Which of the following lists all four elements of a patrol?

• A. Assault, Support, Security, Headquarters
• B. Assault, Recon, Security, Headquarters
• C. Movement, Security, Logistics, Headquarters
• D. Assault, Support, Intelligence, Recon

Answer: (A)

A patrol is organized into four elements to cover movement, protection, firepower, and command. The four elements are Assault, Security, Support, and Headquarters. The assault element is the maneuver team that advances on the objective and engages threats. The security element provides early warning and protection, screening the march and deterring ambushes on the flanks and in front of the main body. The support element brings the extra weapons, ammunition, equipment, and supplies needed to sustain the assault and to handle specialized tasks. The Headquarters element carries the commander and the communications team, maintaining command and control, coordinating with higher and adjacent units, and handling planning and administration.

Other options mix in roles that aren’t part of the standard four-element construct—for example, substituting Recon for Headquarters reflects a reconnaissance-centric setup rather than the full command-and-support team, while including Movement, Logistics, or Intelligence isn’t describing the four traditional patrol elements.