What is the defensive mission of the Marine rifle squad?

The defensive mission of the Marine rifle squad primarily focuses on repelling enemy assaults through a combination of firepower and close combat tactics. This involves positioning the squad to take full advantage of their weapons and training to effectively engage and neutralize enemy forces that are attempting to advance or attack.

In a defensive posture, the rifle squad establishes strong positions that allow them to deliver suppressive fire on enemies approaching their area. The emphasis on both fire and close combat is crucial because it allows Marines to overcome superior numbers or aggressive maneuvers from the enemy. They are trained to respond swiftly to threats and to maintain their defenses through coordinated actions, which can include tactical movements, the use of cover and concealment, and the deployment of the squad’s firepower to disrupt and repel assaults.

The context surrounding the other choices helps clarify why they are not aligned with the specific defensive mission: reconnaissance and reporting are more focused on gathering intelligence rather than engaging enemies directly, flanking maneuvers typically pertain to an offensive strategy rather than defensive, and securing supply routes and reinforcements is critical for sustaining operations but does not directly pertain to repelling an enemy attack, which is the core focus of the squad’s defensive mission.