ArmA 3 Guide - Movement Formations

[seethingword]

Hey everyone! Just coming in to explain some of the many formations we use during official & unofficial operations. Most of these are pretty easy to understand and pretty easy to figure out just by hearing the names of them. But just to be sure, here they are.

Mind you, these may not be all of the ones that we use but there are a lot that we do use on here.

So, without further ado, here we go.

Wedge:

Stated as one of the most basic and most used formations, the wedge is pretty self-explanatory. It starts with one person in the front and moves back adding one person at a time to form a V shape.

Here is an example of a basic Wedge Formation:
https://i.gyazo.com/fe062d27fe0a0c18dfa02f851d829438.png [Example 1.1]

As you can see, it is very easy to figure out and very easy to understand. But what most people don't know is that there is a logic to the member placement inside the wedge formation. Starting from the first person in the formation (usually the Squad Leader), there is a distance that is most optimal and best when moving in hostile areas.

To keep the squad from getting too close to each other in case of attacks, but still close enough to where orders can be heard, it is best to be approximately 15 meters X 15 meters away from the person in front of you. Refer to the picture if you do not understand.

https://i.gyazo.com/b5a0b351a53cc7e605756616b5744a8f.png [Example 1.2]

With the whole squad positioned in the wedge formation, at this distance, it is less likely to have multiple people hit at once if a firefight starts.

Column:

The column formation is used for road marches, for movement during limited visibility, and when passing through valley’s or other restrictive terrain.

The most basic use of the column is the standard "side-by-side" column where the squad is placed on either side of a road and are moving in-sync and evenly with the person on the opposite side. Here is an example of a "side-by-side" column.

https://i.gyazo.com/0e6cd5d3200625f4157c696483d5002a.png [Example 2.1]

As you can see, all members are evenly dispersed on either side of the road while also having another member on the opposite side in line with them.

There is also a second type of column formation we use that is called a staggered column formation. A staggered column is basically exactly like the "side-by-side" column except for one difference, no member on either side of the road should be even with the member on the opposite side. Here is an example of a staggered column formation.

https://i.gyazo.com/be5dfeedddafb41056239fcc0bd496c0.png [Example 2.2]

Shown in this example, you can see that no member is even with his counterpart on the opposite side of the road.

Line:

The line formation is by far the easiest formation that we use. It is a very much self-explanatory formation. Each member of the squad line up next to each other, approximately 15 meters apart and make a line. here is an example, just in case I’m going too fast.

https://i.gyazo.com/a521eaeaf42734564947ea90cad4dae9.png [Example 3.1]

The line formation can go either horizontal (as shown in the example above), or vertical (meaning a normal line).

Echelon:

One of our more advanced formations (only because of the name) is the echelon formation. This formation is based entirely off of one person at the front of the formation, and all other members branching off to one side of him. The echelon formation has two different types that we use: Echelon Left & Echelon Right. Below you will see an example of both types of this formation.

Echelon Left:
https://i.gyazo.com/354df8bfb19bb25d04e52a01edc3f59d.png [Example 4.1]

Echelon Right:
https://i.gyazo.com/cca0682351e5e2ece47ab8591dce0bff.png [Example 4.2]

Coil

Ok, so this one is not officially used by the name but we do it every time we get out of a vehicle and Archer yells "Get a 360-perimeter up!". The coil formation is used to provide all-round (360 degree) security and observation when the unit is stationary.

Here is an example of a Coil formation.

https://i.gyazo.com/3a1d7a43732dd39e4b1e7419f3b6ffb7.png [Example 5.1]

Inside of this example, you can see the dark blue area represents a vehicle that you have just disembarked. The light blue represents you, while the yellow areas represent your field of view(FOV). All members of this formation are equally required to keep scanning over the sectors that you are given when required. If one person doesn't pay attention, you all could pay the price.

Diamond:

The Diamond formation is probably one of the most versitile formations while on the move. It allows all members to have an ~180° FOV while still staying in formation. Here is an example of a diamond formation.

Diamond Formation:
https://i.gyazo.com/9cd3cb14ab453904e530318d447ac49c.png [Example 6.1]



Well that's all I have for now. Hope this guide helps out with people having trouble when you hear different formation callouts.

If this guide helped you at all, make sure to leave a comment!

Have Fun Everyone!!

-seethingword

[Bacon]

good job mate

[Fertz]

u r asking 2 much of us baws

[Ney]

These aren't advanced and once you get into it, can be very effective. In addition to the ones you listed I feel like the Diamond and Staggered Column are important to know and use.

[seethingword]

I'll add the diamond formation. thanks

[seethingword]

//UPDATED