AHOY,
Update; 03/24/13 20:22 hours, Okay so it looks like the color code (highlighting) is still visible with this published page i.e. the info you see after clicking on the page from my blog's home page, dose include the color code, highlights. However, for what ever reason, the color coded info, dose not show here in the "edit page". However the "update" color code highlights do, for example what you are reading right now.
Now lets go down the rabbit hole here for a minute. You, see this highlighting i.e. color coded info is not as helpful to the average patriot reading this post as it should be. What I mean is at one point I just decided as I was trying to decide which copy of Tri-F, to post on my blog, that I would just post my personal copy. This is when I also posted the "appendixes" too. And this was the same time period I came to believe most patriots were going to go with their own organization of the info. Now the thing is, with my personal copy, I had paid much less attention, to the color code rules, in most cases, I had just been using the "green" for any and every change I made, weather I had edited the info or not. It was just quicker for me as I worked with multiple copies.
Now back to the rabbit hole, you see the "agents" monitory this blog imo, also have access to my computer. Thus all the issues I have with my computer when ever I work in my Tri-F files. So knowing all this and at least figuring I would mention all these issues on my blog, (as I have) and deleting the highlights and changing things like settings etc now and then, the agents have been able to make my blog look or seem more intriguing on an espionage basis, than it would have been. "They" lol, want my patriots i.e. in the agents eyes potential terrorist, to think there was some real "ALLLL, QUIIIIEEEEEEEE, DAHHHHHHH" sh*t involved. You know secret codes. At the same time when I posted that copy imo the agents also had to make sure, though various "geek" means, (before publishing my sloppy copy, lol) that it was not like a "mirror" site of the (i.e. their) "mirror" site, with those "smudges" of course, LOL, you know, put up or should I say in, by someone else. That would be "Eastern Europeans", any of our European allies, Chinese, or IVAN!
So, here now, I'm basically going to re-post the Defensive notes. Last night, I myself had deleted the highlighting from the updated info, so as not to have any issues posting with no benefit i.e. color code anyways. I'm also going to update this copy when I do updates, with images of pages, just like I do the books I'm posting. This well make posting images real easy. And in case no patriot has realized this, I have, because, its true. Another reason "they" fear me, is because they know my every key stroke. AND THEY SEE THE COINCIDENCES, AND KNOW THERE IS SOMETHING wITCHY, SPOOKY, WHAT EVERY YOU WISH TO CALL IT, GOING ON HERE WITH ME, NEWJARHEADDEAN.
I managed to get some of the "Preparations and conduct of patrols" section in here just now too.
Update; 03/23/13, 23;05 hours, I'm going to try to post most if not all of the Defense section. I well have to add images later. Those I have to email to myself first, lol believe it or not.
I just realized the fucking color code is gone. Its not showing with the text after "Preface" etc. It dose appear at least for now that the "bold" and "italics" etc are working which is an improvment from the 2012 version, so I'll keep posting the sections in time. And like I've said before most people imo are organizing this all for themselves anyways and I don't believe everyone out there is able to see what I post. So FUCK YOU AGENTS AKA "USEFULL IDIOTS", you are dumb ass cowards, have another glass of kool-aid.
Can you imagine I'm having trouble posting this thing, with color code included. There is not much additional info at all, just the color code. I'm going to try it peace meal i.e. one part at a time, ...
Preface
Note pink highlighted material is that, that
IMO, is questionable factually or needs to be defined i.e. explained or studied
more. Also it could be a personal note. Yellow is location undecided and or unedited
material, green means a
change has been made i.e. an update, it well also be used for “reference” entries
i.e. notes, suggesting farther reading or related material within Tri-F. Red is info I find of
particular importance usually including the word note.
So, this is my
collection of combat notes. One might call it my anthology of combat tactics,
techniques, methods and skills. The note taking began about thirty-three years
ago with the observation of 10 rules listed with in a book covering the French
and Indian wars, entitled “Roger’s Rangers”. This preceded numerous sources
including approximately one hundred books and about a dozen field manuals, of
which a few were of the WWII era. These were found at libraries, half price
bookstores and garage sales. Since going on line in 2007, I have found material
on web sites such as Bayonet strength, Defense and National Interest (DNI),
Global security, Strategy page (SP) and “Combat lessons” who’s address fallows, (http://www.efour4ever.com/street_fighting.htm), under lessons learned section. Wikipedia too.
Previously referred to as
K.O.O.L.N. (acronym definition, top secret) I have now titled my work Fragmented Fighting Facts or Tri-F; the name derives from the
computer grammar function always alerting me to the fragmented nature of my
sentences. This is due to the “just the facts, ma’am” manor the material is
written i.e. there has been little if any effort to write in whole sentences
or provide context. This is not to say there is no order with Tri-F, in
fact there is a theme. I have laid out the information as one might expect a
commander or members of a unit to recall it thus utilizing it to conduct a
mission.
My original thoughts were to
start with defense, due to the fact that IMO a unit needs to be secure
somewhere before it can go somewhere. However, I reasoned that well educated
leaders with solid plans are the bases of everything and one of the main
reasons for setting up in the Defense to begin with i.e. to make plans.
Therefore, we start with Planning,
fallowed by the section on Defense,
then there’s Preparations and conduct
of patrols or PCP, and
we end with Conduct of Engagements
or COE, i.e. engagements being
my word for shootouts. Each section of Tri-F consists of basic numbered rules,
fallowed by detailed notes that either relate to, explain, or give examples
pertaining to the basic rules. As with the general format of Tri-F, I have laid
out each section’s basic rules, as one might need to recall them. This is most
obvious in the last section COE starting with rule number one, Flash report, i.e.
actions to take upon first contact with the enemy. This sections last basic
rule deals with handling POWs.
Keep in mind this is a work in progress;
I’m constantly discovering new information to add which in turn still at times
requires rearranging things. At the same time, interestingly enough to me, I
have not needed to rearrange my original order of the basic rules for quite
some time. There are however, two instances where the detailed information
fallowing a pair of basic rules became so similar I decided to combine the pair
into one basic rule. These two occurrences are noted in footnotes.
By using green high-light
to mark any changes, patriots can fallow the progress with out having to read
Tri-F in it’s entirety each time to stay current. This well be added info not every little change.
Out of all the information
contained within this work, only an estimated 1% was taught to me while I was
serving in the U.S.M.C. Moreover, to put a fine point on it, it’s worth noting
I served in Charlie Company, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine
Division, i.e. an Infantry unit. Before my discharge (after only a two year
cruse), I attended Jungle Warfare School in the northern training area of
Okinawa (for two weeks), Mountain Warfare School in Korea (for one week) and
Combat Town Camp Pendleton for MOUT training (for one day). I did not take part
in any amphibious training nor did I ever go to Twenty Nine Palms for Desert
Warfare training. We did ride around in AAVs once at Camp Pendleton. All in all
I would say the only things I missed out on were a beach landing (at Coronado I
believe) and a little sun burn, due to the fact that those twenty nine palms, I
was told in the early eighties were all located at the front gate of that base.
Needless to say, the training did not impress me, and I now know it was not
going to get any better as some suggested to me at the time, and still
others later claimed that I should have just stayed in longer.
With my position on the lack
of training, I do wish to make it perfectly clear that I do support the women and men serving in the U.S. armed forces.
I also believe them to be as brave as
any people on earth. My concern is in the way they are being
sacrificed. I want people to understand my experience and IMO a lot of evidence
suggest Uncle Sam intends to use his infantry in ways that dose not include training any generation in the art of
traditional Guerilla combat tactics i.e. as a Commando would be. I am not
talking about SWAT team close quarter tactics, like the Stick dynamic entry.
That tactic should be called the “cluster f**k”. Just call that sort of tactic
what it is, NYPD (Cops T.V. show bad-boys, bad-boys) in Afghanistan. The
problem is that that tactic was developed by police departments to deal with an
objective occupied by drugged up party animals, i.e. untrained civilians. The
police never use it in a spur of the minute situation. They use it when the
house has been under constant surveillance for mouths in some cases and the
police know all manor of information about everyone in the house and the
structure and neighborhood in general. The cops choose a time when everyone is
pasted out from partying the night before and have long lost any weapons
(between the cushions or under the bed) they might have had on them as show
peaces during the party. The primary reason for the large numbers of police in
close proximity is to make sure the gang dose not think the raid is a rival
gang “brake in” and thus resist in any way. There is lots of yelling too, thus
reinforcing the message that no one is trying to be covert like one would be to
get away with a crime.
This brings up an intriguing
observation of mine; that being that by the book an assault should be made from
the top down, yet the troops in Afghanistan and elsewhere use the Stick dynamic
entry and usually enter from the front door, like a SWAT team, however resent
high profile raids show the SWAT teams attacking from the top down. Examples
you may recall are the raids on the Shinning path group in Peru in 2000 and the
Mumbai raid by Indian forces on the Jewish center in 2008. IMO this proves the
existence of what I’ll refer to as a “need to know” training policy by
various governments, the purpose being to limit the number of true Commandos
that could become tomorrows rebels, apposing corrupt governments. One last
thing about the Stick, IMO every single time the regular forces units
conducting one of these foolish Stick dynamic entries comes under fire i.e.
runs into resistance, the Stick brakes i.e. the whole unit evacuates and awaits
some kind of support form tanks, guns, tubes or air. Bottom line IMO the
Stick is used as a probing tactic and is meant to be a moral boosting show
peace tactic to make the unit feel as if it has taken a hill, which was nothing
more than another empty building, that IMO Intel suggested, was the case before
the entry was ordered. Recalling the police policy of long periods of
surveillance prior to raids.
It also seems to me that in
light of the old saying “you can fight a
war with bombs and blockades but only boots on the ground can win it” (that
IMO, Uncle Sam has now revised, as fallows) “you can win a war with bombs and blockades, but only the infantry can
end the war”, farther more IMO Uncle Sam has gone one more step and decided
to use private security companies and local i.e. indigenous people for the
infantry role. All this fear of true commandos is all similar to the Mujahideen
not being allowed by various governments to return to their homelands after
fighting the Soviets. And as for the U.S. and other Western nations,
training foreigners to fight a counter insurgency goes. IMO this training
includes nothing more than police procedures i.e. conducting investigations,
forensics, searching individuals and buildings to collect evidence and yes
serving warrants with the all mighty stick tactic. And of course, lots of “new
innovative techniques and tactics” involving CAS and IMO (Old) so called high tech equipment the U.S. Military Industrial
Complex wants to clear out of the warehouses.
All in all IMO Uncle Sam has
chosen to put just about all his eggs in one advanced technology system, think
Star Wars Storm Troopers or Matrix i.e. the Operator or Morpheus trying to
guide Neo and others to safety. IMO it looks something like this; (x) unit go
to (x) address, kick in front door, use stairs to your right, go south down
hallway to (x) door, it is unlocked, interning room go to (x) window looking
out window to the north you well see your target running though the neighbors
garden. All this information provided by a fleet of satellites as well as Near
space assets that are never mentioned by the media as current military assets
and of course there’s the robots, UAVs and a flood of other covertly deployed
sensors as well as covert eves dropping of any civilian electronic devices in
the Area of operations. Thus in light of these and similar so called “new
innovative, techniques and tactics” (notice the media and governments choice
of words as if were talking Commando tactics i.e. why not use some new high
tech terms the system is so eager to introduce us all to normally as a matter
of routine), IMO Uncle Sam has placed the traditional Guerrilla combat
tactics, on the back burner and is hoping they all go the way of other black arts.
This is not just true of the infantry; let us take a peak at aerial combat.
Dose anyone out there actually think today’s U.S. pilots are turning and
burning, pulling high (G) maneuvers trying to hit the entry windows and get
inside the bandits turn. Think any pilot has conducted a yo-yo or split S
maneuver lately or made the choice between a single or two-circle fight. Now
days its all about stealth, ECM and missiles mostly BVR. IMO this is why the
U.S. Navy is not concerned with not having a front line fighter equal to the
USAF F-22 Raptor. An article I recently read on Strategy page mentioned a lot
of talk about an F/A-18E at an air show displaying a little F-22 silhouette
decal i.e. a simulated Kill credit symbol/icon. IMO the F/A- 18E did not gun down
that kill. The truth is U.S. forces
could equip just about any commercial aircraft on the market with all the lastest western high tech
sensors and weapons systems and out fight any other airforce on earth.
And then everyone knows that
just about all now and IMO soon all weapons systems including the bayonet well
have a chip in it.
So if the electronics ever
fail (maybe due to a shift in the axis of earths electromagnetic field, passed
a certain point or perhaps a record size solar flare) IMO it well be the
masters of the age-old Guerrilla combat tactics i.e. Tri-F basic rules that
survive, keeping in mind “no one wins”.
I also wish, that those who join the various services
where told all this up front i.e. “we do not intend to train you as a traditional
Commando”.
Another thing I would like
everyone to consider is that; what makes a Marine special is not the training
she or he receives, no it’s the steel the youth demonstrates when they choose
to join the Marines. Even when compared to the Special Forces, who IMO are only
specialists in their particular field, once again mostly high tech specialties
and whose ranks are filled with older personnel that have already been serving
and have graduated from a boot camp i.e. are aware of the hoop and hype hurry
up and wait tactics. And who are then usually chosen i.e. coached into changing
their MOS. I am aware of the change in recruitment policy after 2001 allowing
for direct entry into the S.F. community. IMO a rarity and IMO it is still not
the same as just choosing to go to a Marine Corps Recruit Depot from the
start.
Further more, to those who
just well not accept the truth about the lack of training along the lines of
traditional Guerrilla combat tactics. I can now say that I have exchanged comments
with a number of Iraqi and Afghanistan combat vets. These comments can be found
on the internet if you Google up my call sign, Newjarheaddean also spelled with
one (D). IMO it is obvious that the tactics I speak of are news to the vets,
some have made commits that proves in combat they were just winging it. And
no, I don’t believe that all the vets are observing some kind of code of
silence on these tactics including the vets who are against the wars. Unless
everyone wants to say that YouTube and other internet companies are conspiring
to edit all combat footage that shows these tactics being used and that, the
vets are staging other videos that show them (albeit with great bravery) as
armatures without a clue and winging it. If anyone ever sees video, showing the tactics listed in Tri-F being
used, be sure and provide a link with your comment. I once saw a flash of
film on CNN showing combat in Lebanon during the 1980s that showed some of
these tactics being used by a Guerrilla fighter. I well also say I do
believe that UAV footage is edited by the Pentagon to keep the public from
seeing the few but well trained Taliban and other Guerrilla fighters that are
using these tactics. Alternatively, maybe people think our professional
highly trained well-equipped military is unable to defeat 10 – 20 thousand
religious extremist amateur thugs in almost a decade of fighting. All the while
killing at least by some estimates 100 a mouth including dozens of top
commanders.
Let me also say, on the
numbers of U.S. PTSD casualties, i.e. IMO, WIA, (And IMO deserving of a Purple Heart). The Government portrays these cases
as a result of fighting a war that is “unlike any other war we have fought
before” (LOL). Facing an enemy
that is fighting in some mysterious and or cowardly manor that simply cannot be
countered by military means. I believe the high numbers are a result of US
forces fighting in a manor that is suicidal i.e. pointless and counter
productive to the real world situation. Example;
you have a young brave American ready to
fight for the nation, while on one of these IMO “Russian roulette parades”
someone shoots at the unit from some building, everyone scrambles for cover, as
some spray and pray, then after determining the location using SWATS
(Soldier Worn Acoustic Targeting Systems) sniper detectors, or one of the many
similar vehicle mounted systems the
commander calls in some sort of CAS, if someone’s brains have been blow out
especially if it was an officer or the location is vague, a real “crowd pleaser”
maybe used i.e. 2000 pounder. IMO this is how 90% of engagements (fought by
regular infantry units) are resolved. Special Forces are now and in the feature
more and more regular infantry well be using the Matrix style system. And to
those that think this is the exception I say show me the number of WIA or KIA
(On either side) by small arms fire i.e. during traditional firefights. Even if
one includes sniper fire those figures are really low. So IMO after
witnessing all the carnage and innocent civilian life being lost and receiving
all those looks from the witnesses, it is the American that realizes it is his
unit that is not fighting right. This is reinforced and really sinks in back in
the states when the vet is asked to tell the Commando stories that never
occurred and thus the vet must tell the truth i.e. give up the Commando
reputation, keep it all inside or start lying. If the first option is chosen
that unveiling reality is demoralizing and makes it all not worth it. If either
one of the other chooses are made IMO the vet becomes the ticking bomb. And I
can tell you all that many times, I have recalled being told once that “when
you go home keep your mouth shut about the things we did. If you don’t you well
be thought of as a liar or crazy and either which way your life well be over”.
That First Sergeant was right, but like my daddy use to say, “He’s right but he
dose not know why he’s right” i.e. IMO the First Sgt. thought of what we did in
terms of remarkable heroic feats. However, IMO certainly since the beginning of
the Vietnam era, it is the lack of training i.e. the manor in which our service
women and men are fighting that keeps this tragedy going.
I would also suggest the vets
of today are just like I was 25 or so years ago in the sense that they know
there training is lacking, however, they just cannot explain what’s missing.
Well I now know the tactics they and I should have been trained in and I can
now say, “The PFC that told the Corp
it was out of step, now has provided the proof”. What surprises me is
that most vets it seems don’t care at all about the tactics I speak of and seem
to view me as an unpatriotic “party pooper” lol, when I’m just a U.S. Marine
trying to improve the Corps and save lives. Bottom line IMO the infantry needs to
consist of unmarried i.e. undistracted, NO
CHILDREN, dedicated true professionals, trained in the tactics listed
in Tri-F and many more I am sure exist.
Desertion. Men desert
to save their wives and children, not themselves. The principle advantage of
the invaders is that their families are safe. Never pad troop numbers with
married men; have them dig bunkers. Recruit only unmarried men and women to be
civilian snipers. Women make better snipers than men because they posture less.
This info was found on the site Sniper Flashcards. IMO the main reason men feel such
pressure to get marriage is the immature fear of being accused of being gay if
not married by say 21 years of age.
And to those that say “chivalry is
for the museums” I say “first we must have peace on earth”.
In light of all this, I do
encourage every Marine and any Warrior i.e. Commando types to read and study
this information discussing and sharing it with others and me, thus making the
most of it and forming your own conclusions. Above all, keep training and
studying a side from the “new innovative techniques and tactics” taught by
Uncle Sam, this can only save lives. And Remember IMO it’s not just what you
know it’s how competent you are and ultimately who is in the right that
determines the victor. If nothing else IMO you well understand much more
about how Uncle Sam’s enemies are fighting. And if the Matrix crashes (lol) or
for any reason you find yourself up close and personal with those Bad-actors
you well have a fighting chance.
General information to support my Matrix and other unusual
opinions; most info was obtained from web site “how stuff works”.
Feature warrior system;
It’s the "borg"
effect. Everything is a sensor, fixed wing, rotor wing, UAV, ground vehicle,
robotic platform and individuals. You can send or take data, video or audio
from it.
Uniform provides superhuman
strength. The fabric is filled with nanomachines that mimic the action of human
muscles, flexing open and shut when stimulated by an electrical pulse. These
nanomachines will create lift the way muscles do. Limits are the bone strength
my SWAG about 300 lbs.
"It makes the soldier
become a weapons platform or "F-16 on legs."
The exoskeleton will merge
structure, power, control, actuation and biomechanics. Here's some of the
challenges:
Structural materials - have
to be made of strong, lightweight and flexible materials.
Power source – last at least
24 hours.
Control - must be seamless.
Users must be able to function normally move smoothly with system engaged.
Actuation - must be quiet and
efficient.
Powering the suit is a 2- to
20-watt micro turbine generator fueled by a liquid hydrocarbon. A plug-in
cartridge containing 10 ounces of fuel last up to 6 days. Battery patches
embedded in the helmet provide three hours of back-up power.
SP (Strategy page) infantry, Bullet
Proof Batteries; March 3, 2009: A defense contractor has come up with a clever
idea for solving the problem of infantry having to haul around so many
batteries. While the ultimate solution is fuel cells, an interim solution is a
modified E-SAPI ballistic plate with a 10mm thick lithium ion battery fitted
onto it as an additional layer. The bulletproof plate is normally 25x30cm
(10x12 inches) and 2.5cm (1inch) thick. Actually, there are four of these flat
batteries on each plate. A special vest contains attachments for the various
equipment batteries you need to recharge, or a direct connection to some
equipment. The E-SAPI plates normally weigh about 5 lbs, adding the panels adds
about a lb. Overall; you carry about 10% less weight and more comfortably. The
powered plates will be available for sale by the end of the year (from BAE),
and two of them are supposed to supply enough juice for a typical 72 hour
mission.
The helmet has 360-degree situational
awareness and voice amplification. GPS, radio with wide and local area network
connections. With onboard computers, soldiers will be aware of their own bodies
and the action around them, communication between soldiers, will use sensors
that measure vibrations of the cranial cavity, eliminating the need for an
external microphone. This bone-conduction technology allows communication with
one another, and controls the menus visible through the drop-down eyepiece i.e.
a voice activated HUD system. The sound system will allow you to know where
that sniper or mortar round came from, detect other soldiers out to a couple of
kilometers, i.e. focus and amplify particular sounds while canceling out noises
at a certain decibel so preventing damage to ears.
The interface will be similar
to Play station 2/xbox due to service personals familiarity to these systems.
SP 1/31/09 under information
warfare/the American standard; Right now, all the sensors (vidcams, radars, IR)
capture data at different resolutions and speeds. The new TCDL (Tactical Common
Data Link) makes this sharing possible by translating all the formats to a
standard data stream. Currently, the army can share UAV and helicopter videos
with ground troops, and some air force video can be used by soldiers equipped
with special equipment.
U.S. Army currently employs
Blue Force Tracker (BFT). The system provides commanders and other units
real-time picture of AO tracking unit movements etc. U.S.M.C. used BFT,
although they initially opted for a more portable and rugged system called the
Enhanced Position Location Reporting System, or "ePLRS." Both give
real-time tracking. The downside to both systems, however, is they are bulky,
old and require computer operators who should be on patrol.
SP October 18,
2008: U.S. Army is building a new version of its "BFT" (for
vehicles on the battlefield). During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, (BFT,
GPS/satellite telephone devices) were hastily placed in thousands of vehicles.
Anyone with a laptop, satellite data receiver, the right software and access
codes could then see where everyone was (via a map showing blips for each BFT
user). Currently the army and Marines have 55,000 BFTs (and far fewer laptops
equipped to display BFT data) and plans to get at least as many of the BFT2
units, and perhaps as many as 120,000. BFT2 is expected to start shipping in
two years. There are already eight BFT2 prototypes undergoing testing.
Panzeric on SP posted; ok I think I can
give you guys some much needed answers on this matter. I am the digital master
trainer on the fbcb2/bft a.k.a. blue force tracker for my battalion and one of
the 30 in my brigade that has the master certification. Not bad for an 11b eh.
Anyways BFT for the most part is not a laptop system. And it cost a lot more
than $1500 stated in the article per system. Each vehicle system cost 40k and
even the laptop models cost more than the $1500 stated. As far as my brigade
goes each battalion will get two laptop BFT systems and they stay in the
battalion TOC. One is unclassified while the second is classified. Everyone
else gets the vehicle mounted system. If you're a company commander then you
get a route planning kit that will allow you to detach the monitor from the
vehicle and set it up in the company CP. Ok regarding the whole falling into
enemy hands things, its just not possible. If a vehicle equipped with BFT was
overrun then it can pretty much self destruct itself by frying its CPU. You can
destroy it yourself with literally a couple of clicks on the monitor or another
vehicle can tag your vehicle and destroy it themselves. Plus once that
system turns on, everyone can see you so if you know what vehicle was overrun
one day and shows up on screen two days later you pretty much know where that
bad guy is. All of this is unclassified information and should be easy to look
up. The army is trying to get the whole system classified though. Regarding the
5 minute delay that’s true and false. For a ground vehicle its position will
update every 5 min or after several hundred meters. Helicopters
update every 30 sec and I believe 800m. Depending on how you have your filters
set up you can send in a sitrep or message within a few seconds. I hope
this answers some of your questions.
Integrated Physiological
Status Monitoring System, attitude i.e. position, heart rate, core and surface
temperature and dehydration.
Bionic uniform will change
the logistics of war with augmented physical strength.
Liquid Body Armor - This
liquid body armor is made from magneto rheological fluid (MR fluids) a fluid
that remains in a liquid state until the application of a magnetic field.
One type of MR fluid consists
of small iron particles suspended in silicon oil. The oil prevents the
particles from rusting. The fluid transforms from liquid to solid in just
milliseconds when a magnetic field or electrical current is applied to it. The
current causes the iron particles to lock into a uniform polarity and stack on
top of each other, creating a shield. How hard the substance becomes depends on
the strength of the magnetic field or electrical current. Once the charge or
magnetic field is removed, the particles unlock, and the substance goes back to
a fluid state.
Source PBS, Nova, making stuff smarter; Aerogel the
lightest solid ever created. A slab size of a person weights less than a pound.
Battle jacket anti bullet hole leaks. It’s a coating that seals the
hole. 1 bullet hole (the size of your little finger tip) well leak 150 gallons
per hour.
Graphene, one thousand times faster than silicon at conducting
electricity.
I.B.M. and its Virtical Transistors i.e. nano wires.
Sharklet a material that mimics the shape of shark skin. It keeps
bacteria cells from forming on the surfaces it is applied to. Thus it is
planned to use it in hospitals to reduce the number one cause of hospital cost
i.e. in house infections.
Newtonian fluids and non newtonain fluids. Example on Newtonian fluid
OObleck it resist movement i.e. when something tries to past through it or if
someone steps on it etc.
M.R. i.e. magneto Rheological fluid react to electric currents i.e.
thickens or turns into solids of a sertain shape.
Piezo-electric ceramics also a shape shifting technology used for shape
changing wings on aircraft. SMA shape memory alloyds i.e. artificial muscles.
Metamaterials; note the scientist said when viewed from within i.e. inside
a metamaterial cloak you would see a mirrow image only. These cloaks blend
light in the I.R. range I believe. The visual range is still a bit of a problem
I believe they said.
Note there is an
increasing use of automation i.e. computers, robots etc in our modern military
when it comes to administration and logistics, maintenance as well as planning.
IMO with maintenance, why not equip personnel with a HUD type system with
graphics, diagrams and schematics to project images onto actual parts and thus
illustrate to mechanics or anyone else that might be available, how to perform
maintenance task on all this complicated equipment. Thus, there would be less
need for traditional training of maintenance and perhaps medical personnel too. An
interesting article I found a long the lines of this kind of technology; (Time
magazine Nov. 10 2008, page 82, University of Washington, Babak Parviz’s bionic
contacts. They use tiny LEDs and are powered by radio waves and solar cells).
QUALIFFIING SUMMERY
I do not claim all the
information stated in Tri-F is indeed a fact and should be fallowed like a
gospel. Hence, the Three golden rules
(IMO some of my most important original ideas) listed just prior to the
Planning section. With Tri-F, I in fact predict one will find errors,
especially with any of the numerical data or formulas; I just don’t have the
basic math skills I should have picked up in grade school (when I was studying
tactics lol) to double check such information. In addition, as already stated this
is a work in progress, much of the information still needs editing i.e.
organizing, rearranging of location, word changes or reduction. With Tri-F,
only a few acronyms and or phases are listed in the order in which they were
discovered. Quotes I would say have all been paraphrased.
I would also like to state
that a few times repeat has accrued in Tri-F, reasons for this are that the
information preceding the repeat did require context to answer a question or to
make a point, especially when I was giving an example. Lastly, IMO some things
are just worth repeating. That being said, my personal contribution here is the
order i.e. format and condensed nature meaning no filibuster bull shit
repeat I have found in every Field Manual, I ever read. In light of these
attributes, IMO Tri-F is an extremely valuable tool for every Marine and any
Commando or Warrior.
I am aware that some of this
information may no longer apply, however I feel commonsense can determine if
the rule, suggestion or data would no longer hold up. Many times people have
questioned me about the validity of the basic rules; however, I did not make
the vast majority of them up. As already stated I copied them from numerous
sources many published by the U.S. printing department i.e. Field Manuals.
There for let me remind everyone that these rules developed individually over
the ages, some indeed going back as far as warfare itself. So to summarize IMO
on average over the ages these rules have proven to be the best rules of thumb
i.e. most beneficial to those waging war on battlefield earth.
Any additional information
suggestions and especially corrections to any information will be greatly
appreciated.
Semper Fi
Simplify
NOTE; I felt a quick
reference to general studying tips would be helpful to patriots in making the
most of your time and efforts in learning Tri-F.
STUDYING
Setting; 1) Study in familiar area on regular
basis. 2) Study in similar area as
knowledge well be used. 3) All study
material should be kept in area of study. This is to eliminate the distraction
of having to go and get something.
4) Lighting,
over left shoulder for right-hander, visa versa for left-hander, this is to
eliminate shadows. Take care to eliminate glare to minimize fatigue. 5) Atmosphere, reduce sounds in
background and perhaps put on some soft classical music. Air, note temperature
and circulation. 6) Posture, good promotes coordination and
endurance. Avoid remaining in same position to long, shift and stretch often or
take brief walks. Pour posture,
well stress muscles and joints, causing fatigue and repetitive stress injuries.
As well as the position thus the functioning of organs especially in abdominal
region. Setting correctly,
monitor at eye level. Stomach in, wrist strait and level, forearms bent 90
degrees i.e. perpendicular to biceps. Knees level with or above hips. Feet flat
on the floor. Slouching
counter by keeping shoulders back and down. Imagine a head light in your chest
that most always shine forward. Standing
correctly there are three natural curves to the spine. The first is in
the neck with it being curved slightly forward, referred to as the Cervical
curve. Avoid the forward head posture (aka buzzard neck) by keeping your eyes
and collarbone in the same vertical plain. The second curve is in the upper
back with it being curved slightly backwards, referred to as the Thoracic
curve. The third is in the lower back with it being curved slightly forward,
referred to as the Lumbar. As a result, the end product, i.e. your spine
resembles a re-curve bow. Continuing with tips for standing correctly, your
legs should be slightly bent at the knees. Balance your weight equally on both
legs and feet. Constantly shift weight around to all four corners of your feet.
Preparations;
1) Clear your mind and relax. 2) Skim though material; check dates, content,
forwards, glossaries, index’s, intros and prefixes to make sure information of
interest is located within the material at hand. 3) Focus your concision
attention; to set your thoughts to the subject at hand, by reviewing notes and
asking yourself questions. Types of attention; immediate, i.e. automatic a heighten awareness. Can be activated or
developed by scanning area with eyes and ears. Conscious, with your conscious attention it is necessary to feed it
information to sustain the focus. Usually immediate picks out words or images
of interest then conscious records relevant information. 4) Set goals; in the
short term, goals could include deciding on what chapter to read to. With
long-term goals, be patient success at multi small tasks can be better than
going for one large goal at once.
Conduct; 1)
Read critically; get a variety of opinions. Note average person reads 150 words
per minute. 2) Retain meaning over exact wording; put notes in your own words.
Do not study similar subjects consecutively. 3) Know the duration of subject
i.e. length of speeches, classes etc; you tend to retain more information at
the beginning and end of speeches, classes, meetings, movies etc. So by knowing
the duration you can pay more attention during the mid point. Memory; Diet, some say it can help to eat more
fish and nuts, Blue berries are suppose to be excellent. Mind binders, this is braking up the normal routines to enhance
recall for specific invents an example might be using your right hand to
perform a task if you are left handed. Types of memory; Episodic memory, this is history,
personal and over all events such as conversations, schedules and plans. Procedural memory, physical skills i.e.
typing, biking or martial arts. Somatic
memory, math, combinations or phone numbers. Stages of memory; A) Recording, i.e. acquisition, receiving,
input. Note on Distortions two types,
passive, counter by avoiding, making
predictions or having high expectations prior to classes, events or recording
information on various subjects. Active distortions discussed below. Note on Dyslexia, it can be countered by closing
one eye as you record numbers or other information. B) Retaining, i.e. storage. Note on retaining names; do not judge people negatively, and if person is just
unlikable try thinking of them in comical terms. Match the name with rimming
descriptive words. Use mediation link i.e. match person to actions, occupation,
position, posture, or surroundings. Use name as soon as possible and as often
as conversation allows. Note on recognition of faces; pick out feature that stands out the most like eyes,
glasses, hat, hair, ears, nose, etc. like a political cartoonist would. C) Recall, i.e. retrieving, output, usage.
Note you tend to recall things the way you wish them to be, aka selectivity, example; bed, dream, night,
rest, wake. Most people when asked to recall this list include the word, sleep.
This is similar to what is referred to as word
association. Example; ocean equaling Tide detergent, or broom equaling
witch. That is to say, if a person is told a story including the word ocean
then is ask to name a deterrent most people well name Tide. Also on Distortions, now active, this includes leading questions or statements i.e. planting
idea that something has happened or is a fact when it has not yet been
determined. Subliminal; this is
manipulating the perception threshold of ones senses.
Principals of memory; 1) Interest, it
is being motivated, timing and variety are very important. Do not over do i.e.
push your self too far. 2) Relaxation,
this involves staying calm, cool, collective, confident, concentrate on things
do not worry about them. Avoid situations were your attention is divided.
Eliminate all negative thinking, remember when emotions are high intellect is
low and this dose work both ways. In fact, thoughts or ideas can reveal
themselves as emotions thus resulting in actions in the feature. Sleep or
meditation after studying can help retain information. 3) Repetition, in the short term this is repeating facts to yourself
repeatedly. In the long term, this is reviewing data from time to time. 4) Organization, this involves keeping data
up to date, relating new information to old and of course keeping things in
some kind of general order. Note on list
making, put things in progressive order according to time and place to
compliment each other, i.e. chronologically. Imagery, this can involve using a familiar family room’s four walls
and eight corners counting the floor and ceiling junctures. I use a one-foot
equals a mile scaled world model and place information at the location it
relates to. Develop a personal collection of abstract symbols, letters,
words, acronyms, colors, shapes, street signs to use in your mental models. For
instance with numbers you can use dominos. Also with numbers look for patterns
i.e. doubles, triples, pairs or sequences of odd and or even digits. In
addition, with imagery, when ever you are performing any kind of disassembly or
construction task. You can interact with tools and parts, visualizing yourself
in miniature. Visualizing yourself helping i.e. standing on parts, handling and
positioning tools. With any imagery technique the more detailed, the better
even to the point of bizarre i.e. completely out of proportion. Over all when
it comes to recalling information, there are two so-called inhibitions of
importance to note. Retroactive
inhibitions; new information learned recently interferes with old. Proactive inhibitions; proactive because
the interference is in the feature, old information effects the recall of new.
Both inhibition types can be due to numerous similarities or vast differences
in the data. 5) Meaningfulness, in
other words how useful information is to you on a daily basis. 6) Familiarity, aka the Big picture i.e.
the more you know about subjects the easier facts and data relate or fit into
your over all knowledge of a given subject, thus becoming easier to retain. 7)
Feed back, this is discussing information with others, comparing notes i.e.
sharing or teaching. It is the number one aid to retaining information.
(Reference, Planning, Step
# 3, Debriefs)
FRAGMENTED
FIGHTING FACTS
NO ONE WINS, THIS IS
FORGOTTEN. WARS ARE EASY TO START, EXSPENSIVE TO CONTINUE AND DIFFICULT TO
STOP. WARS OFTEN BEGIN WHEN SOMEONE FEELS VICTORY IS ASSURED. THE FIGHT
CONTINUES LARGLY BECAUSE OF NATIONAL AND PERSONAL PRIDE. WARS END WHEN ONE OR
BOTH SIDES ARE DEVASTATED, DEMORALIZED AND RARELY SUDDENLY ENLIGHTEN BY THE
ABSURDITY OF IT ALL.
James
Dunnigan
Then there is this…
THERE IS NO WAY TO PEACE,
PEACE IS THE WAY.
The
pacifist motto
Three golden rules
1) There well be times for exceptions to the rules; due to
circumstances. 2) Avoid setting patterns; from time to time, you should conduct
yourself in an unorthodox manor as apposed to an orthodox manor. Make a habit
of considering if not choosing alternatives to unfolding situations. Pattern avoidance techniques, IMO
the U.S. can start by not using, go go go go, I just want to add girls to that
every time I hear it, why don’t Marines esp. use the old OOH- RAH, GET SOME
etc. IMO every time the enemy hears go, go go go, they can be 90% sure that at
that moment your entering i.e. attacking. 3) Think like the foe; for
instance recall and consider your offensive knowledge when in the defense to
predict your foes offensive plans.
The
fallowing is from Mr Aguilar’s site “Sniper Flash Cards”, edited comments from Aslan
Maskhadov. It appears
Mr. Aguilar has mixed his own words and experiences with Mr. Maskhadov’s.
He may
go on to spin all kinds of fanciful strategems for carrying out a counter-attack,
and send hundreds of "secret" messages (using the ever popular
substitution cipher) giving "orders" to his "troops," but
all that really matters is that everybody knows that the invaders have
committed themselves to a raid. Then, each civilian sniper independently rolls
a six sided die. If they are disciplined, and they must be to trust their fate
to chance, they will attack as follows:
Die
Roll
Action
1
Attack
the target from the NW
2
Attack
the target from the NE
3
Attack
the target from the SW
4
Attack
the target from the SE
5
Attack
the nearest freeway off-ramp from the left
6
Attack
the nearest freeway off-ramp from the right
The
purpose of using dice is to get the civilian snipers to completely surround the
target, regardless of local conditions. You can't just tell them to spread out.
There must be some mechanism in place that automatically results in the snipers
distributing themselves evenly around the target.
Unless
they roll dice, civilian snipers will invariably do one of three things:
1) They
will make a beeline for the target without any attempt to think tactically
until they are actually being shot at. The invaders aren't stupid. They knew
before the raid began that there was a large residential neighborhood nearby
and one or two choke points, like bridges, directly between it and the target.
They'll probably have heavy, water cooled machine guns pouring bullets onto
those bridges. This is one reason why I advocate civilian snipers being mounted
on motorcycles. It only takes a few minutes to make a three mile radius around
a target and approach it from the other side. Pedestrians don't have time for
that.
2) They
will go to a shooting position that seems "optimal," based on general
tactical principles. For instance, elsewhere on this website I have suggested
firing over a barrier, like a canal, to prevent mounted troops from rushing
you. That's good advice if you're the only one in the field and are attacking a
target that nobody else is aware of. It's bad advice if 90% of the civilian
snipers in town are elbowing each other out of the way to position themselves
behind the only canal in the vicinity. The invaders will just drop a bomb on
the sniper's "optimal" shooting position.
3) They
will neglect to consider the path that the enemy's reinforcements will take.
Initial contact with an enemy patrol accomplishes only two things: It pins them
down by wounding one or two of them, and it causes them to radio for help. The
response to such a call will be impressive. A cop was once shot a few blocks
from where I lived, my balcony overlooking a major thoroughfare. His vest
stopped the bullet, he shot his assailant a dozen times and then radioed in an
“officer down” call. I did not observe this, but I did observe the response.
Thirteen patrol cars raced past, all with lights and sirens on. They took up
all three lanes of the street, pushing everybody aside. There were probably
another thirteen approaching in a similar manner from the other direction. This
is why rolls five and six of the die direct the snipers to attack the nearest
freeway off-ramp. Far more enemy casualties can be produced by attacking the
reinforcements than attacking the patrol that was initially engaged and is now
dug in and waiting for those reinforcements.
Newjarheaddean; As one can see I
have the previous notes highlighted in yellow do to the fact I have not yet
decided what all to keep and exactly were it well be nor do I agree with it
all. Dose anyone care to discuse this material?
PLANNING
In this section, I have done my best to eliminate the repeat, filibuster
and general B.S., which is found in all Field manuals. IMO Uncle Sam likes to
change his terms and acronyms at every level of command and annually in most
cases. Examples listed below…
I got this info mostly from the site “Supper Marine”. And just for your
info Marines, the Corp
inspires Vs motivates, motivation is like caffeine it only last for a while.
Troop
leading steps; BAMCIS:
B - Begin Planning
A - Arrange Reconnaissance
M - Make Reconnaissance
C - Complete Planning
I - Issue Orders
S - Supervise (Supervise being the most important step)
Five
paragraph order; O-SMEAC
O - Orientation
S - Situation
M - Mission
E - Execution
A - Administration and Logistics
C - Command and Signal
Contents of
the Admin and Logistics paragraph of the 5 Paragraph Order i.e. Five Bs;
Beans - Food
Bullets - Ammunition
Batteries - Communication Resupply
Band-Aids - Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC)
Bad Guys - Enemy POWs
Acronyms
for tactical control measures and planning:
LOD - Line of Departure (a line designated to coordinate the beginning of an
attack)
FCL - Final Coordination Line (coordinates final deployment of assault echelon)
RFL - Restrictive Fire Line (limits the fires and effect of fires of maneuver
elements)
FEBA - Forward Edge of the Battle Area
MBA - Main Battle Area
Estimating
the situation; METT-TSL
M - Mission
E - Enemy
T - Terrain and Weather
T - Troops and Fire Support Available
TSL - Time, Space, and Logistics
Steps in
establishing the defense; SAFE-SOC
S -
Security
A -
Automatic Weapons
F -
Interlocking Fields of Fire
E -
Entrenchment
S -
Select primary and supplementary firing positions
O -
Construct Obstacles
C -
Camouflage, cover and concealment
What are
the fundamentals of the defense? KOCOA
K - Key
terrain
O -
Observation and Fields of Fire
C - Cover
and Concealment
O -
Obstacles
A - Avenues
of Approach
Many of the letters in these acronymns excuse me mimonics, are repetitive
i.e. represent the same information, and you would find all of these and many
more imo involved in various stages of the planning or various levels of command
with in the systems used by U.S. services.
