps per minute and what step length is used in quick time marching?

Quick time is 120 steps per minute with a 30-inch step. Double time is 180 steps per minute with a 36-inch step.

What is a 'facing movement' and how is 'Right, FACE' executed?

A facing movement turns a stationary Soldier. On 'Right, FACE,' the Soldier pivots 90 degrees to the right on the right heel and left toe, then brings the rear (left) foot smartly alongside the right.

What are military customs and courtesies, and why are they observed?

They are traditional acts of respect and politeness (saluting, addressing superiors properly, rendering honors) that reinforce discipline, morale, esprit de corps, and the chain of command.

When is the hand salute rendered and to whom?

The hand salute is rendered to commissioned and warrant officers, the national colors/anthem, and during honors. It is the recognized greeting between military members and is initiated by the junior member.

What is the proper response/courtesy when an officer enters a room?

The first person to see the officer calls the room/group to attention (e.g., 'Attention' or 'At ease' if a senior officer is already present), and personnel remain at attention until told otherwise.

What is the customary verbal greeting accompanying a salute, and how is the chain of command respected verbally?

A greeting of the day (e.g., 'Good morning, sir/ma'am') accompanies the salute. Soldiers address officers as 'sir' or 'ma'am' and NCOs by rank (e.g., 'Sergeant'), respecting the chain of command.

What are the three categories of rank in the U.S. Army?

Enlisted Soldiers (E-1 through E-9), Warrant Officers (WO1 through CW5), and Commissioned Officers (O-1 through O-10).

What is the insignia and pay grade of a Private (lowest enlisted) versus a Sergeant Major of the Army?

A Private (E-1) wears no insignia; the Sergeant Major of the Army (E-9, special) wears three chevrons over three rockers with two stars (and the SMA wreath/eagle) between - the senior enlisted Soldier of the Army.

What are the pay grades and insignia of the company-grade officers (Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, Captain)?

Second Lieutenant (O-1) wears a gold bar, First Lieutenant (O-2) a silver bar, and Captain (O-3) two silver bars ('railroad tracks').

What insignia do a Major, Lieutenant Colonel, and Colonel wear?

A Major (O-4) wears a gold oak leaf, a Lieutenant Colonel (O-5) a silver oak leaf, and a Colonel (O-6) a silver eagle.

What insignia distinguish the general officer ranks (O-7 to O-10)?

Brigadier General (O-7) wears one star, Major General (O-8) two stars, Lieutenant General (O-9) three stars, and General (O-10) four stars.

What is the insignia of a Corporal versus a Specialist, both E-4?

A Corporal wears two chevrons (an NCO) while a Specialist wears the 'speck' eagle device. Both are pay grade E-4, but the Corporal is a noncommissioned officer and the Specialist is not.

What chevrons distinguish a Sergeant (E-5), Staff Sergeant (E-6), and Sergeant First Class (E-7)?

Sergeant (E-5) wears three chevrons; Staff Sergeant (E-6) three chevrons over one rocker; Sergeant First Class (E-7) three chevrons over two rockers.

What is the purpose of uniform wear and appearance standards?

They promote discipline, professionalism, unit pride, and uniformity, ensuring Soldiers present a sharp, standardized military image as outlined in regulation (AR 670-1).

What is the standard for wearing the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) patrol cap indoors and outdoors?

Headgear (patrol cap) is worn outdoors when in uniform but removed indoors, except when under arms or in a position requiring it. The cap is worn straight on the head with no hair visible in front of the band.

What are the grooming standards for male Soldiers' hair under appearance standards?

Hair must be neat, tapered, not exceed regulation length/bulk (generally not over 2 inches), not touch the ears or collar, and must allow proper wear of headgear; faces are clean-shaven unless authorized.