point men
Advance patrol members
Point men are those who lead a group into danger or uncertainty.
The term comes from military patrols, where the point man walks ahead of the unit, first to encounter threats.
In civilian use, point men are designated spokespeople or leaders on difficult initiatives: The senator served as the administration's point man on healthcare reform.
The role implies vulnerability—being out front when things go wrong.
- advance guardForward military unit
- tip of the spearForemost element of advance
- trailbreakerOne who creates routes
- scoutOne who reconnoiters
- reconPreliminary military observation
recon team · guide · leader · pathfinder · harbinger · pioneer · spotter · forward observer · navigator · forerunner · irregular warfare · sentry · reconnaissance · lookout · frontline · boots on the ground · outrider · advance party
- military scoutsscouts, ranger, vanguard, pathfinder, reconnaissance
- trailblazerstrailblazers, pioneers, innovators, groundbreakers, forerunners
- assault troopsshock troops, assault teams, storm troopers, stormtroopers, strike teams
- Elite Unitsspecial forces, commandos, Navy SEALs, Delta Force, Green Berets
point menrear guard
Troops covering a retreat
rearguard · tail gunners · followers · rear echelon · reserve forces
point menfollowers
People who support someone
support staff · subordinates · backbenchers · rank and file · second fiddles