This keeps generations of U.S. service women and men confused and bewildered
i.e. busy learning to speak the new language and thus thinking they have
learned something useful, which is only necessary because of all the
never-ending changes in terms and acronyms describing the same age-old
procedures of planning. My point here is that if Uncle Sam would “STOP THAT”, a
warrior class could develop i.e. military knowledge would be passed from one
generation to the next. Moreover, as previously stated imo conflicts would
come down to who was in the right. However, of course I understand that,
that is exactly what the U.S government, dose
not want. Anyways any information that is covered in any of the above
acronyms you well find it covered (once)
in my system.
NOTE; before going any
further, you need to understand the fallowing about this (Planning) section.
IMO there are three phases and six steps in preparing to conduct a military
operation or any organized effort.
The first Phase we well refer
to as Planning; in this phase you well use all your mental
faculties over coming mental challenges i.e. brain storming. Some things IMO
worth considering are as fallows; O’Neal’s
law, which is “Murphy was an optimist”. In addition, keep in mind, no plan
survives the first few minutes of any battle. The important things are always
simple, the simple things are always difficult. History has show long periods
of peace, create wide gaps between theory and actual combat.
The next phase is Preparation;
this is when you well conduct reduced force then full dress rehearsals. You
begin Pre-positioning of equipment, supplies and troops. Start decoy and
psychological operations. Short
time between completing preparations and implementation. Note here the tried and true VC tactical
doctrine of four fast one slow; fast advance, fast assault, fast battlefield
clearance, and fast withdrawal (aabcd) are based on slow preparation.
The final phase is the Execution
phase this is implementing your plan i.e. conducting your mission.
(Reference also see Step #
2 Cmdrs intent, Decision guidance, part B) Time available and Step # 3, Pro
guerrilla/insurgency operations, “Exploitation phase”)
Finally, you need to know
that this system should be seen and utilized as a cyclic system. Steps 1-4 are
repeated at least three times in the Planning and the Preparation phases then
in the Execution phase, step 4 is replaced with step 5 and step 6. Six being
viewed as a last but not least task and a continuous modus operandi (M.O.) i.e.
Standard operational procedure, S.O.P.. The steps are as fallows.
STEP 1) Gathering information;
Information gathered is listed
and organized in various I.S.A.L.U.T.E. - R.W.P. reports. Examples are located
in Step # 3 Concept of operations part (A). What information is to be gathered?
The best way to answer that question is to consider everything listed in Tri-F,
i.e. if you need to know something to conduct an operation, odds are your foe
will have a counter part and you should be trying to discover it. For example
the Commander’s intent, explained in step # 2.
Information is to be gathered on current and potential foes to include
current allies. Take away the enemy’s recon and you are on the road to victory
i.e. denying foe the ability to know your preparations adds to your odds of
winning. Recon dose give ones intentions away, however knowledge cannot be
gained from ghost, spirits nor projected from heaven, it most be gathered from
a trusted man on the ground (a Marine). A sufficient amount of human
intelligence can determine what is real or true and what is not. This is far
more convincing than data from electronic sensors on satellites, aircraft or
other platforms, which may appear much more precise and tangible, but can be
misleading and fail to discern between real or diversionary data. Or for that
matter, information from spies that might be double or expendable i.e. dead
agents.
Five types of spies; Local from
the local area, i.e. area of operations. Internal
their people, i.e. member of the target organization. Turned aka Double agent
i.e. foes spies working for us. These are most important, seek them out make
great offers i.e. bribes. Do what you can to make them appear capable and
reliable to their own, for instance instruct and feed information to them. Dead spy aka Expendable, used to spread falls information to foe’s agents.
Or sacrificed to promote a double agent. Living
spy, are simply those that survive. No relationships are closer than those with
spies and no rewards are greater. Thus, espionage is expensive. Many females go
into intelligence work because they are bared from combat the traditional road
to promotion. Intelligence work, requires, attention to nuance, diligence,
perception, and good communication skills. These are just the traits females’
tent to have an edge over their male counterparts. In addition, there is no
premium on physical strength.
POWs and informants are a
copious source of human intelligence. People are difficult to deal with and
interpret, that is their intent or motivations. Cross checks on their
information is difficult to verify. Nothing parishes faster than information.
Lots of information is just contingency plans for possible operations. When
playing the great game you are exploiting the nature of the intelligence
analyst. All is not what is appears to be. It is quite easy to create an
illusion where none is intended. It is often not just a matter of different
analyst coming to different conclusions. Each intelligence organization
represent/have different interest/requirements. Another problem is differences
between cultures, interpreting information or events differently.
Example; U.S. vs. Russia, the
two cultures don’t think alike, it’s a classic (OCEANIC VS. CONTENINTAL) (NAVY
VS. ARMY) situation. Most analyst are never able to fully perceive the unique
mind set of their opposite. Scattered individuals do posses the abilities.
However in most nations especially totalitarian factions, group mentality and
party solidarity work against logical/correct interpretations. Highly advanced
and open societies publish lots of written information like manuals. However,
equipment is better to analyze. Russia is at a disadvantage here do to more
export sales.
The fallowing info is highlighted in pink do to the fact I’m
brain storming here, spiff-balling etc Also I was
realizing that on this copy I had used green i.e. for noting changes made in
this copy as compared to others, however some of the green could also have been
yellow highlighted too, do to the fact that it was not just a change but
unedited, but who cares right.
From the battlefield with unfolding situations information
could be categorized by Timeline to
include date the timeline is the most important factor/criteria, for processing
information through the chain of command. Situation next so receiver
knows how urgent, Command, Location.
Example; i.e. possibilities are; Situation 1)
Tactical, covered Command levels, Individual Marine, Fireteam, Squad, Platoon,
Company or Battalion. We’ll stick with A.O. i.e. area of operations to
represent the area your unit is responsible for. IMO the A.O. would be defined
by the unit’s ability (based on its Organic weapons or systems maximum ranges,
NOT any supportive means it can draw on) to monitor/observe/influence or attack
a given area. If you get silly I would say sending letters would be covered by
Division.
Note also
consider as we continue with the time, situation, command and location format
information would usually coincide. That is to say duplicates would be coming
in. I think the 911 systems have been dealing with that one. LOL. One
suggestion would be to choice a lead/main and just record others if low on
personal for instance. Tactical Timeline
covering twenty-four hours or less.
Situation 2) Operational, here
the units become the second in the chain of command if you well. They are your
immediate supervion and reserves. So units handle the procument, Storage and
analyeis i.e. turning info into intelligence for Command levels of Battalion,
Regiment or Division, depending on you organizations structure. Location level,
Theater covering Regions i.e. Middle East, South America or a particular Nation
and its surrounding Nations. Timeline covering twenty-four hours and one second
ago (LOL) and up to a mouth.
Situation 3) Strategic covering, procurement, Storage and analysis etc.
for Command levels Division, Corps or service Branch Headquarters. Location
level, covering Global information pertaining to locations anywhere on earth
that dose not originate in one of the other two location levels. This strategic
global level would also cover information about Near Space (12-62 miles of
altitude) or actual space assets. Thus the top Headquarters, would divide its
database into the three situation and various sub level levels. However the
Corp or Division (which ever is your highest) tactical and operational
databases would merely be backup copies. (See fallowing information
Headquarters task). Strategic Timeline, one mouth or more.
Furthermore your top level of command would truly be
more like an overall Strategy think tank. And investigate any alleged
discrepancies by lower command sepecially the individual Marine reports, i.e.
Cmdr using all leadership guidelines in reverse.
Headquarters’
task; headquarters monitors and maintains all primary
databases at tactical and operational levels thus supervising all units
databases and actions. Only the strategic database is a headquarters original
and for the Generals eyes-only, if you well.
Note
a database is not synonymous with ideal storage; it is the constant analytical
center. Today’s modern units operating under any so-called Network centric warfare or Sea
power 21 concepts would dictate that Headquarters become the webmaster.
This would not only involve analyzing large amounts of information in all
databases, but distributing it too. Analyzing data includes checking the
accuracy and looking for indications of patterns as well as combining related
information to maximize its usefulness, at a minimum. It is very important that
patterns noted in lower level databases be sent to Headquarters. Other priority
information to be sent (aka pushed) to Headquarters would be items like maps,
photos, diaries or flyers. Various personnel assigned to monitor lower level
databases yet physically located at Division or Corp Headquarters (which ever
is your highest) would conduct this analyzing and lower to higher “pushing”
i.e. downloading. Note only if modern computer networks where not available
would it be necessary for lower level command personnel located with the
various commands to conduct this function, by all means necessary i.e. radio,
couriers etc. However, with computer networks, ideally lower level units need
only to fight battles and feed information to their database, and then receive
Intelligence from Headquarters.
Note the difference between Information and Intelligence,
Information is the raw data, before it has been analyzed i.e. checked for
accuracy, patterns and combined with other data to maximize its usefulness and
thus converted into Intelligence.
Information possessing; all Commanders must constantly note what is known or
unknown i.e. tangible or intangible with people places and events. Incoming
information i.e. input, is
received at a database, analyzed then used within a unit or sent to other
databases. Out going information i.e. output,
has been sent (“pushed”) or shared. The distribution of intelligence and the
concept of “push” must have a clear definition. Push is not about higher
commands sharing all information with everyone, which leads to information
overload. Rather “push” is where someone who has relevant information shares it
with or (pushes) it to the proper unit so that information can be utilized i.e.
converted into intelligence or acted upon.
Term Actionable intelligence (IMO actionabull)
i.e. bullshit hope and hype term. Prioritizing
information; in this system time becomes the most important
categorizing or organizing factor. Hence, IMO all information would first be
analyzed to see if it applies to the tactical situation of all tactical
commands then operational and lastly strategic and so on.
Prioritizing criteria; possibilities are Time, clock and date the information was received. Context, is it stated in present or past
tense, is the information in the form of a question i.e. possible request or is
it a statement i.e. possible verification. Location,
area information originated from or referred to.
(Reference, Step # 2
Commander’s intent, Decision guidance.)
Note all this would require titles and keywords I have not put
any thought into yet.
Example
of prioritizing a message; fireteam requesting a
dust off for a Marine who has fallen ill. This information would go into the
system by means of data entry, radio transmission or maybe just a visual,
observed by Strategic command with real time UAV, near space, satellite imagery
or just a pair of binoculars viewing from the physical high ground. Recalling
the SOP of using couriers i.e. secure means to keep bad news or casualties’
secret. Keeping in mind IMO anytime a firefight starts medical evacuation
transport and equipment would be pre-positioned to perform quick reaction
extractions (lol) just like
air rescue teams.
Continuing with example, Strategic command would observe
this request in the fireteams computer database if data categorized as
Situation Tactical, Command level Tactical i.e. including I.D. of unit, Location level Tactical including grid
co-ordinance, Timeline tactical in twenty-four hour clock and date. Then
Strategic command would generate a request to the proper unit and level of
command. Most likely and lets just say a Regiment. Thus, the strategic commands
request would be categorized as Situation level Operational, Command level
Operational including I.D. of unit being hailed, Location level Operational
i.e. this is location of unit being hailed. Timeline Tactical i.e. related to
Fireteams initial request and until it is more than twenty-four hours old. The
Regiments reply would go to the fireteams database NOT to Strategic Commands.
Thus it is categorized as Situation, Command, Location Tactical i.e. location
of WIA. Timeline already explained. Thus Strategic and tactical unit making
original request both get confirmation at same tactical time.
Note handlers are always portrayed as males, but there
is the closer. Ha!
Is message from a mobile or stationary operator? Recon
or infantry. Logistics, engineer etc.
Categories of “intelligence
Items” 1) persons/organizations, 2) items, 3) After action reports/ Documents/ events,
infrastructure/terrain and weather. Note these items were all mentioned
separately in the MCA article I combined them.
Any
time the unit calls for support from guns or air etc this is a Theater
Radio procedures;
Always know your location or at least note some kind of F.O.R. before
going on the air. When you are on the fringes of communications, (such as in a
building or at the communications boundaries edge) look for a receiving
"hot spot" site and use it. Don't walk around talking while in a
communications fringe area. Repeaters have much more power than you’re
handheld. Even if you have a good signal from a repeater, it does not mean you
are good going into the repeater. Lesson to radio for a few seconds to make sure
no one else is communicating. Key mike for at least two seconds to ensure the
first part of your message is not cut off, talk across the microphone i.e. hold
the face of the microphone at a right angle to your face. Identify whom you are
calling by call sign. Then identify
yourself by saying “this is” fallowed by your call sign and “over”. Don’t
forget to unkey the mike. After contact has been made i.e. once you have been
acknowledged by the unit you are calling you may omit “this is” and give your
message. Never say numbers in combinations, transmit number sequences as a
series of individual numbers. Spell out proper names using the phonetic
alphabet. If your message is a question, deduction, WAG, or hearsay, identify
it as such. Just like separating facts from opinions in written messages with a
line. Many people with radios have a tendency to talk and/or repeat too much.
Say what you need to say without unnecessary repeats. Keep in mind that you
must strive to get your message through the first time. Speak slowly; pausing
after logical phrases, especially important if the message needs to be written
down. Speak, distinctly, clearly; and do not let your voice trail off at the
end of words or sentences. Give each and every word equal force.
Do not use the word
"break" when you pause. It is confusing, wastes time and has other
connotations i.e. Brake is used if some emergency requires you to stop giving
the radio your undivided attention. You end each transmission with “over” or
“clear”. If the other station has questions, they should key up and make their
request known. This also permits others with emergency traffic to break in.
When you are completely through you end with “this is (call sign) over and
out”.
If you did not understand any
part of a message reply with “say again”.
When you have understood the
message, acknowledge the receipt with the word "roger". The word
"copy" is used to ask if someone is ready to copy your message. If
you must write notes acknowledge that you received the message with copy or
acknowledge fallowed with “stand by”. In 1957 "roger" was replaced by "romeo," the current
designation, but by then "roger" = "received" was so
entrenched that the brass knew better than to try and change it.
Intelligence preparation of the battle
field, I.P.B., Area studies, Net assessments:
Comparing of intelligence on
two nations/groups to answer questions concerning mission and most likely
victor. Receptiveness; determining if
a particular group will respond favorably to a particular psyops task. Actual
and possible behavior of group, before during and after ops. Vulnerabilities; possible reprisals for
cooperation. Weaknesses of any kind that a competitor could exploit to reduce
support or security of an Allie. Daily
activities; routines when they sleep, (people on the street (P.O.S.) sleep during the day to
avoid bugs, rats and snakes that come out at night) get up, what and
when they eat, where and how they get there food and water. P.O.S. do grocery store dining i.e.
left a few eggs from carton. As well as taking advantage of all free samples i.e. promotional give a
ways. Location of items connected with various aspects of life and
ceremonies. Pay attention to not only obvious but subtle ways group
demonstrates views, gestures, accepted ways of meeting. Who is lessoned too
most often and under what conditions and circumstances, especially emergencies.
Note out side help the particular needs, views of friends’, values, judging one
another, accepted extremes. Diversity within groups is not uncommon. Separated
segments living in isolation can be of radically different compositions
biological, sociological customs, conflicting histories, religion, political
and materiel needs.
The Qawm [tribe], not Afghanistan,
is the basic unit of social community and, outside the family, the most
important focus on individual loyalty.
History Irish the brits didn’t
understand 60k of us had given our life’s at Somme. Irish guerrilla units.
Provies, stickies, taigs, prods and brits: the INLA, UDA, UVF, UFF; SDLP,
Unionists, loyalists and peace people: orange orders, black orders and UDR men
who murdered Catholics: and protestants who called themselves Irish. It was too
much for me all I saw here was a confusing mass of tribes and clans.
Criminals, trust is established
on the bases of personal history, experiences, criminal acts/M.O., customs,
foods, up bringing, neighborhoods and prisons, ethnicity, shared friends, forms
of entertainment, recreation, dress habits, languages. Italian is as much a
language of gestures and facial expressions.
Groups should not be judged
by your values. But based on groups social values and experiences, history.
People posses’ attitudes because they meet current or past needs. Races that
live in tropics and in country of jungle/brush are timid as compared to men who
live in Mountains, and nomadic wonders of desert or Islanders. Often previously
written reports are to general in nature or bias to be of any use. Talk
directly to others who have been there. Evaluation of discussions made to
discover errors. Conclusions made by you previously will be treated as
tentative in nature. When asking questions, any suggestion of correct answers
will be avoided. People tend to give answers they think you won’t to here. With
these things in mind a revaluation can be made. Company commanders spending
lots of time at city council meetings.
SP the data mining was initially
used to figure out who the bomb making crews were, and where they operated
from. Then, using math techniques first developed during WWII, the intel geeks
began creating predictions about where IEDs were most likely to show up next.
These predictive models get better as the quality of the information going into
them improves i.e. as history
record improves terrorists captured and interrogated.
“The real problem in
gathering info as we shop (local markets) etc is the language barrier, each of
my men has a pack of flash cards with basic phrases in English and Arabic, the
Arabic spelled phonetically and also in script. If he can't say it right, he
can point." Some troops purchased computerized translation systems like
(Phrase-later). The PDA sized unit allows the user to speak into it, and in a few seconds, what was said
comes out in Arabic or any other language the Phrase-later is programmed for.
U.S. offered the large Arabic speaking population in the State of Ohio
special one tour enlistment packages, with big bonuses. It didn't matter how
old they were, there was no PFT, all they wanted was translators who they knew
would be loyal to us. "Finally, I've told the locals that anyone who works
for us will be eligible for a Green Card. SP 10/10/08 but the danger is great.
From 2005-7, when two out of every thousand American soldiers serving in Iraq
were killed, some 30 out of every thousand translators died. In June, 2006, ten
interpreters were killed in Afghanistan.
SP the oldest biometric is your appearance, which is pretty
unique. Next came fingerprints, which were first recognized as a biometric
indicator four centuries ago, but did not become a feature of police work until
150 years ago. That was followed by blood types and a whole bunch of stuff you
could only do with dead bodies. New forms of evidence are using unique
behaviors of people to identify them. The first one of these to get heavy use
was typing patterns. First discovered in the 19th century, when telegraph
operators found they could recognize each other by the pattern each used when
tapping the telegraph key. This was called an operators "chop", and
now applies to keyboards, software is
used to recognize individuals.
Cheaper and higher resolution
digital cameras made possible new biometric identifiers, like gait analysis (we
each walk with a distinctive gait). Used as a surveillance tool i.e. allowing UAVs to spot elusive terrorists.
Of course you can deceive behavioral biometrics, but it isn't easy, and you're
never sure that your change up has fooled the software.
Pattern recognition software,
it might be used not only for color, but size, shape, texture, and movement, thus
I.D. items.
(Reference, PCP, rule # 8)
“Besides the pictures, iris and fingerprints, what other information
is tied to this biometric?” LT. COL. VELLIQUETTE: “well, when you take the
person's biometrics, you have them bring in their jensea (ph) card, which is
the Iraqi national identification card. Essentially we're assigning
fingerprints to this person's identity. So all that information off the jensea
card (ph) his name, address, other personal biographical information, his
height, weight, hair color all the travel names, father's name, mother's name
is all entered into the database. And the database is both in English and
Arabic.
Equip every patrol
with a camera. If the patrol is fired on, it attempts to get a picture of those
doing the firing. Then, a "contract" is put out on those who can be
identified. Sponsor a local T.V. program
where POWs who have killed civilians are interrogated by the local police. This
has been highly effective in Iraq. IMO; But don’t show it on CNN.
Distinguish between
POWs on the basis of motivation, tribe, religion or some other basis that local
people will recognize. Then, treat some as “honored guests” and send them home,
while continuing to detain others. This can cause suspicions and divisions
among our opponents. "One time, we planted someone to get kidnapped. A
Nighthunter disguised as an NGO worker. We had implanted a tracking device in
his body. During his captivity we learned a lot about our enemies. It was easy
to rescue him knowing exactly where he was."
(Reference, COE, rule #
17)
Blue color workers use to gather information. IMO Guerrillas do not kill
temporary workers like CNN portrays. Relatives kidnapped to make them cooperate, provide support i.e. relatives living overseas are
used as fund raisers or their family members in the old country are killed.
In Ireland against the I.R.A.
operatives gathered information with a laundry service, worked two ways, first
by chatting to the housewives who provided the mounds of soiled clothes and
second by allowing for forensic examination. Also laundry mats, using sensors
in ducking to detect traces of explosives or collect other DNA evidence. RFIDs,
real Id ACT. Money at ATM serial numbers recorded, then at point of being spent
i.e. at stores too by recording of the stores, bank deposits, if nothing else.
Reported by weekly standard 1/30/09
concerning victims of US UAV missile strikes in FATA. U.S. Army issued payments
to the families of those killed, including the Taliban commander. The
Associated Press reports: On the back of an Afghan army truck, U.S. officials
paid $40,000 in Afghan currency to representatives of the 15 people killed —
$2,500 for each death plus $500 for two wounded men and $1,500 for village
repairs. Lt. Col. Steven Weir, a military lawyer who helped oversee the
payments, said the payments were not an admission by the U.S. that innocents
were killed. "It's a condolence payment," he said. "The
villagers said none of them were in the Taliban, just peaceful individuals from
the village. So by this payment they will understand it's not our goal to kill
innocent people. This may help them understand we're here to build a safer and
more secure Afghanistan." When asked if the U.S. was paying money to
relatives of people that the U.S. had wanted to kill or capture, Weir said:
"If we did accidentally shoot someone, we want to make that right, and if
we have to pay money to someone who didn't deserve it ... it's kind of like
it's better to let nine guilty people go free than to jail one innocent
person."
But didn't the Taliban
commander "deserve it"? It's just this kind of fuzzy logic that gets
U.S. troops killed. The money given to the Taliban commander's family will be
funneled back into the Taliban coffers--in fact, the odds are good the Taliban
will move back into the town and collect all of the money disbursed.
Statement by Michael
Asher an SAS member, living with a
nomadic tribe in the Sahara. This tribe valued nothing so much as courage and
endurance they were a stern rugged people who had survived for centuries where
survival was only just possible. These nomads lived by a code as strict as
anything I had known in the SAS. A man must defend his traveling companions
until death. He must offer hospitality to complete strangers and guard them
with his life while they dwelt in his tent. He must share every last drop of
water and every last piece of food. He must take upon himself the sacred duty
of revenge especially for an affront to the honor of his tribe. These people
had no outlets for their violence as we had had in the army. I realized there were
no fist-fights to determine pecking order, no milling. Fist fights are after
all a kind of game played to a set of conventions. These nomads did not know
how to make a fist; they carried daggers and were not slow to use them. Every
fight was a fight to the death. To them, war was a limited affair, a skirmish
in which one or two people were killed and honor was satisfied, in a fight to
defend your life, wife, land or livestock. These were things a man could fight
for. I thought there was no shame in being a warrior, it had been and honorable
profession since the dawn of time. However our society had become so huge and
complex that you were fighting not for things that really mattered but for
abstract concepts or merely a police action. It was then that I learned my
final lesson, fight, but do not fight another man’s war. These nomads
had few of the illusions of so called civilization. They did not as Carl Gustav
Jung said, “believe in the welfare state, in universal peace, in the equality
of man, in his eternal human rights, in justice, truth or the kingdom of god on
earth”. There struggle for existence over the millennia had taught them the sad
truth. Mans life, is a complex of inexorable (relentless) opposites day and
night, birth and death, happiness and misery, good and evil. They are not sure,
even that one will prevail against the other, or that good will avenge evil or
joy defeat pain. Life is a battle ground. It always has been and it always well
be. If it were not so, existence would come to and end. The ability of people
to dehumanize anyone outside their own tribe is the sole cause of war. It is
also paradoxically the reason for human survival. The world exists in harmony,
but everywhere nature is in conflict tooth and claw. Conflict is what gives nature
its structure. Adversity like love, makes you a person, it defines you and
gives you an identity. Identity not food or land is what the fighting is really
about. The enemy is what makes you yourself. Without the enemy you are nothing.
Churchill on the FATA
tribesmen; They, when they fight
among themselves, bear little malice, and the combatants not infrequently make
friends over the corpses of their comrades or suspend operations for a festival
or a horse race. At the end of the contest cordial relations are at once
re-established. And yet so full of contradictions is their character, that all
this is without prejudice to what has been written of their family vendettas
and private blood feuds. Their system of ethics, which regards treachery and violence
as virtues rather than vices, has produced a code of honor so strange and
inconsistent, that it is incomprehensible to a logical mind. I have been told
that if a white man could grasp it fully, and were to understand their mental
impulses -- if he knew, when it was their honor to stand by him, and when it
was their honor to betray him; when they were bound to protect and when to kill
him--he might, by judging his times and opportunities, pass safely from one end
of the mountains to the other. But a civilized European is as little able to
accomplish this, as to appreciate the feelings of those strange creatures,
which, when a drop of water is examined under a microscope, are revealed
amiably gobbling each other up, and being themselves complacently devoured.
Types of campaigns; Demonstrative:
Tactics, hunger strikes, boycotts, hostage taking, warnings announced in
advance of attacks, avoids undermining sympathy. Lots of property damage. Many
people watching, not dieing. It is as much political theater as violent. Goals
include gaining publicity for recruitment, attention to grievances, gain
support from sympathizers on the other side, 3rd parties. Examples
of groups using this method. Orange volunteers of N. Ireland, National
liberation army of (Colombia) Red brigades of (Italy). Destructive: AKA Robin Hood. Tactics, Selective killings, balance
between fear and sympathy. Ex; killing only the rich or certain group. May
under take Suicidal missions for vital reason. Suicide missions vs. suicide
attack. Suicide mission, attempted even though the odds are greatly against
success. Plan also includes some attempt to survive and or escape. Suicide Campaigns: aka the art of
martyrdom. Tactics, all out, no concern for saving sympathy. Pros: suggest no
threat can deter. Suicide attacker deliberately orchestrates the circumstances
around death to further increase expectations of future attacks. Can also make
last minute adjustments, one attacker allowed himself to be run over to place
bomb in the correct location. No escape plan or rescue necessary. Secondary
task Ex; information gathering immediately before attack. SP Most of them have
come from the Meshud tribe in Waziristan. Here, a small group of Meshud
tribesmen have been recruiting suicide bombers. The Meshudi terrorists claim
they can take a volunteer and train and equip them for a suicide bomb attack in
six hours. This follows the pattern in Iraq, were a few terrorist cells
produced most of the suicide bombers.
Recruitment of Assets, with suicide bombers Head hunters look for those sympathetic to group’s cause, loners
who have little future. Uneducated little chance of mirage, people who are not
good looking, homosexuals, out case, minimum family ties. Families can be large
or small, poor or rich. Especially those who have lost love ones. People living
away from home. Passive outlook, sights air of resignation, quietness lack of
interest, communication or appetite. With people in general first work on weak
then those less frequently aroused more stable. Use verity of approaches, lines
of persuasion. Consequently there’s a better chance of hitting on common
ground. Always carry cigarettes and lighter. Ideas of others must be respected
stress accord and a sincere approval of ones values. Avoid dogmatisms and minor
disagreements, people like to win, keep larger picture in mind. Gain report by
showing interest in there tools and skills. You might comment on how hard they
work. What a difficult job it was. People hear and incorporate only what they
understand. Never promise them anything unless you can deliver. Person is
isolated and alienated then just as they can't take it anymore, the
planned/chance meeting in public. Every thing said at first meeting/appearance
has to be provable or true. You could, use the old confession in second meeting
“I was not sure about you, so I lied, you understand” Etc. The pitch a slow methodical mine game. High ranking respected
member embraces recruit in public. Make them feel important needed, recruit
told of his /her talents virtues that pertain to mission/group, such as loyalty
to the group, not individual thoughts. To control others you must firsts ID
what they see as reward, then control reward based on performance. To ID reward
consider all possibilities, especially those they may not be aware of. Greed,
punishment, intimidation, peace, health, acceptance, approval, companionship,
fulfillment, love, physical power, praise, morality, righteousness- (appealing
to there sense of right and wrong), spiritual, sexuality, income. Watchers do back ground cheeks, looking
for leads to other groups. Recruits first used as support so more can be
learned about them there family and past. Suspicious activity sleepy, overly
observant/nosy, regularly injured. Black men do not stand out as being resent
arrival from north or south. When there is a spy suspected within camp, have
Marines retire to tents. Spies well have nowhere to go. The buddy system to
prevent spy within units, Marines are teamed up. They are always together.
Allow Marines to pick first partner, spies may team up. Then commander chooses
alternates. Final recruitment step, person is placed on short list. Sleepers AKA pathfinders if they act as support for other units. Sleepers cannot
be left alone indefinitely. However long term relationships with Handlers, to reaffirm reliability are
difficult to maintain with out arousing rival suspicions.
Motives; coercion two choices, punishment or denial. Altruistic - Have a sense of duty for
majority. Appeal for public approval. Often a public act. EX; Jihadist. Egoistic – Mostly by individuals. 15/20%
leave notes usually for family, 80% male, 60% suffer from depression, have been
recently hospitalized, 30% severe physical terminal illness, 25% alcoholics or
drug users. Confronts issues alone, usually a private act. Psychological trauma
leads to isolation from society. Seen as typical crazies, ordinary case public
disapproves. Fatalistic – Doomsday
beliefs often have been brainwashed. Members of a strictly controlled group or
organization. Suicide pacts, timing often coincides with and imminent threat of
intrusion by outsiders. Public misunderstands. Ex; cults, mostly if not all
are Christians. Characterized by bizarre and eccentric practices. Marked as
members, tattoos or even castration. Vows of silence. Polygamy, public
confessions, communal punishment. The structure of Heaven's Gate resembled that
of a Medieval Monastic order. Group members gave up their material possessions
and lived a highly ascetic life devoid of any indulgences. Everything was
shared communally. Six of the male members of the cult voluntarily underwent
castration as an extreme means of maintaining the ascetic lifestyle. Heavens gate. Leader Marshall Applewhite
and Bonnie Nettles. Located in a house on a ranch in Sante Fe near San Diego.
Suicide act on March 26 1997. Deaths #39. Other examples, Jim Jones people’s temple. In Jonestown Guyana. Leader Jim Jones.
Group drank cyanide laced Kool-Aid. On Nov. 18 1978 Deaths # 900. Branch Davidians. At Waco Texas. Leader
David Koresh. Burned to death, on April 19 1993, Deaths # 76. The
order of the solar temple. At locations in Switzerland and Quebec. On Oct.
1994, Dec. 1995, and March? 1997. Death total #74. Movement for the restoration for the ten commandments of god, A
Ugandan doomsday cult. Sang hymns, doused themselves with gas, and set
themselves on fire. On March 18, 2000. Deaths # 230.
Study by Shin bet the Israeli version of the FBI; male suicide bombers
tend to be introverts, the women less so. The women are older and better
educated than their male counterparts. Out of 67 women recruited for suicide
attacks from 2002 to 2005, 33% were college graduates and an additional 39% had
finished high school. Males are usually in their late teens to early twenties
with little education. Israeli intelligence believes women receive far less
training and preparation for their suicide missions than do men. Why do they do
it? Some are motivated by the promise of paradise. Other motives are revenge,
and to restore family honor. Many women point to private tragedy or shame.
Recruiters, who approach them on campus or through internet chat rooms, well
make romantic advances that the women fall for. Some see it as preferable to an
arranged marriage. Some because fathers refused to let them marry boyfriends.
Sumya first martyr (female or city?)
In some cases, organizations have paid rewards of $11,000 to the
Pakistani and Afghan families of suicide bombers, many of whom are cancer
patients or heroin addicts, according to U.S. military communications
intercepts.
During 2000–2004, there were
472 suicide attacks in 22 countries, killing more than 7,000 and wounding tens
of thousands. 80 % of suicide attacks since (1968? 1998?) occurred after the September 11 attacks, with jihadis
representing 31 of the 35 responsible groups. More suicide attacks occurred in
2004 than in any previous year, and 2005 has proven even more deadly, with
attacks in Iraq alone averaging more than one per day. Suicide attacks
annualized by decade; 1981-1991 5 attacks, 1991-2000 15 attacks, 2001-2005 180
attacks. Suicide attacks world wide 2001- 2005; 2001 (81), 2002 (91), 2003
(99), 2004 (163) 2005 (460). Also 301 of the 315 attacks prior to 9/11 shown to
be part of campaigns for large organizations. Most important is community
support for martyrs. Democracies are more vulnerable. Definition of a
Democracy, leader and legislature must be elected, there most be more than one
party. With at lease one peaceful transfer of power. Ex: US, France, India,
Israel, CIS, Sri Lanka, Turkey. They are seen as weak compared to a
dictatorship. The Kurdish PKK fighting with Turkey and Iraq is a good example
of only Democracies being targeted. The PKK used suicide attacks with Turkey
but not Iraq when it was under Saddam. Nine conflicts where suicide attacks
were used. When U.S., France and Israel in Lebanon, Israel in west bank and
Gaza too. Tamil Tigers fighting in Sir Lanka. Kurds fighting Turkey, CIS in
Chechnya, India in Kashmir and Punjab. Nations US maintains combat troops
in, and assures there safety. S.A., Qatar, Oman, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Turkey,
Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Jordan and Yemen. It is not clear if U.S. would defend
Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan no combat troops.
(Reference, Def. rule # 3,
“IEDs share a common set of components” # 4 containers part C) suicide
bomers)
Psychological Operations:
With psychological operations the exact out come is
always unpredictable. You can manipulate ones mind like a puppet on a day to
day bases. However in the end the ultimate reaction is unpredictable.
“Ultimately it dose not mater in the lease what one thinks, only what line of
action taken that effects the situation”. Therefore, I believe psyops should
only be used in a defensive mode. These notes are merely to make one aware of
the tactics used by others. A good rule of thumb is: once is happen chance, twice coincidence,
three times is enemy activity. It is the nature of war that what is beneficial
to you is detrimental to the enemy and what is of service to them hurts you.
There for never do or omit doing anything as a consequence to others actions,
consult your own interest only. You depart from this interest when ever you
imitate such measures as he pursues for his benefit.
Basically psyops are
concerned with persuading individuals or a group to act favorable to ones
interest. Aikido a Japanese martial
art that emphasizes centering and blending. You will learn control fallows
awareness of self or others. First understand than be under stood, knowing what
is in the back of your enemies mind is not always possible, but leaving them no
doubt what’s in the back of your mind is. Be aware of your own preconceptions
so that they are not exploited. Deception is created by manipulating
perceptions. First I.D. bias or crate one. It’s easier to reinforce a
perception than to change one. If you know what’s expected or bitter yet hoped
for, your deception will be on firm ground. Best to concentrate on ones
capabilities not goals. Note: I interpret this last statement as communicating
to opponent that it is futile to resist. And then there’s what Nixon said about
goals – “one who reveals his intentions can never accomplish his goals”.
Propaganda
any form of communication designed to influence attitudes, behaviors, emotions
or opinions. Message is the meaning sender seeks to pass on. Means of
communication, consider all forms of printed martial, flyers, business cards,
posters, billboards. Target must be literate. Motion pictures, with natives’
photo may not translate well. Modern communications, Radio and TV. have no
effect if infrastructure and equipment does not exist.
Joke; best weapon the CIA had against the KGB was the VCR.
Use rallies, entertainment centers, stage productions, puppets, drawings in the
ground, scaled models. Gifts know present and historical meaning of items.
Symbols selection based on target analysis in terms of targets view of reality
rather than what propagandist views as reality. The target audience interprets
message based on previous experiences and learned responses. Therefore it is
necessary to understand these experiences. Literal reception is no guarantee of
its effect at terminus i.e. it must compete for attention with other events.
Each message created with a distinctive purpose in mind. Dialogue terms always
towards objective. Repeats themes play to emotions. Language not only
dictionary meaning but maze of emotions which it arouses. Message must be
believable have some real bases. White
propaganda information disseminated in a way that I.D.s the source. Card stacking storing of true facts in
your favor. Gray propaganda
public information disseminated in way that dose not specifically I.D. source.
Inserting distorted facts in presumably unbiased foreign or 3rd
party publications. Bandwagon fallow
and use audiences’ line of reason. Being reasonable, Plain folks; I like you! Were alike! Know it all advisors have
little influence with foreign advisors who frequently are senior and in
practical terms have more experience. It takes great tack and persuasive skill
for example to change the minds of entrenched auto crafts at any echelon when
it comes to political, social, economical or military reforms, that might
weaken personal positions or careers. Glittering
generalities, big words, esoteric language, lots of Acronyms. No examining
arguments. Complexity taking others
word for facts, self confidence trusting yourself out of pure adrenalin. “My
mine is made up don’t confuse me with the facts”. Name calling apply labels to the target tailored to fit audience
example- devil/demon if addressing religious group. Mirror image projecting image of what enemy is saying about you on
them. Note, can you ever say anything about someone with out saying more about
yourself? Bigger the leak, less information believed. Elusion that person has
discovered information by his own hard work or by accident. Black propaganda Facilitates
plausible denial. It is disinformation deliberately designed to deceive
audience and that conceals I.D. of sources, sponsors and participant’s or I.D.s
false ones. Transfer association
Target is convinced another respected group, organization or individual agrees
with action, idea. Also others within group. Bogus accounts frequently gain
credibility through repetitive reception. Making announcement that arrest made
with help form informant when it was not. Use whispering campaign indirect
approach. Person to person grape vine. Also CIS cheaper to bribe judge than
university deans. Forbidden means expensive. Most corrupt systems in order,
police 40 %, Judicial 15%, ministry and polities’ civil serves 20%, Banking 7%.
Types of personalities;
Note the first six personality characteristic types
are listed in order that IMO they might evolve in anyone who is not aware of
their own paradigm.
First possible series;
Characteristics of co-dependency; typically from homes
where emotional needs where not met. Terrified of abandonment and will do
anything to keep relationship. Nothing to expensive time consuming or too much
trouble for our partner. Become caretakers confuse pity with love tend to love
those they can pity or rescue try to change emotionally unfavorable people into
warm caring ones. Live from point of view of a victim and are attracted by that
weakness in others. Also are approval seekers, get guilty feelings when you
stand up for yourself. Take far more than 50% of the blame when something goes
wrong. Judge your self harshly have low self esteem. Believe you must earn the
right to enjoy life. (Drama Queen) become addicted to excitement and emotional
pain. Excitement of unstable relationship may counter a tendency towards
depression. This also shifts attention from you. More aware of the dream of how
relationship might be than reality. Lost ability to show emotions and feelings
reactors rather than actors. Solution; love yourself accept process of
change i.e. growth. Don’t try to change others. Be aware of your attitudes and
feelings about each aspect of your life. Learn to be open and trust appropriate
people. With relationships ask yourself dose this person enable me to grow. Let
go of destructive ones without feeling bad. Rely on friends and strengths value
your serenity. Be proactive/actor not reactor.
Rescuers;
give help when not asked. Neglect to find out if offer is welcomed, gives more
help than ask for or needed. Omit ignore feedback. Don’t check results. Feel
good when accepted and very dad when turned down. Do most of talking or work
often exceeds goals. Hard for you to take time for yourself. Supplies words for
others when they hesitate, interrupts a lot. Makes excuses for other people.
Feel others are not grateful enough or can’t get along with out you. Assume you
have others consent. To control one most protect or enhance their self-esteem.
What’s in it for me! Prefer to talk about their self. What’s important to them.
Wait to talk don’t lesson. Solution; become helper, lesson for request
then present offer, give only what is needed. Check results periodically to see
if functioning i.e. solving problems meeting goals using suggestions
successfully.
Placater;
words agrees placates example; whatever just here to help you and others,
always pleasant actions and words. Apologizes for every thing. You owe everyone
something. You take responsibility for everything mostly negative events. Aggress
with any criticism with out reasoning. Would not think of asking for something
for yourself. Feel you well get things if you deserve them. Problem; I
don’t exist. Solution; focus on pleasing yourself. Don’t except
criticism readily, don’t feel responsible for everything.
Second possible series;
Computer;
problem feeling of being vulnerable and weak wants to think away things. Words
ultra reasonable example; if you would only look carefully. Always calm cool
collective. Does not show feelings. We hide our feelings, judge those that
don’t. A dictionary, words dry (abstract) always try to use largest words even
when not sure of exact meanings. Goes into lots of details. Must be in charge
and control relationships. Body moves very little. Deceptive masking; stiff
upper lip, no showing weakness, you close off help. Solution; be okay
with showing emotions, let people get close to you, let others share thoughts
and ideas on matters. Be a Team player.
Blamers;
words disagrees blames, “you never do anything right, what is wrong with you”. “I
am boss around here”. “If it weren’t for you everything would be okay”. Problem
lonely unsuccessful, you are a fault finder, dictator, acts superior, starts
statements with never or why don’t. Does not entertain answers. More interested
in throwing weight around than finding out the real truth. Feel others must
obey, if you are to feel good. Solution; putting others down only pumps
you up for a minute. Use sincere praise and complements, respect and curtsey.
