If you are somehow taken out of the immersion when your dumb AI compatriot can’t figure out how to drive around a tree or drives into a ditch and gets stuck, you have not spent any time around junior enlisted. I present exhibit A:

Originally posted by Sergeant - Probably:

How the hell did you think it was a good idea to drive off into a ditch?!!

The truth is, getting stuck (and enlisted doing something dumb) is a surprisingly common occurrence. Just google “tank stuck” and look at the list of images from modern times dating all the way back to the early 19th century! The truth is that getting stuck is rather embarrassing, so often it will be handled internally by the company as they get their own vehicle out. This is not so much even a tank thing as it is driving offroad thing. If you have never gotten stuck, then you have always driven on roads or favorable conditions.

But I digress . . .

As in real life, as a leader, it’s important to take some personal responsibility when your team members make a mistake.

Originally posted by Company Commander - Probably:

Lieutenant, how the hell did one of your drivers think it was a good idea to drive into a ditch?

Originally posted by Platoon Commander - Probably:

I didn’t give clear enough instructions. We will provide more training to ensure this never happens again.

So, below, we will go over some best practices of how to ensure that you can reduce the occurrence of vehicles getting stuck. I am, in fact, writing this as a self-imposed punishment for leaving my team behind during an in-game mission.

There are 6 basic formations in-game (counting 2 echelons as one). Each has numerous advantages and disadvantages and here we will focus on mobility, control, and sectors of fire. It’s important to keep in mind the terrain, obstacles, enemy most likely course of action (and direction), where you are, and where you want to go. It’s a lot, at first, but those criteria are what will govern what formation would be best for the situation.

The following assumes 3 team members and 1 command vehicle. Mobility and control are better for teams with less members but lose firepower.

It is also a good idea to keep in mind that increasing formation interval (spacing between members) increases safety by sacrificing control. It's typically only a good idea to spread out when defending a large area. Moving in a largely spread out formation is a good way to loose someone.

The summary is below and the explanations and tactics are described in the respective sections.

Column formation has excellent mobility and good control as the vehicles tend to follow the direction you move rather than line up relative to your position. This formation struggles if you must reverse, so it is more advisable to turn around. This formation has excellent firepower to the sides and obliques but has poor coverage of the front and rear as the team members obscure those fields of fire. This formation is best for movement from one location to another, especially if there are obstacles around. The commander’s vehicle is in the lead. If you are approaching an area with sporadic obstacles, consider changing formation to move through the area without junior enlisted getting any bright ideas on how to best wreck their vehicle.
Something to keep in mind is during sharp turns the team members will tend to cut corners and take a slight shortcut, so if you are turning around an obstacle, consider making a wide turn whenever possible and/or taking it slow.
You can navigate even relatively dangerous terrain with care.

Echelon formation is similar to column as the team members line up in a rear oblique to the leader to the right or left (corresponding to the right and left echelon). While this formation handles reversing slightly better than column, it sacrifices a little bit of overall mobility and control for maximum firepower to the front and rear. The firepower is poor in the oblique parallel to it’s direction but still excellent perpendicular to it. The commander’s vehicle is in the lead. Consider switching to echelon if you only have obstacles on one side of you and expect the enemy to the front. This formation also excels if you have to crest a ridge or elevated position at an angle, allowing more of your team to crest the top and fire in shorter order.

Line formation has good mobility and fair control. It handles well forward and reverse but you need to wait for the outermost vehicle when turning. It has excellent firepower to the front, rear and to the obliques, but poor coverage to the sides. The commander’s vehicle is second from the left. Consider line formation for cresting a ridge or elevated position head on as this will allow all team members to provide supporting fire in short order and you can easily back the team off of the ridge if needed.

Wedge formation has fair mobility and fair control. It struggles a little in a left hand turn with 4 members as the outermost vehicle has a long distance to travel. This formation also struggles in reverse as the trailing members tend to get in your way. This formation has excellent firepower to the front and rear, and good all around firepower. The commander’s vehicle is in the lead. Consider this formation for good mobility and firepower while advancing.

Vee is nearly identical in qualities to wedge, however, it’s poorest mobility and control qualities are flipped. Now it handles well in reverse but poorly forward as you tend to run into your teammates if you make a turn. The commander’s vehicle is in the rear. Consider switching to this formation if you need to back off of the contact line while maintaining fire to the front.

Diamond formation is similar to wedge, but it sacrifices a little firepower to the front and rear for better control. It still struggles in reverse but it makes changing directions, especially while moving, much simpler and more fluid and doesn’t take as much open space to move unobstructed.
It still has relatively good all around firepower. The commander’s vehicle is in the lead.

Hopefully this inspires you to think more actively about your team's position, how it relates to your environment, and ensures everyone makes it to the fight in good order!

Reminder, as a platoon commander it’s important to remember that everything is always your fault. So stop leading your team into a ditch!