Weapons Lane
W8

M18A1 CLAYMORE MINE

10 min (emplace) 5 min (recover)

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

ESB 2022: Claymore Mine — 1-2 SBCT
SGT Buby demonstrates Claymore procedures for ESB
Claymore Training — 2nd Cavalry Regiment
Claymore mine setup and detonation training
Emplace Timer: 10 Minutes
10:00
Critical Notes
  • "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. 1

    Inventory the components

    • M57 firing device, M4 electric blasting cap assembly, M40 test set, M7 bandoleer.
  2. 2

    Ensure firing device on SAFE and remove dust covers

  3. 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. 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. 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. 6

    Camouflage the munition and firing wire

    • Camouflage on the way back to firing position.
  7. 7

    Seek cover

    • Remove firing device and test set from bandoleer. Remove dust covers.
  8. 8

    Remove shorting plug/dust cover from firing wire

  9. 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. 10

    Move bail to SAFE

  11. 11

    Disconnect test set from firing wire

    • Replace shorting plug/dust covers.
  12. 12

    Disconnect test set from firing device

    • Replace dust covers. Repack test set in bandoleer.
  13. 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. 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. 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.
Recovery Timer: 5 Minutes
5:00

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.

  • Dead space: Claymore emplacements cover dead space (Ch. 1, para 1-10; Ch. 7, para 7-37).
  • Ambush planning: Key factors include obstacles and Claymores to keep the enemy in the kill zone, security teams carrying Claymores to isolate it, and Claymores or explosives to protect the assault and support elements (Ch. 7, para 7-39).
  • Ambush initiation: The PL initiates with the highest casualty-producing device, often a command-detonated Claymore, and plans a backup method. New in 2025: if no Claymore is used or it misfires, the PL initiates with a closed bolt weapon, because open bolt weapons are more prone to malfunction (Ch. 7, para 7-42k).
  • Kill zone Claymores: In the 2025 deliberate ambush, the support element emplaces aiming stakes and Claymores to help destroy the enemy in the kill zone (Ch. 7, para 7-42h).
  • Patrol base security: A Claymore is emplaced on the route entering a passive patrol base (Ch. 7, para 7-48), and SLs supervise the placement of aiming stakes and Claymores.

Source: TC 3-21.76, Chapters 1 and 7, 19 September 2025

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