There is a difference between Blame and being accountable as in responsible; to
deserve blame, you must of intended actions to equal consequences. Accountable
i.e. responsibility simply means you are in control, accountable or responsible
doesn’t imply intent or recklessness. It says only that you did or allowed to
be done. What led to the out come. Example; ruff housing you break chair this
equals recklessness, responsible for damage, can be blamed. Set on and break a
chair equals responsible for damage but you can’t be blamed. However you are
still responsible. This example according to author dose not apply to children,
or rape victims.
Distracters; words irrelevant purpose is to distract your off
somewhere else your actions and words are not related and or to others actions
and words. Don’t respond to the point. No focus, don’t know where you’re going
or have been nor when you get there. Feels lonely there’s no place for you,
breakneck speed very important. I’ve made up my mind don’t confuse me with the
facts. Not always right but never in doubt. Solution; slow down focus on
objective. Face real feelings, build self-esteem. Consider the dangers of
denial, you fail to see what is, or as you are resisting you fail to test
hypotheses. Subsequently things that are otherwise sound and logical can lead
to wrong conclusions. Can lead to paralysis.
More types of
personalities;
Masochist;
often abused as kids.
Narcissism;
i.e. excessive love or admiration of oneself. Usually associated with infantile
behavior and regarded as abnormally regressive in adults, it is the literal
complement of egoism. Define milquetoasts timid man or boy considered childish
or unassertive.
The poser similar to placater,
act superficial and act like stupidity were a virtue. Use phony self criticisms
to elicit compliments, devoid of intimacy people eater goal to control everyone
and thing. Manage your life. Well tell you what you think and feel. Are users,
appetite for audience. Ultimately frustrated and loneliness.
The porcupine similar to Blamers, seem to have chip on shoulder, they
expect to be offended. Determined to find faults. Quick to personalize statements.
Drama queen similar
to distracters, nothing ordinary sicknesses are worst the doctor has seen.
Repeat themes, every commit is the sweetest or rudest they ever hard. They
can’t be taken seriously. Lots of smiles and nods.
Term histrionics; Intelligent but impractical, bore people, are colorless absence of
bonding. Gossiper always looking over there shoulder. Whispering. Anxious
urgent, go from one imagined crisis to another.
Guilt monster tactic, use
guilt as a weapon. Used to get what they want. To keep others down.
Greetings with strangers are
superficial polite exchanges. People mostly fear- rejection. Mostly need
acceptance.
Reciprocity get what you
give. Treat others as you wish to be treated. However never miss a good chance
to shut up.
People from large families
may have learned to get along with other people more. Concentrate on motivating
and helping others. Find the best in everybody, some times it takes years for
individuals to show you there good points. What do they value; ethics, money,
beliefs about life, positions, philosophies. Need to hear to think your okay.
Wants. Out look relevant.
Are you a Teger/motivated or
a Eeyore/down and out. Existing, preservation, no regard for quality. When
choosing thoughts physiological reactions occur in unison i.e. determines your
energy type and level i.e. negative producing more negative. The internal
monologue is the most active and consistent dialogue we have. Most important
daily choices are your attitude, personality, style. Choices have results that
accumulate two define your experiences. When you choose behavior you chose
consequences. Why people do and don’t do things, you do things because at some
level it works, at some level the unwonted behavior serves a purpose.
Beliefs must be questioned.
Recognize the competing agendas. Try to ID and see blind spots. North star
positive monologue. You can’t change what you don’t acknowledge. You can start
behaving in positive ways to have what you wont and or stop behaving in ways
that interfere. Example; over eating. If you lie to yourself problems can’t be
identified, two common ways of repression misrepresent or omission of what we
don’t want to face, feel we can’t handle.
Selective amnesia anti trauma,
can protect conscious values and beliefs, however this can leave a hole in
reality. You did what you knew how to do and when you knew better you did
better. Change is scary must adjust to delayed verses immediate pay off. Great
payoff verses little. Example jogging or lie in bed.
Pray to god but row for the shore.
Curriculum based on the holistic model, defined as the optimal
performance of all human aspects i.e. mind, body, and spirit.
Define calligraphy.
Writing name on leg for ID less likely to get smudged.
Life laws/rules of game.
(Reference; COE rule #
17.)
STEP #
2 Commander’s intent:
Statement about the situation using general information given as a
I.S.A.L.U.T.E, R. W. P. report (i.e. format for briefing). Most importantly the
commander defines objectives and how far to go to achieve them. Also time
limits if any. Leaders should know commander’s intent two levels above his own,
to better evaluate his own decisions. Commander’s Objectives are divided into
Short term and Long term. Ex. mission may be a precise, detailed order of the
day or a continuing command responsibility. Leaders should keep a log. George C. Marshall - any order that can
be misunderstood will be. They must be clearly and candidly presented with
neither equivocation nor ambiguity. Comprehensive, yet not involved. It must
appear clear when read in poor light, in the mud and rain.
Source MCG June 2009,
campaign’s goal must be measurable, easy to understand, and achievable within
the nation’s or the coalition’s resource constraints. Once the campaign goal is defined, military must
devote considerable intellectual rigor defining and understanding the problem,
the enemy, his COGs, and their corresponding vulnerabilities. Only then can they develop a
campaign plan that achieves the assigned campaign goals.
Prior to patrols give individuals the choice of setting it out.
(Reference, Decision
Guidance, part D, below)
MCA
Gazette June 2009; Code of a Naval Officer written by John Paul Jones
in the late 1700s. However hard it may be for Marines to turn to a naval
officer for leadership advice it would be worse to ignore the timeless advice
of this great American leader and hero. Midshipmen at the Naval Academy revere
him and consider John Paul Jones both a Revolutionary War hero and father of
the U.S. Navy. A tenacious and tireless leader, his maxims on leadership are
just as relevant to Marine leaders today as they were to sailors during the
days of sail-powered wooden ships. An expository study of John Paul Jones’ Code
of a Naval Officer can assist greatly in the development of young leaders,
serve as a sounding board for experienced leaders, and may just reveal the true
essence of leadership for all leaders—from yesterday, today, and to tomorrow.
It is, by no means, enough that
an officer of the Navy should be a capable mariner. He must be that, of course,
but also a great deal more. He should be, as well, a gentleman of liberal
education, refined manner, punctilious courtesy, and the nicest sense of
personal honor. . . . He should be the soul of tact, patience, justice,
firmness, and charity. The Marine Corps invests significant time training young
leaders in the tactics, techniques, and procedures related to their particular
specialty. This preparation is critical because leaders must have a full and
complete understanding of their duties. (NCO), must act like a leader in all
aspects of life. Honor. Courtesy. Tact. Patience. Firmness. These are to be the
hallmarks of a leader’s disposition. How many times has the public, much less
the Marine Corps, witnessed leaders who display the opposite of these
qualities? How often do leaders, unseen by the public eye, fail to display
these qualities? The newspapers and 24-hour news channels are replete with
stories of NCOs and officers involved in unethical and inappropriate behavior.
This conduct is unsatisfactory and has led to the near complete erosion of the
“special trust and confidence” once afforded to young leaders.
He should not only be able to
express himself clearly and with force in his own language both with tongue and
pen, but he should be versed in French and Spanish. It seems strange that the
ability to communicate should be so difficult in this age of information. An
unfortunate byproduct of e-mail, text chat, and the Internet is the inability
of many leaders to effectively communicate with their peers and Marines in
their charge. The ability to speak in front of an audience with confidence and
to write clear and logical thoughts is essential for a leader.
Today’s leaders require a
liberal knowledge of the cultures and nuances of the countries and regions
vital to America’s national security. This knowledge can include proficiency in
a foreign language, but is not limited to becoming bilingual. Cultural
understanding includes language, economics, societal customs, religion,
geography and, most of all, history. Only by understanding the many aspects of
foreign societies can leaders expect to operate successfully in the current and
future battlefields of the long war where the populace is seen more and more as
the center of gravity.
No meritorious act of a
subordinate should escape his attention or be left to pass without its reward,
if even the reward be only one word of approval. In this modern world of
entitlements and handouts, military personnel in all of the Services are
beginning to feel that they are owed, or “rate,” an end of tour award for
successfully completing a tour, regardless of their actual accomplishments or
impact on mission success. This current trend causes the relative value of
personal awards to plummet lower and lower until one’s medals have no real
meaning at all.
“Discipline
in private” “Praise publicly” as
an incentive to others. Marines desire to be relevant, and public recognition
in the presence of their peers meets that need. A leader who spends enough time
in the presence of his Marines will be able to identify meritorious acts and
duly recognize them swiftly and in proportion to the act performed—not inflated
or deflated. According to this guidance no one rates anything, and all recognition
is to be earned and rewarded commensurately.
Learn
Discernment; Conversely, he should not be blind to a single fault in
any subordinate, though at the same time he should be quick and failing to
distinguish error from malice, thoughtlessness from incompetence, and
well-meant shortcoming from heedless or stupid blunder. Leaders make decisions
every day. Some of these decisions are benign while many can have great
ramifications on their subordinates’ lives. The key to making wise decisions is
discernment. An experienced leader can discern honest mistakes from malice or
incompetence. This leader allows subordinates to learn (and make mistakes) in
an environment that is conducive to learning and growing while separating and
disciplining the malcontents and incompetent members of the command. A good
leader learns the art of discernment through study, by learning from past
decisions, and by seeking advice from all levels of leadership. No doubt this
is an area where an experienced leader has the advantage, but a junior leader
should not be left alone to discern by mere trial and error. This is where the
true power of mentorship is witnessed as junior leaders learn from the past
mistakes and successes of their seniors. There will always be difficult situations.
Through mentorship young leaders can learn how to handle the hard cases of
discipline and motivation with discernment and discretion following Jones’ more
well-known maxim to “discipline in private.” Implicit in Jones’ instruction is
for leaders (at all levels) to be visible. It is not enough to command from the
corner.
Impartial
Justice; As he should be universal and impartial in his rewards and approval
of merit, so should he be judicial and unbending in his punishment or reproof
of misconduct. All leaders have favorites. It’s a fact. One of the most
difficult actions a leader can take is imposing discipline or punishment on a
favorite subordinate. Leaders desire to promote and award while accepting the
responsibility to punish. Conflict is hard, and many leaders abdicate this role
to their subordinate leaders or abandon it all together to the detriment of
good order and discipline. This is a travesty. The just and impartial
imposition of rewards and punishment within a command is vital if a leader is to
serve as the moral arbitrator and judge in the command. Only through
consistently treating all subordinates in an equal manner will leaders be able
to lead without the stain of favoritism or discrimination. Justice, above all
else, should be the goal of any leader in the decision to reward or punish. The
charges presented in Jones’ code should sound familiar to Marines.
Unfortunately, familiarity does not always equal action, and there are many
Marine Corps leaders today who do not live up to these standards. Let this
article serve as a wake-up call for action! America’s Marines deserve this
standard of leadership. Like the maxims of the classical strategists, the
qualities of good leadership are timeless and unchanging. Not only should the
Marine Corps indoctrinate young leaders in the tactics of great warriors, it
should imbue them with their wisdom too. The Code of a Naval Officer serves as
a brief testament to the enduring qualities of those who have gone before us
and as an instruction pamphlet for today’s leaders. If continually referenced
and followed, this code can provide the necessary “rudder guidance” to ensure
that Marine leaders continue to set the example for solid leadership and high
performance for many years to come.
Decision guidance A) Type of order. Routine
matters coming under previously approved policy are generally covered by SOPs
and are handled by the staff without repeated visits to the commander. The
fallowing will be brought without delay to the attention of the commander.
Disapprovals form higher authority. Errors, deficiencies or irregularities
alleged by higher authority. Appeals from subordinate commanders about
decisions made at Hqt. Serious accidents involving personnel of unit. B) Time available. Short time between completing
preparations and implementation. Note here to the tried and true VC
tactical doctrine of four fast one slow; fast
advance, fast assault, fast battlefield clearance, and fast withdrawal are
based on slow preparation. Have a definite time for completion of objective. Make one individual responsible,
request assignee to estimate completion time, date, or set one. Scheduling;
promotes coordination and ensures completion in a timely manner.
Especially important when commands or units must work
together. Keeps appropriate pressure on subordinates. Allow sufficient time for
the capable. Avoid becoming a leader who demands regularly that tasks be
completed “yesterday”.
(Reference, also mentioned
earlier in the Planning section, Execution phase.)
C) Restated
mission. Involves reviewing commander’s intent. Never bring a problem to
the commander without at lease a tentative recommendation. Make sure that you
know what you’re talking about when you apprise the commander (or Xo) of a
problem. Ideally you should present solutions in such form that only approval
or disapproval of the plan is required. Note ask yourself would you stake your
reputation on plan. Should a failure to agree develop, the divergent
(different) view must be presented objectively. The staff officer is not
settling a debate but is presenting facts and views and making a
recommendation. The commander will make the final decision. D) Current scheme of maneuvers. Reviewing
circumstances. It is necessary to know sentiments of your foe, are they
confident or apprehensive. Point out foe’s weakness your advantages, and give
argument for foe’s case to incite rage. Analyze foe weather strength is in
experience or equipment. Stronger in infantry or cavalry. F. M. Erwin Ugen Rommel – “bold decisions give the best promise of
success, but one must differentiate between strategical and tactical as well as
boldness or a gamble”. A bold decision is one that in the event of failure
leaves one with sufficient force to deal with out come. A gamble is a decision
that can lead to complete destruction of ones forces. “Situations do arise
where a gamble maybe justified, as for instance when in the general course of
events defeat is merely a mater of time”. Col.
Boyd’s (OODA) loop. The principle of (OODA) is to ultimately ware foe
down. Destroy paradigm, (foe’s view
of the world), by sending ambiguous or deliberately misleading signals, and
also moving and thinking faster than foe can respond. No one, no mater how
weak, can be completely ruined by a foe, unless ones fall be facilitated by
one’s own actions. Most desirable is to attack the mind, another words, plans
and intensions. Next his allies which makes foe’s own world stable, provides
the emotional and moral bunds to sustain his effort. Worst his armies. And worst
yet, his armies in cities. The (OODA) Loop; O) Observation- perception, heighten awareness. I.S.R. O), Orientation- i.e. (S.A.) to new circumstances, unfolding
situation. Includes analyzing or synthesizing. Entropy after initial shock of war or battles, actions settle down
to steady grind. Casualties and movement rates become predictable. Events tend
to regress towards the means. Don’t let flashy press reports fool you;
exceptions tend to get published, not day to day averages. Attitudes differ on
the battlefield. It can be difficult to tell whose winning. Especially today
when battles are lost, units are quickly repositioned. Troops decide who won or
lost. It’s possible for non combat troops to maintain reasonable belief in
continuing victory with out knowledge of the big picture. A local defeat can be
explained as an exception. Opinions also very with M.O.S. rank and location.
NOTE: with advanced technologies and systems like Network centric warfare this naivety would be less likely in the
feature. D) Deciding on counters,
could be hypothesis - OA
operational adaptation; Anticipation of enemies adaptations not only minimizes
there effectiveness it increases our ability to achieve intent forewarning i.e.
predict their objectives. Maintenance
of main objective as situation develops there is a temptation to change
objective. This waist time and energy. Consistent pursuit of original objective
is preferred. Considering dimensional effects of all decisions. As in how
well my decision effect all dimensions in my A.O. and higher up. The grid
system suggested by Mr. Lind across the top he listed, Physical, mental, and
moral. Mr. Lind’s system listed tactical, operational, and strategically down
the side.
(Reference, the beginning
of step # 2)
A) Acting- could include testing of hypothesis. Fuller “A battle some times decides everything and some times the
most trifle thing decides a battle”. “In war so much is unknown that it
frequently happens that the simple to the complex is the rule of war”. “There
for the simpler and more direct the beginning the less likely it is that things
well get out of hand”. NOTE;
Boyd came to the conclusion that all stages of the OODA Loop were not created
equal. ‘Orientation is the Schwerpunkt’, he wrote in 1987—the decisive point of
the OODA Loop and of human decision-making. Orientation ‘shapes … the way we
observe, the way we decide, the way we act. In this sense, Orientation shapes
the character of present [OODA] loops—while these present loops shape the
character of future orientation. As the warfighter orients himself (and this is
the crucial point) he brings to the process not only the imperatives of his
immediate situation—whether piloting an F-86 over the Yalu River, leading an
armored column through the Ardennes Forest, or planning the invasion of
Iraq—but all his past experiences and the values of his society in which he was
raised. Indeed, Orientation is nothing less than ‘the interplay of genetic
heritage, cultural tradition, previous experiences, and unfolding circumstances’. Only the last
of these is normally considered by the warfighter or businessman trying to get
an edge on his immediate adversary.
Nor are relations between
Observation, Orientation, Decision, and Action limited to ‘feed forward’, as
the Loop is usually diagrammed. Rather, there is feedback at every stage of the
cycle. Note too that Boyd has now made a plural out of the Observation stage of
the cycle:
Note diagram is edited from Tri-F basic.
(Reference, Planning, Step
# 1, Gathering info. Prioritizing criteria.)
Qualities of leaderships
Candor- it’s
more then openness, it’s saying the things that need to be said without a lot
of words, yes sir no sir, or under the table agendas. The battle field is the
most honest place in the world. The stakes are to high and time to short to
mess around with anything but the essence and truth. The candor of the battle
field is why cohesiveness forms there so quickly and permanently and why lies
told there are punished not with gossip but with actions. Officers cannot lead
well, if subordinates are telling them only what they think they want to here.
Scorn sycophancy, servility/bootlicking, close cousins to backstabbing,
character assassination and worst of all, pure corruption always fallows. All
are enemies of meritocracy. Don’t be seduced by the dark side. Such actions are
deliberately designed to thwart those who might otherwise advance based on
competence. Officers must differentiate between appropriate respect and
sycophantic or obsequious behavior, i.e. those who do there duty to the best of
there abilities and those licking boots. Guide lines; those who work hard all
the time vs. those working only when Cmdr is around. Those who are avid golfers
and who accept invite to play vs. those who suddenly develop interest. Those
who express honest opinions vs. those who express opinion coinciding with
commander and who often express them publicly. Don’t be fooled by
superficialities. Discipline goes deep and is the result of compliance and
completion of major and minor orders and objectives. Fairness is a cornerstone
of meritocracy. Fairness does not mean identical treatment for all. Rather what
is best for the Marine and Corps. Explain your decisions about promotions,
punishments, unit policies and so forth to subordinate commanders and staffs.
So they can readily and logically explain them to their Marines. This is not to
say that they must agree with them, but they do need to comprehend the
rationale behind them. The SAS is different from the regular army, its all self
discipline. No shouting, no bull, no one pulls rank and everyone is expected to
express his opinion. Commitment – The phrase
“clean as you go” means that jobs started are finished. It means order and
thoroughness as a matter of course. It means policing an area to keep it sat;
in contrast to a periodic, hurried cleanup to make it momentarily sat. It means
being on the JOB all the time. Commitment, mainly to people rather than ideas.
To that old buddy and then squad, some to the larger unit and nation, but no
where near as much as to the buddy. F.M.
William Slim. “I tell you as officers, if you don’t eat, smoke, or sleep
until your subordinates have done so, they well fallow you to the ends of the
earth.” Last in the chow line, but first out of the fighting hole. Never say,
get going, always say lets go. Thus, living by the same standards and in the
same conditions, you will inspire their confidence in you and elicit trust in
your judgment. Take care of them and they well take care of you. Subordinates
nor enlisted give their trust and confidence to leaders who appear to be remote
and unattached. Similarly, they are wary of those who appear to be unfamiliar
or insensitive to their needs. You must learn their names quickly, call them by
name and learn their specialties, strengths and weaknesses; this creates a
personal bond between the individual and the commander. My captain knows me,
the Marine will say. They will not mistake a poor commander for a good one. The
relationship is one of daily contacts and is too continuous, to allow for any
deceptions. If command is the highest responsibility of an officer, the first
responsibility is to lead. DO NOTs & TABOOs: Avoid having people guessing
your name. Do not use 3rd person, Ex; dose the Colonel, when
addressing a Col. Never lean on a superior’s desk. Avoid profanity and
vulgarity. Never volunteer excuses or explain short comings, unless asked to.
Never indicate that you had recommended a different course of action. No
bruised feelings or silent resolution the old NEXT TIME! Thus the general has
five dangerous characteristic traits.
One committed to dying can be slain. One committed to living can be captured.
One easily angered and hasty to act can be fooled. One obsessed with being
scrupulous and untainted can be shamed. One who loves the people can be
troubled. One whose troops repeatedly congregate in small groups whispering has
lost the masses. If they are leaning on there weapons they are hungry. If those
who gather water drink first they are thirsty. When they see potential gain but
do not advance they are tired. If the officers are angry troops are exhausted.
If the Corps is turbulent the Commandant lacks severity. One who frequently
grants rewards is worried. One who frequently imposes punishment is in trouble.
Where troops have penetrated deeply troops and officers will be united fight
hard, if only shallowly they will tend to scatter. To counter those more afraid
drawl up formations often, to accustom them to sights and sounds of battle.
When punishment is administered, it is done impersonally, objectively, without
rancor. Never resort to scorn or ridicule. The goal is to convince
transgressors that they have everything to gain by doing their duty and being
good Marines. Never promise a consequence that you cannot personally enact. An
empty threat will only earn you scorn. Choose always the lesser punishment
until convinced of its ineffectiveness. Get all the facts before taking action.
Mutinies; punish ring leaders more than group. Always record counseling’s and
get signature (whether one signs or not the counseling record is valid.) Later,
such forms can be used to refresh your own memory of the actions as well as
trace the development (or lack thereof) of the warfighter’s character or duty
performance.
Note; Some repeat.
Desertion. Men desert to save their wives and children, not themselves.
The principle advantage of the invaders is that their families are safe. Never
pad troop numbers with married men; have them dig bunkers. Recruit only
unmarried men and women to be civilian snipers. Women make better snipers than
men because they posture less.
I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I
WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL
ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC; THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO
THE SAME AND THAT I WILL OBEY THE ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
AND THE ORDERS OF THE OFFICERS APPOINTED OVER ME, ACCORDING TO THE REGULATIONS
AND THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE. SO HELP ME GOD.
(Reference, Leadership
guidelines, Platoon commander)
Competence- This is the
oldest and most important quality of leadership, you can have candor and
commitment but if you’re not competent you won’t last. Competence established
the pecking order. Which may or may not correspond to rank and chain of
command, depending on the competence of those in the chain. No commander should
be aloud to remain long at the helm. By rotation you avoid the cult of
personality, leader becomes ordinary member. With second mission failure leader
should resign. This can be over turned with confidence vote. But three defeats,
ends command. Choose subordinate with most victories. One indicator of good
leadership is when officers have higher casualty rate than enlisted. Unless
enemy only targets command, like in Iraq.
(Reference, Leadership Guidelines,
squad leader/ squad leader group and platoon Commander, below)
All things being equal, if
fighting dose not end quickly, you can be fairly sure neither side has a
leadership advantage. If one side has force advantage, you can be sure, smaller
force has grater leadership. James web
management vs. leadership. It is much easier to educate a manager than to
develop a leader. Management is the physics of things, it can be approached as
an academic discipline, one can be taught to analyze data, weight alternatives
and make decisions. Leadership is a subjective chemistry, filled with human
variables. One must be able to motivate and reach the emotions, threw command
presents, example and force. “When in war men must die” (an in war some must)
“they can’t be managed to death, they must be lead there.” Sacrifice has and
honored place in leadership but not in management. The military it is
socialistic in that the group is more important than the individuals, it is a
meritocracy in that the ways of rating are not based on monetary terms but on
values of performance that only matter within the unit, and are meaningless
otherwise. For management, Leaders and subordinates conducting Maneuver warfare
the fallowing can apply. The way of thinking to encourage initiative on the
part of subordinates is to be in close touch with them, to be alert for
breakthroughs, discoveries, and ideas that occur at the lowest level, to keep
subordinates aware of corporate or unit goals and values, always keeping
sensitive to speed, so successful operations are never slowed. For
subordinates, the way of thinking is using personal initiative and independent
thought to serve corporate or unit goals, close cooperation with one another,
to take risks when opportune, to act now and never delay when action can reap
advantage, act and inform rather than ask permission. In addition, for leaders,
management and subordinates alike, the focus is always outward, situational
awareness i.e. on the environment: for business, focus on the customer; for
war, on the enemy. The sales person cannot ignore issues of dollars and cents,
competition, economic changes. They can kill him. But focus on the customer
prevails. Loyal customers mean there is a future. For the soldier, it is the
same. He cannot ignore logistics, terrain, routes of communication i.e. (LOC),
and changes in the weather. They can kill him. But focus on the enemy prevails.
A disrupted, confused, demoralized enemy means success. The hill is yours when
the enemy quits, whether you've reached the hill yet or not. History shows any
unit can be effective with good leadership. Recruits drawn form the more
intelligent 20% of population are twice as effective as lower 20%. Twenty one
year olds more effective than teenagers. Conscript armies generally consist of
only 15- 30% long term professionals. Volunteer army 40-70% pros. Western type
military requires highly industrialized well educated pool of recruits. The
best uniformed units are generally the least effective. A fresh coat of paint
makes any weapon appear capable. Ship crews operate in more of a controlled
situation, where drills, technique, and skills are decisive. Experience is
perishable; Armed forces tend to retain no more information than their oldest
member. SAS developed a seriousness which dealt with each obstacle as an
interesting challenge. Nothing was beneath consideration, from the calorific
content of your food, the best method of putting on socks or applying band aids
to blisters. Or the most energy saving way to climb a slope. On the surface it
seemed almost boy Scoutish. They are not truculent (savage) or sadistic
(abnormal delight in cruelty) as the Para’s are. The Para’s talk about everyman
being an emperor. The SAS live it. SAS is without class, every officer first
served in the ranks. They are free thinkers, that will question an order they
think is wrong. They show stamina, initiative, independence, patience and
self-discipline, a resilience to work without support and to endure loneliness
without deteriorating. They believe as did the ancient Greeks who originated
the word “aristocracy” that every man with the right attitude and talents,
regardless of birth and riches, has a capacity in his own lifetime of reaching
that status in its true sense. The Australian SAS in Vietnam, made the US Green
Berets, look like amateurs. They had 500 kills and only one loss.
Leadership Guidelines
Leadership is the art of imposing one’s will upon others in such a
manner as to command their respect, their confidence, and their whole-hearted
cooperation. It’s part official and written but it’s mostly traditional and
unwritten. With good leadership and discipline, achievement of the mission with
minimum casualties is the rule. The main goal of leadership is discipline and
cohesion in units, especially under stress. It’s a product of shared
experiences, a confidence between commander and subordinates, who have the
enthusiasms and ambitions of youth. There are few responsibilities equal in
satisfaction to training, developing and leading young Marines. You are
assisted by NCOs the back bone of our Corps and who are Marines you will
respect and whose respect you will treasure. Gen. Mc Author, master yourself before you seek to master others,
learn to laugh yet never forget how to weep. The open mind of true wisdom the
meekness of true strength. Patience under adversity of courage under fire,
modesty in victory. We are reaching out to new and boundless frontiers. We
speak in strange terms of harnessing the cosmic energy of making winds and
tides work for us, of creating unheard of synthetic materials, to supplement or
even replace our old standard basics. Purifying sea water, mining ocean floors
for new fields of wealth and food. Disease preventatives to expand life into
the hundreds of years. Controlling the weather for a more equitable
distribution of heat and cold, rain and shine. Space ships to the moon. Of the
main target in war no longer limited to the armed forces of an enemy but
instead to include his civil population, of the ultimate conflict between a
united human race and the sinister forces of some other planetary galaxy. Of
such dreams and fantasies as to make life the most exciting of all time. The
long gray line. The shadows are lengthening for me. Gray line (graduates program) and Age of iron equals refining /hardening of S.O.P. Officers
West point provides 25% of the over all 25k lieutenants for army every year.
Mexican war 1846 there were 800 officers in USA corp. Class of 1915, “class the
stars fill on”, 1/3 became generals, and one became President Eisenhower. U.S.
Army uses parallel rank structure for enlisted troops instead of a lot of NCOs
you have troops with the rank of specialist 4, 5, 6. The numbers represented
pay grades. For senior more experienced technicians/troops, use was made of
four grades of warrant officers. This
rank was given all the privilege of officer. Now days less need or use of
uniformed techs. Neither fish nor foul. Company
grades these are apprentice/junior officers. Lieutenants and
captains in the Marines/Army and Air force, Ensigns and lieutenants in the
Navy. Command company size unit or small ship. Field grade major or Lt. Col. and Col. in Marines/Army or Air
force, Lt. Cmdrs. Commanders and Captains in Navy. Command Battalions,
Regiments, Brigades, ships of all size. Flag
officers Generals in Marines/Army and Air force Admirals in Navy. Staff officers serve in staffs of unit’s
one level higher than they would command. More officers serve in staff
positions than in command positions. Each unit of battalion or larger has only
one commander, but four or more staff officers. The battalion is the smallest
unit that has a staff made up of officers, although even at company level there
are officers and NCOs whose duties parallel those of staff officers. A staff officer; is an aid to commander,
Assures unity of action throughout the command, by ensuring compliance with
orders. Providing basic information and technical advice by which Cmdr may
arrive at decisions. Relieves Cmdr of details by translating/drafting the basic
decisions into adequate plans or orders. Transmitting them to subordinate
leaders. Anticipates future needs. In short a properly functioning staff is an
extension of the eyes, ears and will of the commander. The staff assists the
commander in the performance of four functional areas. S1, S2, S3, S4.
(Reference, company cmdr
2inC notes below and the last step i.e. # 6 Supervise)
(S) Preface is used at Regiment or below, at Division the prefix (G) is
used. Joint task force (J) is used also for Joint Chiefs. And sometimes in
combined Commands (C). S1
Adjutant/Legal administration officer. Normally a Capt. duties Hqt. mgt. and
myriad administrative tasks. Records, bookkeeper for all secretaries. The
adjutant (One who Assist.) is usually also charged with maintaining the
commanders official schedule as well as preparing and circulating Cmdr.
correspondences. Unit strength management, responsible for officer personnel
management. Social events, morale activities, supervises unit PRS ctr. Chaplin,
Fire Dept., MPs. (the command Sergeant major is usually charged with enlisted
personnel management). S2 Intelligence
officer, normally a Major. Tactical Intel. Counter Intel. (Physical security,
including safes). Debriefs
of patrols or individuals, or the company-level intelligence cell. Collects, correlates, evaluates and interprets
information. Clearances, maps, communications, recon MRS. intelligence
training. Staff officers are often used as spies. Intelligence cushy job in
peacetime, career killer during war. S3
Operations and training officer. Lt/Col. Responsible for planning, the unit
readiness. Schools Cmd inspections program. Casualty Medivac. Operations
officers often chief of staff. Chief of staff is the principal assistant to the
Cmdr. At low levels Executive officer fills the function of the chief of staff.
He is often a prior logistics officer. It is the best possible training towards
becoming a battalion commander. S4 logistics
officer. Usually a Major. Duties include supplies, allocation, inventories,
transportation and maintenance. Command of logistics more difficult during
wartime too.
In the Newjarheaddean the S1
would remain the same. S2 Department would be broken down into Intel (info
gatherers), Counter Intel (preventing enemy from gathering info) and Counter
Counter Intel (preventing enemy Counter Intel from preventing ones own Intel
gathering in the first place or Countering ones Counter measures). S3 the way it is described above IMO sounds
like the responsibilities of the Commander, assistant commander and their
general staff i.e. secretaries. So I say make S3 the Science officer, to include
medical officers, M.D. and Psychological, and bring the Chaplin (book thumpers)
over from S1. Note the Chaplins would only serve as advisors on religious
matters. S3 would also take on the responsibilities of civil affairs. S4
remains the same, there would be no S5, 6 7 8 9 or 10, (LOL). Note with
Newjarheaddean division IMO Engineers should be combined with recon. There
mission parameters could include prepping sites for basing i.e. in a guerrilla
warfare situation engineer units could find vacant houses, terminate rats, bugs
set up water, electricity etc.
People who own their own motorcycle and rifle will care for them.
Squad leaders;
The US WWII Squad referred to
a leader, with scouts (Security), BAR team (Base of Fire) and riflemen
(Maneuver). In WWII regardless of national origin, was comprised of three
elements; machine gun group, riflemen group and the Squad Leader group, who provided the
first link in the long chain of command that stretched all the way back to
Divisional HQ and beyond. A Squad Leader was reinforced by his Assistant,
either a second NCO or a senior Private. If the Squad Leader fell, he
would take over command, nominating another to act as his deputy and potential
successor.
(Reference, Qualities of
leadership, Competence above and Company Cmdr. 2inC notes below.)
The leader had to direct his
men to achieve their goals in a far more hands on manner than any other Cmdr
above him. To survive, the squad needed to use terrain and supporting
fire to maximum effect. It was vital to maintain its integrity i.e. operate
as a single entity even when men were separated. The distance had to be
monitored closely by the leader who could only affect control through vocal
commands or hand signals, this before ICOMs. In any engagement, there could be
a host of targets. The key was to prioritize those targets and engage them in
order of precedence. One man i.e. Squad Leader has to orchestrate the fire
plan. The philosophy was better lose one man from the fire fight to direct the
efforts of the remainder, than have all the Squad engaged in an undisciplined
free for all. The temptation for the Squad Leader to join in the gun battle was
always there, so he was issued a (shorter range) submachine gun. This diverted
him from the lure of the longer range fire fight. Also, it increased the
firepower of the Squad in the close quarter battle (CQB), putting the weapon in
the hands of the man tasked with leading it. Another responsibility of the
Squad Leader was to husband the ammo resources, as in when far forward and
supplies may be limited. A typical Rifle Squad carried between 1500 - 1600
rounds of rifle and pistol calibers.
Light Machine Gun group;
Every man in the Squad could
operate the gun and carried ammunition. In WWII, it was the sole means by which
the Squad could project sustained, accurate, automatic fire. The gun could
sweep an area in a way which individual riflemen could not. It could dominate
an approach in the defense, or by turn fix enemy defenders to allow the Rifle
Group to close for the assault and the riflemen aka Maneuver or Assault Group. Its size varied between six and eight
men, dependent upon nation and, of course, casualties. It was the manpower pool
of the Squad, providing quite literally its bayonet strength. The Rifle
Group provided the Squad with its scouts, grenadiers and marksmen. Since
the introduction of the light or general purpose machine gun, there has been a
tendency to describe the riflemen as virtual ammunition bearers and escorts for
the weapon. The evolution of tactics gives that argument some validity,
but ultimately without the presence of the individual riflemen the Squad would
prove a one dimensional tool. Its strength lay in the co-operation of the Rifle
Group and Gun Group, united under the direction of the Squad Leader. In order
to protect the light machine gun, alternative fire positions needed to be used.
Once the Squad's weapon opened fire, it naturally made itself a target for
retaliatory enemy action. If it stayed in the same spot for too long, return
fire could be accurately and effectively zeroed in. Where possible, every
advantage was taken of terrain and surroundings to allow the gun group to
disengage and move to an agreed second location, without breaking cover. During
this time, the riflemen were not idle. If the distance to the enemy line was
too great to cross in a single bound, they would seek a defensible
position. Once reached, this would enable the gun group to make their
switch. Now it became the turn of the riflemen to provide cover fire,
ideally directed against the enemy position of the greatest threat to their now
vulnerable gun group. Once the light machine gun had reached its secondary
position, the crew could recommence fire, this time from a different angle,
thus forcing the return fire to be redirected. It may seem a logical
compromise, but the idea of splitting the attacking force was to prevent the
defender concentrating his fire on one target.
(Reference, COE rule # 3
and COE overall tips; machine gun sections)
Platoon commander;
Usually a Lieutenant was
uniquely positioned to share the frustrations of his men at the sometimes
absurd orders they received from above, but was duty bound to carry them out to
the best of his ability. He was also best placed to see the often-tragic consequences. There
was also the question of whether he was the Plt's Leader, or its Cmdr, there is
a subtle difference. Some officers lead from the front. While highly
commendable they often paid the ultimate price. Armies needed to promote
experienced Platoon Commanders to the next level, but they had to live long
enough to gain that experience.
(Reference, Qualities of
leadership, commitment)
There is a limit to the number of men a Cmdr can exercise
personal control over, roughly speaking around ten (as demonstrated on the sports field). That helped determine the
size of the Squad. The Inf Plt could vary between as few as thirty or as many as fifty men. With three Sq Leaders and between 30 and
40 men, Lieutenants needed to learn the art of delegation using sq leaders to
direct the efforts of their men and deploy support weapons. Without necessarily
becoming embroiled in the fire fight. Yet when the unit faltered or found itself
pinned down, it was the Plt Cmdr's responsibility to rise up and urge his men
onward with the cry of follow me or come on lads! That was
when the Commander became a Leader.
At this point leaders need to be keenly aware of tempo
and the limits of readiness i.e. alertness of the majority of forces
available.
(Reference, Step # 3,
Pro-guerrilla/insurgency operations, Organization celluar structure)
Company commander;
The Rifle Company marked the
first step on the way to the fully integrated 'all arms' team. Despite the ever
increasing layers of fire support which existed to underpin its mission, it always had to be capable
of doing the job alone. For the most part though, the Rifle Company acted in
concert with the heavy weapons which made up the rest of the fighting strength
of its Battalion and above. Some may be located in the Weapons Platoon,
but the bulk would be held in the Weapons Company of the Battalion proper. Co
HQ was generally split between command functions, administration and supply
duties. The
'O' Group or orders group was composed of the, signaler, runners and relevant
Section Cmdrs. The latter elements were usually a few cooks and supply
personnel. It was headed by the Commander assisted by a senior Sgt., whose
role it was to aid in the issue of orders and intelligence to the forward
troops. In WWII, the Co C/P today’s COC, was normally a fixed position. In the
assault, the Cmdr would often go mobile and take with him his Sgt, runners and
signalers, and possibly some men to act as an escort. The burden of command was
normally shared between two officers, the Company commander and his 2nC or
Executive Officer (XO). The 2inC would establish a reserve fixed post, to which
messengers could head in the event they could not find the mobile CP. The
2inC helped alleviate the workload in effect allowing the Company Commander
proper to attempt the trick of being in two places at once i.e. one could
maintain the company command post while the other went 'topside' to judge the
situation for himself.
(Reference, Leadership
Guidelines “A Staff Officer” in bold print.)
German practice differed
here, with there being only one officer at Co HQ, his deputy actually being the
Cmdr of the 1st Plt. The Co Cmdr could have from 100 to 200 men under his
command. Leadership required a different approach to that of a Plt
leader/Cmdr. With various units attached to support his force. There was
no way he could personally lead this number of elements spread across a
frontage measured in the hundreds of meters. He had to exercise much more
command and control by way of delegation to subordinates not personal leadership. The
Co Cmdr needed to brief his subunit leaders including any attached assets on
the mission and ensure each understood his role within it. Once his force
deployed, his attention needed to focus on the overall progress of the battle,
determining where success was being made and where efforts were faltering. He would also be acutely
aware of developments on his flanks, where events involving neighboring units
could demand others intervene in
aid, or might find themselves exposed by a sudden reverse. He had then
to decide how to best exploit or reinforce these areas. Simultaneously, he
would be in touch with his Battalion superiors, who would be demanding updates
and monitoring progress. During maneuvers;
the actual separation distance between units would vary greatly, the most
important determining factor probably being the nature of the terrain involved.
However, it could not be allowed to become so great that it would impair the
need for mutual flank protection between the Platoons. In the offense; one major concern was
the divisions of forces between the assault echelon the reserve and or support
elements. The Company Commander had to think of the battle as a developing
struggle, and had to visualize his assets to enable him to in affect stay two or more moves down the line. To that end,
he could only commit a portion of his troops to the initial assault, holding a
number in reserve. Company
Commanders tended to think of their unit as whole Platoons rather than
individual Squads. Mathematically speaking, the decision was simple, one
Platoon upfront, or two? The Reserves; One of the most vital
decisions is when to commit the reserves. The ideal time would already have
been identified during planning, usually signified by the capture of a primary
objective allowing the exploitation phase to begin. The platoon in a reserve role, would move through one of
the forward units, providing fresh legs to exploit the opening. Once the
reserve element had been committed, the Company Commander would need to
assemble a new one ASAP. In this instance, the unit it relieved could then
become the new reserve as it gathered its strength and reorganized.
Yet all too often enemy
defenses well withstand the initial assault, forcing the commander to consider
their earlier use. The commander who had only committed one of his
platoons to lead the assault had the breathing space afforded by having two or
more in reserve. The reserve could be used to regain proper intervals between
units thus assuring mutual flank protection or to relieve pressure by
outflanking i.e. launching its own attack on enemy unit being fixed by the fire
of another thus bolster a lead platoon. Likewise, it could filter in to replace
the platoon in the fire role, while the original unit attempted the flanking
movement.
Ho chi
min trails 40 troop or less
At full
strength per the Army’s Table of Organization and Equipment (TO&E), a World
War II U.S. Army infantry company consisted of three rifle platoons and one
heavy weapons platoon. The company commander was a Captain in rank. A platoon
consisted of three squads plus a small headquarters team. The platoon leader
was a Lieutenant. Rifle squads consisted of 12 men each, lead by buck sergeant.
