Fire Control Order
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, Cadet Leaders will be able to:
(a) Explain the use of Fire Control Order (FCO) in the military.
(b) Demonstrate the method of Target Indication used by soldiers.
(c) Apply FCO with confidence.
Speak the same language!
Target Indication consist of the following parts, “Group” (“G”), “Indication” (“I”), “Range” (“R”) and “Location” (“L”). While a FCO has two more parts to the sequence used in Target Indication, “Rate of Fire” (“R”) and “Order to Fire” (“O”).
Sequence of FCO
In short, remember it as "GIRLRO" by heart!
For indication, you can apply either Direct Method or Clock Ray Method.
Direct Method
Example: "Section! 1/4 left! Coconut Tree! 200! One enemy behind the tree! Regular! Fire!"
Clock Ray Method
Example: "Section! Straight ahead! Windmill! 4 o' clock! 250! Small Bush! Enemy Machine Gun Post! Rapid! Fire!"
In this case, windmill acts as a reference point.
Food for thought: When do we use direct method and clock-ray method?
Rules of Engagement
Target indication can be given by anybody who spots the enemy but the “Rate of Fire” and “Order to Fire” can only be given by the Group Commander.
FCOs should also be given in the manner of the acronym “CLAP”, i.e. clearly, loudly, as an order and with suitable pauses, just like when giving target indication.
For every part of the FCO which the Group Commander gives, his men will echo back so as to signal to the Group Commander that they have received and understood the order.
If the Group Commander did not hear his men echoing back for any part of the FCO, he will need to re-iterate that part before he proceeds to give the next part of the FCO.
Rate of Fire is classified into three types: Regular, Rapid and Burst.
Food for thought: By drawing connection to the above pictures, under what circumstances, do we choose the different rate of fire to engage the enemies?
Task (50 marks)
Pen down your thoughts about the use of Fire Control Order in the military and share them with your teacher officers by email / other online platforms. (10 marks)
Decide on a prominent landmark (building, park, playground, etc) that you can see from your location. Apply FCO on the imaginary target situated at the landmark. Get a buddy to video-record from the side, with you and the landmark captured in the shot. (20 marks)
Write a field report on a Word document (Portrait, Arial, font size 12) and share it with your teacher officers, along with the video taken, by email / other online platforms. (20 marks)
Some references for your report: (i) Explain the process of deriving to the FCO given (ii) Share the challenges you have faced and overcome.