What is the mission of the Rifle Squad in defense?

• A. With the support of other arms, to destroy enemy forces by direct assault.
• B. With the support of other arms, to stop the enemy by fire as he approaches the battle position, repel his attack by close combat if he reaches, and destroy him by counterattack if he enters the battle position.
• C. To continuously outflank the enemy without engaging.
• D. To hold a fortified position and wait for orders.

Answer: (B)

In defense, the rifle squad’s mission is to stop the enemy by fire as he approaches the battle position, repel his attack by close combat if he reaches, and destroy him by counterattack if he enters the battle position, with the support of other arms. This lays out the defense sequence: use your fires to slow and deny the attacker before he can reach the main line; if he does reach, engage him in close combat to prevent penetration; and if he breaches into the battle position, launch a counterattack to destroy him and retake the position. The role of other arms—artillery, mortars, engineers, etc.—is to support this effort, creating complementary fires and obstacles that help stall the enemy and enable the counterattack. The other options describe offensive action, continuous outflanking without engagement, or a purely static posture, none of which captures the integrated, reactive nature of a rifle squad in defense.