(Reference, note by far
this is the largest collection of reference notes in one area, Step # 3, part
D) item # 10 support, reserves and R.O.E. and Defense rule # 4 subsection,
ATGM, “anti structure role” and mortars/mobile fire control and Exploitation
phase. And Def. Conduct of the defense, “If next attack well succeed”, as well
as COE rule # 3 as well as Maneuvers and formations located in the detailed notes
of that rule as well as “True V formations as well as COE over all tips,
“Reorganiztion and exploitation”)
Infantry battalion;
The Battalion Commander would
normally be either a Lieutenant Colonel or Major. Interestingly, the German
Battalion had no 2inC at Battalion Headquarters rather the senior Company
Commander would take over the role as required. Another option is the
Supply Officer i.e. Quartermaster. Note the frontage covered? During maneuvers, In the offense, and Reserves; Basic responsibilities were the familiar questions of how much of
the force should be commit to the initial offensive, and secondly how could one
best employ support weapons to aid them. One needs only to refer back to
company commander’s notes above, substituting platoon with companies thus
increase magnitude to appreciate battalion commander’s duties. IMO an increased
knowledge in logistics, and communications thru chain of command are the main
priorities at this level.
In so called 4th GW, shifting the
tactical focus to company-sized and smaller units will probably mean a major
force reorganization in favor of a “flatter” command structure. To flatten a
command structure is to have fewer echelons control the same number of troops.
For example, a conventional command structure would divide a dozen maneuver
companies among three or four battalion headquarters. The battalions, in turn,
report to a regimental or brigade headquarters. A flatter version of this might
eliminate the battalion headquarters and have the regimental or brigade
headquarters control all companies directly. (If one prefers to be less radical
this regiment might have only eight companies. Prior to 1914, during an era
that often presented similar challenges to what Fourth Generation war currently
presents, the standard British battalion had eight rifle companies. This gave
the battalion great flexibility in irregular warfare because it enabled it to
create numerous detachments while still retaining a tactically viable force
under its own control.) Conventional wisdom has it that a given command
element cannot tactically control more than four maneuver elements.
However, on a Fourth Generation battlefield tactical control above the company
level is seldom needed. When it is needed, it is likely to be for only a
limited time and to involve limited forces. Instead of worrying about tactical
control, a higher headquarters should focus on administration, logistics,
operational and strategic objectives, intelligence analysis and dissemination
and relations with the local rulers. It should usually leave tactical matters
to its platoons and companies.
Note add much more
from Marine officer’s guide MCA magazines and place in Appendix.
STEP #
3 Concepts of operations:
Part A)
We start with (I.S.A.L.U.E., R.W. P.) reports. Used to describe Individuals, forces i.e. units,
equipment or items and weapons available to all involved. Therefore, one
would have foe and fellow reports.
There could be a strategic grand report using general total figures, and or one
report for each unit down to company level, or important individuals. Also one
for each equipment or weapons class. What fallows is an example of listed items
and information to be located after the various letters of the acronym
(I.S.A.L.U.T.E.R.W.P.). It
must be noted that starting with identification (I.D.) under the (I) on a
computer it could be presented in bold or highlighted format; one could also
use parenthesis or block lettering with a written report. The important
thing to keep in mind is the I.D. is emphasized and used as a marker through
out the report in all noted categories (i.e. after all letters in the acronym)
to specify what figures/data relates to which I.D. i.e. individual, item or
weapon. In a Forces available report, it is accepted that the sub categories
fallowing the (U) are to numerous to separate each entry i.e. fact, within each
sub category with a specific I.D. Therefore a typical entry would start with
the I.D. fallowed by a paragraph of information keeping to the general order of
sub categories. This rule may apply to (T) (R) and (P) as well. These
exceptions are made obvious in the detailed examples in the ISALUTERWP
appendix.
Note specific
information about the enemy on patrols in your area, such as “call signs” of
the enemy you may be aware of, located under (I) in AFAR, would be copied to
the corresponding item listed in your “Patrol order” i.e. item # 1 unit
information. This “patrol order” is mentioned below.
2/11/11 with all that said, here
below, I most admit things are a bit undecided to say the least, but I’m
getting there. I would appreciate some help too. And I am ashamed at my having
to create new terms and acronyms, however for me it was necessary for aiding in
recalling all this system. Not to mention I’m creating a system
from stratch. Once I have it completed I well bet it takes an act of congress
to change it, I would point to my basic rules going unchanged for 35 years or
so, as evidence to that.
FORCES AVAILABLE:
Example of a Forces Available report layout i.e. format, AKA an AFAR. Also note the
acronym FEW for forces, equipment and weapons. AFEWR part A forces, eq, wep, report, pronounced ah-fewer.
Zabihullah, a senior Taliban adviser. The movement’s founder, Mullah
Mohammed Omar, has been unseen and silent since he fled Afghanistan in late
2001, and his right-hand man, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, has been held for the
past year by Pakistani security forces. The two senior commanders who nominally
run the war in the south now—Abdul Qayum Zakir and Akhtar Mohammad
Mansoor—inspire little confidence in the ranks.
I) this is an I.D. - that is
to say the initial main/largest I.D. of subject answered strategically first i.e. Adversaries – Nation, state, province,
county. Ex; Russians, Indians, Chinese, or Israelis. Or a
major branch of service. Ex; Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines. However this could be Tactical I.D. of an individual i.e.
Name, with strategic or tactical I.D. we also include AKA, nicknames, aliases
and item # 1 of patrol order i.e. call signs. Example of nicknames, blacks in the corps called dark
green Marines or Mexicans muds WWII
Japanese, AKA Japs, slopes.
Note; I find it funny how me
and my brother begain calling Blacks “Muds” around 1990 or so. IMO the Corp got
it wrong but in the corps defence it already had a term for the blacks.
S) Size – this could be demmintions,
specifications or a numerical number. With units were talking numbers, individuals were talking
measurements i.e. weight. WWII Japanese trooper averaged 130 lbs.
U.S. trooper averaged 160 lbs. and height. Japanese trooper averaged 5’/3” U.S. trooper averaged 5’/9”.
A) Activity – This is past i.e. history.
Present i.e. Tactical i.e. recent (within a mouth) activities observed, here we
well make use of the five Ws and H. Who, I.D. What, appointments/entertainment/deployments/dutes/jobs/mission/routines/schedules/training/tactics.
Where, is location of specific
actions. Could be grids, GPS, address and or azimuths etc. also item # 2 of
patrol order i.e. enemy Unit locations known. As well as items # 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
and 9. When, use 24 hour i.e. military
system, include date. Also item # 3 of patrol order i.e. enemy times of
departure. Why, note apparent reason,
what this action may complement or be in preparation for. How.
Future; Operational/Strategic? items listed under What in Activity, older than a mouth or more. Date and time of
oriental recon i.e. the acquisition of the information and the last update.
Also an “Activity calendar” i.e. reference times and dates of important events.
Combat experience, educational and medical records of Units or individuals,
would be located here.
Note up to one mouth equals
tactical.
L) Location –This is home
ports, bases, or with individuals residence by State, Provinces or City. Grids,
GPS, address, references to be used in part B, BMMW, etc.
U) Unit – in depth I.D. more precise than under (I) include
Photos, etc. possible categories, Special ops, Infantry, air borne, air Mobile,
mechanized, armor, artillery. Division, regiment, battalion, company, platoon,
squad, section, or fire team. Including rank for military personal and tittles
for civilians, memberships, associations, gang, party, organizations, family,
clan, tribe. Also structure of the chain of command next highest, lowest or
adjacent units. If specific information is not available one might have to list
numbers i.e. 3 companies per battalion. However it would be desired to name
them. With individuals, Adult/child male/female.
Note Descriptions for individuals use movie stars and other
well known celebrities as a counter part comparisons. Cosmetics, tattoos,
scares. Uniforms, clothing, insignia, patches, awards, jewelry, apparel.
Example; Iraqi guerrillas tend to be
clean cut or have mustaches and well dressed. Where as farmers usually have
beards.
(Reference, Defense rule #
5 under principal # 1, ISALUTE RWP)
T) Time –
E) Equipment – general over
all lists of all equipment and weapons. Note, specifications would be located in Equipment and
weapons available reports. Unit’s composition/locations i.e. organizational positions
and numbers with in units, i.e. 18 guns per battery. Ammo supplies available or
normally carried. Modes of transportation. Might include irregular uses.
Carrying or storage habits. Note this info is repeated in e-war under locations. On individual bases this could be
items owned.
R) Reinforcements – An
analysis of factual or possible assistance from other units or allies and
effects on all units by all units movements, support or lack there of. With
individuals relationships, family ties. And thus information pertaining to item
# 10 of patrol order.
W) Withdrawal – Routes,
avenues of any kind being used or present on the battle field.
P) Personalities – attitudes,
disposition, evaluation, ratings, religion, motivations, languages, statements,
mottos.
Note unit composition located
in Equipment might move to Unit? Sycological profiles.
(Reference, Defense rule #
5 under principal # 1, I salute R.W.P
etc.)
EQUIPMENT AND WEAPONS AVAILABLE:
Example of equipment and weapons available report layout i.e. format; AKA e-war. 1/29/11 these reports are
still being developed. I’m working on hard copies and plan on just replacing
these with the updated version soon.
I) I.D. designation/ AKA,
nicknames. Note
classification is detailed under (U).
S) Numbers, manufactured,
available. Specifications Dimensions;
Weight/loads/density/mass. Width/track. Length. Height/ground
clearance/fording.
A) Activity this is recent
activities observed, Here again we use the five Ws and a H. Who unit or individual. What specific activities observed i.e.
deployments. Where specific locations
of activities i.e. deployments. When
time and date. How are they
manufactured (note information would only be mentioned if it points out any
weaknesses or strengths to the system), also disassemble, reassemble, operated,
specific details on individual techniques of carrying or deploying. Trouble
shooting, I.A.D or field striping.
L) Locations where are they
manufactured, stored, users of the weapon i.e. nation unit or individuals.
Training ranges or schools. Composition/locations and numbers with in units,
i.e. 18 guns per battery. Note
this info is repeat form equipment in Forces available report.
U) Units Variants i.e.
models, caliber, photos, decals, color schemes. Also Utility uses/function/classification mounted or unmounted direct or
indirect fire, crew served or small arms.
T) Date and time when
information was acquisitioned and last updated. History of research and
development. History of maintenance records and reliability statistics.
E) Equipment tools, machines
used for maintenance, Periphery devices/scopes.
Transportation and platform vehicles ships or aircraft. Performance and
dimensional specifications i.e. details are located under other categories.
R) Reinforcements Crews functions
and any other support needed etc.
W) Weapons secondary and
defensive, systems for platforms.
P) Performance, operational
statistics of platforms and main weapons;
Ranges, Max over all or max effective (could also include effective at what
altitude) in meters for weapon rounds or (operational) miles for vehicles and
aircraft. Minimum ranges, safety arming ranges for rounds or danger close for
explosives in meters. Note repeated in ammo below.
Speeds muzzle velocity for weapons, rates of fire max or sustained for
weapons, mph max or acceleration for vehicles or aircraft.
Trajectories/envelopes Trajectories paths for rounds. Elevation and traverse
or gimble limits for weapons. Flight envelopes ceilings climb rates or Angles
of attack for aircraft.
Ammo/Fuels type’s and
characteristics; warheads fuses casualty radiuses for weapons. Note
repeated in Ranges above. Fuels and lubricates for vehicles or aircraft. Capacity # of rounds in magazines or
storage for weapons or gals/lbs of fuel for Vehicles or aircraft.
Casualty radius armor Breaching and protection
abilities;
Note Mortar CEP figures and single or multiple tube patterns. BDA
120 mm mortar vs 105mm or 155 mm howitzer. IMO crater for 155 would be
elongated do to flater trajectory and larger.
(Reference, Defense rule #
5 under principal # 1, I salute R.W.P and Appendix ISALUTERWP for more
detailed examples.)
Part B)
MAPS, MODELS AND WEATHER;
AKA, your Bmw acronym could be
written BMMW or BM2W.
Here we make use of yet another version of the Salute report.
Size: area of terra in sq. mi. greatest distance north and or south, east
and west. Highest and lowest points, mean alt. Infrastructure statistics,
numbers of everything. Lighting, location of switch board. Activity: could be land usages. Location:
Grids, address, altitude, attitude/position. Unit: surface/vegetation, mountains, water shed, drainage, lakes,
rivers. Time: seasonal changes.
Climate and general history. Reinforcements:? With drawl: Traffic, secondary routes. Subterranean too. Air.
Over all tips: Construction tips; for terrain models use natural
materials in the field to disguise in case enemy finds. Have scale and keep
items proportional never use same items to represent two different things.
Speed chart, scale charts, grid square. The nature of the terrain is often of
more consequence than courage. Terrain sense, study when possible by walking or
riding over it. Observe from vantage point of both your view and foes. Know
what terrain will allow both sides to do. One who dose not employ local guides
cannot gain advantage of terrain. Note
overlays and maps. Overlay clear plastic sheet with patrol routes, and any
additional information not included in map legend. It is written in grease
pencil. It is placed over map. It is orientated by using reference grids, they
are aligned to a cross hire printed on overlay. If map and or overlay are
captured, with out knowing reference grids they are useless. Note map making is
now automated. With weather information for one day prior, actual day of and
day after. Dirt trails described as one, one and a half, or two lane.
(Reference, PCP rule # 11
for information on avalanches. COE over all tips, characteristics of military
operations in cold climates etc., and Appendix PCP rule # 13 for information on
glaciers and Appendix MM&W for more information.)
Part C) ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS:
AKA the call i.e. CAL.
A real working knowledge of
maintenance, supplies and movement factors must be the basis of every leader’s
plans. Only then can it be known how and when to take risk with these factors.
Basically answers three questions. 1) The acquisition or procurement. 2)
Storage and Maintenance 3) distribution or transportation of it
all.
Principals;
they are used to evaluate and monitor concepts and methods. 1) Unity of purpose – key words or phases,
cooperative effort, integration of actions and ideas to produce a mutual
understanding between R&D and users. Matching
capabilities/resources/constraints with aspirations and requirements. With
Guerilla warfare bandages, beans and bullets in that order. Combat values in
order of importance are reliability, ease of use, mobility and destructive
power. It is also important to understand that it is not worth planning on
supplying (x amount of tanks with ammo when (x) number of tanks will not be
available after (x) amount of time. More supplies dose not equal more fire
power. Today extra fuel needed to move heavier equipment and more vehicles many
of them, for transportation not combat. More ammo but better armor too. In cold
maintenance takes more time. Note
BS modern term Unity of effort. LOL.
Principals: 2) viability - able to exits. Staying
power. Emphasize cost, economically sustainable. Distribution and protection
ratio, always include safety margin. When push comes to shove more effort goes
into producing new weapons not spares. 3) Resourcefulness,
develop aptitude, innovation, imagination and ingenuity. Be proactive not
reactive. Joke, when did Noah
build the ark, before the rain. Simper Paratus (always prepared) make do with
what you have. Indigenous supplies. Cannibalizing equipment, living off land.
Isolation makes logistics very important. Example wilderness, no infrastructure
and when operating on islands. Use of local materials to include the selective
rubbling of structures in the defensive can reduce supply requirements.
Who, what, where, when, why, and how, might also be utilized here.
Categories, classification is not a fixed order, priorities of
logistics must be base on type of unit, order of battle, mission and situation
factors.
Part D)
PATROL ORDER:
AKA i.e. referred to as the
depot.
This is Information pertaining to patrols, you will always have
alternates, even a complete alternative sheet.
CALL SIGN, SHACKLE SHEET: this is a
list of all information used in communicating i.e. call signs for mission
success, failure, abort, medivac, all secure, friendly or foe WIA, KIA, MIA,
and or POWs etc. there would be a section called a Shackle sheet for encoding
of numbers. Morse code etc...
Here I would note that the radio
frequencies should change with the different patrol and or Attack Phases
mentioned below. Like your Vietnam fighter bomber pilots did with ingress and
egress channels. This may sound silly from a modern stand point, with all the
burst transmitting, scrambling scanner communications equipment. So let me
suggest this, a unit could switch operators and swop frequencies with another
unit in the same general area, that has also switched operators, thus voice
signatures, habits, styles i.e. altering the “chop” etc. of the operator if you
well, as a counter to patern recognition software. And of course both units would have switched
to alternate Call sign Shackle sheet codes for units and commands etc.
SPECIFFIC PATROL INFORMATION;
1) Unit
information (UI) – your patrols
call sign i.e. name used to refer to your unit. Frequency, channel or phone
number.
2) Unit
position (UP) – call sign, grid
coordinates (Gs), could also be address. Feature of recognition (F.O.R.) some
sort of land mark for others to find your location, or for you to use upon
return. All F.O.R. need to be
described and would need a call sign so to not give enemy listening to radio
transitions clues as to the patrols local. Example, you would not want to out right mention the
mountains “sattle back” formation or the (T) shaped building, if those were
your F.O.R.
3) Time
of departure (TOD) – time patrol is set to start. Use
24 hour and synchronize with all Marines within your patrol and all units
involved.
4) Point
of departure (POD) – call sign, Gs, F.O.R.,
description and call sign. Estimated time of arrival (ETA) that is when you
should be there and prepared to leave.
5) Line
of departure (LOD) – call sign, Gs, F.O.R., E.T.A.,
in this case E.T.A. is when you will arrive at line of departure. At which time
contact with foe is not only possible it is likely.
6) Patrol
routes (PR) - call signs, cardinal or azimuth direction, distance or time
(CAD-T) to remain on course. F.O.R. and suggested formations. There are
multiple routes and you need reminding that you are on track. There for you
will have call signs and features (plural) of recognition. Usually F.O.R. indicates
i.e. is fallowed by a change in formation. So unit is better situated for
different terrain.
7) Check
points (C points) – call signs, Gs, F.O.R., ETA. Check points are usually
in the range of 1km in jungle terrain. They are intersections of patrol routes;
normally indicate a change in course. You well check your location and
orientation do a roll call, check weapons, equipment, make any adjustments to
schedules at these points.
8) Rally
points (RP) - call signs, Gs, F.O.R. rally points are locations Marines
can regroup with one another if they are separated. There is a final rally point that is used
for regrouping after your unit has gone though objective. Because you will
often scatter and leave objective in all directions, so witnesses cannot make a
guess as to your general direction of travel, and thus your next objective.
This also gives each Marine a chance to spot any enemy scouts or reinforcements
in or approaching the area. If you are spotted on your way to the final rally
point, you should lead foe away. The Final rally point dose have an ETA because
you will not won’t to wait around there very long. You also have a password or
signal and an avenue or direction of approach, as well as approach time
intervals. Example, at hour or half hour marks. A rule of thumb is one or two
can brake all the rules, many not any. This keeps you from killing some poor
exhausted delirious just trying to get there bastards. One or two troops are
not going to take your position. Large units on the other hand have no excuse.
You can also post a Reception unit (PPP projected protective party) out in
direction of approach (like a door butler). This unit can also serve as a
maneuver counter attack unit if Final rally point is attacked. Note in some
circumstances (deep in enemy terrain with only one extraction point) it is
safer for the entire unit to withdrawal from objective as a fighting column.
(Reference, COE rule # 16)
Types of
Rally points Note
most likely I well only be using these term or items as examples of what other
units may be doing things.
Initial,
En Route, and Objective
Initial
rally point. An initial rally point is a place inside of friendly lines where a
unit may assemble and reorganize if it makes enemy contact ...
En
Route, These are points seleted along the patrol’s route to the objective and
form the objective back to friendly line/areas. The patrol leader selects them
as the patrol passes through likely areas for which rally points are needed.
Objective
rally points; this is the rally point nearest the objective at which the patrol
reassembeles after the mission is accomplished. It may be located short of, to
a flank, or beyond the objective. This may also be used as the final
preparation point.
Final
preparation position
Release
point from which units move into formations and positions for attack,
Can
serve as objective rally point advantage is the staging i.e. equipment can be
left behind.
9) Objective (the O) –
call sign, Gs, F.O.R. for air operations, features that stand out from the
ground may not make good landmarks from the air, especially at night. These are
the sort of things you should be looking for: Coastline in distinctive
stretches, especially with breaking surf or white sands, river mouths over 100
meters wide or sharp promontories or inlets. Bends in rivers more than 100
meters wide, heavily wooded banks will reduce their visibility. Canals, their
straight course and consistent width make them easy to spot, except where the
surrounding countryside follows a uniform pattern (urban areas). Lakes at least
a half square mile in area with a distinctive shape or feature. Woods and
forests a square mile or more in size, with clear-cut boundaries or some
special identifying feature. Major road and highway intersections. Railways,
especially visible when there is snow on the ground.
You well also note here a General
plan of attack; who, what, where,
when, why, how.
General phases of an attack;
One (1st ) the approach, Two (2nd ) contact, Three
(3rd ) the assault and Four (4th ) consolidation, this is
all very much like the aerial combat phases of Detection, Sorting, Targeting,
Intercept, Engage and Separation. Note with today’s Satellites, near space
assets and UAVs and the like, the Detection, Sorting and Targeting phases could
be separate i.e. preplanned phases prior to Approach, with Approach equaling
patrols SOP i.e. conduct of maneuvers and Intercept phase equaling Contact,
Engage equaling Assault, Separation equaling Consolidate, note if engagement
does not end favorably for your unit or if publics attention has been gotten,
you could be leaving area, thus phase could be extraction.
Reference, Recall Patrol Order item number # 8.
Phase one The Approach; ideally, at this point you are not under fire i.e.
the foe dose not know your maneuvering on their position.
(Reference, Preparations
and Conduct of patrols, all the rules and info of that section)
Your plan may include diversionary or decoy measures.
(Reference,
Defense, rule # 5, Disguises, Decoys, Diversions)
Inserting into hostile territory: Air options, there are three, Airborne and two
Airmobile variants.
Airborne; 1) Low altitude low opening (LALO) WWII, troops dropped form 1k’ they had only four
to five seconds to choose between life and death. 2) High Altitude Low
Opening (HALO). 3) High Altitude High Opening (HAHO). Breathing pure oxygen for 45 minutes before
jumping to prepare for lack of oxygen at altitudes of 28k’-30k’. Then using
self contained rigs, at 18k’-15k’ air content is good. Temperature -45 degrees.
20k’-30k’ jump, Note Breathing pure oxygen for preparations for mountain
operations? Air mobile operations (AMO). This is actually landing the
aircraft on the ground/L.Z.. There are two options. 1) Helicopters, for hot
landing zones helicopters would be loaded with fewer Marines for quicker
debarking. When Marines planning on repelling or jumping out of helicopters,
they could drop Alice packs from altitude onto landing zone first (anti
minefield).
The British MERT CH-47 flies faster,
but it’s slower to start. And does better in high altitude and hot temp. the
doctor with british MERT can do blood transfusions but not PJs.
This
rotation of Pedros had done just under 400 missions in three months.
Similar crews in Iraq might do half a dozen missions in the same period.
That's
why there's probably at least 40 or more Army birds compared to our nine or so.
On very
dark nights, they sometimes fire IR (infrared) illumination that helps our NVG.
2) Fixed wing aircraft (powdered or gliders) can also land on LZs. Considerations, a) Do you have a Reception unit, to act as guides and porters,
transport people and supplies to safe locations, provide security and
'sterilize' the site. (Commands/voices from below can be heard quite well by
paratroopers). Reception units are assets to all insertions. But may not always
be available. In some cases you will have to go in blind. b) Do adequate DZs or LZs exist? LZ chosen, with regard to time
available, direction of the sun and wind. Aircraft won’t to land and take off
into the wind. Release point or beginning of runways marked with arrow pointing
in direction of desired approach, coinciding also with the wind and only
visible from approach side. Wind speed indicated by additional flares in arrow
stem after three, flare intervals 25 meters. One extra = 5-10 mph, 2=10-15 mph,
3= 15-25 mph, higher than 25 mph consider another day.
(Reference, Appendix
patrol order part A, for info continuing from “another day”, up to point of “continuation
of other considerations” below.
Continuation of other considerations
c) Cover and concealment in
area. Dimensions of landing zone, azimuths and range of F.O.R. as well as
obstacles are recorded and reported as if in center of landing zone and in
clockwise manner. Paratroopers do not want to land in cultivated fields. It is
difficult to conceal tracks. d) Fire
power you can bring to bare and enemy air defenses. e) How good are the foe’s defenses, radars and air traffic control
systems? f) Weather to land on or
near, than maneuver troops to objective. Surprise can sometimes be achieved
landing on site. Advantages of Gliders and helicopters, all Marines land
together on objective, more rested for combat.
(Reference, Appendix
patrol order part B for details on parachuting.)
Amphibious insertions: Consider many of the factors that affect
airborne/airmobile insertions, available and types of coastlines. Best to land
between high and low tides where sand is firmest and at night due to wind direction.
Do you have kit to make sure sea water can't affect vital pieces of equipment?
Over Land operations: Infiltration overland can be the most secure way of
all for insertion, especially if time is not all-important. DZs or LZs and
especially amphibious insertions are unlikely to be right next door to
objective and will probably end up as overland journeys anyways. Even in time
of war, it is usually possible to gain access to the enemy's territory from a
neighboring country along long unprotected boards.
Phase two Contact; at this point, your cover has been compromised; you may come under
attack from foe’s indirect fires, CAS, and or small arms, thus you may utilize
your own. Immediate actions may include smoke for screening and signal flares
for other units to begin maneuvers or supportive measures. Note from TDG/MCA:
the unit SOP used a white star cluster as a signal for “shift or lift fire” and
a red star cluster for “emergency, I need help now.”
Over land operations, could also involve interring through customs,
using, false identities and disguises. The success of this method depends on
the quality of your cover and documentation. Fabrications and forgeries serve
as evidence when real documents are not available. Do not travel to nation your
foreign documents are issued from.
Price of documents; those issued from nation with most influence in area
are the cheapest priced. The biggest advantage of this approach is that once
you have gotten through the identity checks, searches and interrogation, you
will be able to live quite openly in enemy territory. Customs questioning; reason for travel, how did you get money, how
long will you stay, who well meet you, where are you going to stay, what will
you be doing, how did you get passport. Residence;
ground floors provide opportunity for digging trenches, tunnels. Always have
document, equipment and weapons hides. Emergency exits/routes. Evacuation
plans, know who will leave with documents, who will destroy what’s left. You
should not chose perimeter apartments especially for meetings. Do not rent in
immoral areas or near police fire or government buildings. Rent in newly
developed areas, these neighbors do not know each other yet. Older
neighborhoods have nosy old people. Rent under false names and appearance. One
person should not rent two apts. in same area. Have cover stories for visitors.
Entry signals, example a curtain placed a certain way, to indicate all clear.
Avoid isolation from public, traffic at odd hours. Do not show up as blue
collar worker at doctor’s apt. unless your cover is repairman. Other covers for
contact, relatives visiting. Phone answering and or monitoring procedures. Upon
arrival in new city head for laundry mat, read billboards.
Meetings debark transportation far from objective and walk to
objectives, avoid main bus and transit stations. Traveling, do not arrive at
night, fewer people around during day. To uncover a tail, drop something and
observe who picks it up. Forcing
tails to transit through “Chock points”
thus giving you a time and place to closely observe or study them. Joke:
mailing yourself a copy of the constitution so they may read it. Get on bus and
off at next stop. Driving in then out i.e. threw parking lots. Switch cars in
parking lots, long before closing. Then just before closing, call tow truck to
hall used car onto street near lot. You should disable interior lights. Do not
inter meeting location before person your to meet with dose. You could be
target for him sitting there. If person you are meeting with leaves to go to
bath room or to get something, wait for his return in another location, for
instance you might go stand at bar. Depart meetings separately always know
secondary exits, use side streets. No items or evidence to I.D. you should be
left behind. Finger prints on drinking glasses, rap it with a napkin. Go to
bathroom to write notes.
Phase three The Assault; at this point units are breaching the foes defenses
i.e. kicking in the gates, you are inside the wire.
(Reference, Conduct of
Engagements, basically all rules and info)
Other points to consider; in defense, a unit doubles or triples its
combat power. Three to one ratio applies not just to Infantry but equipment.
Ratio varies with size of force, platoon level maybe 10-1, theater 1-1 or 1-2 because
only small part of terrain is fought over at a time. Nevertheless, with larger
ratio less time is required to win. Information good, terrain/weather good day
raid. Information bad, terrain/weather bad night raid. The worst the weather,
longer the battle, more fatigue, greater the casualties. Deep operations are
actions against enemy forces not yet in contact with friendly. Prevent foe from
massing, create opportunities for other offensive actions, disrupt C4IRS and
supplies. Slows foe down. Airpower and artillery are main weapons used. Light
infantry is particularly suitable in areas of constricted terrain, fighting in
MOUT and conducting airborne/mobile operations. Airborne/mobile operations used
to seize key objectives before they are destroyed. Medical buildings, malls,
stadiums, schools, (take advantage of air conditioning and electrical systems
in large buildings). Parks, sports fields, swimming pools, construction sites,
lumber and steel mills or yards, maintenance gauges. When a large force is concentrated
on a narrow front attempting to break lines, airborne/mobile units may bypass
adversaries’ main defenses to destroy artillery, C4I and logistical targets and
secure key terrain in foe’s stern.
Phase four Consolidation/ Exploitation
phase; the British refer to the fourth phase as “fighting through” it includes mopping up and securing the area i.e.
setting up in a defensive position in preparation for a counter attack. Primary
rules to consider here are located in the section titled Defense, initially
along the lines of Conduct of defense i.e. after enemy has been repelled,
pursue foe with a steady stream of fire, (shoot them right in the back) find,
attend too and report all causalities, inventory and redistribute ammo etc. see
reference note below.
During lulls in the fight, the squad leader checks ammunition and has
ammunition collected from the dead and wounded.
Fallowed by setting up the defense i.e. perform defensive rules # 3
onward.
Note with this last phase you
can also consider the aerial i.e. dog fight last phase of Separation if
you are conducting small i.e. unconventional tactics of hit and run. Or if
engagement does not go favorably for your unit.
Note tactics in aerial combat
such as making note of your exit routes i.e. friendly lines or direction of
friendly units, rally points etc.
(Reference, Defense, all
rule especially Conduct of Defense, COE overall tips; Organizing the Assault
unit, Reorganization and True V formation)
Debriefs;
In training
debriefs are always conducted. This is truly where the learning occurs. This
should not change in combat. After every patrol, firefight, guard duty etc, a
debrief should follow. This allows you to develop a “truth report” i.e. “after
action report” to be file with highers. Debriefs allow us to recognize our
mistakes or improve our strengths, were you have presence and what areas have
been neglected. You may see that you are
using the same routes and crossings, which is setting you up for an IED. All
this keeps Marines engaged and does not allow complacency to creep in. As the
fighting goes on every Marine gains understanding of the enemy, how they fight
and how your actions affect them. You should take minutes i.e. have someone
record. Follow the same format to create an organized system that allows for
thorough and efficient information flow. Apply my notes on studying, at the
beginning of Tri-F. The debriefs should be divided between enemy and friendly
topics. IMO first, discuss any firefight in detail, analyzing your actions and
the enemy’s actions. IMO; details of any firefight should be discussed before
anything else i.e. get the emotional event out of the way. Give updates to the
KIA, WIA or MIA if possible, thus ease emotions. This event was not planned
i.e. written down before the patrol. The rest of the patrols events were. Thus
this gives everyone time to organize and work through their thoughts about the
firefight and make and compare notes. You could use the I.SALUTE R.W.P. format
to break down all of the details about the enemy and how they fought. Discuss
you’re an the enemies phases of combat. Then discuss significant events like
atmospherics, locals you interacted with, compounds searched, confirm the
census data. Finally discuss the basics of the patrol in detail covering the
items on the patrol order, look for ways to improve these based on current
events.
(Reference, Study notes at
the begaining of the Fragmented Fighting Facts)
10) Support,
reserves and R.O.E. (Sup-er) – there would be a list
including Units, equipment or weapons available fallowed by grid co ordinances
designating, areas (i.e. boxes or squares) where units could provide support.
Basically you only need to know, who to contact (call signs and frequencies etc
are located on call sign shackle sheet) and how and where unit can help you. NOT THEIR LOCATIONS this is so if any
foe gets hold of your units Patrol order, they do not have all other units’
locations. Joke; remember if your foreword of your phase line, artillery will
be short on its target.
(Reference, Step # 2
Leadership guidelines, company cmdr)
R.O.E.; Rules of engagements, any specifics. Troops most
remember the political and psychological impact of their actions. Local
populations may be neutral or have luke warm feelings for the foreign forces.
Excessive use of force can cause locals to support foe. In MOUT troops most be
concerned with the media due to large number of journalist. Any negative images
can be published. Be open to the press play them against each other if one dose
a negative story invite competitor to do an investigative report of its own.
Note
make future note of other mentions of media example under pro and anti
guerrilla/insurgency operations. Note also these points would only apply with a
guerrilla group since government and media are “in Bed with each other”.
82d Airborne Division Standing ROE
(Pocket Card) ARMED
ATTACK.
Attack only hostile forces declared by your commander. If attacked, return fire
with aimed fire. Return force with force necessary to repel hostile acts (from
any source).
RISK.
Assess risks/anticipate attack. Against other than declared hostile forces, use
force first if, but only if, you see clear hostile intent.
MEASURE.
Measure the amount of force that you use. Use only the force necessary to
protect lives and accomplish the mission. Detain only forces/civilians
specified by your commander.
ENGAGEMENT
AUTHORITY. Prior authorization may be required to use certain weapons. Use
weapons such as artillery, riot control agents, mines, etc., in accordance with
your commander’s orders.
DEADLY
FORCE. Use deadly force to protect persons/property designated by your
commander. Stop short of deadly force when protecting other persons/property.
Maneuver
vs. Attrition
Maneuver: Waged against leadership, kills fewer on both sides.
Characterized by a clean battle field, smaller foot print, less equipment,
weapons and fewer troops used. With fewer troops on front more need for auto
entrenching equipment. Economy of force – Example; in the defense taking every
third Marine off a wall to move elsewhere. More than mass multiplied by speed,
it is getting there first with the best. Valor is superior to numbers. Being
more agile and efficient. Smaller more maneuverable forces can win, if things
over quickly. “One must adjust to fighting limited engagements by minimal
means for specific goals”. The days of single purpose missions are over.
Another words, while on your mission, you most have multiple objectives and
capabilities to assist others with information etc. Requires skill and daring
by offices and willingness form superiors to tolerate an occasional mistake or
loss.
The "zero defects
mentality" must be exchanged for an environment in which all Marines are
afforded the "freedom to fail" and with it, the opportunity to
succeed. Leaders will only seize the initiative Marines say if they’ve been
delegated true operational authority. The battle field leader senses the trust
and responsibility. On whole it will inspire leaders to do better. There will
be some incompetence and even some Lieutenant Caleys, (The My Lai massacre.)
But the forces will move faster then those lead by leaders taught to do only
what there told. Success is gauged by POWs, it suggest foe has not been able to
adapt to changing situation that friction has over whelmed, C4i has broken
down.
(Reference, 3rd
generation warfare notes below.)
Attrition: Gives the illusion of predictable and reliable
results. It’s a toe-toe slug match in which each side assumes that the other
will abide by predictable rules and that sheer weight of numbers and materiel
well determine the winner. Its equivalents in sports are tug of war and
demolition derbies, in nature sea wearing down the stones. Foe viewed as
unchanging mass. It is war in the administration. In which the important
decisions are in fact logistical. Foe treated as inventory of targets and
warfare is a mater of mustering support and resources. Drawn out war can cause
foe to be dishearten if expecting a quick end and return home. Success gauged
by KIAs. “You can win a war with bombs and blockades, but only the infantry can
end the war”. IMO basis for US strategy with indigenous personal being
recruited for the later i.e. end game. Brezhnev joked that, “Quantity has a
quality of its own”.
Generations of War
Many argue that the evolution of war is shaped by a many-sided battle
of ideas (with technology in a supporting role). They assert our adversaries
are learning to counter the conventional attrition doctrine of the technology
and firepower intensive forces of industrial based armies. They call this new
form of warfare 4th Generation Warfare to contrast it to warfare of
the 1st Generation (tactics of line and column, e.g., Napoleon), the 2nd
Generation (the industrial logistics/firepower intensive attrition tactics from
Civil War through WWI), and the 3rd Generation (maneuver warfare as evolved out
of the German's 1918 infiltration tactics to blitzkrieg to the mission tactics
adopted by the Marine Corps in the 1980s).
The 4th Generationists assert that the end of the Cold War
neutralized the organizing dynamics of the bi-polar cold war rivalry and
thereby unleashed a welter of nationalist, ethnic, religious, tribal, and
criminal conflicts among state and non-state actors. They say these players
fight differently and we better learn to exploit their very different
weaknesses while avoiding their strengths.
On our
Wilderness Road expedition, my friend and I visited the site of Drapers Meadows
(now part of the Virginia Tech campus, Blacksburg), where Shawnee Indians
captured a few whites and slaughtered the rest of that settlement's inhabitants
in 1755. That made me interested in the French and Indian War. I looked it up
in an old set of "The New Book of Knowledge" and found this passage:
In 1755 General
Braddock arrived from England to take charge of the British troops … (He) had
never fought in North America, where the enemy hid behind trees, melted away in
the darkness, and never stood still to be fired at. Braddock had learned his fighting
tactics in Europe, where armies fought in regular formations. Though Washington
and the Indians [friendly scouts] told him otherwise, Braddock simply could not
believe that tactics used by the best armies of Europe would not work against a
ragged French-Indian force. The result was a French massacre of the British
forces at Fort Duquesne. Two thirds of the approximately 1,500 British who
fought were killed or wounded. Braddock himself was killed.
SP 12/14/08 The MIC always lean towards preparing for a large,
conventional type war. Even though most of American military history consists
of irregular warfare. Conventional wars were few, and brief. During the 18th
and 19th centuries, most American military activity, at least in terms of
years, was all about irregular warfare. Fighting Indians and frontier disorder
defined the careers of generations of American troops. Even the American
Revolution was largely irregular warfare, and often decisive irregular
operations at that. The first four decades of the 20th century was largely
irregular warfare and peacekeeping for U.S. forces. After WWII, there was more
still, including the decade long war in Vietnam. But through all this, the MIC
leadership focused on conventional warfare, and deliberately ignored the
valuable lessons learned in generations of irregular warfare. It was as if
irregular warfare was considered an exception, and conventional warfare the
only thing that mattered. Another problem with irregular warfare is that, when
these conflicts come along, the military establishment, and their political
counterparts, proceed as if it's still peacetime. The military, especially
those closest to the fighting, adopt a wartime mentality of urgency and
immediacy. This causes friction with the military bureaucracy, who don't like
to be hustled unless there is a national emergency they can identify with.
To counter such threats, these thinkers argue, that we will need
fast-transient, expeditionary forces skilled in littoral operations, SOPs,
political military operations, counter-drug, counter-terrorist, and nuclear
operations, police work, all taking place more often in high density
urban/suburban areas.
Without
changing our patterns of thought, we will not be able to solve the problems we
created with our current patterns of thought.
Albert Einstein
While military development is generally a continuous evolutionary
process, the modern era has witnessed three watersheds in which change has been
dialectically qualitative. Consequently, modern military development comprises
three distinct generations. Modern war began with the Peace of Westphalia in
1648 which ended the Thirty Years War. Why? Because with that treaty, the
state, which was itself relatively new, established a monopoly on war. After
1648, first in Europe and then world wide, war became something waged by states
against other states, using state armies and navies (and later air forces).
1st GW lasted from
the Peace of Westphalia until around the time of the American Civil War. Most
of the things that define the difference between “military” and “civilian”;
such as saluting, uniforms, ranks i.e. military culture of order. Battles were
fought with smoothbore muskets using lines and column tactics. These tactics
were developed partially in response to technological factors — the line
maximized firepower, rigid drill generated a high rate of fire, etc. — and
partially in response to social conditions and ideas, e.g., the columns of the
French revolutionary armies reflected both the élan of the revolution and the
low training levels of conscripted troops. Although rendered obsolete with the
replacement of the smoothbore by the rifled musket, vestiges of first
generation tactics survive today, especially in a frequently encountered desire
for linearity on the battlefield. Operational art in 1st GW did not
exist as a concept although it was practiced by individual commanders, most
prominently Napoleon. Just as most state militaries are still designed to fight
other state militaries, so they also continue to embody the 1st GW
culture of order. The problem is that, starting around the middle of the 19th
century, the order of the battlefield began to break down the old line and
column tactics became suicidal i.e. increasingly contradictory to order.
