Which of the following is a method of mortars employment?

• A. Handheld
• B. Conventional
• C. Vehicle-mounted
• D. Static

Answer: (A)

Mortar employment methods describe how fire support is delivered in a maneuver unit. A handheld mortar represents a light, portable system that can be carried by Marines and used to provide immediate indirect fire while the shooter remains with the infantry. This mobility is essential for dismounted operations where the squad needs close-in, rapid fire support without relying on a setup, vehicle, or fixed position.

Conventional methods involve standard crew-served mortars that require setup with bipods and baseplates; vehicle-mounted mortars depend on a vehicle’s position; static employment uses fixed positions for sustained fire. Among these, handheld stands out as the method that best enables rapid, flexible fire support as the unit moves.