What does the Ranger Handbook (TC 3-21.76) say about Army platoon terrain model kits? Below is the excerpt from the Ranger Handbook that discusses Army platoon terrain model kits and serves as the foundation for construction of our TMKs.
TERRAIN MODEL
2-27. During the planning process, the terrain model (see figure 2-1) offers an effective way to visually communicate the patrol routes and detail actions on the objective. At a minimum, the model is used to display routes to the objective and to highlig ht prominent terrain features the patrol encounters during movement. A second terrain model of the objective area is prepared. It should be large enough and detailed enough to brief the patrol’s actions on the objective.
Checklist. Make sure the following items are included in the terrain models:
x North seeking arrow.
x Scale.
x Grid lines.
x Objective location.
x Exaggerated terrain relief and water obstacles.
x Friendly patrol locations.
x Targets (indirect fires, including grid and type of round).
x Routes, primary and alternate.
x Planned release points (RPs): ORP, linkup release point (LURP), RP.
x Danger areas (roads, trails, open areas).
x Legend.
x Blowup of objective area.
Construction. Some field expedient techniques that can be used to construct terrain models are:
x Use a 3” x 5” card from a meal, ready to eat (MRE) box, or piece of paper to label the objective or key sites.
x Use string from the guts of 550 cord, or use colored tape to make grid lines. Identify the grids with numbers written on small pieces of paper.
x Replicate trees and vegetation using moss, green or brown spray paint, pine needles, crushed leaves, or cut grass.
x Use blue chalk; blue spray paint, blue yarn, tin foil, or MRE creamer to designate bodies of water. x Make North-seeking arrows from sharpened twigs, pencils, or colored yarn.
x Use red yarn, 5.56-mm rounds, toy Rangers, or poker chips to designate enemy positions.
x Construct friendly positions such as security elements, support by fire (SBF), and assault elements using 5.56-mm rounds, toy Rangers, poker chips, small MRE packets of sugar and coffee, or preprinted acetate cards.
x Use small pieces of cardboard or paper to identify target reference points (TRPs) and indirect fire targets. Show the grids for each point.
x Construct breach, SBF, and assault positions using the same methods, again using colored yarn or string for easy identification. x Construct bunkers and buildings using MRE boxes, tongue depressors, or sticks.
x Construct perimeter wire from a spiral notebook.
x Construct key phase lines with colored string or yarn.
x Use colored tape or yarn to replicate trench lines by digging a furrow and coloring it with colored chalk or spray paint.
Army Platoon TMKs & Order Shells 