2nd GW developed by
the French in WWI to re-establish order on the battlefield. 2nd GW
preserved the military culture of order it focused inward on orders, rules,
processes/tactics and procedures/regulations. There is a "school
solution" for every problem. Battles are fought methodically, so
prescribed methods drive training and education, where the goal is perfection
of detail in execution. 2nd GW like the First, values obedience over
initiative (initiative is feared because it disrupts synchronization) and
relies on imposed self discipline. 2nd GW saw the formal recognition
and adoption of the operational art, initially by the Prussian army. Again,
both ideas and technology drove the change. The ideas sprang largely from
Prussian studies of Napoleon's campaigns. Technological factors included Von
Moltke's realization that modern tactical firepower mandated battles of
encirclement and the desire to exploit the capabilities of the railway and the
telegraph. While ideas played a role (particularly the idea of lateral
dispersion), technology was the principal driver of change. Technology
manifested itself both qualitatively, in such things as (barbed wire, rifled musket, breechloaders, the machineguns, heavier
indirect fire artillery and bombing aircraft) and quantitatively, in the
ability of an industrialized economy to fight a battle of materiel (Materialschlacht). 2nd GW aka firepower/attrition
warfare tactics relied on centrally-controlled indirect artillery fire
synchronized with infantry, cavalry and aviation. However tactics remained
essentially linear. The defense still attempts to prevent all penetrations, and
in the attack a laterally dispersed line advanced by rushes in small groups. 2nd
GW tactics were summed up in the French maxim, "the artillery
conquers, the infantry occupies." Massed firepower replaced massed
manpower. The US Army and the U.S.M.C. both learned 2nd GW from the
French during the WWI, 2nd GW tactics remained the basis of
U.S. doctrine until the 1980s, and it largely remains the "American
way of war" today.
3rd
GW aka Maneuver Warfare, has its roots in the German Army in WWI
i.e. spring offensive of 1918. The German Army's new tactics were the first non
linear tactics, they also broke with the 1st and 2nd GW
culture of order. Instead of trying to restore order the German’s used chaos by
relying less on firepower than on speed and tempo. It sought to present the
enemy with unexpected and dangerous situations faster than he could cope with
them mentally or physically. 3rd GW militaries focus outward on the
situation i.e. the enemy, and the result the situation requires. Leaders at
every level are expected to get that result, regardless of orders.
Decentralization and focusing on the enemy rather than terrain and valuing
initiative higher than obedience are central characteristics of maneuver warfare.
The driving force was primarily ideas. Mistakes are tolerated and self
discipline, rather than imposed discipline, is encouraged. A well trained
officer corps, educated in the spirit of the commander is another central
requirement for maneuver warfare. The defense was in depth and instead of
trying to hold a line it often invited penetration, which set the enemy up for
a counterattack. The object was to draw the enemy in, then cut him off. On the
offensive, with the German "storm-troop tactics" of 1918 the attack
relied on infiltration to bypass i.e. flow like water around enemy strong
points, reaching deep into the enemy's stern area and rolling his forward units
up from the flanks and stern thus collapsed the enemy rather than seeking to
close with and destroy them. These WWI infantry tactics, when used by armored
and mechanized formations in WWII, became known as “Blitzkrieg.” When 2nd
and 3rd GW met in the German campaign against France in 1940, the 2nd
GW French Army was defeated completely and quickly; the campaign was over in
six weeks. Both armies had similar technology, and the French actually had more
(and better) tanks. Ideas, not weapons, dictated the outcome. The addition of
tanks caused a major shift at the operational level in World War II. That shift
was blitzkrieg. In the blitzkrieg, the basis of the operational art shifted
from place (as in Liddell-Hart's indirect approach) to time. This shift was
explicitly recognized only recently in the work of retired Air Force Col John
Boyd and his " OODA (observation- orientation - decision - action ) theory.
(Reference, Manuver Vs
Attrition above.)
4th GW is not, like
its predecessors, a new method of war. Rather the state monopoly on violence is
being lost.
The root of the
problem is a political, social i.e. moral revolution: a crisis of legitimacy of
the state. All over the world, citizens of states are transferring their
primary allegiance away from the state to other things: tribes, ethnic groups,
religions, Corporations, gangs, ideologies. Many people who will no longer
fight for their state will fight for their new primary loyalty. In Iraqi state
armed forces showed little fight, but Iraqi guerrillas whose loyalties are to
non state elements, fight. The decline of the state means there can be no
purely military solution. This is especially the case when the military force
is foreign; usually, its mere presence will further undermine the legitimacy of
the state it is attempting to support.
We sometimes
(misleadingly) call war against non state opponents "Operations Other Than
War" (OOTW) or “Stability and Support Operations” (SASO).
Much of 4GW is
simply war as it was fought before the rise of the state and the Peace of
Westphalia. Societies knew little internal order or peace; Mercenaries were
hired, bands of men with weapons, when not hired out for wars, simply took
whatever they wanted. In fact, before Westphalia, business enterprises, clans,
Ethnic groups, Families, gangs, tribes, races and Religions, waged wars. These
wars were often many sided, and alliances shifted constantly. The lines between
“civilian” and “military”, and between crime and war, were non existent.
Tactics included, assassination, bribery, betrayal, treachery, even dynastic
marriage.
4th GW will have no definable battlefields or fronts. Terms
Front-stern will be replaced with targeted-untargeted. Lines between
responsibility and mission well blur. The tactical and strategic levels will
blend as the opponent's political infrastructure and civilian society become
battlefield targets. In fact targets may be more in the civilian than the
military sectors. It seems likely to be widely dispersed. Actions will occur
concurrently throughout all participants' depth, including their society as a
cultural, not just a physical, entity but including knowledge. Major military
and civilian Centers of gravity i.e. COG facilities, such as airfields, fixed
communications sites, large headquarters, seats of government, power plants,
and manufacturing and other industrial sites will become rarities.
Technology; computer viruses, including latent viruses, well be used.
Research in superconductivity suggests the possibility of storing and using
large quantities of energy in very small packages. Directed Energy Weapons
(DEW) may bring electromagnetic pulse (EMP) effects without a nuclear blast.
Permitting small teams to destroy targets they could not with conventional
weapons i.e. it is possible that a fire team could have the same battlefield
effect as a current brigade. Car bombs may contain a product of genetic
engineering rather than high explosives?
Psychological operations may become the dominant operational and
strategic weapon in the form of (Logic bombs) and media/information
intervention i.e. manipulating the media to alter opinion. A major target will
be the enemy population's support of its leadership. However its effectiveness
could rapidly eliminate the ability of a nuclear-armed opponent to wage war
conventionally. Destruction or disruption of vital industrial capacities,
political infrastructure, and social fabric, coupled with sudden shifts in the
balance of power and concomitant emotions, could easily lead to escalation to nuclear
weapons. This risk may deter 4th GW among nuclear armed powers just
as it deters major conventional warfare among them today. IMO only delay i.e.
just like MAD has not kept us out of a shooting war, neither will the most
sophisticated syops.
4th GW will merely
accentuate and combined all this. 3rd (not to speak of 2nd GW) militaries seem to have little
capability against such synthesis. This could be a signpost of a typical
generational shift.
Thus we see two major catalysts for change in previous generational
shifts: technology and ideas. Technology was the primary driver of 2nd
GW; ideas were the primary driver of the 3rd. An idea-based 4th
GW is also conceivable.
For about the last 500 years, the West has defined warfare. For a
military to be effective it generally had to follow Western models. Because the
West's strength is technology, it may tend to conceive of 4th GW in
technological terms. However 4th GW may emerge from non-Western
cultures, such as Arab or Asiatic. Thus trailing in technology may lead them to
develop 4th GW through ideas rather than technology.
The genesis of an idea-based 4th GW may be visible in
terrorism. This is not to say that terrorism is 4th GW, but rather
that elements of it may be signposts of 4th GW. Terrorism is not a new phenomenon, and so far it has proven largely
ineffective.
Terrorists resolve the order vs chaos by eliminating the culture of
order. Terrorists do not have uniforms, drill, saluting or, for the most part,
ranks. Being of broader culture and non-Western may facilitate this
development.
Even in equipment, terrorism may point toward signs of a change in
generations. Typically, an older generation requires much greater resources to
achieve a given end than does its successor. Today, the US is spending $500
million apiece for stealth bombers. A terrorist stealth bomber is a car with a
bomb in the trunk a car that looks like every other car.
Some "carryovers" from 3rd GW. The more successful
terrorists appear to operate on broad mission orders that carry down to the
level of the individuals. The 'battlefield" is highly dispersed and
includes the whole of the enemy's society. The terrorist lives almost
completely off the land and the enemy. Two additional carryovers may be useful
"signposts" of 4th GW. The first is a component of
collapsing the enemy from within. It is a shift in focus from the enemy's front
to his stern. 1st GW focused tactically and operationally (when
operational art was practiced) on the enemy's front and combat forces. 2GW
remained frontal tactically, but at least in Prussian practice it
focused operationally on the enemy's stern through the emphasis on
encirclement. The 3GW shifted the tactical as well as the operational focus to
the enemy's stern. Terrorism takes this one step further. It attempts to bypass
the enemy's military entirely and strike directly at his homeland at civilian
targets. The second signpost is the way terrorism seeks to use the enemy's
strength against him, this
"judo" concept begin in
2GW, with encirclement. The enemy's fortresses became fatal traps. It was
pushed further in 3GW where, on the defensive, one side often let the other
infiltrate so his own momentum makes him less able to turn and deal with a
counterattack. Terrorists use a free society's freedom and openness, its
greatest strengths, against it. They can move freely within the society while
actively working to subvert it. They use democratic rights not only to
infiltrate but also to defend themselves. If we are forced to set aside our
legal system to deal with terrorists, the terrorists win.
Attacking the enemy's culture works from within as well as from
without. It can bypass not only the enemy's military but the state itself. The
US is already suffering heavily from such a cultural attack in the form of the
drug traffic. Drugs directly attack our culture. They have the support of a
powerful "fifth column," the drug buyers. They bypass the entire state
apparatus despite our best efforts. Some ideological elements in South America
see drugs as a weapon; they call them the "poor man's ICBM”. They prize
the drug traffic not only for the money it brings in through which we finance
the war against ourselves but also for the damage it does to the hated North
Americans.
Our national security capabilities are designed to operate within a
nation-state framework. Outside that framework, they have great difficulties.
The drug war provides an example. Because the drug traffic has no nation-state
base, it is very difficult to attack. The nation-state shields the drug lords
but cannot control them. We cannot attack them without violating the
sovereignty of a friendly nation. A 4GW attacker could well operate in a
similar manner, as some terrorists already do. A non-national or transnational
base, such as an ideology or religion. SP Syria hosted terrorists for two
reasons. Most importantly, this provided the dictator with considerable
immunity to terrorist attacks. Second, this close relationship with terrorists
made it easy to hire the terrorists for some freelance murder. Dictators have a
lot of enemies, and having some grateful (for the sanctuary) terrorists on
call, is a good way to deal with people out to do you harm. IMO note the same
basic reasons for the ISIs support for the Taliban in Pakistan.
Note however then there’s the theory that Saddam did not let so called
Al queda in out of fear they would take over.
5th GW note Maj Mark W. Elfers Gazette June 2009,
The author states, “[O]ur next conflict could well be small, morally
confusing, and idea centered, combining the worst ends of Saigon, Mogadishu, 11
September 2001, and Baghdad.” LtCol Coerr’s first point is that America’s (5GW)
opponent may not have a center of gravity (COG). Secondly that the state will
lose its position as the prime mover and redresser of grievance. Thirdly that
success in 5GW is inversely proportional to the amount of military force used.
The following are counterpoints to LtCol Coerr’s thesis.
When current irregular warfare opponents are broken down to their basic
components, one finds highly organized international criminal organizations.
They conspire to kill people and to destroy property in order to develop or to
secure their own positions of power. They use religion because it polarizes the
issues.
4th
GW is guerilla warfare more than “terrorism.” Terrorism is a single enemy
tactical action designed to have direct operational or strategic effect.
Because targets that have such operational or strategic effect are few and are
usually well-protected, terrorism normally plays a minor role in 4th
GW conflicts.
Terrorism also appears to represent a solution to a problem that has
been generated by previous generational changes but not really addressed by any
of them.
Colonel David
Hackworth in Vietnam, called this “out-guerilla’ing the guerilla,” or
“out-g’ing the G.” In his memoirs, About Face, he wrote, we would no
longer be the counterinsurgents who, like actors on a well-lit stage, gave all
their secrets away to an unseen, silent and ever-watchful (insurgent) audience
in a darkened theater. Instead we would approach the battlefield and the war as
our enemy approached it, and in so doing begin to outguerilla the guerilla –
“out-G the G”. The basic concepts, men, not helicopters or mechanical gimmicks,
won battles, and that the only way to defeat the present enemy in the present
war at a low cost in friendly casualties was through adopting the enemy’s own
tactics, i.e., cunning, deception, surprise, mobility . . . imagination, and
familiarity with the terrain . . . In training Field training should be
freeplay exercises against guerilla opponents who are allowed to make full use
of such typical guerilla tools as mines, booby traps and infiltration of their
enemy’s stern areas.
SP In order to minimize civilian
casualties, the air force relied more on over a thousand guided missiles
(Hellfires and TOWs) fired from helicopters.
Israel only has 46 AH-64s, but several hundred F-16s that can drop
smart bombs. So any operations in southern Lebanon would involve lots more
smart bombs. Moreover, Gaza is much more densely populated than southern
Lebanon, making it safer to use smart bombs.
4th GW Irregulars do enjoy some
important advantages over conventional forces. They can avoid stronger but more
heavily equipped opponents by using concealment and dispersal (often within the
civil population). They can solicit popular support or, if unsuccessful, compel
popular submission. They can be difficult to target, especially with air power
and artillery. They can fight an endless war of mines and ambushes.
Light (or Jaeger) infantry is
the best counter to irregulars because it offers three critical capabilities.
First, a “man to man” fight avoids the “Goliath” image. If the light infantry
does not pack to heavily with arms and equipment, it can enjoy the same
mobility as the irregulars (enhanced, as necessary by helicopters or motor
vehicles). Second, LI can be far more discriminating than other combat arms and
avoid collateral damage. Third, LI can show the local population a “human
face.” They can be courteous and even apologize for their mistakes. They can
protect the local people from retaliation and train defense force.
Current Marine infantry is
“light” only in the sense that it does not have its own medium or heavy armored
vehicles. However, it has a superabundance of everything else. In the field,
our “light” infantrymen routinely carry more than 50 kilograms of body armor,
weapons, ammunition, radios, field equipment, etc. They must depend heavily on
motor vehicles. These vehicles, in turn, tie them to roads and open terrain,
expose them to mines and ambush and diminish their ability to operate in urban
terrain. Reducing our motor vehicle dependence requires hard choices, including
a reduction in the number and size of crew-served weapons. Although modest
firepower levels are enough to
defeat most 4GW foes, we still arm our “light” infantry as if for conventional
combat against heavily armed opponents who fight as we do. Light infantry
tactics are above all hunting or stalking tactics. They must rely heavily on
stealth, invisibility and trickery. To real light infantry, ambush is a
mentality, not merely a technique.
A good LI defensive position is
one that surprises the enemy from a short distance but, at the same time,
enables the defender to move fast and under cover to a new position, unknown to
the enemy.
In 4th GW most light
infantry combat will occur at the company level or below.
Cash (buying goods) avoids
illegitimate actions, but also creates a dependency of locals on friendly
forces that will encourage the support from the population that LI requires for
its operations to be successful.
Light infantry should be able to
"live off the land" for prolonged periods and in almost any part of
the world. It should be trained and equipped to use cash to draw on the local
infrastructure for most of its needs. This type of true light infantry, or Jaegers,
is very different from what Marines now know as light infantry.
Three levels
The three
classical levels of war strategic, operational and tactical still exist in 4th
GW.
Colonel John
Boyd' s definition of grand strategy, the highest level of war; as the art of
connecting yourself to as many other independent power centers (i.e. COG) as
possible while isolating your enemies from theirs. A 4th GW conflict
will usually have many different COG not only at strategic levels but tactical
levels too. The game of connection and isolation will be central to tactics and
operational art as well as to strategy and grand strategy. It will be important
to ensure that what you are doing at the tactical level does not alienate
independent COG you need to connect with at the operational or strategic levels
present or future.
One important
change is that while in the first three generations, strategy was the province
of generals, 4th GW gives us the "strategic corporal."
Especially when video cameras are rolling, a single enlisted Marine may take an
action that has strategic effect. Another change is that all three levels may
be local. A unit must harmonize its AOR i.e. local tactical actions with
strategic goals i.e. both must be pursued consistently. (When assigning AOR
it is important that its boundaries reflect real local boundaries, such as
those between tribes and clans, and not be arbitrary lines drawn on a map at
some higher headquarters.)
Because
operational art is the art of focusing tactical actions on enemy strategic COG,
operational art becomes difficult or even impossible in 4th GW were
opponents' strategic COG are intangible. This was the essence of the Soviet
failure in Afghanistan. The Soviets focused on operational art, they could not
operationalize a conflict where the enemy's strategic COG was God. The Soviets
were reduced to fighting at the tactical level only. IMO this operational art
is all filibuster crap. I have noted it just to be aware of the definition when
others start talking about it. As far as operationalizing God as a COG it’s
“separation of Church and State”.
Colonel Boyd
also identified three levels of any conflict; they were the physical, mental
and the moral.
Boyd argued the
physical is the least powerful, the moral level is the most powerful and the
mental level lies between the other two. IMO the physical would include killing
people, breaking things, kinetics etc. Moreover, I agree it would be the
weakest of all. However with me the mental would include morals i.e. values and
motivations, as well as I.Q. over all technological aspects etc. Further more
even Lawrence of Arabia’s strategy on guerrilla warfare with its three elements
1) Algebraically 2) Biological 3) Psychological, could also be considered as a
sub brake down of the Mental level, even the biological seeing how genetics
plays such a row in our thinking. Psychological could drift off into the
spiritual if you have the time or care.
Physical examples;
Mental
examples;
Moral examples; the
contradiction between the physical and moral levels is similar to the
contradiction between the tactical and strategic levels, but the two are not
identical. The physical and moral levels play at the tactical and strategic
levels. Any disharmony among levels creates openings which opponents can
exploit. Of course, we can also exploit our opponents' disharmonies. For
example, lets say one opponent is a religious group. In a town where we have a
presence, a local feud results in the killing of a clergyman by members of the
same group. In itself, this is a minor tactical event. But if we use
information warfare to focus the public's attention on it, pointing out how the
tenets of the religion are not being observed by those who claim to speak for
it, we might create a “moral bomb.” A physical action would play on the moral
level, just as a tactical action would play on a strategic level.
A central
dilemma of 4th GW: what works for you on the physical (and
sometimes mental) level often works against you at the moral level. It is
therefore very easy in 4th GW to win all tactical engagements yet
lose the war. The basic problem remains the same: all actions, even the
smallest, must be considered with great care and from a variety of perspectives
lest they have unintended consequences on other (and possibly higher) levels.
Note IMO this could bring about a paralyzing quick sand dead end attitude i.e.
all the enlisted need to be taught is to “not
do on to others as you would not wont done to you”. Using all the above
winded theory as an example etc. otherwise your asking for the professional
Warfighter to be a psychiatrist with a gun on nothing but a crash course.
Note keep in
mind my preferred brake down however the fallowing notes continue more or less
down the lines of Colonel Boyd’s views i.e. system.
Also, phase
order of effects i.e. first, second or third. IMO first meaning direct effect
on those concerned. Second, order a side effects. Third might be historical or traditional.
4th GW forces are free of the 1st GW culture of
order; they focus outward, prize initiative and they are highly decentralized,
rely on self discipline. 4th GW fighters are very good at making
themselves untargetable.
Unlike state
armed forces, most 4th GW entities cannot simply order their men to
fight. Most 4th GW forces are, in effect, militias and throughout
history, motivating them to fight has been a major challenge. We must ensure
that we do not solve that problem for opponents. We emphasize the strategic
level here in part because errors at the strategic level cannot be undone by
successes at the tactical level (that is the primary lesson from Germany's
defeats in both World Wars), and states often violate this rule in 4th
GW.
In 4th
GW less is more. First objective keep "footprint" as small as
possible. Important to minimize the contradiction between the physical and
moral levels.
The smaller
foot print, the fewer negative effects our presence will have at the moral
level. This is true not only for us but for the state we are attempting to
buttress.
If the
situation is such that Marines' presence must be obvious, that is, we cannot
limit it in extent i.e. in situations where Marines do invade.
Another way to
minimize our footprint is to limit its duration i.e. conducting expeditions, or
raids.
An easy victory
on the battle field brings with it a serious danger. Our victory can easily
destroy the enemy state itself, not merely bring about "regime change.” If
this happens, it may prove impossible to re create a state. As it is easy to
loss by winning. Therefore, we must learn how to preserve enemy states at the
same time that we defeat them. The key to preserve its armed forces. Here, the
revival of an 18th century practice may be helpful: rendering the opposing
armed forces the "honors of war." Instead of humiliating them,
destroying them physically or, after our victory, disbanding them, we should do
them no more damage than the situation requires. Prisoners should be treated
with respect. If they are senior officers, they should be treated as
"honored guests," invited to dine with our generals, given the best
available quarters etc. we should praise how well they fought, give them
respect in public. Throughout the conflict, all our actions should be guided by
the goal of enabling and encouraging the armed forces we are fighting to work
with us. The same is true for civil servants of the enemy state. It is critical
that the state bureaucracy continue to function. We must be careful not to
leave any segments of the enemy's society unrepresented in a new government.
And, that government should be headed by local figures, not by someone from
another country.
If all else
fails, occupations should be by joint forces.
This is the
least desirable option, because as foreign occupiers, we are at a severe
disadvantage at the moral/legitimacy level.
“Joint” no
longer means Army-Navy-Air Force and Marine Corp cooperation. Joint full
spectrum goals for a region, area and community and they have sub goals by
region and time leading to the overall goal. Marines must work hand-in-hand
with organizations such as State Department, Aid organizations, NGOs etc. At
the most powerful level of war, the moral level, the key to victory is to
convince the local people to identify with us, or at least to acquiesce to us,
rather than identifying with our enemies. Because we are foreign invaders
representing a different culture (and sometimes a different religion), this is
a difficult challenge.
Meeting this
challenge will depend to a significant degree not on what we do, but on what we
do not do. We cannot insult and brutalize the local population and
simultaneously convince them to identify with us. We cannot represent a threat
to their historic culture, religion or way of life. We cannot come across as
Goliath, because no one identifies with Goliath. Nor do people identify with
Paris, the Trojan champion in the Iliad, who fought from a distance (he was an
archer) and was therefore a coward. This does not mean we should be weak, or
project an image of weakness. That is also fatal, because in most other
cultures, men do not identify with the weak. History is seldom determined by
majorities. It is determined by minorities who are willing to fight.
In most 4th
GW situations, the critical “constituency” we must convince to identify with or
acquiesce to us is young men and women of fighting age. To them, we must appear
to be strong without offering a challenge to fight that honor requires them to
accept. They may identify with an outsider who is strong. They will fight any
outsider who humiliates them. In terms of ordinary, day-to-day actions, there
is a Golden Rule for winning at the moral level, and it is this: Don’t do on to
others as you would not won’t done to you. This Golden Rule has a corollary:
when you make a mistake and hurt or kill someone you shouldn’t or damage or
destroy something you shouldn’t – and you will – apologize and pay up, fast.
Repair and rebuild, quickly, if you can, but never promise to repair or rebuild
and then not follow through. This brings us to the bottom line for winning at
the moral level: your words and your actions must be consistent.
Another dilemma
of 4th GW: What succeeds on the tactical level can easily be counter
productive at the strategic level. Example, using overwhelming firepower at the
tactical level, Marines may intimidate the local population into fearing and
leaving them alone. But fear and hate are closely related, and hating us works
toward our strategic defeat.
In 4th
GW, the weak often have more power than the strong. One of the first to employ
the power of weakness was Mahatma Gandhi. His insistence on non-violent
tactics. Once the British responded to Indian independence gatherings and
rallies with violence, they immediately lost the moral war. In most situations,
our best hope of winning lies not in escalation but in de-escalation. Marines
are taught to escalate. Cops don’t do that, because it enrages the community.
With the David and Goliath story, most root for David. "One of our first
rules is proportionality. A disproportionate response makes us look like cowards."
We must
understand that, despite/in spite of,
our vast tactical and technical superiority, at the strategic level we are
weaker. The reason is simple: at some point we will go home, while our
opponents will remain. That fact overwhelms all others, every local ask
himself, “What will my situation be when the Marines leave?” If we fracture the
local society to the point where order is unlikely after we depart, anyone who
has worked with us will then be in danger.
Our strategic
objectives must be realistic. Seldom if ever will we be able to re make other
societies and cultures. Nor can we make ourselves loved by countries we invade;
keeping them from hating us so much that they want to fight us will often be
the best we can do. In insurgencies, "51% solutions" are acceptable.
Remember, 4th GW is easy to lose and very challenging to win. In
most 4th GW, state armed forces end up defeating themselves.
Accuracy of the
Observation and Orientation is more important than speed. As in 3rd
GW the tactical level in 4th GW conflicts is reconnaissance driven,
not intelligence driven; the information Marines need will almost always come
from below, not from higher headquarters.
No Fort
Apaches. We'll live in the towns. We will billet with the people, paying them
well for the quarters we occupy. We'll shop in the local markets, drink coffee
in the local cafes. We protect the shopkeepers, but they also protect us. They
don't want their shops blown up. Let captains, lieutenants and sergeants work
their areas the way they see fit, blending in as much as possible.
“With that kind
of dispersion, requires trust in command, not control. I give my subordinates
mission orders. They know the result I want. Works like German operational
philosophy based upon a common outlook and freedom-of-action, and realized
through their concepts of mission and schwerpunkt, emphasized implicit over
explicit communication.
Which suggests
The secret of the German Command and Control System lies in what’s unstated
or not communicated to one another in order to exploit lower-level
initiative yet realize higher-level intent, thereby diminish friction and
reduce time, hence gain both quickness and security.
Result
The Germans were able to repeatedly operate inside their adversary’s
observation-orientation-decision-action loops.
Least we
forget; in general, techniques have no place in a doctrinal manual because
techniques should never be doctrine. Defining techniques as doctrine is a mark
of a Second Generation military. In the Third and Fourth Generations,
techniques are entirely at the discretion of whoever, regardless of rank, has
to get a result. He is responsible only for getting the result, never for
employing a set method. That is doctrine! 3rd GW militaries also
recognize that any technique usually has a short "shelf life" in
combat. As soon as the enemy comes to expect it, he turns it against you. This,
in turn, means that the ability to invent new techniques is highly important.
Units that develop a successful new technique should communicate their
discovery laterally to other Marine units. 4th GW makes this all the
more important, because 4th GW opponents will often use techniques
very different from our own. Their "way of war" will reflect their
culture, not ours.
"chivalric
code" that sets rules both sides will follow. Some (not all) entities have
self images that make honor, generosity, and lineage tracing to
"knightly" forebears important to them. Just as chivalry was
important before the state, it may again become important after the state.
Where these attributes are present, it may be to our advantage (especially on
the moral level) to propose a "chivalric code." The specifics of such
a code would vary place to place. Regardless of the specifics, such codes will
generally work to our advantage. They will diminish our "Goliath"
image, demonstrate that we respect the local people and their culture, and
generally help de-escalate the conflict. They will also assist in improving
public order, which in turn helps in preserving or re creating a local state.
IMO one problem with allowing people to be who they are is Religion is easy and
people travel the path of least resistance, so the “Book Thumpers” will take
over.
Disadvantages
such codes may bring to us at the physical level will generally be more than
compensated by advantages at the mental and moral levels.
"From day
one, our message to the people was, 'We're not here to take over. You are in
charge. You tell us what to do that will help you.' We helped them bring in
NGOs to set up clinics and distribute food. We put our troops to work with
local engineers and technicians to improve the infrastructure. “What we needed
weren’t grunts. We need plumbers, carpenters, electricians, masons and
construction material. Engineers, doctors, city planners, lawyers or
professionals. The skills of each Marine should be identified at the battalion
level.
Reservists and
National Guardsmen may be better suited to 4th GW situations than
many regulars. They are, on average, older and better educated than Active
Units. Most are skilled in trades other than warfighting. Police officers and
prison guards are often found in Reserve and National Guard units. The police
officer who has walked a beat in any major American city has dealt with gang
warfare, illicit drug dealing, gun running and other criminal enterprises. 4th
GW war does not look much different than the streets of an American ghetto. The
level of violence may be more extreme, but many police who serve on SWAT teams
in major cities have dealt with more violence in a month than most Marines do
in a year.
On security, we
let the mayor and the local police set policy. We captured over 1000
insurgents. We released all locals; we did keep them with us for a while to
show them that we treat people with respect and are trying to help. They get to
know the Marines, who treat POW as guests. Only if we capture someone a second
time or if they are not locals do we forward them to division.
They like us
want order too, only they know a lot better than we do how to get it in their
society." "We understand that real psyops are not what we say but
what we do, and God help us if the two are different. The people well
understand that we are not there to change the way they live, or to make them
live by our rules. Put up signs in all our buildings, in Arabic and in English
that say, 'When in Afghanistan, do as the Afghans do.' We go out of our way to
make it clear that we do not see our way of life as superior to theirs. We are
not somehow 'better' than they are. In cultures like this one, honor and pride
are very important. If we seem to lord it over them, they have to fight us
because their honor demands it."
American-style
“Force Protection” is highly disadvantageous, because it seeks security by
isolating marines from the surrounding population. Effectiveness demands the
opposite: integration with the local populace. The reason is that just as
Marines protect the local people, so the local people will protect them.
Perhaps the best example of this symbiotic protection is the traditional
British “bobby.” The bobby was, until recently, unarmed. The reason he did not
need a weapon was that just as he protected the neighborhood, the neighborhood
protected him. The bobby had a regular beat, which he patrolled on foot. He
came to know every house and its inhabitants, and they came to know him. Just
as his familiarity with his beat enabled him to see very quickly if anything
was out of the ordinary, so the fact that the local people knew him as an
individual meant they told him what he needed to know. Marines will not be able
to go about unarmed in most situations. By buying bread, fruit or construction
materials locally, Marines’ presence also contributes to the local economy. To
be effective, they must reside in the same neighborhood or village for some
time. Results usually come slowly. In Vietnam Marines had the CAP program
i.e. integration with the local population. Highly effective By all accounts.
Again, Marine commanders should attempt to learn from such past successes as
the CAP program and not have to “reinvent the wheel” in each new conflict.
Develop a
mental "switch." When the switch is set for combat with state armed
forces, Marines must want to fight. When instead it is set for 4th
GW situations, Marines must be equally keen not to fight. The second involves
risks, as does the first. But the second is just as important as the first,
because not wanting to fight is as important to victory in 4th GW as
wanting to fight is in the 3rd. The key, as elsewhere, is the
Marines' well known self discipline.
One part of
"not wanting to fight" may require taking more casualties than you
inflict. It is more important not to kill the wrong people than it is to kill
armed opponents. Anytime an innocent person is wounded or killed, his
family and clan members are likely to be required by the local culture to take
revenge. This means when Marines are under fire, they must discipline
themselves to return fire only when they are certain they are firing on armed
enemies. If Marines are fired on in a situation where it is not clear who is
firing and the Marines are intermixed with the civilian population, the best
solution may be to withdraw. We need not “win” every firefight by leaving
behind a pile of dead local people. Finally, despite a policy of de-escalation,
there will be some situations where Marines do need to escalate. When that
happens, we again stress that it must be over fast. Once the escalation
terminates, Marines must make every effort to demonstrate that de-escalation
remains Marine Corps policy.
Graffiti in
Iraq "Now the real war starts." American tanks had ripped up some
roads, crushed sewers and water pipes and even knocked down a few buildings.
Don’t go in
with M-1s and Bradleys. Just HMMWVs and trucks. Ditch the helmets, armor and
sunglasses. They make you look like Robocop. US troops in their helmets, armor
and sunglasses, they looked like jinn, not men.
We treat their
wounded just like our own. We sent them on helos to US run hospitals, not the
crummy local ones. We transported their families to the hospitals to see them,
and when they were well enough we took them back to their homes. We also gave
money to the families that had lost wage earners." "Moslems bury
their dead immediately, and I and my men went to all the funerals. Then I had
memorial services for my two KIA and invited the townspeople. Many came,
including three imams who offered prayers. That had a huge impact locally. I
then asked the imams if they and their colleagues would give classes on Islam
to me and my troops. "Sir, my other two wounded happened like this”. A
couple kids with AK 47s jumped a patrols. They couldn’t really shoot, it was
just pray and spray. Despite two men down, my guys did not shoot the kids. My
patrol leader charged them and they dropped their weapons and ran. When he
caught them, he brought them back to the ambush site, pulled their pants down
and spanked them. The crowd loved it, and the kids were humiliated in front of
their buddies instead of being heroes. Both of my guys have since returned to
duty and the kids' parents have apologized to us.
If we have to
take out an evil doer, the preferred option is to take out a contract on them.
Locals do the dirty work, (American fingerprints.) There may be situations
where escalation on the tactical level is necessary to obtain de-escalation on
the operational and strategic levels i.e. if there is an insurgent cell that is
too tough for locals to handle, we send in our Nighthunters, our equivalent to
Delta Force. They specialize in being invisible. Local citizens never see them
or deal with them. That enables us to keep the locals from seeing the average
American as a threat. We try not to kill, make use of CS gas etc. if we do kill
someone we pay blood money to his tribe.
"Of
course, there are situations where we do want bloodshed. We constantly try to
identify factional divisions among the insurgents. When we find one, we try to
escalate it, to ramp up friction within the other side. We use (whispering
campaigns) i.e. lies and deceptions to sway one faction to whack another, then
we find discreet ways to help them do that. We do it in such a way that they
all start blaming each other. Often, the insurgents do our most difficult jobs
for us, killing their own leaders out of fear of being stabbed in the back.
Also known as the "Mafia Model." How would the mafia do an
occupation? One key to a mafia’s success is the concealed use of force as well
as money as weapons. If an individual needs to be “whacked,” then it is usually
done with little fanfare and in the shadows. The rule is, “No fingerprints.”
Unless there is a specific message to be sent out to a larger audience, people
who are killed by the Mafia are almost never found. This usually requires
patience. It often takes a long time for the right situation to present itself.
If there is a message to be made to a larger audience, then a public display of
violence is used. But this is usually avoided, as it can backfire against the
aims and goals of the organization due to public opinion. The mafia also
operates on the principle that “everybody gets his cut.” If you are willing to
work with the mafia, you get part of the profits. The rewards should grow as
the “business” expands, that is, as Marines get closer to achieving their
objectives. This is also important for leaving a stable situation behind.
What artillery
and air power are in 3rd GW, cash is in the 4th GW:
you’re most useful supporting arm. Local Marine commanders must have a
bottomless “slush fund” of cash to use at their discretion. Obviously, this
cash cannot be subject to normal accounting procedures; most will, necessarily
and properly, be used for bribes. Just as a commander needs to have a plan for
how to use artillery and air power, he will now need a plan for employing his
cash. If our most important supporting arm is cash, we cannot just throw it
around.
That is why in
Northern Ireland, British troops are not allowed to return fire unless they are
actually taking casualties. The Israeli military historian Martin van Creveld
argues that one reason the British have not lost in Northern Ireland is that
they have taken more casualties than they have inflicted.
Clausewitz,
writing on war between states, said that "War is the extension of politics
by other means." In 4th GW, the opposite is more likely to be
true: politics can be a useful extension of war, one that gives us power but
also is consistent with de-escalation. Nowhere more than in a post-state
situations is the old saying "All politics is local" truer. When the
state vanishes, everything becomes local. By understanding and leveraging local
political balances, we may be able to attain many objectives without fighting.
A useful model
here is the old British Northwest Frontier Agent. The Northwest Frontier was
the lawless tribal area between British India and Afghanistan. In this area,
the British government was represented by Frontier Agents. These were Englishmen,
but they were also men who had lived in the area for a long time and knew the
local players and politics well. Their actual power was small some cash and
usually a company of Sepoys, Indian troops. But that small power was often
enough to tilt the local political and military balance for or against a local
chieftain. The local leaders were aware of this, and they usually found it
worth their while to maintain good relations with the British so as to keep
them on their side, or at least not actively intervening against them. Here
again, the key is good local intelligence, especially political intelligence.
By integrating with the local population, Marines can learn what the local
political divisions and alignments are so that they can play on them. Just as
with the Northwest Frontier Agents, Marines can leverage relationships to
achieve their ends while avoiding fighting.
(Reference, Def. Rule # 7,
4th Generation warfare)
Pro
guerrilla / insurgency
operations
Trans-national guerillas referred to as the great equalizer. Guerrilla
warfare is for the morally strong and materially weak.
It is far more intellectual than a bayonet charge. Expansion phase volunteers trained as agitators (to stir up) and
propagandists are sent out to enlist popular support. A process that is
clandestine, methodical and progressive. May last for years.
(Reference, Planning
summery Execution at the beginning of Fragment fighting facts)
Disassociates the population with government. They outline shared goals
for guerrillas and population. The nation’s character/population must be
favorable to the measures, motivations and cause. In early phases struggle must
be purely defensive the guerrilla/volunteer most concentrate on his district.
The threats of war most embrace a considerable extent of the nation. The war
must first be carried out in the heart of the nation’s cities. The nation most
be of broken and difficult nature, mountains, forest, marsh or dessert. Not
easy for regulars to cut off support. Large areas of land between guerrillas
and regulars laid waste by flood or fire (marsh or desert) so regulars will
have to cross it. If regulars persist on staying there he will suffer in waist
land. Ex; Anbar province in Iraq. Guerrillas should be concerned with the
entire area that separates regulars from there bases. The war can not be
decided by a single catastrophe. Vanity, the guerrilla who suffers from this is
blinded by successes he winds up organizing action that he considers decisive
and commits all resources. Stretching forces and influences to thin.
Precipitous actions, leader loses patients suffers an attack of nerves. Dose
not wait for everything to come together i.e. tries to solve problems by
forcing actions. Prolonged operations are to be avoided hence preferred tactics
to strategies. This means on a cell level not fighting to long for one thing.
Be opportunist, attack everything and defend nothing. To gain terrain is no
cause for joy, to lose it no cause for sorrow. Using death and destruction to
spread panic far beyond points of physical impact. Targets are carefully picked
to transmit psychological messages that shape public opinions and behavior.
Design attack to take place where it will not bring with it an obvious or clear
cut choice of response (Guerrillas often drive into town fire rockets thin
leave). Targeting variety of victims at random times and places reduces the
value of early warning. Novelty and surprises throw an enemy into consternation
(dismay and confusion), but common incidents have a diminishing effect. The aim
is to make security appear impotent and concessions seem preferable to chaos.
(Reference, Step # 2,
leadership guidelines, Platoon cmdr, “there is a limit”)
Organization; cellular structure is used at
village and district level. Province or regional structure might be more like
traditional government. Run companies for arms and equipment manufacturing. Stirring committee cells similar to Apache war parties, assume many sizes they
generally start with a multi purpose nucleus, leadership or Command
element/cell, Combat or Assault element/cell and Support or Logistics
element/cell. Cells seldom exceed 10 members. Some stagnate others under the
supervision of highly skilled handlers mature as multi faceted syndicates with
numerous off shoots. Movement grows by adding cells instead of expanding
elements. Keeping cells small helps to simplify internal control and prevent
compromise (compromise is exposure of covert operations, plans or members). Intermediaries aka cutouts normally
separate chiefs from Indians and cells from each other. So that captured
members furnish few leads. During any interactions/contact i.e. meetings,
ideally all cutouts conceal there true I.D. At worst the cutout knows his or
her one contact. Blind drop covert
delivery of message with out contact between cutouts i.e. hiding messages under
rocks etc. Compartmentalization/cell system based on need to know bases. Cells
subdivide support tasks and perform them step by step in series. One
element/cell might make purchases, than a second manufactures components, third
completes assembly and fourth distributes. Fifth uses product. Publish papers
in same way.
The shadow governors appointed by the Taliban in every province were
reshuffled to break up emerging bureaucratic fiefdoms and re-energize the
movement.
Size of Counterinsurgency Units Do not form large units it diminishes
one of the principle strengths of an insurgency; namely, dispersal into small
and more mobile targets.
Know the enemy’s tactics and routines; strict adherence to doctrine or
even repetition of innovative tactics is a common characteristic of
conventional forces. Insurgent forces can exploit this weakness. Such knowledge
can provide advance warning of COIN forces intentions.
Open resistance flared so quickly that only two months after the Soviet
invasion, (on the night of 23 February 1980) almost the entire population of
Kabul climbed on their rooftops and chanted with one voice "God is
Great".
In CIS young men, from well off families, in major cities are drafted
much less often (less than 20 percent as often) as those from rural areas. The
urban kids either have the money (several thousand dollars will get you listed
as unfit for service) or the connections (to get it done for a favor). It's
easier to just "disappear" in the city, while in rural areas,
everybody knows your name. Moreover, the rural guys have higher unemployment to
deal with, so a year or so in the military is seen as a rational economic
choice. Moreover, more of the rural population is more patriotic, and see
military service as, well, service. But it's no
secret that the urban kids are avoiding their service, and contributing to the
corruption everyone complains about.
Anti guerrilla / insurgence operations
Regulars in small wars must frequently adopt retrograde movements but
these must be very deliberate as they always encourage the guerrilla. Squares
and other defensive works are far more important then in regular warfare.
Professional police work helps but informants are scares. Attempts to penetrate
small hyperaware cells is a time consuming perilous occupation. Pay offs are
limited unless plants are in C4I. Intimate relationships with local populations
are to be avoided due to spies. Must not show favoritism to anyone either.
Lawrence of Arabia’s strategy had three elements 1) Algebraically 2) Biological
3) Psychological. Over all goals, persuades population to cooperate with
government. Militarily anti guerilla operations seldom succeed, unless a direct
offensive roots out the
infrastructure, separates local underground i.e. black market and the like from
guerrillas and stops outside assistance. Kill the head, hearts and minds
fallow, the separation of fish (Guerrillas) from the supporting sea (the
people). As Mao once put it, mass deprivation of the agrarian infrastructure.
Because the ability to furnish or deny food provides a useful lever.
Regimes which permit freedom of oral and written expression keep finger
on the pulse of public. By allowing disgruntled citizens to air grievances, try
to manage rather than resist change. Rally loyal factions leaving
malcontents/Guerrillas with out support.
Two approaches
to the press; defensive or offensive. In defensive, the objective is to
minimize bad press by controlling the flow of news. This was typical of how
militaries approached the press in 2nd and 3rd GW. The
offensive approach seeks to use the press more than to control it, though some
control measures may still be in place. Media is important at the mental i.e.
moral level. In turn, the key to an offensive press strategy is openness. Few
members of the press or media such as the internet will allow themselves to be
so controlled as to present only the good news about Marines’ activities.
Unless Marines are open about mistakes and failures, the press will devote most
of their effort to ferreting them out. Worse, Marines will lack credibility
when they have real good news to present. Paradoxically, openness is the key to
controlling negative information when necessary. Sometimes, openness builds
such a cooperative relationship with the media that they become part of your
team and don’t want to report something that will really hurt you. At other times,
you can expend the credibility you have built through a general policy of
openness to deceive when deception is absolutely necessary. Just remember that
when you do so, you may be using your only silver bullet. IMO the US mastered
these techniques long ago i.e. the so called news is propaganda. And let’s not
forget the Governments use of spokes/spooks persons. No freedom of speech in
the ranks.
Promote understanding and contacts between artist, clergy, elites,
journalists, labor leaders, military, political, teachers and students, with
academic and cultural exchanges. Such as lectures, seminars, symposia, student
exchange programs. The best way to deal with guerrillas is to preempt them
through economical development and social reform. EX; Iraqi local tribes paid
to protect pipelines. Clans providing security for convoys going through
FATA.
Deterrence that eliminates causes instead of symptoms is particularly
illusive. Political economic and social reforms which deflate genuine
grievances help eradicate guerrillas by convincing a populist majority that
government programs are preferred to the guerrilla’s promises. Reforms that
reapportion influence and provide equal opportunity for all may alleviate or
eliminate guerrilla causes. If policy makers take appropriate steps early
enough and avoid replacing one set of problems with others. Those techniques
AKA winning hearts and minds however are less beneficial as a counter
insurgency tool i.e. meaning Guerrillas are a foreign movement. Or if
guerrillas are opposing a long time despised government. Negotiated compromise
in such cases is possible but improbable. Rhetoric by officials increases
guerrilla prestige government must match words with will and means. Negotiated
compromise that offers some satisfaction to guerrillas customarily is an
ultimatum, although guerrillas may approve of the process since it publicizes there purpose
and divest them with status equal to beleaguered government. They will then
share blame if blood shed continues. Consequently to not invite them
relinquishes privilege and shared blame. Guerrilla motivations normally are to
prevent open promises. Normally accept few rewards short of total success and
publicized victory.
U.S. foreign policy equals Christian beliefs “we not only have the
right but the obligation to spread our ways. Foreigners don’t know the benefits
we have been blest with.” U.S. government’s cover i.e. message or revealed
truth, to the public “we're going to help rescue these people”. IMO when
politics is spun too much, population turns to religion so government must too.
U.S. also anti communist vs. economical interest. Even if the opposition leader
is not communist, what if leader is over thrown by someone who is. Not like
U.K. or France, flat out up front explanation that it’s in our nation’s
economic or security interest.
Example from Navy Times 3/21/11, “but
the Western allies have sent mixed signals over their vision for the end game
of their intervention in Libya. France has taken the most aggressive tone, with
its U.N. ambassador saying the ultimate goal was to get rid of Gadhafi. But the
top U.S. military officer took a more cautious stance, reflecting American
worries about getting dragged deeper into the conflict”. Newjarheaddean and
this with President Obama saying a week or so before the U.N. resolution 1973
that Gadhafi must go. But now his administration says that was just a
suggestion i.e. as in, just in case Gadhafi had not thought about it etc.
Lessens learned by other nations witnessing U.S. supported coups. The
CIA will use all means available to wreak target government. Universities,
science, media, industry, trade, religion. Allies are reluctant to work with
U.S. agents do to tight restrictions, also legal limitations and U.S. leaks
that compromise their sources magnify difficulties. Tactical deterrence
dilemmas. Israel’s swift and sure punishment vs. British approach which has
kept better faith with humane principles and tactics. Threats can be constituted
by phone call, visit to nation by guerrilla members or drop in/walk in
informant.
"Hama
model." Refers to what Syrian did when the Moslem Brotherhood, rebelled in
1982. On February 2, 1982, the Syrian Army was deployed into the area
surrounding Hama. Within three weeks, the Syrian Army had completely devastated
the city of Hama, resulting in the deaths of between 10,000 and 25,000 people.
The use of heavy artillery, armored forces and possibly poison gas resulted in
large-scale destruction and an end to the Moslem Brotherhood’s desires to
overthrow the Baath Party. After the operation was finished, one surviving citizen
of Hama stated, “We don’t do politics here anymore, we just do religion.” The
results of the destruction of Hama were clear to the survivors. As the June 20,
2000 Christian Science Monitor wrote, “Syria has been vilified in the West for
the atrocities at Hama. But many Syrians, including a Sunni merchant class that
has thrived under Alawite rule, also note that the result has been years of
stability.” What distinguishes the Hama model is overwhelming firepower and
force, deliberately used to create massive casualties and destruction, in an
action that is over fast. Speed is of the essence to the Hama model. The
objective is to get it over with so fast that the effect desired locally is
achieved before anyone else has time to react or, ideally, even to notice what
is going on. If a Hama type operation is allowed to drag out, it will turn into
a disaster on the moral level. It might become an option if a WMD were used
against us on our own soil. The main reason we need to identify the Hama model
is to note a serious danger i.e. it is easy, but fatal, to choose a course that
lies between the Hama model and the de-escalation model. Such a course
inevitably results in defeat, because of the power of weakness. Historian
Martin van Creveld compares a state military that, with its vast superiority in
lethality, continually turns its firepower on poorly equipped opponents to an
adult who administers a prolonged, violent beating to a child in a public
place. Regardless of how bad the child has been, every observer sympathizes
with the child. That is why the rule for the Hama model is that the violence
must be over fast. Any attempt at a compromise between the two models results
in prolonged violence that is fatal.
MCA June 2009; Accept
counterinsurgency as a political activity. An insurgency has political
goals. Violence is but one element of power an insurgent movement asserts to
achieve its objectives. As conditions change and counterinsurgents gain and
maintain security, one can expect that political goals of insurgent movements
will remain, though the strategies and tactics to achieve those goals will
change. Oftentimes enemy efforts to achieve objectives will take place in the
legitimate realm of local, provincial, and national politics. Thus, it is
critical that companies learn and track the political situation in their
battlespace as best as possible. Learn the political environment and attempt to
understand agendas and alliances. How do changes in local political power
influence the local security environment, and how will various insurgents take
advantage of new opportunities? Some answers will come from the multiple
engagements companies will have with the population and local leaders. Each
conversation can be a piece to the political puzzle leading to indications and
warnings of violence due to political change. The CLIC will need to assist the
commander in compiling engagement reports and help put the pieces of the
political puzzle together for the company’s battlespace.
Weighting the main
effort. Each company assigned battlespace within the battalion’s area of
operations will be confronted with unique human terrain that may or may not
interrelate with adjacent villages and tribal areas. Assuming the battalion
assigns battlespace to all four of its maneuver companies, an intelligence
section without CLICs would be faced with collecting and analyzing information
for four distinct and disparate areas. This is a tall order even for a
regimental S–2 section, let alone that of a battalion. Consequently, the
battalion commander must identify a main effort to ensure that the battalion
intelligence section is focusing its limited resources on those areas that
require the most attention to achieve the battalion commander’s objectives.
For the companies that are not the main effort, the necessity for a top quality
CLIC will become critical. With the bulk of the battalion intelligence
resources focused elsewhere, CLICs will need to provide their company commander
with the information management of collection efforts and limited analysis to
maintain an understanding of the battlespace.
The CLIC team and the commander. The experiences
of most infantry battalions reveal one well-known truism: the effort the
company commander places on company-level intelligence is correlated/connected
to the amount of actionable intelligence the company produces i.e. little
attention to intelligence collection; the company will have little effect on
the battlespace. Ultimately, the CLIC the commander builds is a direct
reflection of the value he places on understanding and influencing his
battlespace.
If a battalion is operating in
a distributed environment, the companies will never be satisfied with the level
of battalion level intelligence support. Only the company commander and his
CLIC will focus their full efforts within the area of operations that is most
critical to the company’s success. One of the most influential decisions a
company commander makes is the selection of the CLIC Marines. As the CLIC is
sourced “out of hide,” some commanders may want to shortchange the quality of
personnel. This choice may be “pennywise but pound foolish” and result in a
“what did these guys do for me” reflection later. Commanders must be willing to
cut into muscle a stronger and more competent CLIC will result in a greater
gain for the company than the cumulative loss felt by the squads. The
counterinsurgent theorist, David Kilcullen, articulated this best, “Put the
smartest soldiers in the [CLIC]. You will have one less rifle squad: but the
[CLIC] will pay for itself in lives and effort saved. Who, then, are
the right Marines? Successful CLICs possess attributes that include analytical
ability, prior operational deployment, language training, and computer skills.
Curiosity, “street smarts,” and effective written and oral communication.
A guerrilla war is not a war of technology versus peasantry. Rather, it
is a contest of endurance and national will. The side with the greatest moral
commitment (ideological, religious or patriotic) will hold the ground at the
end of the conflict. Battlefield victory can be almost irrelevant, since
victory is often determined by morale, obstinacy and survival. Lessons learned
from this conflict were gathered by both sides. Whatever else these lessons may
show, the most fundamental of them is that no army, however sophisticated, well
trained, materially rich, numerically overwhelming and ruthless, can succeed on
the battlefield if it is not psychologically fit and motivated for the fight.
The force, however destitute in material advantages and numbers, which can rely
on the moral qualities of a strong faith, stubborn determination, individualism
and unending patience will always be the winner. These may not be the optimum
qualities always found in the armies of western democracies.
The Soviet concept for military occupation of Afghanistan was based on the
following:
Stabilizing the country by garrisoning the main routes, major cities,
airbases and logistics
Sites; relieving the Afghan government forces of garrison duties and
pushing them into the
Countryside to battle the resistance; providing logistic, air,
artillery and intelligence support to the Afghan forces; providing minimum
interface between the Soviet occupation forces and the local Populace;
Accepting minimal Soviet casualties; and, Strengthening the Afghan forces, so
once the resistance was defeated, the Soviet Army could be withdrawn.
It proved a bloody experience in which the Soviet Union reportedly killed
1.3 million people and forced five and a half million Afghans (a third of the
prewar population) to leave the country as refugees. Another two million
Afghans were forced to migrate within the country. The countryside is ravaged
and littered with mines.
Battalion and regimental‐level combat was fought primarily in the mountains against
separate detachments of mujahideen [insurgents]. The war was fought under
conditions where the enemy lacked any aviation capabilities, but had modern air
defense systems and modern mines. A lack of front lines and advances along
varied axes (which were not mutually supporting) characterized the decisive
actions of the opposing sides as they attempted to seize the initiative and
gain control over certain territories.
The Soviet forces encountered several unique combat characteristics
which necessitated that they adopt more effective methods for combating
guerrilla forces of mujahideen. The principal types of combat included: raids;
blocking off areas where the enemy was located prior to searching out and
destroying guerrilla forces; and the simultaneous attack on several groups of
the enemy located at various depths and locations. The specific combat
conditions influenced the way in which the advance through mountains and
inhabited areas was conducted; led to a change in air assault tactics; changed
the methods of conducting marches and providing convoy security; and caused a
change in the tactics of organizing and conducting ambushes. One of the
fundamental methods for fulfilling combat missions was to block off a region in
which guerrilla forces were located and then to thoroughly comb the region to
find and destroy the mujahideen. Coordination between the blocking and combing
forces, their bronegruppa, artillery and aviation; the application of military
cunning and the application of reasoned initiatives; However, firepower is not
an absolute substitute for maneuver and close combat. The Soviets chose to
expend massive firepower in order to save Soviet lives and to compensate for
their lack of infantry. It was an expensive, indiscriminate and, probably,
ineffective practice. The Soviet Army does not push on despite heavy
casualties. They transition to the defense after moderate casualties and call
for fire support.
The Soviets adopted bounding overwatch in this vignette and apparently
throughout the Afghanistan War. Bounding overwatch was not in the European
battle book since it slowed down movement tempo. However, bounding overwatch is
essential when moving over rough terrain or when your enemy is not totally
occupied with your artillery and air strikes.
The decentralized nature of the resistance, factionalism and lack of
unified command were both a Mujahideen strength and weakness.
First of all Mujahideen groups generally operated on their home turf.
Acting outside their home turf could have unfavorable political and support
ramifications. Secondly, the Mujahideen wanted to harass their enemy as close
to the capital as possible for political and propaganda reasons. Attacks at the
gates of Kabul were more significant than attacks further out.
Mujahideen and their weapons. The DRA had traveling propaganda/civil
affairs teams which provided
entertainment, medical treatment and pro‐regime propaganda throughout
Afghanistan.
The Mujahideen conducted ambushes for harassment or for spoils. Often,
harassing ambushes were small‐scale ambushes which would only fire a few rounds into
the convoy to destroy or damage some vehicles. Then the ambushers would
withdraw without attempting to loot the column before the convoy commander
could react. Ambushes conducted for spoils (weapons, ammunition, food, clothing
and other military supplies) were normally conducted by larger forces who could
maintain their positions for up to an hour.
The Mujahideen understood that guerrilla war is a contest of endurance and
national will. Battlefield victory is almost irrelevant, provided that the
guerrilla survives to fight the next of a thousand battles before passing the
torch to his children. The Mujahideen did not necessarily expect to win this war
but fought because it was the right thing to do – it was a religious and
national obligation. They accepted an asymmetry of casualties which eventually,
but unexpectedly, led to the Soviet withdrawal. In many respects, the
tactics of the Anglo‐afghan Wars
(1839, 1852, 1878‐1880, 1919)
still applied. Technology has added range and accuracy, but the terrain still
dictates tactics and
the Mujahideen were quite comfortable applying their time‐honored tactics
against a modern foe.
Tactical innovation occurs only where tactical innovation is
required and the Mujahideen eventually found ways to work around the problem
technology. Where innovation was not required, the Mujahideen stayed with the
tried and true. Thus the basic Mujahideen ambush and pursuit were little
changed from last century whereas their actions against an air assault or a
fortified security post were quickly developed out of necessity.
Technology can provide advantages but it is not decisive in this
type of war. Soviet smart bombs had a decided impact when an appropriate target
set could be identified. U.S. supplied, shoulder fired Stinger air defense
missiles, in the hands of the Mujahideen, created a great deal of consternation
and led to a dramatic change in Soviet air tactics. Neither system, however, was
a war winner. The Soviet equipment was designed for a different war on
different terrain. It failed to function optimally in the mountains and deserts
of Afghanistan. The Kalashnikov
assault rifle was not always better than the World War I designed British
bolt action Enfield rifle. The Enfield shot further accurately and would
penetrate flak jackets designed to stop Kalashnikov bullets.
Mujahedeen
Strengths:
Familiarity with the terrain
Tactical mobility
Ability to achieve surprise i.e. blind in with locals.
Ability to operate at night
Rugged and highly motivated fighters
Sanctuaries in Pakistan and Iran.
No mention of all the patches
giving info to guerrillas with access to the wild wild west LOL internet that
could be used in syops. Has that not been a problem with this well equipped
organized al-queda types.
Statement Information more from
the bottom up i.e. squad leader is going to know area better than battalion
cmdr. IMO this has been mentioned on all kinds of sites but only whispered if
at all on CNN.
Stopped on page 19
Note from TDG/MCA
As soon
as the Marines leave the area the enemy will go door to door spreading his
propaganda
The enemy will also use local imams
to spread the word from minarets and Friday prayer.
Propaganda
on the Internet or posters/graffiti on walls.
Conduct
sensitive site exploitation,
The key is to deny the enemy access
to terrain until, at a minimum, after you have put out your message.
Also
see Terms under (s) for SALTA
End of
TDG/MCA
False flag operations are covert operations
designed to deceive the public in such a way that the operations appear as
though they are being carried out by other entities. The name is derived from
the military concept of flying false colors; that is, flying the flag of
a country other than one's own. False flag operations are not limited to war
and counter-insurgency operations, and can be used in peace-time.
You also ask him to let the EPWs go
home after their wounds are sufficiently healed. They will carry your request
for a meeting to arrange a cease-fire, and their release itself will send a
peaceful message to whatever clan they come from.
Battle of Khafji
At one point in the battle, the Saudis saw Iraqi soldiers on top of a
water tower. Not wishing to blow up the tower, the Saudis fired a TOW, blew the
ladder off the tower and left the Iraqis stranded until the end of the
battle."
In Lebanon Marines firing at rock out croppings
above Hezbollah rocket firing positions. Due to the fact they did not have
permission to fire on the enemy.
STEP #
4
Rehearsal:
Term ROC drills, Rehearsal of concept. This is going over mission. Walk
through, talk through, and then go through everything silently. Leader should
ask if anyone has questions, comments or complaints. Remember the groups
combined years of experience is greater then yours. If you decide to reject a
member’s idea, explain why. This builds trust when time is not available to
explain. Your purpose is to analyze alternatives. Assets are evaluated
modifications and options are considered. Thus critically analyze foe to know
the estimates for gain and loss. Stimulate them to know the patterns of their
movements and stoppages. Determine their dispositions of force, probe them to
know where they have excess or insufficiency. If it is formless then even the
deepest spy cannot discern or the wise make plans against it. EX; Cellular
system. Analyses of results (to be completed after action has been taken on
decisions). Also review of after action reports from similar operations.
STEP#
5
Implement:
Carry out the mission.
From MCA magizine; The
Execution (phase “E” of the PDEA cycle) of LI operations follows a
sub-cycle that can be divided into four steps: dispersion, orientation, concentration, and action (DOCA). Dispersion provides LI with its main
tool, survivability. Orientation comprises the execution of
shaping actions to enable the later concentration of the main effort in order
to hit the enemy’s center of gravity (COG). This step requires an aggressive
use of reconnaissance in order to hit the COG by pulling the main effort
through them. The Concentration step allows LI to transform the
small combat power of multiple, isolated elements, into one or more powerful
thrusts. The Action is led by reconnaissance elements, which
drags the main effort and available supporting fires towards the COG. Finally,
a new and rapid dispersion ends the sub-cycle, facilitating the breaking of
contact and rendering enemy counteraction ineffective.
Note there is
a PDCA cycle too i.e. problem faced problem solved.
STEP#
6
Supervise: Ensure that you are available for discussion as work
progresses. Adequate guidance eliminates wasted effort and time. During
inspections and with reports to the commander the staff officer is not a
talebearer. Staff officers inform subordinate commanders of their findings,
discuss it with them and inform them of the exact nature of the report to be
made to the Cmdr. A staff visit has the essential purpose of coordination,
teamwork, and mutual understanding between the Cmdr. and his staff also between
the staff and subordinate commanders. Such visits may uncover misunderstandings
and provide corrections before becoming serious and requiring more time and
effort. Just as the oral word maybe misunderstood, the written word is not
always clear, however carefully it is prepared.
(Reference, Leadership
guidelines, A staff officer, in bold print and Company cmdr 2inC)
NO ONE WINS, THIS IS FORGOTTEN. WARS ARE EASY TO START
EXPENSIVE TO CONTINUE, DIFFICULT TO STOP. OFTEN BEGIN WHEN SOMEONE FEELS
VICTORY IS ASSURED. THE FIGHT CONTINUES LARGELY BECAUSE OF NATIONAL AND
PERSONAL PRIDE. WARS END WHEN ONE OR BOTH SIDES ARE DEVASTATED, DEMORALIZED OR
RARELY SUDDENLY ENLIGHTEN BY THE ABSURDITY OF IT ALL.
It is the nature of war that what is
beneficial to you is detrimental to the enemy and what is of service to them
hurts you. Therefore, never do or omit doing anything as a consequence of Foe’s
actions. Consult your own interest only, you depart from this interest whenever
you imitate such measures as Foe pursues for their benefit.
DEFENSE
Note these rules have been written from the perspective of a unit being
on patrol and arriving at an objective that might be a new FOB site.
1) Pass by circle back,
That is as you arrive at
objective you fly, drive, walk etc right by. So you can check the situation
out, anyone or thing there, entries, exits you plan on using. Gives you chance
to spot anyone circling back with you that might have been fallowing. Enemy
will wonder any time you pass them if you’re going to circle back. This causes
them to hunker down waist time, waiting for your return.
2) Pause before
interring,
This is right at entrances.
You’re waiting, watching, lessoning for sights and sounds of enemy activity.
Also makes foe waiting in ambush think you’re suspicious about something, may
make them move to soon. With large area or multi story building 10-15 minutes.
Small room 20- 30 seconds. History has shown that if any activity is ongoing,
you should hear or see something within the time periods suggested. Just inside
subterranean entries 10-15 minutes to check air. With returning to bases i.e.
FOBs there may have been a coup while your unit was on patrol. Lastly this
gives you time to perform next rule.
Note, check go TWA U and Me. Note i.e. whenever I’m going or gone
this is your instructions i.e. take what action, you and me
3) Bobby trap entries,
This could be a trail, path,
road, river used to inter an area or hole, window, door for rooms or buildings.
This is in case your being fallowed or planning on staying in area for a while.
Or you can post guard, this covers your back and insures safe exit, if you
choose to brake the don’t back track
rule (i.e. #10 in PCP). With
roads etc. use two deferent colors of flares for trip wires, to indicate direction
of foe who set them off. Ex; approach from east would trip yellow flare.
Do
not divide duties with demolitions: This is to avoid the “I thought you did it” problem. IEDs
designed to defeat a specific target, create an attitude of uncertainty and suspicion,
in effect lowering morale and inducing a degree of caution that restricts and
slows movement. They are unique because the builder has improvised with
materials at hand. They generally become more difficult to detect and defuse as
builders become more sophisticated. Builder will usually mark area in some way.
To keep Comrades (tungzai) from being injured. You can search areas after
finding IEDs to learn signs. Direction that wire is twisted can indicate if
builder is left or right handed. IEDs
share a common set of components 1) An initiation system. Or fuse;
use surgical tubing with many tiny holes like yard soaker to limit smoke. Fast
fuse Vs slow fuse burning time, 90 Vs 1cm. per second respectively. Always
check fuse with test section. Ropes can be used for fuses. (Note most IEDs are
victim-initiated/activated). EOD it requires a truly Machiavellian frame of
mind. You insert mercury tremblers on door frames and contact switches under
toilet seats. Acid time pencils and or plastic straws filled with acid and some
sort of stopper/blug that acid would eventually eat though. Time-delay, Rubber
strap rapping i.e. banding/binding Grenade spoons, placed in can of petrol
bands dissolve. Or rapping
cloth around grenade so to hold spoon until it falls to ground and rolls a few
times. With vehicles heat activated bombs. Voice activated recorders as
detonation device. Delay action fuses give you time to leave area. (Remote or
command architectures), cordless phone, radio control device similar to the
type used to fly model planes. Mobile platform hinders tracing or
triangulation. Note blimp or
balloon drifting with wind, signal would initiate IED upon and or timed with
arrival. It could be a communication transmission (I-COM) in local area that
sets off the IED. Note while the previous random ignition methods are possible
these techniques IMO are for the armatures the pros make every IED count i.e.
not only hitting the vehicle they target but the most venerable point. Trigger
devices designed to work as close as 75’. Motion detector mechanism shown being
used with IED. Close pen shown on leg of couch IMO with wires to touch when
stick pulled from between close pen peaces i.e. out of that round whole. Or
maybe it was like one of those bank teller panic buttons.
Note on Iraqi Guerrilla; he
had a black briefcase with Japanese markings, he flicks a switch on its side.
He claims that the device is similar to those used by U.S. troops to block
cellular signals around IEDs and disable bombs wired to detonate with a cell
phone call. He invites people in the room to try to use their cell phones. None
of us can get a signal. I’ve jammed them he says. But his own phone a cheap
Nokia shows a full strength signal. “I made a few small changes inside. It took
me just one day to figure it out”. He said. Most mid size mines equipment with
MAD sensors. Sensitizing antitank (AT) mines. On some nonmetallic AT mines,
the pressure plate spring is replaced to reduce the pressure required to
initiate the mine. Average Infantry Marine’s weight produces 2-10 lbs per
square inch. In snow mines must be more sensitive to pressure since weight is
distributed more evenly over snowshoes, skies and sleds. Tripwires placed
higher than would normally be the case, Ex; at 46 cm height in case of heavy
snow. IFV antenna stud up very high tripwires where placed between tree tops,
so antenna would hit and trigger IED. Self positioning pole / trip wire at entrance anti prep fire
explosion i.e. the prep explosion causes deployment of the pole attached to the
trip wire. Static electricity
Can detonate devices. It is prevalent in desert due to atmospheric dryness and
especially under windy conditions. Discovery channel, dust storms of the 1930s
caused electrical charges from metal objects. Static electricity continues to
build as wind and sand make contact with objects. Some charges high enough to
knock a man down and out. With helicopters and any time slings or tethers are
being used. Magnified by different electrical potential between similar or
dissimilar materials. Discharge when objects are brought near each other or
contact is made. Tape all sharp edges tip of antennas this reduces wind caused
static electricity. Also if flammable gases are present. In winter with snow
and ice covering ground i.e. lack of grounding. Marines should always ground
themselves. Conduit contact between Marines and soil established or metal
circuit or ground cable picket or crow bar between fuel tank/pump and vehicle before and during
fueling. Turn off all switches. Disconnect all electrical connections.
Use securing stakes for det
cord/blasting caps; this is securing them by rapping cord around stake in
ground numerous times to provide excess play. So, if anyone stumbles over it,
less chance of being disconnected. In snow mines must be supported, snow can be
tamped, frozen by pouring water on it or mine placed on planks, some sort of
boards placed under. Cardboard/plastic placed over mine, to protect it from
moisture, freezing moving parts. Paint cardboard and or mine white, just in
case snow is blown away or melts. Do not use vegetation form immediate area of
mine or traps to camouflage them. Use snow mud or grease to cover tip or ends
of freshly cut or broken branches. 2) Detonator aka booster. Term train,
ignition det and explosion, power supply for detonator. Ex. motor cycle
battery. 3) Explosives A typical suicide bomber uses 25 lb (11 kg). (UXO
unexploded ordnance) PE4 explosives, artillery rounds, in Iraq most common
munitions are 122 mm. A hole is drilled in shipping cap with an electric
blasting cap inserted. Tamped or covered explosives increases effectiveness and
reduces debris. All explosives may be combined with biological or chemical
toxins or radiological material. Corrosive chemicals mentioned as being used in
IEDs. Also rust mixed with explosive to increase oxygen thus combustion. An
explosive placed in water greatly magnifies shock waves. Note maybe secret
behind FAE technology. Glass containers for setting fuel air explosion.
Burst/blast slower burning charge makes for larger shock wave in caves. Anti
personal mines, some butterfly designed to glide or spiral to ground small as
palm, green and tan in color others use parachutes to reduce damage i.e.
malfunctions, alt sensor to minimize exposure. Antitank CBU 7 grams of
explosives. Self destruction devices 10% failure rate. Robotic IMS mines with
own sensors and computer able to sense, track and attack. Track buster 2-5 lbs,
Eagles fire ball, old IED. TNT ¼, ½ and 1 LBS blocks. C4 many different size
blocks. Shape charges two sizes US army 15lbs M2A3 and 40lbs M3A3, M3A3 most
likely used in MOUT, penetrates 5’ reinforced concrete, hole tapers 5ft-2ft.
Satchel un-tamped 3 ft concrete wall. Satchel charges two standard types M183
and M37 both come in carry bag. With detonation device and blasting cords each
weigh 20 lbs. m183 16 individual 1 ¼ lbs. blocks. Can be used separately too.
Charges standard type is a 43lbs cylinder of ammonium nitrate. Do not have
shattering effect of block TNT or C4 which is used in deliberate demolition.
4) Container. Three categories of employment
techniques: A) Package Pole can be used to place charges when you are under
fire or tided to rope and pulled into place. IED hidden in animal corps, or
human cadavers. Dumped on the streets and detonated when patrol stops for an
inspection. “They know that we want just leave a body to rot in the street.
They are counting on us to do the right thing, and then hitting us when we do”.
With area check apparent road repairs, near construction material, instances of
what appeared to be generators. Newly constructed room, buildings, conduit,
poles/pipes any moveable or useable object even near litter. Buildings are
excellent sites for booby trap warfare. Likely locations are restrictive areas
like doorways, windows, hallways, staircases, and avenues of approach that are
typically used. Any remaining furniture or household objects will have to be
checked. Snipers used to force Marines towards IEDs, hidden in places where the
Marines might take cover. B) Vehicles
vehicle-borne (VBIEDs), donkey drawn carts, and ambulances. Using multiple
vehicles. In such instances, the lead vehicle is used as a decoy or barrier
buster. In Vietnam motorcycles were rigged with explosives and abandoned.
C) Suicide bombers. Pros: Martyrs deliberately orchestrate the
circumstances around death to further increase expectations of future attacks,
suggest no threat can deter. Can also make last minute adjustments, Ex. Martyr
allowing himself to be run over, in order to place bomb beneath target person.
No escape plan or rescue necessary. Secondary task Ex; information gathering
immediately before attack. (Could be recorded by webcam on martyr) Suicide
vests with explosives and ball bearing sewn into the interior.
(Reference, Planning step
# 1, types of campaigns, Destructive, suicide mission vs suicide attack)
Coupling / Daisy chaining linking one mine or explosive device to another, with
trip wire or detonating cord. When the first device is detonated, it also
detonates the linked explosives. Often used to defeat countermeasures, such as
mine rollers. The roller will pass over the initial, non-fused or deeper device
and set off the second fused or shallow device. This in turn detonates the
passed over device underneath the clearing vehicle or located at road side.
When the linked devices are shaped charged, they can have narrow but long, kill
zone. Hoax / fake IED
linked to real. Boosting. Buried explosives are stacked on top of one another.
The one buried deepest from the surface is fused. Fusing or wiring w/metallic
material only the deepest ordnance helps reduce detection by metal detectors. A
pressure fused AP mine can be placed on the top of an AT mine. Mines 1 ton of
mines to cover 100 m of front 3-4 man hrs. Per ton to emplace. 10 man hrs per
ton to remove. Invisible destruction
this is destroying enemy’s equipment or kit without operator’s knowledge until
operator intends to use it. This foils your foe’s immediate plans and delays
re-supply. Directed at what enemy lacks the most or must bring from a far. Also
used to complement other actions, example destroying extinguishers before fire.
This is also molding look alike items, all the weathering none of the
functions. You might wish to take actual items etc. another example; we do not
interrupt weapons smuggling operations. We don't try to capture or destroy those weapons. Instead,
one of our Guardsmen knew of some stuff we could spray on their ammunition that
they would not readily notice but would cause it to jam in the weapon. We sneak
in and spray their ammo stocks, then during firing their weapons don't work.
That really undercuts their morale. Arson incendiary devices easy to
disguise or hide. Fires are used to draw crowds. Remember smoke warns for
miles. Smoke from burning vegetation lighter, structure darker, and vehicle
smoke is black. Leaks vs. burning or blowing up fuel tanks. Boats sank,
bridges, disassembled or key parts of structure removed to weaken. Best to
destroy bridges close to banks. Wire over high tension cables to short out
grids. Taping glass before braking reduces debris and noise. Visine gets the
red out and knocks your ass out i.e. when mixed in food drinks etc. 70 mg of
pure nicotine the equivalent to three cigarettes will kill with in 24 hours if
eaten. Tips for individuals:
Avoid souvenir taking. Keep low profile, avoid publicity. Vary the way you
dress, ensure dress, conduct and mannerisms do not attract attention. Blend in
with crowds, local environment. Travel where local inhabitants go, the old when
in Rome. Stay away from civil disturbances or demonstrations. Bombers making
scene as if sick or fighting to draw crowds. Avoid deserted streets. Crossing
Street can mean difference between walking by men sipping tea and playing
dominos or an attack. Do not go out in big groups, never travel alone. Send
only number of Marines needed, not 3 or 4 if 1 or 2 can do task. If walking go
to ground feet in direction of blast. When walking up steps, place first foot
on second step and then every 3rd step. Let friends know where you
are going. Head set used as a counter to cell phone bomb. Avoid giving out
personal information over phone. Also lines in stores, schedules, arriving with
timed appointments. (Iraqi recruits holding camps, maze walls for lines as
interviewed). Blending in with locals in Middle East not shaving at least have
a mustache. Other signs of foreigners in the Middle East wrong accent, wearing
a seatbelt, reading a book while traveling in car. Residents in neighborhood
pointing out strangers.
Vehicle check points.
VCPs are of little use after 20 minutes. Enemy makes use of point men
in vehicles equipped with cell phone. Blind
stops stopping traffic with concealed, ride along Marines. Helicopter in
Marines, finish troops conduct search
of fallowing and passing vehicles. Block or search those trying to turn around.
Motorcycles watch passengers
for attack or assisting driver with duties. Marines should be equipped with
pistols. US using green dazzler lasers to blind occupants of vehicles. VCP
phases, first exterior, snipers or spotters with optical aids to scan vehicles
while they wait in lines. Second approach to vehicle look underneath, engine
most likely location of devises, interior, strong smells of deodorants might be
concealing odors of explosives. Signs of V/C in Vietnam at check points; a man
with a shipping license from a local to far away. A women with to heavy of a
load for her single sampan or distance she is traveling. All passengers
are made to exit. Keep driver with you. Question driver, about location of the
spare tire, if driver dose not know answer, this may indicate it’s not his car.
Occupants of vehicle questioned about friends, relatives, and business in area
of stop. All doors, hood, trunk, opened. All packages removed opened and
searched. Driving around with AK- 47 is illegal in Iraq.
(Reference, COE, Over all
tips, “Plum card”)
Note: with Airport security. Do not lock you checked luggage, use cable
or zip ties. Do not pack film in checked luggage it can be damaged. No food or
drinks in checked luggage. Wrap gifts at destination. Put personal items tooth
brushes etc. in clear plastic so screeners won’t have to touch. Place foot wear
at top of contents of checked. With unchecked Do not stack books spread them
out. Put scissors, pocket knifes, sharp
items in unchecked. Note: Some of the fallowing rules apply to rooms too.
Began at engine, checking near power sources, become familiar with vehicle
parts especially engine and under side, to make it easier to spot
irregularities. Watch for disturbed dust, grease smudges or recently cleaned
areas. Check for scratches tool marks on or near windows door jams, trunks or
hood release. Watch for extra wires running from lights, horns. Check cut or
broken wires before reconnecting or restoring power and flipping switches. Do
not cut wires do to tension release sit ups. (This is when spring has been used
to pull pens etc. in opposite direction when wire is cut). View inside from outside
before interring or opening. Ex; with vehicles tail lights removed to view
inside of trunk. Also holes can be drilled. Work from lowest level up. Bombs
are often placed on floor so shrapnel rips through vital arteries in legs, and
organs in lower abdominal area. Test doors or items for heat or high
temperatures using the back of your hand, use a zig-zag pattern. Check front
and back seats. Check glove compartments feel setbacks, door panels, headliners
spare tire compartment. Watch for false partitions in gas tanks and other
reservoirs. Probe with wire, push rods through grain cargo. Tail pipes, fuel
doors on same side. License plate numbers in some nations indicate the cars
make, model, color. If you are aware might tip you off to a stolen vehicle.
With approaches to your own vehicle. Check for items under tires in path you
will take. Make sure all still locked secure. Do not adjust seats or mirrors without
checking to see if they have been moved. Note positions marked. Car finders
that honk horns, flash lights also remote starters, foil initiation mechanisms,
by producing electrical current before ignition switch turned. Windows rolled
down; hatches cracked with the latch pin in place, reduces air pressure i.e.
permits dispersion of the percussion effects minimizing damage. Other precautions
to take, sandbagging vehicle floors using fine grain materials, large particles
become missiles. Riding on top of armored vehicles when the tactical situation
permits. Keep arms and legs inside vehicle. Time of attacks in Iraq, 2100-0300
hrs. Center and stern of patrols attack most. Vehicles traveling in pairs a
must. Avoid stop lights. Avoiding frequent traffic jams, you never know who’s
next to you. Flashing your IR signals than red lights, as clearance for others
to approach. Carpooling reduces single occupant car bombs. Iraqi markets no
vehicle traffic during day time. Barricades removed at night so deliveries can
be made. Direction of traffic changed daily. Attacks from over passes, Marines
blocking off traffic as vehicles pass under bridge. Ambushes also located under
bridges and in tunnels, just after bend in the road, or over hill or at low
point. Where the shoulder of road is none negotiable, do to steepness of slope,
thickness of vegetation or water. If shoulder is negotiable place mines on road
sides where vehicles may go around or pull over. When placing cable to snag
vehicle it is placed at 30 degrees angle, to direct vehicle off road and to
location you are ready to capture. If cable is placed strait across road it may
snap, at best the vehicle is stopped in middle of the road, out in the open
where fallow on vehicles can see something is wrong up a head. Use cutting aid
for your vehicle as anti decapitation. This is a bar welded to front of
vehicle. Preparing tree to block road, bark removed placed back after 2/3 cut
on trunk. Vehicles having to wait until town buildings burned out before
traveling through. Night movements well require more coordination and stain
drivers more. More than 50 cm of snow affects vehicle performance and they well
use more fuel. Mountains more mines in narrow gaps between positions in more of
an irregular pattern than in regular warfare. Ex; Korea due to terrain
restrictions, 80 mines were used per tank lost.
Immediate action drills (IAD) term High Profile Convoy (HPC). Lights, speed,
guns showing. LPC (low etc.) in cognitoe L or H patrols to? Curfews 9:00 PM
-8:00 AM. With IADs emphasize simplicity aggressiveness and speed. Put out
smoke ASAP. Steering wheels of disabled vehicles should be turned and tied in
place to direct vehicle off road. Gear shift put in neutral. Crew covers
passengers exit, then passengers cover crew exit. Try to exit any way you can,
if possible avoid normal exits, like tailgate, ramp doors etc. Note vehicle cab
designed so seats removable for shields. Marines in kill zones should hitch
ride on any passing vehicle. Attack enemy from flank or stern after base of
fire establish. Marines fallowing tank tracks and equipment usually are a
magnet for fire must keep distance. Hummers levels of armor 1, 2, & 3.
Level 1) Factory manufactured, 360 degrees of protection top /bottom etc. Lower
center of gravity. 450 manufactured per mouth. Level 2) Equipped with only
projectile resistant glass. Add on commercially manufactured armor. Less top
bottom. Level 3) Not manufactured armor just add on steel plating. Driving
without proper training, operators of level 1 and other heavy vehicles are
causing and having more traffic accidents. Need to be retrained. Heavier
vehicles means brakes over heating quicker especially in mountain terrain with
lots of slopes. Observation dead space for drivers in cars 15-30 feet, RV
30-40, truck 45 shorter drivers 55. Dead space T-62 observation for driver’s 50
stern 40 flanks weapons dead space 70 for 360 degrees.
Note on car bomb tactic of unit steeling car right around corner from
objective all members converging on alley each with a piece of the bomb and a
part to play, putting it all together while driver says prayer then drives car
right around corner to objective i.e. there is no time to react to counter
this.
MRE bomb this is using heat tab or tobacco sauce mixed with water inside
some kind of container like water bottle or canteen. Note with canteen the
pressure will split a crack or hole in canteen not covering any area with
contents. You can google it up on video, it may be okay as a diversionary
tactic. It can take up to one minute in canteen.
Doorway threshold rigged to go off only with the weight of two on plate
at once.
Inspect entrance ways like hatches, portholes, gates etc. to make sure
you will not be trapped inside area once you inter. Like door not having a door
knob on inside or something falling or sliding over to block the entrance. You
may want to block a door open with something.
(Reference, appendix DEF.
rule # 3.)
4) Position main weapons:
This is most effective weapon
located in most advantageous point or centrally located to allow access to
multiple points, to cover points of interest, avenues and passages. (NOTE on a
personal basis this could be placing weapon in a central hallway of a house, so
someone could get to it and make their way to any area or room). If more than
one weapon available do not bunch them up. Concentrate fire power not weapons.
Crew serve weapons covered/concealed to prevent detection i.e. keep enemy form
locating them or damage during preparation fires.
(Reference, mortars/secondary
observation post below.)
