Introduction An infantry square, also known as a hollow square, was a historic close order formation used in combat by infantry units, usually when threatened with cavalry attack. To deploy its weapons effectively, a traditional infantry unit would generally form a line; but the line was vulnerable to more nimble cavalry, which could sweep around… Read More
Understanding Alcohol and Sexual Assault in the Military
Introduction Sexual assault is a serious crime that can have devastating consequences for the victim. Unfortunately, it is a problem that exists within the US military as well. There are various websites that have plenty of resources on how you can defend yourself if you are a service member accused of sexual assault. This article… Read More
What is a Diamond Formation?
Introduction A diamond formation is a formation of four or more aircraft, soldiers on horseback, players in a team sport, etc., wherein the elements of the group adopt a diamond, or kite, shape. Aircraft As few as four aircraft can establish the formation and conventionally the largest number is sixteen, in “tight formation”: 1, 2,… Read More
What is an Armoured Spearhead?
Introduction An armoured spearhead is a formation of armoured fighting vehicles, mostly tanks, that form the front of an offensive thrust during a battle. The idea is to concentrate as much firepower into a small front as possible so that any defenders in front of them will be overwhelmed. As the spearhead moves forward, infantry… Read More
What is a Flying Wedge (Formation)?
Introduction A flying wedge (also called flying V or wedge formation, or simply wedge) is a configuration created from a body moving forward in a triangular formation. This V-shaped arrangement began as a successful military strategy in ancient times when infantry units would move forward in wedge formations to smash through an enemy’s lines. This… Read More
What was the Svinfylking?
Introduction The Svinfylking, Old Norse for “swine array” or “boar snout”, was a formation used in battle. Outline Related to the wedge formation, it was used in Iron Age Scandinavia and later by the Vikings. It was also used by Germanic peoples during the Germanic Iron Age and was known as the “Schweinskopf” or “Swine’s… Read More
What is a Caracole?
Introduction The caracole or caracol (from the Spanish caracol – “snail”) is a turning manoeuvre on horseback in dressage and, previously, in military tactics. In dressage, riders execute a caracole as a single half turn, either to the left or to the right, representative of the massed cavalry tactic of caracole previously used in the… Read More
Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute 