point man

Point man is an American English term used to refer to a soldier who is assigned to a position some distance ahead of a patrol as a lookout, or to a man who leads or inspires others in a business or political role.

History

The term might be related to the Middle English phrase "in point", which meant "in immediate danger or peril"^[1], however, the modern use of the term derives from military tactics. During a military patrol or infantry operation, the point man walks several meters out in front of everyone else and is likely to be the first one to encounter enemy soldiers. It is a hazardous position that requires alertness and ability to deal with unexpected attacks.

The term was used in the 19th century American Old West when the lead cowboy at the front of a herd of cattle was known as the pointer or point man. It may have come into common use because many of the cowboys in the late 1800s were veterans of the American Civil War. In cavalry terminology, the men scouting ahead of the main force were said to be "riding point". This use was first recorded in 1903.^[1]

The concept seems to have been introduced to the American military at West Point by Professor Dennis H. Mahan, who taught most of the top officers on both sides in the Civil War. In his Elementary Treatise on Advanced-Guard, Out-Post and Detachment Service of Troops (1861), he discussed the use of the column or V-shaped advance guard by the Greeks and Romans:

Among the orders of battles among the ancients, that known as the wedge, or boar's head, is the most celebrated. In this disposition, the point, or head, is formed of a subdivision of the phalanx of greater or less strength, according to circumstances; this being supported by two, three, and four subdivisions of the same force, one behind another.

In the section on Advanced Guards and Advanced Posts, Professor Mahan introduced the definition of the point man to the future American generals:

From these indications of the manner of distributing the troops of the advanced-guard, the following general dispositions, adapted to ordinary circumstances of locality may be gathered. The apex, or most advanced point, may be formed of a staff, or other intelligent officer, under the escort of a few horsemen...

It should be noted that a point man could also be positioned at the rear of a guard, as this is also a dangerous position.

More recently (possibly originating from the late 1960s), the term has been extended to describe someone at the forefront of an issue. It can be used to refer to both the defender or the attacker of the position or idea. This use is most often used in a political context, as the point man is usually in the public eye.

Usage

• In (American) politics it refers to someone leading the defense of a political position.
• The military uses the term to refer to the trailing soldier on a rear guard, who is at risk of ambush from behind. It is also used for the foremost guard however.
• In the commission of crime, usually a robbery, a "point man" is the lookout who stands guard.
• Gun dogs and hunting dogs, such as the pointing breed, "makes/comes to a point" by standing rigid and facing the game.
• In ice hockey the point man is the defence man on the blue line of the offensive position in the "attacking zone"; in basketball the point guard directs the team's offense in the front court.^[1]

See also

F.E.A.R. point man

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c} http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=20001017 The Mavens' Word of the Day: point man

References and further reading

• Random House Word of the Day Entry on point man
• Elementary Treatise on Advanced-Guard, Out-Post and Detachment Service of Troops (1861)

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