The primary consideration
impacting on the employment of machineguns within built-up areas is the limited
availability of long-range fields of fire. Although machineguns should be
emplaced at the lowest level possible, grazing fire at ground level is frequently
obstructed by rubble. When mounted on a tripod, the .50 caliber machinegun can
be used as an accurate, long-range sniper weapon. BGM – 71 TOWs and DRAGONs;
within built-up areas, they are best employed from the upper stories of
buildings in order to attain long-range fields of fire. Elevated firing
positions also increase the first-round hit probability. Firing down at a tank
from an angle of 20 degrees increases the chance of a hit by 2/3 at 200 meters. A
45-degree angle doubles the first-round probability of a hit when compared to a
ground level shot. Their minimum firing ranges of 65 meters (214 ft) may limit
firing opportunities in dense built-up areas (max range is 2 1/3 miles, with
muzzle velocity of 278m/s or 917 ft/s). The maximum depression and elevation
limits of the TOW mount well result in dead space and hinder close engagements.
When deciding whether to dismount TOWs, the commander must weigh the advantage
of more flexible firing envelopes against the disadvantage of losing mobility.
The portable TOW requires considerable time and effort to move launcher and
missiles from position to position. The best technique may be to detach TOWs to
units detailed to operate on the periphery of the built-up area, rather than to
those within it. Note rocket burn and maneuverability at close range. The
DRAGON is lightweight and easily moved. Dragons and LAWs; because of their
light weight and mobility, can attain effective short-range shots and catch the
tank in a situation where it cannot counter fire. Since the LAW warhead is less
lethal than those of the other antitank weapons, multiple hits are necessary.
LAWs should be used in volleys, pairs, or sequences. Back blast is an important
limiting factor when employing antitank weapons in MOUT. Curtains and overstuffed
furniture in the back blast area should be left in place to help absorb sound.
Combustible material must be removed from the back blast area. All small loose
objects and window/door glass must be removed. In all cases there must be 20
square feet (2 square meters) of ventilation to the stern of the weapons. An
open door will normally provide adequate ventilation. For ATGMs, the following
vertical clearances between the bottom of the launch tube and the firing
aperture are required. The enclosure must be of sturdy construction with a
ceiling at least 7 feet (2.1 meters) high. Everyone in the room must be forward
of the exhaust pipe of the weapon and must wear helmets and earplugs. Anti
structure Role While they are designed and employed primarily to defeat
enemy armor, they may also be used when required to attack structures or
fortified targets. WWII Anti-tank guns posed something of a problem.
Their main role in an offensive action was to be ready to respond to an enemy
counterattack including armor. They were too vulnerable and unwieldy in
the towed version to accompany the assault troops, largely necessitating their
being held back along with the reserve. They would be pushed forward
following a successful action to help consolidate the objective, but if they
were used in the initial firefight they risked exposing their position to enemy
observers.
(Reference, Step # 2,
Company Cmdr, Reserves)
The following table summarizes the penetration capability of antitank
weapons.
Depth of penetration for armor;
Figure in feet then meters.
WEAPON EARTH REINFORCED STEEL
CONCRETE
TOW
8/2.6 4/1.3 1.33/.4
Note TOW 24 inches or two feet to 40 inches or 3.3 feet of armor.
DRAGON 9/2.6 4/1.3 1/.3
LAW
6/1.9 2/.6 .67/.2
90mm HEAT 3.5/1.1 2.5/.8 .83/.3
NOTE: Penetration does not
necessarily mean destruction of the structure.
Against sandbagged
emplacements, antitank weapons should be aimed at the center of the porthole
i.e. aperture. Even if the round does not go through the aperture, the bunker's
walls are easier to penetrate at the apertures.
Against structures, AT
weapons should be aimed about 6 inches below or to the side of an aperture.
This will increase the fragmentation effect and enhance the probability of
killing soldiers behind the wall.
Mortars;
Mortars; Terrain
masking by buildings in MOUT is an important consideration. Mortars are the
least affected because of their high-angle trajectory. Mortars can also be
fired from between tall buildings. Not wanting to give away their location the mujahedeen
staggered there rockets. During Mountain or MOUT operations mortars are placed
on a layer of branches not directly on frozen ground, ice or concrete. Because of radar mortars must be
fired from bunkers. Position mortars under the streets to fire through a
manhole, muzzle close to opening. Test fire the mortar, with dummy round. Can
be dug in to depth of 10 feet for cover and concealment with the right surface.
In MOUT, on hard surfaces mortar aiming stakes can be placed in cans filled
with dirt or use knifes etc. Mortars are the main indirect-fire support for
forward units in MOUT. Fixed winged CAS and Artillery is often precluded
because of blast radius. Due to cover afforded defending forces in MOUT and
after enemy has broken though lines accurate indirect fire is of greater
importance. Target priorities are given to streets especially intersections and
other open areas. WP rounds should impact on or behind building so enemy cannot
escape in smoke. Proximity fuses used against roof top targets. With MT. mortar
rounds will penetrate snow blanket if proximity fuses are not used. Spongy
ground of north in summer has a smoothing effect on all fire from all types of
weapons hard frozen bare ground or ice when not covered by snow frozen clogs of
dirt increases fragmentation effects. MT due to supplies of ammo targets and
allotments are important one exception would be units detailed to cover narrow
passages. Other target examples, large snow mass or rocks above enemy location.
WWII Fire support; at the start of the war the light 51 mm type mortar
was a popular support weapon, versions equipping British, German and Russian
Platoons. By 1942/43 only the British retained their 2 inch model in the
role. Such weapons were intended to deliver explosive rounds, but these
proved of minimal tactical benefit, and the British increasingly used theirs to
provide a smokescreen.
In WWII the Mortar Platoon was invariably the single most powerful
element of the Infantry Battalion. Dependent upon the particular model and
ammunition, it could project fire anywhere between 2400 and 3000 meters, close
to a maximum of two miles. (Note modern US M252 81mm, min 83m or 273ft. max
5935m or 3.7 miles).
Fire control could be exercised in one of two ways, through a fixed
observation post or a mobile fire controller, but ideally a combination of the
two was used (note today add UAV and other aerial sensors). Danger close for most Artillery is 50 meters. And 600 feet for 500 lbers.
Bracketing targets in your own
city is stupid?
The WWII mobile fire controller
(MFC) took the principle one stage further. Again drawn from the Platoon,
he would accompany the Headquarters of a Rifle Company operating further
forward of the established OP. He would be linked by radio to the mortar
position and undertook largely the same role as the observer, correcting fall
of shot. However, his presence with the Rifle Company allowed him to call in
fire missions to engage targets of opportunity or help overcome stubborn points
of resistance out of sight of the OP. Without Ops the only solution to such
shortcomings was either to push the weapons forward so the crews could see
their targets, ignoring a major strength of the mortar i.e. shooting from
defiles, or restrict support to rigid fire plans on pre-determined positions,
severely limiting the potential for engaging targets of opportunity. Exploitation phase; where an
attack succeeded it would open the gap between the mortar positions and the
leading riflemen. To continue effective support fire, the mortars had to close
that gap by moving forward. This could not be done by the whole Platoon at
once, less the Battalion be entirely deprived of its fire for the duration of
the movement. Rather, the Platoon would relocate by Sections, perhaps
regrouping around the base of fire provided by an already detached forward
Section operating with a Rifle Company. In the withdrawal, the Platoon
would again relocate by stages. The advantage was of course that the
route and new positions would have been well prepared beforehand. Supplies of
ammunition could be located at both the current and secondary sites, allowing
the mortars to move quickly into action on arrival at their new home.
Secondary
observation posts would likewise be prepared. In static situations, the
Mortar Platoon would be loathed to fire from its main position prior to a major
assault, as this would inevitably reveal its location to enemy observers.
Detachments and Sections could however launch harassing strikes from temporary
sites before removing themselves quickly to avoid the inevitable retribution.
Such ‘shoot and scoot’ missions would have to be performed well away from the
dug in riflemen to spare them the retaliatory bombardment. These tactics could
also be used to support fighting patrols gathering information on enemy
dispositions, as well as outposts subjected to probing attacks. (Note all the
above would be the Taliban methods today).
The M224 can fire 120 rounds in four minutes - a three-man crew can have
15 to 20 rounds in the air before the first round impacts. Minimum
range with zero charges 70 meters. Maximum range four charges 2400 meters.
Minimum elevation 1200 mils i.e. 67%. 2011“The new system is made out of what’s
called an inconel alloy metal on the cannon which is lighter weight and has
better properties at high heat,” the old system weighted about 40-45 lbs. the new alloy has
reduced that by about 9 lbs.
A
field-expedient means of measuring the river's width is with a compass. While
standing at the waterline, fix your sight on a point on the opposite side and
note the magnetic azimuth. Move upstream or downstream until the azimuth
reading to the fixed point on the opposite bank is 45 degrees different than
the original reading. The distance from the original point to the final point
of observation is equal to the river's width (see Figure 7-6). Note IMO this would also be useful for determining distance to
targets. Using a back azimuth to the original point would provide best accuracy
over all.
Not only are crew served weapons heavy, each requires
several times its own weight in ammunition.
(Reference, Step # 2
Leadership guidelines, Squad leader, and especially Co. cmdr. “The Reserves”, And
COE rule # 3, including maneuvers and formations.)
5) Set up observation and lessoning post:
O/Ps & L/Ps, Post centuries
in pairs. Relieve them frequently to avoid fatigue. Every four hours is common.
Extreme cold centuries relieved very two hrs. One century for observing one for
recording/making notes. Switch duties every 20 minutes. Post should check in on
regular basis, if they fail to do so, go see why. Don't call post. Check in
times should precede approach time intervals. Centuries should challenge in low
clear voice not loudly, this is the rule weather behind enemy or friendly
lines. They should wait till last minute. Don’t shoot unless stepped on. If you
most take foe out do so silently. You can shoot in eye socket for silencer. If
enemy sneaks near, but dose not discover your post all the better. With group
have leader approach first then rest of group, one at a time. Each member is
okayed and I.D. by leader. Counter sign tactics- there are two parts challenge
word for century and pass word /patrol word. Principals #1)
Remain oriented to objective; you should not be deterred by minor distractions
obstacles or scanty resistance. O/P & L/P are trip wires for attack. Intel
is useless unless organized and delivered in timely manner. When in the desert
or at sea timely information is more important, negative sightings as important
as positive. Number messages so missing or added or false ones will be noted.
Separate facts from opinions with a line. If there is a good chance a message
will be intercepted, have messenger memorize real massage and carry a false
written note. Note messenger could be made aware of contents to use during
interrogation, i.e. to counter the testing of captures honesty. Send more then
one by different routes. Casualties or bad news delivered by messengers to
maintain morale. Messenger can serve as recon too. The fallowing is an acronym
used by troops to record information of interest. I Salute R.W.P. In
this case it is a tactical recognizance report. Here we keep it simpler
compared to Concept of operation reports. As an individual one would not be
observing more than a company size unit at once. One would simply go right down
the line noting observations as observed. Note there are some important
differences on infuses, mainly R. and W. (I) I.D. who or what. (S) Size,
how many. (A) Activity, what was going on. Dust rising high up into
sharply defined columns chariots/vehicles are coming. Low and broad Infantry.
Dispersed in thin shafts they are gathering fire wood or searching. Spars
coming and going they are encamping. If their pennants and flags move about
they are in chaos. (L) Location, also give your location and distance
form activity. (U) Unit, again the details may or may not be available
or noted. Clothing, uniforms, patches. (T) Time, date and time of
acquisition and for each activity. (E) Equipment, again simply what is
observed. Vehicles, communication, weapons. (R) Reinforcements, allies
or signs of working with others, like talking on phones, preparing sites,
leaving things behind. (W) With drawl, direction last seen or if you leave
area first, witch way might they have gone. (P)? Undecided, could be
personalities etc. Seldom up
this is yet another acronym to gathering information. This one is used by
Marines monitoring communication equipment. Size, Equipment, Location,
Disposition, Organization, Movement/morale, Units, Personalities. Five (Ws) and an (H) this is a
strategic report. Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How. In this case the
acronym is used to answer questions in general over all (on a long term
strategic basis).
Mnemonic-style
Tactical reporting formats;
Terms worth
noting, BOLO (be on the lookout) list?” For HVIs (High-value individuals) in
order to trigger a QRF) for HVI rollups.
A to H Report (Individual/HVI
Report)
Age: How old does the individual look?
Give a range, for example 16 to 20 years old. Build: How is the
individual built? For example, bulky, fat, skinny, etc. Clothing: What
is the individual wearing? For example, a white dishdasha, a red headscarf, and
black sunglasses. Distinguishing marks: Are there any unusual or
identifying marks that make the individual stand out? For example, missing half
of an index finger on the left hand. Elevation (read: height): How tall
is the individual? For example, appears to be between 70 inches and 72 inches
tall. Facial features: Are there any unusual or identifying marks on the
face? For example, scars, an odd nose, eye color, a beard, a pierced ear, etc. Gait:
What is the manner of the individual’s walk? For example, a limp or anything
peculiar about how the individual walks or his stride. Hair: What is the
color and style of the individual’s hair? For example, bald or jet-black hair
that comes to a widow’s peak.
SCRIM Report (Vehicle Report)
Shape/Size: Is it a sedan, sports utility
vehicle, truck, bus, or motorcycle? For example, a pickup truck with an
extended cab. This detail is especially important if make/model cannot be
determined. Color and condition: Go beyond just a primary or secondary
color; answer what the hue/shade is. Is it missing paint? For example, cherry
red with a primer gray passenger door. Registration: Does it have plates
or some other unique identification tag issued by a government? For example,
Virginia State tags, 123–ABC. Identifying marks: Are there any unusual
or identifying marks on the vehicle, either for what it has or what it is
missing? For example, has a roof rack and is missing the passenger side view
mirror. Make/Model: Who makes it and when? For example, a Ford F–150,
appears to be between a 1996 and 2000 year model.
(Reference, Step # 3,
concepts of Operations, part A) forces available and Equipment and Weapons
available reports.)
Principals #2) Retain freedom of maneuver; keep the big picture
in mind. You should position yourself for surviving and observing. Position
chosen for view, clear communications and defensive properties. Roof tops,
pros: good view of area, less traffic, cooler and long range communications
possible. Cons: must be camouflaged from air observation. Could prove difficult
to withdrawal if surrounded. In general you should not move around a lot, pick
a spot and stay there, chances are you will see and hear just as much from one
location as another. Protection against surprise. Passive measures are camouflage, dispersion, noise and light
discipline, hide or defile positions. Active
measures conduct patrols set up O/P and L/P. Classifying of post, primary, alternate and supplementary.
Day or Night as well as morning/evening, so view not obscured by sun. Extreme
north long hours of summer provide long time for viewing, especially from air
visa versa (Vv.) in winter. Visibility and observation analyzed independently.
Visibility changes with weather, observation with terrain.
Four factors of target exposure; Terrain, Position of observer, Light and atmosphere.
Methods of searching Focus scan
This method maximizes peripheral vision. Procedure, focus on object 3 ft out in
front of you. You well notice a moment of focus in the peripherals, if you try
to concentrate on anyone thing besides point in front, you loose your
peripheral vision. Looking for something in the brush, focus on something on
the opposite side, though brush.
AKA jungle eye look through it not at it. Stoop occasionally and look
along jungle floor.
Quick scan
search with eyes first, before moving head. Method used to gather quick
understanding of large area. It’s an over lapping sweeping pattern from right
to left. Start at nearest point and work out from your position. Adjustments
made at 50’ or 50 meters depending on scale of area to be covered. Your eyes
well notice more on the right to left sweep. This fact is what makes it easier
for someone to locate next line on page they are reading. Search sector 90
degree. Left and right limits 45 degrees each. Eyes tend to relax during search
and distant objects blur, to counter this you should focus on clouds or distant
land features often. Squinting can help; it changes the focal length of the
eye. Searching for aircraft a narrow search sector produces best results. Often
inexperienced searchers look to close to horizon for a/c or far too high.
Proper angle is 20 degree above horizon. Same distance from tip of little
finger to tip of thumb with fingers fully extended at arms distance from face.
Once you spot aircraft keep an eye on it. If you most look away note location,
direction and speed using clouds or note land features directly below. Detail scan used to check an
object or area closer, especially at night. It is a Diamond
pattern. Eyes will not focus in motion. Move your eyes in short abrupt
irregular movements’ halting your eyes at
a fixed point, i.e. Diamond corners, every 4 to 10 seconds around
the object or area. The
purpose is to concentrate on out line of object. When you look directly at
object the image is formed on the cone region located in the stern of eye.
Which is not sensitive to night time light. Looking slightly to one side or top
of object the image is formed on retina
containing rod cells, witch are sensitive to visual purple night light. Most
sensitive area varies with individuals 6-10 degrees. Rod cells bleach out in
4-10 seconds. To demonstrate this, place dark object on table in a very dim
lighted room, look right at it, then just off to one side. AKA Off-Center
Vision. During the daytime when an individual looks at an object, he
looks directly at it. However, if he did this at night he would only see the
object for a few seconds. In order to see this object for any length of time,
he must look off center 6 to 10 degrees. Normal Blind Spots. Present, day
and night. It is caused by the lack of light receptors where the optic nerve
inserts into the back of the eye. Occurs or observed when you use just one eye.
When you close one eye, objects about 12 to 15 degrees away from where you are
looking will disappear. When you uncover your eye, the objects will reappear.
Consequently, larger and larger objects are missed as the distances increase.
Examples "night blind spots," A hand grenade 2 meters away, soldier
at 50 meters, tank at 300 meters.
When light
enters the eye, it first passes through the cornea, then the aqueous humor,
lens and vitreous humor. Ultimately it reaches the retina, which is the
light-sensing structure of the eye. The retina contains two types of cells,
called rods and cones. Rods handle vision in low light, and cones
handle color vision and detail. When light contacts these two types of cells, a
series of complex chemical reactions occurs. The chemical that is formed
(activated rhodopsin) creates electrical impulses in the optic nerve.
Generally, the outer segment of rods are long and thin, whereas the outer
segment of cones are more, well, cone shaped. Below is an example of a rod and
a cone:
Image edited;
Features of recognition
(S) Size, should be
reduced as much as possible then care taken to limit exposure. Objects look closer; when the object is
higher than observer (as in mid air) viewed peak to peak when all of valley is
not visible. Object is below you, the distance is long and slopes down ward
towards object, sun behind you. Or on a bright clear day. When in bright light,
spot light etc. The object is of bright color. Object is larger then
surroundings, large in size, most of object visible, of regular outline like
buildings. When object is framed, EX; viewed through window. In the dessert or
at sea by a magnitude of 3. Objects look
farther away; when observer is in prone position, looking down narrow long
alley/corridor, viewing from above or peak to peak with the entire valley
visible. Object above you (distance long, slopes up to wards object) sun is in
your eyes or shining from behind object. Object is smaller than surroundings,
camouflaged or of dark color, of irregular outline like trees. On hazy, foggy,
rainy days. Object in dim light, after sunset or during twilight. Note
to clarify the one comparison that may be confusing; objects at bottom of long
sloping surface look closer, if surface slopes upward object looks farther
away. This seems in contrast to statement; when object higher than observer it
looks closer. This is due to the long sloping surface Vs an unseen (as in mid
air) or irregular one.
(Reference, COE rule #
9/10 eye focus)
(S) Shape, you should
break up nature look of things. Change out line. Eliminate strait lines. Avoid
skintight clothing.
Shape and Outline
Make sure the added camouflage does not hinder the equipment's operation.
Shape: Patterns:
Rows of vehicles and stacks of materiel create patterns that are easier
to detect than random patterns of dispersed equipment
Equipment paint patterns. The critical relationships that determine the
contrast between a piece of equipment and its background are the distance
between the observer and the equipment and the distance between the equipment
and its background. Since these distances usually vary, it is difficult to
paint equipment with a pattern that always allows it to blend with its
background. As such, no single pattern is prescribed for all situations. Field
observations provide the best match between equipment and background.
Besides ordinary non-glossy paint, liquid vesicant chemical agent
detector, M5, can be applied to the helmet in a mottled pattern to give two
kinds of protection at once.
(S) Shadows, more
pronounced in desert or arctic. Will move with sun. Move quickly with wind at
night when being produced by flares. This makes the ground at your feet appear
to be moving too, makes it difficult to maintain balance when running.
Illumination rounds are placed behind your position in defense, right over
enemy when in the offense. This produces shadows out in front of your position
and eliminates shadows as much as possible around enemy, like high noon time.
Do not cast shadows on windows, outdoor ways around corners, off roof tops or
from objects of cover and concealment. When you are in a tree they must be
disguised or concealed. You should park vehicles with maximum vertical area
facing sun, dug in too, so you lower the profile, reducing length of shadows.
White painted cardboard or burlap placed in shadows. Shadow area illuminated
with mirrors. Direction of travel noted by sharp corners. Shadows are the same
length as objects casting them at noon. This varies with your latitude and
seasons of the year.
Shadow can be divided into two types:
A cast shadow is a silhouette of an object projected against its
background. In desert or snow environments, a shadow cast by a target can be
more conspicuous than the target itself.
A contained shadow is the dark pool that forms in a permanently shaded
area. Examples are the shadows under the track guards of an armored fighting
vehicle (AFV), inside a slit trench, inside an open cupola, or under a vehicle.
Contained shadows show up much darker than their surroundings.
Also, if you are in a dark shadow and there is a light source to one
side, an enemy on the other side can see your silhouette against the light.
Newjarheaddean’s “Shadow caster gizmo”.
(Reference, COE,
Charactteristics of Military oprs in Desert Warfare, “Because there is little
vegetation”)
(C) Color, pay close
attention to changes in back ground, especially in deserts. Change vegetation
as terrain changes, and often i.e. every few hours to counter welting.
Vegetation is struck into belts, straps, button holes, laces. Three colors
gives maximum verity and coverage. Anymore colors not enough coverage any fewer
colors and less chance of matching back ground.
(T) Texture,
Reflections give you away for miles. In desert you can stop on vegetation, in
shadows or on broken terrain. Nets can reduce glare or flat paints and rubber
surfaces too. Shine caused by wet surfaces. Exposed skin of the face or hands
reflects light during the day or night. Even dark skin. Face painting stripe
pattern best for morning and evening, blotch pattern for mid day. For specific
terrain, blotch is best for temperate deciduous forest and arctic, broad strips
for carnivorous forest, and jungles, thinner strips for deserts and grassy or
open areas. Highlight low lying areas like eye sockets, neck, and side of face.
Darken prominent features nose, lips, chin, cheeks, forehead, and ears. Use two
colors on each surface. A little trick was to paint nose like small face. Up
close if you were stationary enemy could think he sees you off in the distance.
SP the Army is trying to find a face paint
that would block the thermal signature of human skin but has yet to find a
workable solution. Note IMO they don’t want this tech getting into the hands of
the enemy. Using blood red color trauma design i.e. painted up like injuries.
Blood red scarf when wet would look like wound, dirt added for guts.
Texture:
A rough surface appears darker than a smooth surface, even if both
surfaces are the same color. For example, vehicle tracks change the texture of
the ground.
Shine
Whenever possible, wash oily skin and reapply camouflage. If you must
wear glasses, camouflage them by applying a thin layer of dust to the outside
of the lenses. Cover shiny spots on equipment by painting, covering with mud,
or wrapping with cloth or tape. Pay particular attention to boot eyelets,
buckles, watches, jewelry, zippers, and insignia. Carry a signal mirror in its
designed pouch or in a pocket with the mirror portion facing your body.
Shine from optical instruments (which should be kept shaded),
Running gear on tracks that has been polished by wear.
Local materials can also be used. The color and texture of the local
terrain is best represented by placing dirt on vehicles and using a little
water to make it stick.
Skin:
Avoid using oils or insect repellent to soften the paint stick because
doing so makes skin shiny and defeats the purpose of the paint. What about
heating? Don’t forget to get behind the
ears, back of neck and arms.
When paint sticks are unavailable, use field expedients such as burnt
cork, bark, charcoal, lampblack, or mud. Mud contains bacteria, some of which
is harmful and may cause disease or infection, so consider mud as the last
resource.
Reflectance; is the amount of energy returned from a target's surface as
compared to the energy striking the surface. Reflectance is generally described
in terms of the part of the EM spectrum in which the reflection occurs: Visual
reflectance is characterized by the color of a target. Color contrast can be
important, particularly at close ranges and in homogeneous background
environments such as snow or desert terrain. Also, the human eye cannot
discriminate color in poor light. Temperature reflectance is the thermal energy
reflected by a target (except when the thermal energy of a target is
self-generated, as in the case of a hot engine). IR imaging sensors measure and
detect differences in temperature-reflectance levels (known as thermal
contrast). Radar-signal reflectance is the part of the incoming radio waves
that is reflected by a target. Radar sensors detect differences in a target's
reflected radar return and that of the background. Since metal is an efficient
radio-wave reflector and metals are still an integral part of military
equipment, radar return is an important reflectance factor.
(M) Movement, number one
reason you will be spotted. Beautifully colored birds are often not seen in the
jungle until they move. You should move in slow and flowing movements. Nature
is always on the move, this way you blend into back ground. Moving when wind
blows is a good idea. Local noises, aircraft, vehicles, may distract foe.
Remain in shadows even if it means going out of your way. If you’re not moving
at the time airburst or search light hits you, stay still. If it’s a ground
flare (meaning someone tripped it) or spot light hall ass. Move
immediately after illumination goes out.
Watch animal’s sheep
when frightened huddle and look in the direction of what frightened them. Geese
and horses look and move away. Rodents run, do not fallow in their paths.
Someone hearing them might spot you. Crickets stop chirping up close because of
you, at a distance because of enemy. Birds where they congregate it is usually
empty. If they get quite or suddenly all take to flight, something or some one
has spooked them. Animals are generally better indicators of enemy presents
than sight or sound, smells can be the best indicator.
(Reference, PCP rule # 8,
Tracking, “Wild Life”)
You should stay down wind of
objective to reduce detection. Stay up wind of fires to avoid smoke smell on
you. Do not wear bug fuck/repellant, deodorants or colons. Smells in general
and of animals/horses especially strong at dawn and at evening. Non smokers
should be kept up front.
Movement: When moving past obstacles, avoid going over them. When you are
moving, you will have difficulty detecting the movement of others. Stop
frequently, listen, and look around slowly. When hiding or traveling, stay in
the deepest part of the shadows. Forcing an enemy to look through many layers
of masking vegetation will fatigue his eyes very quickly. If capture appears
imminent in your present location and you must move, move away slowly, making
as little noise as possible. Moving slowly conserves energy. Use background
noises to cover the noise of your movement. Sounds of aircraft, trucks,
generators, strong winds, and people talking will cover some or all the sounds
produced by your movement. Rain will mask a lot of movement noise, but it also
reduces your ability to detect potential enemy noise.
The LCSS
lightweight camouflage screen system, is a modular system consisting of a
hexagon screen, a diamond-shaped screen, a support system, and a repair kit.
You can join any number of screens to cover a designated target or area.
The LCSS
protects targets in four different ways. It—
Casts
patterned shadows that break up the characteristic outlines of a target.
Scatters
radar returns (except when radar-transparent nets are used).
Traps
target heat and allows it to disperse.
Simulates
color and shadow patterns that are commonly found in a particular region.
Erecting
Procedures:
Maintain
the net a minimum of 2 feet from the camouflaged target's surface. This
prevents the net from assuming the same shape and thermal signature as the
target it is meant to conceal.
Sloping the
net over the target also minimizes sharp edges, which are more easily
detectable to the human eye.
Extend the
net completely to the ground to prevent creating unnatural shadows that are
easily detected. This ensures that the net effectively disrupts the target's
shape and actually absorbs and scatters radar energy.
The
preferred net is the lightweight camouflage screen system (LCSS), desert
version, which provides concealment against visual, near IR, and radar target
acquisition/surveillance sensor devices. Additionally, the transparent version
of the LCSS allows US units to camouflage radars (less CW type radars) without
degrading operations. A desert camouflage net should be a complete cover, as it
depends on its limitation of the ground surface, and both color and texture,
for its effect. The alternatives to the LCSS in order of priority include the
following:
The
specially produced desert-pattern net of the lightweight screen system.
An
open-weave cloth and close-weave cloth.
A standard
net garnished solid, threaded in long straight strips that have been colored to
harmonize with the terrain. The garnishing must be maintained.
The number
of nets issued depends on the size of the equipment to be covered, but should
be sufficient to allow a gradual slope of not more than 15 degrees from the
top of the equipment to the earth. Each company-size unit should be
equipped with a spray gun and various tints of paint to provide for temporary
variations in net color to match the terrain.
When using nets for stationary equipment--
Camo must
be easily removable to maintain reaction times.
Hook and
hold a camouflage net to the ground away from the vehicle by using wooden pegs
or long steel pins, depending on soil consistency.
After
dismounting local security, camouflage is the first priority when a vehicle
halts. Actions to be taken are--
Shadow
areas covered with burlap screens. chicken wire to lighten up area too.
Upon
stopping vehicles blot out tracks at lest as far as you can.
The shadow
can be broken up, which is normally achieved by sitting equipment next to scrub
or broken surfaces, such as rocks. Equipment should not be sited broadside to
the sun, and it is usually necessary to move as the sun moves. Vehicles
passing over pebbles or heavy ground surfaces press the pebbles or gravel into
the soil, causing track marks to be prominent. Avoid such areas if possible.
Use existing trails and blend new trails into old ones whenever possible.
Soil
texture suitable for digging must be a consideration when reconnoitering for
battle positions.
In forward
areas, operations centers Vehicles should not be allowed to approach closer
than 300-400 meters. Generators dug-in
allow adequate air space for cooling. Equipment in area limited, Radios
and antenna systems must be remote and in different directions.
Drivers
must avoid harsh use of accelerators, the main cause of diesel plumes.
Vehicle
silhouettes can be reduced in the forward areas by removing cabs and tops.
Follow the
ground pattern, if possible.
All
vehicles of a given type should look alike. This will make it difficult for an
enemy to pick out critical vehicles, such as water and fuel trucks, in a
column. Canopies over fuel trucks disguise them and prevent radiant heat from
striking the fuel containers.
Vehicles
should follow the tracks of the preceding vehicle if it is possible to do so
without breaking through the crust, as this reduces the possibility of an enemy
intelligence analyst to calculate how many vehicles have passed.
Disguises, Decoys, Diversions and counter
measures:
Camouflage
Discipline; always remember
concealment of your unit is a cooperative responsibility shared by you and
every individual in the unit. The unit will suffer for the mistake of one
member. You won't always have time to do all the things that are mentioned, but
you must find time to do the most important ones for the job at hand. Order of importance, from top of the head
down; that is, from the most frequently exposed parts to the least exposed.
Marine wearing ladies blue and white head bonnet in cultivated field of
high vegetation, so first thing enemy may see well look like a women working in
field. Members of irregular unit switching items associated with their personal
identification (like a wrist band) as anti I.D. tactic. You should always suspect that what you’re observing
could be a D.D.D. and you should all ways be prepared with counters. Deception
is one of the arts of war. In theory it should favor offense, in practice it
favors defense. Because attacker is up and about searching for defense. It is
one of the primary means to achieve surprise. It conceals ones intentions and
capabilities. It causes adversary to react less rapidly and to employ forces in
less then optimum manner. When committed to employing troops feign inactivity,
thus although your capable display incapability to them. When objective is
near, act as if it is far Vs., be differential (showing difference
respectfully) to foster there arrogance. Display profit to entice them. Create
disorder in there forces and take them. If they are rested force them to exert
themselves. If they are united cause them to separate. One who has emissaries
come forth wants to rest for a while. One who seeks peace with out setting any
prior conditions is executing a stratagem /ruse i.e. move to gain. One who’s
troop’s half advance and half retreat is enticing you. Psychologically, soldiers are weakest immediately
after a win. Victorious soldiers are focused only on raping, looting and
sleeping. Let invaders pass by, then attack them from behind after the battle.
Presents of a flag may make attacker think there up against larger
unit. Marine signaling as if he is communicating with other Marines to advance,
makes foe believe there’s more Marines advancing. Foe well make effort to see
advancing Marines, compromising his concealment. In the northern landscape the
back ground is not always all white, rocks shrubs brush and shadows make sharp
contrast with snow. After freshly fallen snow has melted a little the dead tones
of brown and grey start to re-appear. In
woods (some times snow on ground but not in trees) green field jackets maybe
warn with white pants Vs. Also with mixed clothing or all whites’ enemy and
friendly troops look alike. Hiding behind small object in the shadow of larger
one is often over looked. Decoy positions must be placed to fallow tactical
plan but far enough away from actual to avoid damage. When withdrawing form
base leave detail behind to maintain campfires etc. With radios and equipment
retain original operators until withdrawal/replacement complete. The enemy
could notice changes in voices and operators habits. And realize unit is moving
out.
Tracks once made stick to them. Bring in supplies on one well concealed route. It may
be advantageous to make more tracks to show signs of greater strength than
available. Tracks leading to dummy position must be made. Tracks should lead
though real position to lead enemy past base. Obvious tracks can be made in
retreat direction. Avoid turn around loops. Tracks should end on hard ground or
at water. Tracks filled with ashes/coals etc. to make them appear fresh to IR.
Vehicle tracks molds/cast made so they can be moved. Gaps made in actual tracks
will make them look like molds/casts i.e. dash patterns of decoy tracks.
Vehicles Zig Zagging well
distorts tracks in sand. With wet sand extreme inside tread maybe still
visible. Vehicles could also tow trailer with wheels rotated to reverse tread
of tracks. With water jets on EFV could there not be some sort of attachment to
turn jets into blower to erase tracks.
In the summer tracks across
open surface are quit clear to aerial observer and may become quite firm during
low night temperatures and will remain indefinitely, as indications of
movement. Nature may assist by covering tracks with newly fallen snow or storm
concealing all movement. Trees being dragged behind vehicle to cover tracks. Mujahideen traveling with sheep herds. Germans during WWII drove cattle
ahead of them as cover for an attack. Concealment from air is of
greatest concern.
(Reference, Preperations
and conduct of patrols, rule # 9)
Over head tarpaulins or
netting, vegetation etc. should be used to cover any extensive digging in snow
or earth. Nets used for cover should not be pulled to tight this reveals each
supporting pole. Use poles to lift cover off of vehicles or equipment etc.
Increases circulation and surface space permits use of top surfaces. Parachute
material is good for camouflage and is water resistance. In dessert cover not
available concealment more important. Decoy trenches need only be 1 foot deep
if floors are lined with vegetation cut to scale. Snow used to make decoy
vehicles can be quickly shaped with shovels. Details added by placing ashes,
branches, dirt, logs, poles etc. can be frozen into place by pouring water on
them. White paper, when wet, can be applied and allowed to freeze on all kinds
of surfaces. Snow and vegetation can be placed on actual vehicles to make them
look like decoys. Supplies stored in shape of vehicles. Limit activity around
actual vehicles equipment and post. Vehicle exhaust or firing of large caliber
weapons, as well as Marines breathing may cause local vapor fogs in extreme cold. Maybe necessary to shut off
engines or leave vehicles in stern areas. Move weapons frequently. Marines can
place ice/snow in mouth although for only short periods of time due to body
heat loss. If you need fires to stay alive or keep weapons operational, have
many more than necessary for positions and move around frequently.
(Reference, PCP rule # 7)
Wood fires should not be
aloud in day light hours. If drift wood available remember it well not smoke
(DO NOT USE FOR RESCUE FIRES). Long chimneys of blocks of ice to cool smoke
before exhausted. In open areas smoke from fires hangs immediately above position
if there’s no wind. Under certain conditions like night fall. If position is on
high point smoke may flow down hill/down wind. Deception or concealment might
be gained by deliberately causing local vapor fogs and allowing it to settle in
low lying areas depressions etc. Forest
fires, when smoke begins to flow over your position it means a lot of the
heat and energy etc. has been lost by the fire. Marines can attack or retreat
with fogs on mountain sloops. Fog will shift with changes in temperature and sun. In dessert dragging chains or hovering
helicopters can make small units look larger. Maneuver units can leap frog
ahead of one another and mask each other with dust. Bleeding diesel fuel into
exhaust/onto manifold will make smoke for screening. Traveling during early
morning or late evening hours, the sand is damp thus there is less dust. Smoke
screens may last longer in MOUT; dust more of a problem with no wind. In snow
environment using white smoke for concealment. Smoke screens can be effective
when placed behind approaching weapon, between it and crew operating it, to
block shooters view of weapon. Smoke used to mask the lack of movement.
Pneumatic devices hampered in temperatures below zero or at high altitudes.
Blankets or sheets being used as screens should be wet down to resist wind.
Smoke pots or fires placed or positioned to hamper I.R. Lt. Amplification or
lasers. Burning tires, placed on vehicles near engine, will look like engine
already hit. Fumes form rubber puts petrol chemicals in air like oil from
engines. Roofing tiles, felt paper and asphalt have very similar signatures.
Can be placed on vehicles located on roads or in parking lots to hide them.
Chlorophyll from the crushed or cut grass shows on infra-red line scan (IRLS),
note mowed lawn grass or mulch? Also to hamper IR keeping one side of vehicle
(human body altered every 20 minutes?) facing sun all day, the other side
covered with tarps, boards or sand. At night with the covered side uncovered it
will show up a lot less on I.R. You park vehicles side by side, sandwich style.
Vehicles look like one. Movement at precise time can foil aim of incoming
weapons. Also fast moving vehicles traveling down roads with lots of
irregularities like dips, can cause just enough vertical displacement for a
miss. Drape targets with pictures or paintings of damage. Scarecrow drawl fire
props. Placing many items in windows and doorways. Wind and fans used to
simulate motion/movement. Hope is snipers will shoot at them and give away
their positions. “Trojan Horse” missions utilized on
occasion in Iraq. Marines were given relaxed grooming standards, local dress
and a civilian vehicle (modified with armor and radios) and conducted patrols
in areas with insurgent activity. A QRF was on call and positioned nearby. Such
operations have the ability of disrupting insurgent activities. Any insurgent
operating in areas of Trojan Horse missions are occurring must wonder: “Is that
a cab driver sitting in that taxi over there, or is it..?”
To make few look like many at
good range, say 600 yards. Use small number of troops. Exposed at varying
points though brush, wearing different equipment in various positions on them
etc. Facing and moving in same direction. Deference between 2-6 second exposure
can mean life or death. Also multi scaled scarecrow props largest to smallest,
set up at increasing ranges according to scale in order to have realistic
appearance i.e. give the illusion of depth. To slow or harass enemy patrol, you
first shoot off flare at close enough range they will stop and investigate. As
soon as patrol regroups and begins to move on there way. Shoot off second
flare. Third time you attack. Assaulting a position at night, attack started
first with a few mortars, then burst of machine gun fire, troops shouting
battle cries, then at once nothing. 30-40 minutes later all repeated. Battle
cry much louder, they had crawled forward and where much closer. You could also
have reserve troops repeat battle cry the second time from same distance as the
first, while attacking troops assault silently. Chem.-lights placed on top of
houses to mark for air raid, passed out to locals in Iraq who placed them on
the family rival’s roofs. Humvees IR strobe light invisible to naked eye, seen
with NVG aids drivers in locating other vehicles. Can look like weapon muzzle
flashes. Note shooter using as concealment screening of their muzzle flashes
within buildings.
Mimic sounds from a distance
up close volume gradually increased /decreased. Using high energy lasers to
cook off ammo of crew served weapons, endangering crews and causing weapons
malfunctions.
With persons suspected of
wearing synthetic facial prosstitics for disguises one could use a laser beam,
by adjusting the heat level and observing the individuals reactions or lack
there of i.e. if the nose is false there would be no reaction. This for field
expatiate measure. Without having access to IR imaging equipment sensitive
enough to distinguish the different signatures.
Peace meal tactics, a little
of everything being done at once, with no certain activities obvious to
observer i.e. pre-positioning equipment.
Troops riding high up in
lattice structures far above normal truck bed level as an anti mine tactic.
Guerrillas placing flares
into the air to cause many shadows and light fluctuations to hamper aerial
sensors.
Flares or illumination rounds
used by ground forces esp. around water standing or running, to hamper aerial
sensors. Note standard illumination rounds designed to show light only down,
right?
Taliban gathering for
meetings in gardens, note they look like average workers. Also earlier mention
of gardens being were weapons well be buried.
Producing shadows that look
like weapons.
Shadow caster i.e. flash
light adapter that would be able to produce silhouettes like shadows to mimic
troops running by etc.
Instinctively applying
Napoleon's dictum of preparing a circumspect defense before unleashing an
audacious attack.
Machine i.e. computer knowing the gamers so well i.e. habits chop of
keyboard. Could this not be used against those war gamers in real war.
Aircraft spaying fuel mixture
from tanks i.e. dumping fuel than ignited by flares.
Off repellant clip on i.e.
fan unit that distributes insect repellent around individual. Note could there
not be an anti I.R. arousal agent used in same way.
Trawler fishing nets to stir
up silt from bottom as concealment for subs.
Box of cigars TNT sticks.
Light sensors set to turn on outside lights time set to turn off out side
lights and in side light
Methyl laded tablets stove
Always keep decoy weapon /unloaded etc. in the open loaded hidden
remember as long as enemy believes decoy is real/loaded just as effective for
offensive/bluff. Blank magazine in case enemy brings his own ammo.
Wig makers i.e. tailors provide disguises.
Ransom money sprayed with chemical. disintegrates in 72 hours.
Funerals used to smuggle supplies, equipment, or weapons. In side coffins
or corps.
Your own restaurant open to the public makes food supplies safe for your
consumption.
Peer to peer renting
Helicopter making dry runs at attacking surface troops. Meaning gunship
out of ammo, but enemy would not know and would still take cover.
