Since a Marine recon team was not an offensive unit, the tactics they learned were mainly those needed to avoid detection and how to react when encountering the enemy. Some of the things the Marines would do to avoid detection included staying off traveled trails, avoiding talking out loud, and burying or packing out any trash from their rations. The Marines practiced Immediate Action (IA) drills as a preparation for making contact with the enemy. When making contact, the Marines would form a circle, which they called a “360” after the number of degrees in a circle. The Marine closest to the enemy would fire a magazine of ammunition at the enemy, then run through the circle, stop and reload. The Marine second closest to the enemy would then fire a magazine and follow the first. The remaining team members followed in turn. By the time all had done so, they would have formed a new 360, ready to repeat if necessary. At this time the team leader would order what action to take next. A recon team would practice these drills over and over until they became a reflexive reaction. The drills included what to do if being attacked from the front, rear, or the flanks.
