Approach March Formation

the formation of a motorized rifle or tank battalion, company, or platoon, used when approaching the field of battle to obtain rapid deployment from march columns into battle formation (combat line or extended line) and to reduce vulnerability to atomic weapons, artillery fire, and air strikes by the enemy.

When deploying from march columns into approach march formation, units are broken up along the front or both along the front and in depth to the intervals and distances specified by the commander. In this case, subunits may travel in columns on armored personnel carriers (combat vehicles) or on foot. Approach march formation may also be used in offensive operations. For this purpose, subunits change from battle formation into approach march formation and advance in columns on armored personnel carriers (combat vehicles) or on foot. Thus, a quicker rate of advance is obtained.