IBOLC Entrance Exam APR2026

Terrain Features (Major)

Hill, Valley, Ridge, Saddle, Depression

Terrain Features (Minor)

Draw, Spur, Cliff

Contour Interval

Vertical distance between contour lines (check map margin; commonly 10m or 20m)

Contour Lines Close Together

Indicate steep terrain

Contour Lines Far Apart

Indicate gentle slope

Index Contour Line

Every 5th line, thicker, labeled elevation

Supplemental Contour Line

Shown in dashes. show changes in elevation of at least one-half the contour interval. Usually in areas with little elevation change.

Map Colors (Black)

Man-made features

Map Colors (Blue)

Water

Map Colors (Green)

Vegetation

Map Colors (Brown)

Elevation/contours

Map Colors (Red)

Major roads/populated areas

M4 Max Range

Approximately 3,600 meters

M4 Effective Range (Point Target)

500 meters

M4 Effective Range (Area Target)

600 meters

M249 Max Range

Approximately 3,600 meters

M249 Effective Range (Point)

600 meters

M249 Effective Range (Area)

800-1,000 meters

M249 Rate of Fire (Sustained)

~50 rounds per minute

M249 Rate of Fire (Rapid)

~100 rounds per minute(Rapid)

M249 Rate of Fire (Cyclic)

~700-850 rounds per minute

M240 Max Range

Approximately 3,725 meters

M240 Effective Range (Point Bipod)

600 meters

M240 Effective Range (Area Bipod)

800 meters

M240 Rate of Fire (Sustained)

~100 rounds per minute(Sustained)

M240 Rate of Fire (Rapid)

~200 rounds per minute

M240 Rate of Fire (Cyclic)

~650-950 rounds per minute

Troop Leading Procedures (8 Steps)

Receive mission; Issue WARNO; Make tentative plan; Initiate movement; Conduct reconnaissance; Complete plan; Issue OPORD; Supervise and refine

Mission Statement Format

WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY

OPORD Sections

Situation; Mission; Execution; Sustainment; Command & Signal

Offensive Characteristics

Surprise; Concentration; Tempo; Audacity

Surprise

Striking the enemy at an unexpected time/place/manner

Concentration

Massing combat power at the decisive point

Tempo

Speed of operations to overwhelm enemy decision-making

Audacity

Bold, aggressive execution to maintain initiative

Movement to Contact

Develop the situation and gain contact with the enemy(OFFENSE)

Exploitation

Rapidly follow a successful attack to disorganize the enemy

Pursuit

Chase and destroy a withdrawing enemy

Envelopment

Attack enemy flank(s)

Turning Movement

Force enemy to abandon position by threatening rear

Infiltration

Move through gaps to attack from unexpected positions

Penetration

Break through enemy front and disrupt rear

Frontal Attack

Direct attack against enemy front

Defensive Characteristics

Preparation; Security; Disruption; Massing Effects; Flexibility

Preparation

Planning and fortifying positions before engagement

Security

Preventing enemy surprise

Disruption

Breaking enemy tempo and formations

Massing Effects

Concentrating fires at decisive point

Flexibility

Ability to adapt to enemy actions

Disrupt (Obstacle Effect)

Break enemy formation/tempo

Fix (Obstacle Effect)

Hold enemy in place

Turn (Obstacle Effect)

Force enemy to change direction

Block (Obstacle Effect)

Stop enemy movement completely

Engagement Area Development

Planned area to destroy enemy using fires and obstacles

Movement Formations

Wedge; File; Column; Vee; Box; Diamond; Echelon

Traveling

Fastest movement, minimal security, used when contact unlikely

Traveling Overwatch

Moderate speed, lead element provides security

Bounding Overwatch

Slowest, most secure, used when contact expected

SOSRA

Suppress; Obscure; Secure; Reduce; Assault

GOTWA

Going; Others going; Time gone; What to do if no return; Actions on contact

Patrol Base Priorities of Work

Security(continuous); Withdrawal plan; Establish comms(continuous); Mission prep and planning; Weapon/Equipment maintenance; Water resupply; Mess plan (food and rest)

Raid

Enter area, destroy/capture, withdraw without holding terrain(COMBAT PATROL)

Ambush

Surprise attack from concealed position(COMBAT PATROL)

Attack (Patrol)

Offensive action to destroy enemy

Principles of Training

Realistic; Tough; Mission-focused

Mission Essential Task (MET)

Critical task unit must perform

8-Step Training Model

Plan; Train the trainers; Recon site; Issue OPORD; Rehearse; Execute; Evaluate; Retrain

Who are Primary Trainers

Commanders

Surface to Surface Fires

Mortars, artillery, rockets used to suppress, destroy, or neutralize

Types of Indirect Fire

Observed; Planned

60mm Mortar Range

~70-3,500 meters

81mm Mortar Range

~80-5,800 meters

120mm Mortar Range

~200-7,200+ meters

Fire Support Coordination Measures

Coordinated Fire Line ; Fire Support Coordination Line, Free-Fire Area

Destroy

Render enemy combat ineffective

Disrupt

Break enemy formation/tempo

Isolate

Separate enemy from support/reinforcements

Secure

Gain control and prevent interference

Support by Fire

Provide fires to support maneuver

Occupy

Move into and control terrain

Control

Direct physical influence over area/unit

Contain

Stop, hold, or surround enemy

Friendly Infantry Platoon

Friendly Air assault Platoon

Friendly Infantry Squad

Enemy Infantry Platoon

Friendly Anti-Armor Platoon

Enemy Infantry Battalion

Friendly Airborne Infantry Company

Checkpoint

Phase Line

easily identified feature in the operational area utilized for control and coordination

Limit of Advance

A phase line used to control forward progress of the attack

Avenue of Approach

A path used by an attacking force leading to its objective or to key terrain. Avenues of approach exist in all domains.

Targeting categories

deliberate and dynamic

Deliberate targeting

Produces planned targets which are targets known to exist in the operational environment with engagement actions scheduled against them

Dynamic targeting

Employed in current operations planning, because the nature and timeframe requires more immediate responsiveness than deliberate targeting

Unscheduled targets

Known targets and are included on either the JTL or RTL but were not nominated, were nominated but did not make the joint integrated prioritized target list, or were not expected to be available for engagement within the target cycle

Unanticipated targets

Target of opportunity that was unknown or not expected to exist in the operational environment

Priority targets

A target, based on either time or importance, on which the delivery of fires takes precedence over all the fires for the designated firing unit or element