FM/C195 - FMDG Cavalry (For Approval) - Tactics\Convoy

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The FM outlines our core skills, policies and guides to ensure every member stands ready for the mission ahead.

If the lead vehicle must brake suddenly, the driver must announce “BRAKING, BRAKING, BRAKING” over comms to prevent collisions.

Transmit the appropriate calls on the convoy net during movement:

First and Last Vehicle:

• “[first/last] MOVING”: vehicle begins movement.
• “[first/last] TURNING [direction]”: vehicle changing direction.
• “[first/last] HOLDING”: vehicle halting temporarily.

Any Vehicle in Convoy:

• “[callsign] DANGER [description]”: hazard present, movement may continue.
• “[callsign] stopping [description]”: hazard requiring the vehicle to stop.
• “[callsign] MAX SPEED [speed in kph]”: vehicle unable to maintain convoy speed; request reduction.

The convoy net is used to coordinate movement and maintain situational awareness among vehicle crews, support elements, and mounted infantry.

• Drivers: Listen continuously and transmit convoy calls as required.
• Convoy Commander: Actively monitors the net, issuing convoy parameters or route updates.
• Other personnel (vehicle commanders, gunners, infantry leaders, passengers): May listen to maintain awareness but must not transmit directly. Information should be relayed to the driver for transmission if needed.

Each convoy operates on a dedicated radio frequency to coordinate all vehicles. This frequency is separate from infantry or other command nets and is either pre-planned during the mission brief or selected at convoy formation. The convoy net is non-transactional: communications are broadcast to all vehicles without requiring individual acknowledgment. 

• Scan arcs as per FM/BG-922 - Convoy security
• Communicate any areas of concern to the vehicle or element commander.

Maintain the correct position in a convoy as set by the element leader

Vehicles must maintain a spacing of 20 to 100 meters, adjusted for terrain and visibility. This interval must be preserved while moving, turning, or stopping to reduce vulnerability to explosives and concentrated enemy fire.

Above: Visual Representation of Spacing and Gunner Arcs

Gunners must maintain 360° security at all times. The lead vehicle is responsible for observing to the front, the rear vehicle covers the rear, and interior vehicles alternate left and right to ensure continuous coverage in all directions. Gunners should cover their assigned sectors and resist the urge to fixate on one threat direction.

• A convoy maintains cohesion of multiple vehicles during long-distance movement outside of combat.
• Armed vehicles are positioned at key points to provide protection for unarmed or lightly armed vehicles.
• Convoys operate on a dedicated Convoy Net and are directed by a Convoy Commander.
• To maintain effective control, a convoy should include no more than 8 vehicles.
• Larger movements must be split into two separate convoys, each with its own net and commander.

Each convoy has a designated Convoy Commander responsible for coordinating movement, planning routes, and adjusting them as needed. Prior to formation, the Convoy Commander ensures all drivers know the convoy net frequency.

When the planned route changes, the Convoy Commander must notify all drivers. If map markers are synchronized, updating the markers is sufficient. If markers are not synchronized, small deviations may be communicated with turn-by-turn instructions. For significant deviations, the convoy may be stopped to provide a full briefing on the updated route.

Avoid urban routes when possible due to high ambush risk. Forested or rocky terrain may also be dangerous but is sometimes unavoidable—move with heightened caution. Commanders should always plan primary and alternate routes.

Convoy routes must be planned in advance, with known objectives and alternate routes.

Speed increases convoy survivability by reducing enemy engagement windows (e.g., RPGs, IEDs). However, overextending the convoy can lead to loss of support and leave vehicles vulnerable to concentrated enemy fire. The Convoy Commander is responsible for balancing this risk.

Convoy speed must balance security and cohesion. Excessive spacing weakens mutual support and increases vulnerability. The lead vehicle must monitor spacing and adjust speed as needed. Drivers and the convoy commander must stay in communication to report speed, spacing, and observation sectors.

• Convoy speed: Target speed for the convoy in kilometres per hour taking into account vehicle capability.
• Convoy spacing: Target distance between vehicles in meters balancing mutual support and risk of incident propagation.
• Convoy route: The route to be taken from start to finish and how it will be communicated.

• When establishing or changing convoy parameters, transmit on the convoy net using the format:
  •  “ALL VEHICLES, CONVOY PARAMETERS [selected speed], [selected spacing].”
• When updating the planned route, transmit on the convoy net how it has changed in the format:
  • “ALL VEHICLES, ROUTE CHANGED:” “ROUTE UPDATED ON MAP” or
  • “LEAD VEHICLE, PREPARE FOR TURN CALLS.”

All drivers must understand the actions on for situations that the convoy is likely to encounter. The convoy commander must brief these procedures clearly before departure.

For halts longer than 30 seconds or reaction-to-contact halts, convoys should form the herringbone formation to maximize security and spacing unless different instructions are given by the element commander.

The Herringbone formation involves vehicles pulling off alternately to the left and right sides of the road at about a 45° angle. This formation is easy to execute and provides good security and spacing, useful across open and road terrain.

Above: Visual Representation of Herringbone.

For halts under 30 seconds, mounted troops should stay inside but remain alert and scan for threats. For longer halts, troops dismount and provide local security under team or squad leader direction. Clear commands must be given to dismount and remount, with accountability ensured.

To perform the herringbone halt:

• Receive the halt order.
• Decelerate smoothly while maintaining convoy spacing.
• Alternate pulling off to the left or right side of the route at a ~45° angle.
• Angle the vehicle outward from the road axis,  maintaining sufficient spacing from adjacent vehicles.
• Halt with wheels/tracks oriented to avoid obstacles or any potential hazards and to allow rapid re-entry to the route.

To resume movement:

• Receive the order to move and wait for the vehicle in front of you to move if you are not the lead vehicle
• Re-enter the route in convoy order.
• Accelerate smoothly and re-establish convoy speed and spacing.