M18A1 CLAYMORE MINE
Conditions: You are in a patrol base and have been directed to utilize a Claymore mine to enhance the perimeter defense. Known enemy presence. Non-CBRNE environment.
Understanding This Task
The M18A1 Claymore is a directional anti-personnel mine. This task has the most performance steps in the entire ESB. You must emplace, aim, arm, circuit test, fire, disarm, and recover the mine.
Two circuit tests: You test the M57 firing device first alone, then again through the full firing wire. Both require you to verbalize "I see the light."
"FRONT TOWARD ENEMY" — the most critical step. The mine face must point toward the enemy. Getting this wrong is an instant NO-GO.
Common NO-GO Mistakes
- "FRONT TOWARD ENEMY" must face enemy — instant NO-GO if wrong
- TWO circuit tests required — BOTH require verbal "I see the light"
- Must say "CLAYMORE" TWICE before firing
- Not securing firing wire to stakes at both firing position and mine site
- Not checking for booby traps during recovery
Starting Configuration
Equipment: Training Claymore with all BII: M57 firing device, M4 electric blasting cap assembly, M40 test set, M7 bandoleer.
Setup: One stake at firing position (16-30m from mine), one at mine location. Sandbags/trees for circuit testing.
Task Basis: 071-325-4427, 071-325-4426, 071-325-4428
Video Resources
- "FRONT TOWARD ENEMY" must face enemy — graded step, instant NO-GO if wrong.
- TWO circuit tests required — BOTH require verbal "I see the light."
- Must say "CLAYMORE" TWICE before firing.
- Non-electronic option uses shock tube assembly with M81 pull initiator (8 min emplace / 5 min recover).
OPTION I: ELECTRONIC INITIATION
0/16 GO-
1
Inventory the components
- M57 firing device, M4 electric blasting cap assembly, M40 test set, M7 bandoleer.
-
2
Ensure firing device on SAFE and remove dust covers
-
3
Prepare the munition for employment
- First circuit test: Plug M40 test set into M57 firing device. Move bail to FIRE. Squeeze handle firmly. Observe flash through window.
- Verbalize: "I see the light."
- Place on SAFE. Repack M57 with M40 attached.
- Uncoil firing wire. Create loop at 1-meter mark, secure to stake at firing position.
- Place spool under sandbag/tree/hole.
- Second circuit test: Connect firing wire to M40 test set. Move bail to FIRE. Squeeze handle.
- Verbalize: "I see the light."
- Place on SAFE. Disconnect, replace shorting plugs/dust covers.
- Walk tactically to mine site while unrolling wire. Assume prone. Remove munition from bandoleer.
- Open legs to 45 degrees. Ensure "FRONT TOWARD ENEMY" and arrows point toward enemy. Push legs into ground.
-
4
Aim the munition
- Select ground-level aiming point in front of munition.
- Position eye about six inches to the rear of the sight.
- Align two edges of sight (knife-edge) or groove of sight (peep-type) with aiming point.
-
5
Arm the munition CRITICAL
- Remove blasting cap from spool. Measure firing wire (~1 meter).
- Secure firing wire approximately 1 meter from blasting cap side of munition to a stake.
- Unscrew shipping plug adapter. Slide slotted end onto firing wire. Seat blasting cap in adapter.
- Screw adapter with blasting cap into detonator well.
- Ensure "FRONT TOWARD ENEMY" still faces enemy direction.
- Recheck aim of munition.
- 6
Camouflage the munition and firing wire
- Camouflage on the way back to firing position.
- 7
Seek cover
- Remove firing device and test set from bandoleer. Remove dust covers.
- 8
Remove shorting plug/dust cover from firing wire
- 9
Connect firing wire to test set and test firing device
- Plug connector of firing wire into test set. Move bail to FIRE. Squeeze handle. Observe flash.
- Verbalize: "I see the light."
- 10
Move bail to SAFE
- 11
Disconnect test set from firing wire
- Replace shorting plug/dust covers.
- 12
Disconnect test set from firing device
- Replace dust covers. Repack test set in bandoleer.
-
13
Fire the munition CRITICAL
- Remove shorting plug/dust cover from firing wire. Connect firing device to firing wire.
- State "CLAYMORE" TWICE.
- Move safety to FIRE. Quickly squeeze handle.
- 14
Disarm the mine
- Ensure firing device bail on SAFE. Disconnect from firing wire.
- Replace shorting plug on firing wire and dust cover on firing device. Place in bandoleer.
-
15
Recover the mine
- Walk tactically to mine. Assume prone. Check for booby traps and tampering.
- Remove shipping plug from detonator well. Separate blasting cap from shipping plug adapter.
- Insert blasting cap into spool. Invert shipping plug adapter. Screw plug end back into detonator well.
- Lift mine, secure legs. Repack all items in bandoleer.
- Remove firing wire from stakes. Wrap wire on spool moving back to firing position.
- Ensure all components packed in bandoleer.
From the Ranger Handbook (TC 3-21.76)
Supplementary context — not tested directly, but builds deeper understanding.
Why Claymores matter in the field: The Ranger Handbook emphasizes the Claymore as a key element of ambush operations and perimeter security. Understanding where and why Claymores are emplaced gives tactical context to the mechanical steps you practice for ESB.
- Kill zone coverage: Claymores are emplaced to cover dead space that crew-served weapons cannot reach in the kill zone (Ch. 7, para 7-9).
- Ambush initiation: The PL initiates the ambush using the highest casualty-producing device — typically a command-detonated Claymore mine. A backup initiation method is always planned (Ch. 7, para 7-13).
- Patrol base security: A Claymore is emplaced on the route entering a passive patrol base, providing early warning and a casualty-producing barrier (Ch. 7).
- Defensive positions: SLs supervise placement of aiming stakes and Claymores at fighting positions to reinforce obstacles and deny the enemy freedom of movement (Ch. 7).
- Security and assault elements both use Claymores — security teams emplace them to isolate the kill zone, while assault elements use protective Claymores to shield their own positions (Ch. 7, para 7-9).
Source: TC 3-21.76, Chapter 7 — Patrols, April 2017