Slice of bread as an air filter.
See also chem. warfare Greek fire, napalm
The weapons would be hidden in trees orchards and flower nurseries. The
IRA would used women drivers with kids in rented cars.
Red filters on vehicle dome lights and flashlights, while designed to
protect a soldier's night vision, are extremely sensitive to detection by NVDs.
A tank's red dome light, reflecting off the walls and out through the sight and
vision blocks, can be seen with a starlight scope from 4 kilometers. Red-lensed
flashlights and lit cigarettes and pipes are equally observable. To reduce the
chances of detection, replace red filters with blue-green filters. Shine at
night moonlight and starlight can be reflected as easily as sunlight.
NVG difficult to tell difference btw. Plastic bottles and ordinance.
Shells etc.
Source SP Rosecroix,
Aoccdrnig to a rsceearh at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in
waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the
frist and lsat ltteers are in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and
you can sitll raed it...
Hehe, AND it adds a whole new layer of denyability. Whats not to like?
Camouflage, concealment and decoys discipline CCD
DDD
CCD discipline depends largely on individuals it involves regulating
light, heat, noise, spoil, trash, and movement. Vehicle tracks are the most
common signs of military activity. One poorly concealed vehicle can compromise
an entire task force. Use natural and artificial materials for CCD. Natural CCD
includes defilade, grass, bushes, trees, and shadows. Artificial CCD includes
BDUs, camouflage nets, skin paint, and natural materials.
Iraqi vote registration. combined with food drive discourages attack and
provides cover.
Uniforms: starching counters the IR properties of the dyes. Replace
excessively faded and worn BDUs because they lose their CCD effectiveness as
they wear.
Shine starched uniforms). Plastic map cases, and clear plastic garbage
bags also reflect light. Vehicle headlights, taillights, and safety reflectors
not only reflect light but also reflect laser energy used in weapon systems.
Dispersal:
Dispersal is the deliberate deployment of soldiers and equipment over a
wide area.
Equipment: The following
guidelines should be used to conceal engineer activity:
Employ the minimum number of equipment and personnel.
Keep equipment well away from the site.
Complete all possible preparations well away from the site.
Soldiers assigned equipment, such as vehicles or generators, should be
knowledgeable of their appropriate camouflage techniques.
Individual Fighting
Positions:
Remember that too much CCD material applied to a position can actually
have a reverse effect and disclose the position to the enemy. Obtain CCD
materials from a dispersed area to avoid drawing attention to the position by
the stripped area around it.
Desert Concealment and Camouflage
FM 90-3 Appendix E Desert Operations
In the desert, you encounter an increased range of vision. Total
concealment is rarely achieved.
Cover from enemy direct fire may be afforded by dunes, hills, and other
irregularities in the desert terrain.
Light and heat:
Light and heat discipline, though important at all times, is crucial at
night. Lights at night can be observed at great distances. For example, the
human eye can detect camp fires from 8 kilometers and vehicle lights from 20
kilometers. Threat surveillance can also detect heat from engines, stoves, and
heaters from great distances.
Noise:
For example, muffle generators by using shields or terrain masking or
place them in defilade positions. Communications personnel should operate their
equipment at the lowest possible level that allows them to be heard and
understood.
Spoil:
The prompt and complete policing of debris and spoil removes a key
signature of a unit's current or past presence in an area.
Track:
Use existing roads and tracks as much as possible. When using new paths,
ensure that they fit into the existing terrain's pattern. Minimize, plan, and
coordinate all movement;
METT-TC
The following sets forth a METT-TC methodology to help determine CCD
priorities:
Mission.
Enemy. An enemy's RSTA capabilities often influence the camouflage
materials and CCD techniques needed to support a unit's mission. Before
beginning a mission, conduct an intelligence analysis to identify the enemy's
RSTA capabilities.
Terrain and weather.
Troops. A change in the environment or the mission often requires
additional training on effective techniques. Leaders must also consider the
alertness of troops. Careless CCD efforts are ineffective and may disclose a
unit's location.
Time. The time available to employ CCD countermeasures, and the time
necessary to remove and reemploy camouflage during unit relocation.
Five general techniques of employing CCD explained:
Hiding:
Hiding is screening a target from an enemy's sensors. using conditions of
limited visibility for movement and terrain masking. Examples of hiding
include:
Burying.
Placing vehicles beneath tree canopies.
Placing equipment in defilade positions.
Covering vehicles and equipment with nets.
Hiding roads and obstacles with linear screens.
Using battlefield obscurants, such as smoke.
From optical sensor; Earth cover, Earth embankments, Vegetation, LCSS,
Screens, Smoke
From thermal; same as above.
From radars; Chaff, Earth cover, Earth embankments, Vegetation, Nets,
RAM, LCSS
Blending:
Generally, it is arranging or applying camouflage material on, over,
and/or around a target to reduce its contrast with the background.
From optical sensors; Paint, Foam, Lights, Vegetation, LCSS, Textured
Mats
From thermal sensors; Thermal paint, Foam, Air conditioning/heating ,
Vegetation, LCSS, Textured mats, Water,
Insulation
From radars; Vegetation, LCSS, RAM, Reshaping, Textured mats
Disguising:
Disguising is applying materials on a target to mislead the enemy as to
its true identity. Disguising changes a target's appearance so that it
resembles something of lesser or greater significance. For example, a missile
launcher might be disguised to resemble a cargo truck or a large building might
be disguised to resemble two small buildings.
From optical sensors; Reshaping, Paint, LCSS
From thermal sensors; Reshaping, Painting
Radar; Corner Reflectors
Disrupting:
Disrupting is altering or eliminating regular patterns and target
characteristics. Disrupting techniques include pattern painting, deploying camouflage
nets over selected portions of a target, and using shape disrupters (such as
camouflage sails) to eliminate regular target patterns.
From optical sensors; Camouflage sails
From thermal sensors; Flares, smoke
Radar; Chaff
FOS , Pyrotechnics, Smudge pots, Balloons , Strobe lights, Tracer
simulators, Smoke
Decoying:
Decoying is deploying a false or simulated target(s)
From optical sensors; Decoy target (pneumatic or rigid structures),
Lights, Smoke,
From thermal sensors; Decoy target, Flares , Air conditioning/heating,
Smoke
From radar; Decoy target, Corner reflectors , Signal generators
Have a helper chain the gates shut to lock the pursuit vehicles in.
Change vehicles under overhead cover to lose any airborne pursuit.
Anti-tank missiles will not recognize a motorcycle and will fly past it.
Continually fire flares at night, but from many different mortars.
(Reference, Step # 3
General phases of an attack, Phase one the attack and phase two contact)
Lessening post:
Used when unit is set up in
thick vegetation, during bad weather or at night. They are placed farther out
than O/P to give more time to warn of attack. Do to fact detection most likely
well be at closer range then visual. You can hear better with mouth slightly
open, when not breathing or breathing through mouth. When you are close to the
surface, especially in holes or trenches, with ears cocked/cupped or next to
pole, knife etc. stuck in surface or can/steel pot placed open end up. In
winter hoods will canalize and hamper hearing. Helmets wind whirling around
causes noise. Snow especially when it’s falling reduces all sounds. In MOUT
location and the source of sounds becomes difficult due to the nature of
echoing. And the tendency of sounds to carry farther at night. With armor the
squeal and squeak of the tracks is louder than engine and easier to pinpoint.
Note whistle Vs. yelling in base tone i.e note. This for hailing/calling others
to your local. Detection of older Infantry fighting vehicle IFV 800 meters. For
the newer Stryker, LAV or M-1 tank 200 m. Canon fire rounds are herd in coming,
mortars are not. Average speech hard at a distance of 1320’ in a vacuum, or
sound prove volt, 400’ out in the country side, 125’quite office/library, 40’
average office/department store, 12’ lobby or mall, 4’ at road side, 15” for
subway. Sound range estimation by
flash and sound. Sound travels through air at approximately 350 m/s, count
seconds between flash and sound if you most count more than 9 seconds start
over. Multiply number of seconds by 350 to get the range to weapons in hundreds
of meters. Helicopter blades making different sounds at altitude, more of a
cracking sound.
Mentioned on SP under
warplanes F-35 has a fatal flaw. A decibel is defined as 10*log (P1/P0),
which means "twice as loud" will add 10*log (2) = 3.01 decibels to
the noise level. So, "Twice as loud" only means another 3
decibels and, since the power of sound decreases with the square of distance, 3
decibels is barely noticeable from far away. If the media stays out of
it, I doubt anyone will notice.
(Reference, Appendix
Defense rule # 5)
6) Choose and prepare fighting holes:
As with clearing fields of fire (rule # 8) and camouflaging area you must
estimate time available not only to complete but remove if situation applies. Buildings with tin roofs make good positions, due to
anti fire properties. Avoid older structures, if these must be occupied,
extensive efforts are required to reduce the dangers of fire. Fires can double every 30 seconds
Smoke kills three
ways, blocking oxygen into system, toxic fumes, lack of oxygen i.e. consuming
it in the area.
Use the back of hand in a zig-zag patern when checking for
heat behind door etc.
Cover attic and other wooden
floors with one inch of sand or dirt. Position buckets of water or sand bags
for immediate use. Water
basins and bathtubs are filled. All electricity and gas are turned off.
Firebreaks are created by destroying buildings adjacent to position. Corners
and lower levels of buildings are stronger than else where. Destroyed vehicles
make good fighting holes also existing craters caused by enemy or friendly
fires. Do not choose isolated trees or bushes.
Snow covered terrain. On the
down wind side of every obstacle, house, tree, or bush there is always a hallow,
which may provide an excellent observation point or fighting hole. The wind
particularly in open areas may form long wavy snow drifts and Snow banks along
side plowed roads too. Either maybe used as an approach to objectives. Snow
drifts are less of a problem in forest on hills or slopes. When preparing
fighting holes you should team up, into teams of two or three. One for security
one or two for working. Time to prepare the defense may be the most critical
factor in selection of building or positions. Buildings that require extensive
time consuming reinforcements, fire prevention measures or clearing of fields
of fire should be avoided. With existing positions continuously improve,
Marines constantly preparing fighting position (also areas used during assaults)
for fallow on Marines. Add or remove rocks, dirt, sand bags, to fit your
height. Fighting holes should be as deep as mans armpits. Estimated average
time to dig, two hours. Stockpile extra sand bags in fighting holes as a
fire-fighting aid. Sand bags are filled
uniformly ¾ full, tie straps placed in bags and facing inward. Alternate
placement of bags.
Urban setting any structures
on the outside of a building that would assist scaling to gain access to upper
floors or to the roof are removed or blocked. Remove glass, leave curtains and
hang cloths in exits. Curtains and furniture cushions can reduce noises. Remove handrails and oil the stairs.
Put claymores on the roof.
Inter walls removed, blankets
hung to look like them. Clear walls for back blast 2 meters square hole. Open
door at minimum. Ceiling 2 meters higher than weapon. Barricading or boarding
up doors and windows leave many gaps. Avoid barricading only the windows to be
used. Making loop holes, neat square or circular shapes avoided. Try to preserve
looks of the outside. Have many false ones to conceal real. Should be cone
shaped on the inside i.e. increasing size inwardly. Covered on inside with
protective linings, such as an empty sandbag or wire mesh for protection from
splinters caused by incoming rounds. Brick walls especially splinter when hit
by bullets. The bottom should be loosened so grenades can be dropped outside.
Covered completely with sandbags when not in use, to prevent the enemy from
observing through them or keep enemy form detecting them. Conceal them behind
pictures, drapes, furniture and shrubs. Create loop holes in roofs chimneys,
mail drops, under door jams, under stairs though steps, though interior walls
placed to cover hallways and unoccupied rooms. Loopholes in floors permit the
defender to engage enemy on lower floors with small arms and/or to drop
grenades. Avoid firing directly through a loophole. Use table or chairs to fire
down from loop holes. Ground Floors, All doors not used by defenders are
locked, nailed shut, and blocked with furniture or sandbags. Exit doors are
booby trapped. Hallways/Stairs not required for the defender's movement are
blocked with furniture and tactical wire. Floor level; if there is no
basement, fighting holes are dug into the floor for additional protection
against heavy direct-fire weapons. Frozen ground well provide better cover against artillery. Wet
down floors and blankets in front of crew serve weapons to reduce dust and
debris. Prone positions do not always permit sufficient freedom for firing at
widely varying angles or at targets above the position. Holes for elbows lower
profile. Weapons with top or side feed magazines or belts also reduces profile.
Firing stakes one stake at stern/shoulder, or in pistol grip to indicate base. One
left and one right to indicate left and right limits. Especially useful at
night. SP instead of aiming stakes carry several empty sandbags. These can be
filled on the spot (and emptied when it is time to move). Cross fields of view
as will as fires. They should intersect at perimeter in the range of 33 yards.
Purpose provides mutual support between adjacent units, reduces number of gaps
in final protective fires. Perimeter should be convex i.e. curved slightly
inward. As enemy approaches sides they come under increasing cross fires.
Interlocking machine guns, located at corners to give greater chance to attack
enemy’s flanks or stern. Crew served weapons produce the most KIA. The close
proximity of others in the crew, which assists with ammo, provide security and
the fire power of the weapon, reassures and helps suppress anxiety. Individuals
tend to seek cover and not fire. Construct grenade slumps. These are made to
absorb explosions of grenades. Floor is angled towards one corner where a hole
is located. This has a small entry point only large enough for hand and length
of arm to inter and hallow out cavern at base. Or there is the roof style type;
floor is slanted from center in two directions like roof, with deep narrow
gutter trench, surrounding edge of floor. In MOUT netting, sheets, fencing or
chicken wire can be used to give some protection too. Wire screening (chicken
wire) is preferable to camouflage netting because it will not burn readily.
Camouflage floors with vegetation to conceal from air; do not use twigs or
branches. Grenades that fine their way into your fighting hole well not roll
into grenade slumps. In MOUT floors can be greased down or ball
bearings/marbles used to cover floor, Marines would ware crampons or cleats.
Rubbling certain parts of the building provide additional cover and concealment
for weapon emplacement.
Positions with flat-roofs
require anti-helicopter obstacles. Roofs accessible from adjacent structures
are covered with tactical wire and guarded. Entrances to the building from the
roof are blocked. Each position should have complete overhead and perimeter
protection. Sand bag floors and or table tops over your position. Ceilings are
reinforced with supports, all
done to withstand the weight of rubble from upper floors. Removing or
collapsing roofs, ceilings and floors, provides better protection against
indirect fires, if Marines can locate themselves around large hole on upper
floor or platforms extending from walls above ground level. Over head cover
having (sun roof) for throwing grenades. When Marines expected to remain in
area for a while equipment must be covered also with fighting holes in the
field, tunnels are dug for protection from indirect fires. With snow structures
use sticks for checking thickness of walls. Positions are made to appear flat
when observed from ground level, or form air. Cover should blend in with the
natural surroundings, vegetation and elevations. Smoothing cover/roofs by
packing the snow (must be rounded off) in order to eliminate any sharp features
that may produce shadows or reflections.
Vegetation can be exposed through top of
netting or tarps. Surrounding
vegetation i.e. living vines are pulled over the emplacement. The halve shelter
the black triangle formed by the interior shadow can be seen a long way off,
especially from the air. Conceal it by striking the front tent pole or by
covering the opening and the outline of your tent with natural materials. Never
pitch a shelter tent in daylight unless you are ordered to do so. The
flat-top is an answer to the problem of concealing dug-in machine-gun
positions. The simple flat-top requires no framework. Corner posts are not
driven; they rest on the ground and are held in place by double strands. The
whole structure is as low to the ground as possible. It can also be angled
towards higher background, to best blend in with back ground. For a deliberate
position, especially in terrain with natural foliage, the folding buggy-top
conceals the machine gun which has an antiaircraft or all-around fire mission.
It can be folded back quickly, allowing the gunners to engage aerial targets.
For hinges use cloth or pieces of scrap leather, or stock door
hinges. Take care that the vegetation around the position is not
compressed by the buggy-top when it is open. Also in a deliberate
position, the swinging flat-top (Figure 64) is a slightly more elaborate
flat-top for anti-aircraft machine guns. It is a cantilever structure hinged on
a post at one corner. It is easily pushed to one side, giving the gun an unobstructed
view of the sky.
image edited, these I well add later.
Advantages of snow,
protection from wind for engines when snow walls are built. Easy to dig
trenches for communications. Trenches each Marine assigned a certain number of
feet to prepare. As a rule observe odd numbers. Trenches covered with branches
just before fresh snow fall to camouflage. Layer of branches, leafs placed
under first layer of logs around fighting hole, to keep water from leaking in.
Pykrete: Ice and sawdust mixture much stronger and melts much slower than
regular ice. It is bullet resistant. And will actually float. There is also Ice
create, water mixed with dirt, sand, gravel/rocks can be poured into wood forms
and tamped, as it is poured. It is darker than ice or snow absorbs more heat.
And therefore will melt quicker. You can cover it with snow, this well also
reduce ricochets and provide camouflage. It will need repairs after fired upon.
Encasement walls hollow interior filled with sand to absorb shock from
battering rams. Also would have impeded entry by troops, sand harder to remove than
bricks. Ground held to gather by roots of vegetation grass etc cut into bricks.
Salient prominent conspicuous jutting walls curved around entrances, gates etc.
Wide latus apparatus principle to block entrances also Claviculae (little
hooks). Fighting holes constructed facing backwards, meaning in direction enemy
will be traveling. So he walks right over into ambush. When position complete
always view from foes view point. Penetration
table: They had prepared boxes, containing wood, brick, earth and sand.
From 100 yards, only the sand stopped it. On average bullets well pass through
13’ of newly fallen snow. If firmly frozen 8-10’, packed 6’, ice 3’, Pykrete or
ice create 1½’. 18 inch thick walls of Afghan homes said to widthstand m-16s.
Altitude higher oxygen less, ice becomes harder/concrete too. Body armor weight
9 oz per square inch, will stop 25, 22, and 38 caliber. 20oz for 9mm and 44
magnums. M-16A1 and A2 both weapons perform the same at 50m or less. The closer
the range less penetration. At ranges of 25 m or less pent. greatly reduced.
Round still yawing, angled at impact. Well ricochet or break up. At less than
50 m. 5.56 stopped by 18”-24” layer of books, one thickness of sandbags, 2”
concrete, and 55 gallon drum filled with water or sand. Car door /body will
inter may not exit. Over all at 45 degree angle ricochet percentage increases
greatly. Rounds can ricochet on glass at a 45 degree angle. M16A1 maximum
penetration is at 200 m. Pent. 120 mm. also 14 acrylic glass plates 1” thick
each. 5.56 mm pent two plates/2”, 7.62 four plates and kinetic energy knocked
all other plates down. Kevlar first developed 1970s for tires. Protection
approval ratting, 2” diameter 44 cu mm max trauma/damage allowed. #5 boron
carbine hardest ceramic mat known. Dragon skin ceramic desk material MFG
company pinnacle armor in California.
SP 1/2000; troops are
currently provided with the 20-year-old flak jackets which can stop shrapnel
(not bullets). Added plates can stop 5.56mm bullets, but increase the weight to
25 pounds. The Interceptor jackets weigh less (only 16 pounds including their
ceramic plates). They can stop shrapnel or 9mm bullets; the added ceramic
plates can stop 7.62mm rounds.
M-16 well not pent. 8” of
pine, at 28 yards the AK – 47 well.
SP Oct 2000; USMC MACHINEGUN TACTICS; "talking guns"
tactic, two machineguns work in tandem. Each fires a short burst, then waits to
hear the other before firing again. The doctrinal rate of fire is a burst of
6-8 rounds followed by a pause of 6-8 seconds. This ensures the bursts are
six-eight seconds apart. As a practical matter, if friendly troops are not
exposed while advancing on the target, a pause of 10-12 seconds will be
adequate to keep the enemy pinned down. This doesn't really help when the guns
are firing on different targets, although it does help each gun maintain its
timing. It would be better to train each gun crew to count its own intervals as
it is difficult in combat to hear clearly what the other gun crew is
doing. There is also a tendency of one gun to increase its rate of fire
when the second is reloading. One trick is for one gun to start with a
100-round belt and the other with 200 rounds. After firing the initial belt,
each gun uses 200-round belts. This staggers reloading cycles. Doctrine
calls for the gunner's left hand to remain on the elevating wheel of the
traversing & elevation mechanism. This allows the gunner to adjust the fall
of his rounds as needed or as directed by the team leader. Without intense
training, however, the gunner has a tendency to move his hand back to the gun
after each adjustment. This makes the weapon less stable and harder to adjust
quickly. Training technique; tape a laser pointer to a cleaning rod. Insert
this into the barrel of the weapon when dry firing inside a dimly-lit armory
the team leader can track the abilities of the gunner to aim and adjust his
weapon. The training of gun teams (on a static firing range) tends to make
them think they are fighting alone rather than as a part of a
platoon. Troops must be trained to maintain situational awareness. During
training maneuvers, the team leader should periodically ask the team what else
is going on around them to encourage them to note the broader picture. When two
machineguns are working together the junior gun crew should be deployed farther
forward than the senior crew. This will allow the senior team leader to keep an
eye on the other gun and coordinate barrel changes and reloading. It could be
hoped that at least 60% of operations are offensive in nature, but 95% of machinegun
training is in defensive tactics and engagements. Gun crews should be trained
in how to select and occupy a firing position while remaining under cover. Gun
crews should carry empty sandbags to help them set up interim firing positions
during an advance. If they have access to a vehicle, they should have filled
bags on the floor to use and get the gun into action faster. Medium
machineguns (M60 or M240) are not the same as heavy machineguns or Mark-19
grenade launchers. Gunners moved from one system to the other require formal
retraining in order to establish the mindset. Medium guns use high rates of
fire to suppress positions or break up attacks. Heavy machineguns are best for
attacking vehicles or bunkers. Mark-19s are best when used to engage light
armor, heavy bunkers, or troops in defilade. Mark-19 grenade launcher crews
need to remember that they are one of the few weapons capable of engaging enemy
forces behind cover or in defilade If Mark-19 rounds are striking a target
which other weapons could engage and take out, something is wrong. Mark-19
ammunition is bulky and should not be used when other weapons can do the same
job. The 40mm grenades will penetrate two inches of steel armor while .50-cal
machinegun rounds will penetrate only one inch, so if the target is lightly
armored, the .50 - cal may be the best weapon for the job.
Sp Firing tables at altitude are inaccurate and need to be redone.
Artillery ammunition storage and handling is very important in a dry, hot
environment.
Very hot ammunition will affect the ballistic solution, which will cause
the round to impact long or short of its intended target.
Digging in storage positions for ammunition will keep it cooler.
(Reference, Def. rule # 8
and COE, Armor, “The factors of cover”)
7) Establish communications:
LINES OF COMMUNICATION (LoC) a vast network of modern highways,
all-weather roads, railroads, and canals connect built-up areas. These LoCs can
permit rapid access to virtually all areas. Modern four-lane highways, capable
of accommodating thousands of heavy vehicles, crisscross NATO-Europe.
Frequently, these highways bypass the larger cities, or at least avoid the
congested centers of most built-up areas. Limitations; they are often built
across terrain that is relatively impracticable for vehicular traffic and are
heavily dependent on bridges, ramps, overpasses and tunnels. They should not be
used unless suitable bypasses are available.
Note 4th GW; Every
effort should be made to prevent destruction of the local telephone system,
radio and TV stations, police, taxi or other commercial company radio systems
and other communication facilities. They are already in place and there use by
our forces provides immediate access to wire communications with overhead and
buried cable. Local media, such as newspapers, provide communication with the
locals. Wire can be laid while friendly forces are in static positions, but
careful planning is necessary. When running lines and wire for phones they are
laid through walls and floors, berry them use underground systems ditches,
culverts, and tunnels to keep the wire below the streets, or use existing
telephone poles to raise wire lines above the streets. All done to protect
against vehicles and other traffic. Do not run wires directly across fields to
your positions. Antennas should be hidden or blended in with the surroundings.
Locate them among civilian TV antennas, up the side of a chimney, water towers,
steeple, on roof slopes or out a back window away from the enemy observation
and knock holes in walls below rooftop level for directional antennas. Consider
parking radio-equipped vehicles inside buildings dismount radio and install it
inside buildings (in basements); place generators against buildings or under
sheds to increase noise absorption.
(Reference, Step # 3
concepts of operations, Three levels)
Trouble shooting radios; 1) Check function switch no/off. 2) Battery and
power source. 3) Connections of wires, plugs, Antenna well mount. 4) Ck
frequency, channel or station. 5) Hand set switch, mike switch. Throat
microphone reduces back ground noises. Units
should perform radio checks at a distance.
In MOUT Ground search radars
GSR and remote electronic monitoring systems REMS have limited use in the
center of cities. They are best employed on the outskirts to monitor traffic
into and out of. If necessary GSR can be used to cover large open areas such as
parks. REMS can be used in sub terrain areas. IR used at airports etc. to check
to see if people have fevers. Note
the five by five i.e. loud and clear vs. lets say three by five i.e. weak but
clear etc. first number represents signal strength second number represents the
single clarity or reliability.
Decide on signals; Visual signals, such as arm-and-hand signals, Sign language viewed
through telescopes.
Sign language/hand signals
can be used if foe is at close range. This is also necessary when working with
foreign troops. Whenever passing word IMO due so loud clear and once, i.e. repeated at proper
intervals only. In other words if you barely heard it chances are the next
Marine did not hear it, or if the Marine beyond you is not observed or heard
passing the word. In addition, IMO
Marines, gangs and sports teams for that mater should teach and use official
International sign language. Not some customized limited back on the block
signals someone with too much time on their hands (lol) came up with, meaning
new arrivals must learn it to be effective members. Everyone using ISL would promote it
worldwide thus making communication with civilians easier too. IMO the coding
of any messages should not be in the signal its self but in the way words are
interpreted, that could also change maybe depending on the date being an odd or
even number. Example; you may say or sign to your unit “departure well be around 0;00 hours, or we depart about 0;00 hours”. In the first
statement you here the word (around) in your mind you know that means to go
around 0;00 hours, in other words 01;00 hours, in the second statement you hear
(about) you know that means in your mind you due an about face and you are
facing 23;00 hours. Anyone may see you signing the message, they may know what
you communicated they don’t know the correct interpretation. However they
believe they do after all they know ISL and so they may waste time and effort
planning based on that incorrect interpretation. Rhythm even but broken into
logical parts speak slightly slower and louder than normal with higher pitch
for clarity.
Pyrotechnics, or make use of
smoke signals too. Recon using flares, balloons or Church bells to report
sightings or movements of the enemy. The Mujahideen scouts fired flares to mark
location of targets. Marking panels are also excellent means for communicating.
When used for extended periods their meanings should change. Since foe may
capture or manufacture copies. The noise in built up areas makes it difficult
to use audio signals.
Messengers provide security and flexibility; Dogs used for messengers
or to reach isolated O/Ps and L/Ps their mess tins packed with ammo as well.
Carrier pigeons 60 mph, 600 miles max range. With guerrillas, letters should
not be written from post office in same area or close to receiver. They should
be sent to support group, community center then delivered by carrier. False
return address. Invisible ink using a dip pen, written on plain sheet of paper.
Use milk, vinegar, lemon, apple juice or urine. Paper would be held up to light
or over candle to read. Another method of heating is ironing. Chemical
solutions which are colorless dry also appear as various colors if they are
treated with another solution. It is also possible to dissolve an aspirin (not
child’s) in alcohol then dip a cotton ball in solution and whip over message.
Cipher using later of alphabet out of sequence by one place. Passing notes in
cigarette pack. Using a stick of a certain diameter, a strip of paper or tape
with letters written on it, would be read by wrapped strip around stick to
align letters. Resume used to communicate on internet. Collogue of photos that
form an image. Perspective view art and holographic tech for covert
communications. Batman laser writing in clouds, read with IR set to frequency.
LEDs communicator could work shutter (spring loaded) device with string etc.
Lessening tactic floating balloon to alt. than hitting it with laser or
Farphoon. Note non lethal or less lethal (L RAD) i.e. long range acoustic system, these systems can
also project messages or lesson to conversations. When used on small boats on
rough seas it can be difficult to keep beam on target. Marines’ equipment with
international calling codes that can be used on landlines in foreign nation.
Spinning flashlight on a core
or rope as a signaling tactic. Makes large hallo of light.
Install and defend cellphone relays
concealed in buildings.
If cellphones fail, direct civilians
with color-coded fireworks.
Bikers with cellphones in their
helmets can spot for mortar crews.
U.S. Works to Deploy Secret
Internet, Mobile Phone Systems For Dissidents
New details have emerged about a
secret U.S. effort to deploy shadow Internet and mobile phone systems overseas
to give political dissidents a way to communicate with the world free of
government censorship. The New York Times reports the project involves developing
what has been described as an "Internet in a suitcase" that would
allow dissidents to use “mesh network” technology to create an invisible
wireless web without a centralized hub. Part of the effort is being led by
Sascha Meinrath, director of the Open Technology Initiative at the New America
Foundation. Meinrath described part of the project on Democracy Now! in April.
Sascha Meinrath, New America
Foundation, Open Technology Initiative Director: “So we’ve been working on a
number of technologies to develop distributed communication systems, so that
you can turn cell phones, for example, into a medium that doesn’t need to go
through a cell tower, a central location, but communicate in a peer-to-peer
manner, directly with one another. And so, you can imagine if you daisy-chain a
lot of these together, you can actually have an entire network built out of the
already existing hardware that doesn’t need a central authority.”
Prowords and their
explanations;
All After…. The part of the message to which I refer is all of that which
follows.
All Before…. The part of the message to which I refer is all of that
which precedes.
Authenticate…. The station called is to reply to the challenge which
follows.
Authentication is…. The Transmission authentication of this message is
--------
I Authenticate…. The group that follows is the reply to your challenge to
authenticate.
Break…. I hereby indicate the separation of the text from other parts of
the message.
Correct…. You are correct, or what you have transmitted is corrected.
Correction….. An error has been made in this transmition. Transmission will continue with the last word
correctly transmitted. An error has been made in this transmission (or message
indicated). The correct version is -----. That which follows is a corrected
version in answer to your request for verification.
Flash…. Flash precedence is reserved for alerts, warnings, or other
emergency actions having immediate bearing on national, command, or area
security (e.g., Presidential use; announcement of an alert; opening of
hostilities; land , air, or sea catastrophes; intelligence reports on matters
leading to enemy attack; potential or actual nuclear accident or incident;
implementation of services unilateral emergency action procedures).
From…. The originator of this message is indicated by the address
designator immediately following.
Groups…. This message contains the number of groups indicated by the
numeral following.
Immediate…. Immediate precedence is reserved for vital communications
that (1) have an immediate operational effect on tactical operations, (2)
directly concerns safety or rescue operations, (3) affect the intelligence
community operational role (e.g., initial vital reports of damage due to enemy
action; land, sea, or air reports that must be completed from vehicles in
motion such as operational mission aircraft; intelligence reports on vital
actions in progress; natural disaster or widespread damage; emergency weather
reports having an immediate bearing on mission in progress; emergency use for
circuit restoration; use by tactical command posts for passing immediate
operational traffic.)
I read back…. The following is my response to your instructions to read
back.
I say again…. I am repeating transmission or part indicated.
I spell…. I shall spell the next word phonetically.
Message….a message which requires recording is about to follow.
Transmitted immediately after the call. (This proword is not used on nets primarily
employed for conveying messages. It is intended for use when messages are
passed on tactical or reporting nets
0.)
More to follow…. Transmitting station has additional traffic for the
receiving station.
Out…. This is the end of my transmission to you and no answer is
required.
Over…. This is the end of my transmission to you and no answer is
required. IMO this is the end of my transmission and you may now reply.
Priority…. Priority precedence is reserved for calls that require prompt
completion for national defense and security, the successful conduct of war, or
to safeguard life or property, and do not require higher precedence (e.g.,
reports of priority land, sea, or air movement; administrative, intelligence,
operational or logistic activity calls requiring priority action; calls that
world have serious impact on administrative, intelligence, operational or
logistic activities if handled as a ROUTINE call.) Normally, PRIORITY will be
the highest precedence that may be assigned to administrative matters for which
speed of handling is of paramount importance.
Radio Check…. What is my signal strength and readability. In other words,
how do you read (hear) me?
Read back….. Repeat this entire transmission satisfactorily, and loud and
clear.
Routine…. Routine precedence is reserved for all official communications
that do not require flash, immediate, or priority precedence.
Say Again…. Repeat your last transmission or the part indicated.
Silence…. (Repeated three or more times), Cease transmissions on the net
immediately.
Silence Lifted, Silence is lifted. (When an authentication system is in
force, the transmission lifting silence is to be authenticated).
Speak Slower…. You are transmitting too fast, slow down.
This is….. This transmission is from the station whose designation
immediately follows.
Time….. That which immediately follows is the time or date-time group of
the message.
To…. The addressees immediately following are addressed for action.
Unknown station….The identity of the station with whom I am attempting to
communicate is unknown.
Wait…. I must pause for a few seconds.
Wait out…. I must pause longer then a few seconds.
Wilco…. I have received your signal, understand it, and will comply. To
be used only by the addressee. As the meaning of ROGER is included in that of
WILCO, the two prowords are never used together.
(Reference, COE, rule # 1
Flash report, attack commands and Appendix DEF rule # 7)
8) Clear fields of fire:
Before clearing estimate how
much can be done in time available. Start clearing near your position, clear
narrow lanes in an irregular pattern. Avoid making tracks in your sector of
fire and area as lanes are cleared. Under snow conditions burst of machine gun
fire can cause long black streak shadows indicating location of positions. Cut
lower branches of large trees. Thin under brush; leave a then natural screen of
vegetation to hide position. Clear away anything that obscures your view or
rounds going down range, out to max effective range of small arms. Every thing
removed is brought back to your position and used or destroyed. Stroke upward
on tress to limit sound.
9) Construct obstacles:
Also known as combat multipliers, supporting and
subsidiary means that significantly increases the relative combat strength of a
force while actual force ratios remain the same. Obstacles parallel (same
direction at a fixed distance) to direction of attack may assist in protecting
the flank of attacker. Obstacles perpendicular favor defense. In MOUT, cars can
be filled with sand etc. and rolled around. Barricades are defended from a
distance, because you have no protection from grenades or indirect fire.
Obstacle losses 50 % of its effectiveness if not defended. Wire is meant to slow
or canalize foe into fields of fire. Tactical wire is located within machine
gun fields of fire to delay foe during FPF. Protective wire is located just out
beyond grenade range. With barb wire check for booby traps and early warning
devises, pull on it with rope and grappling hook. You can also pull it away
from riot police. Use smoke to conceal your crossing over wire. Use materials
like cardboard, chicken wire, wood etc. When going under place weapon
lengthwise so it will slide along. Cutting your way though, cut only lowest
wire, lease chance of being discovered. Wrap cloth around wire before cutting
it. Combat engineers aka pioneers or
sappers. Highly trained not as easily replaced as infantry. Their mission is
mobility for blue forces, counter mobility of foe. MT. warfare roads, more cut
and fill types, built as situation changes not preconceived plans. Roads fallow
contour lines but not along crest or ridges. Sappers also used to set up
elaborate defensives quickly. Weapons: mines, special explosives, flame
throwers. USMC Wolverine also USMC Grizzly combat engineer vehicle CEV.
SP 10/2000; mobile/herd
mines, acoustic microphones, IR can detect and rearrange to max attack. So work
to develop a mine similar to the early 1980s model, except that this one would
use a pneumatic piston to pop the mine 30 feet into the air. This would force
enemy troops to spend a lot more time trying to clear these mobile anti-vehicle
mines. Meanwhile, the mines could also radio friendly artillery to fire a few
shells to the mine field. While anti-personnel mines are illegal, artillery is
still legit.
Prepare
Dig pitfalls for tanks with a diesel storage tank in the bottom. Booby
trap ten manhole covers for each bunker, must not impede your own traffic.
Re-pave the city.
10) Cover dead spaces:
Any area you cannot attack
the enemy with direct fire. Example leeward side of a hill, a Slope,
depression, large bolder, group of trees etc. You must assign these areas to
mortars, artillery, Grenadier or body trap them. Mortar dead space ½ the height
of building. Artillery 5 times the height. With tank 30 m. to 10 m height. 3-1
ratio distance from target that is to height of impact. Remember dead spaces
can be directional; you might be able to cover area from one direction in defense
position. However, during counter attack or if enemy shifts direction,
different areas could become dead spaces.
11) Organize a Final protective fire F.P.F.:
This is rigging up position
for self-destruction, incase enemy over runs. You will have prepared a strong
point at command post C/P. This is where unit gathers for protection. F.P.F.
can be done in shifts i.e. layers. Every Marine should empty magazines while
falling back and destroy all equipment you cannot take with you.
Weapons coverage;
60mm x2 tubes 60x30m
81mm x4 tubes 100x35m
105mm howitzer x 6 guns 180x
40m
107mm mortar x 3 tubes
150x40m
107mm mortar x 6 tubes
300x40m
120mm mortar ?
155mm howitzer x 4 guns
200x50m
155mm howitzer x 6 guns
300x50m
155 mm howitzer x 8 guns
400x50m
Area being bombarded by artillery becomes a no fly zone.
12) Dig tunnels, trenches and prepare
avenues between positions:
In general this is done so supplies can be distributed and forces can be
shifted quickly. Trenches staggered i.e.
dug on zigzag course. Dug under the cover of darkness or use smoke, to conceal
digging. Shovel out dirt, snow in direction of enemy. Dispose of excess soil by
covering it with leaves, place it under brush or flush it down streams. Also
clearing of creeks and digging drainage ditches around shelters and tents. Sufficient routes are required to
permit defending forces to move within the building or base to engage enemy
forces in any direction. Additionally, small holes are made in walls to permit
movement between rooms. House holing corner holes in ceilings could
provide access to multiple rooms maybe four or eight. Note removing frames or
beams may weaken structure too. Would be best to choose location of ceiling
wall juncture. Wall would aid with climbing. Avoid the center of ceilings or
floors. Loop holes are concealed behind furniture and blocked with sandbags
when not in use. Movement between floors is accomplished by knocking holes in
ceilings/floors and using ropes or a ladder that can be quickly installed or
removed. Once the defender has withdrawn to upper floors, these holes are
blocked with timbers and furniture. Escape routes to permit rapid evacuation
are clearly marked for night and day due to smoke and dust. All personnel are
briefed and practice evacuation over different routes.
Connect the bunkers with tunnels to deliver ammo by rail.
13) Stock pile supplies:
Not all of the same items
stored in same place. Stored in order you well use or need items. Dessert,
water in plastic jugs will be good for up to 72 hours, Water in metal
containers is safe only for 24 hours, if water trailers are kept cool,
water is considered fresh and safe to drink, up to 5 days. The ice
should be removed from tanks before moving them. Note best to use crushed ice
or allow it to melt before moving tank. Water containers stored in
the shade and benefit from an air draft. In an area protected from puncture or
shrapnel. Able to be easily dismounted in case of vehicle evacuation. When you
become thirsty you will be about a "quart and a half low" Drink
before you work; carry water in your belly, do not "save" it in your
canteen. Water purification one gallon of clear water requires 8 drops of
bleach, cloudy 16 drops. 5 gallons clear ½ teaspoon, cloudy 1 teaspoon. Aid
relief agencies generally avoid putting stations close to boarders of hot spots
to discourage migration and prevent aid workers or supplies being captured.
COOKING
High altitude 25 degrees
extra added to temperature 375 vs. 350 and two table spoons of floor added to
cake mix at or above 3500 feet. The minimum daily fuel consumption per Yukon
stove was approximately five gallons of gasoline per 8 to 12 hours of
operation. Only cold rations served on patrols, eliminates heat and odder
signatures.
(Reference, Appendix,
Administration and logistics)
14) Plan your counter attack:
With retreats at night there is less observation or pursuits. Winter
gives the advantage to the retreat; in open areas positions are not always
visible. Upon retreats take spoils of the slain. The unit driven off loses more
than the battle. Have scouts recon retreat routes. Routes should not be steep,
thick or confined. In Forrest roads are blocked with fallen trees, as obstacle
for your pursuer. Marines must see it as a means to drawl the enemy into an
ambush. Cavalry withdrawn last to conceal infantry movements. Appoint stay
behind troops. Retreating unit may reverse and attack sleeping pursuer. River
crossings and narrow passes provide good time for pursuer to time intercept, or
a reverse. The maxim of Scorpio; “that the golden bridge be made. When they
have room to escape they think of nothing but”. An adversary is more hurt by
desertion then by slaughter. On the contrary given no way out, adversary
becomes a match for any attacker. From the very fact that they have no recourse
but in despair the conquered safety is to hope for none. Counter attack enemy
in the midst of joy after victory. For where loses and advantages are nearly
equal he is reputed to have the superiority who rears up against his
misfortunes with greatest resolution. He should therefore be first if possible
to seize the spoils of the slain and to make rejoicing for victory. Often those
who first loss, in the end are victorious. Deliberate encirclement as a
defensive tactic. Marines stayed put and held out. Aloud attackers to sweep
pass but inflected damage and casualties on them, all the while denying key
points, intersections etc. Playing off the offensives goal to maintain the
advance. Once encircled go into defensive mode, seize heights, restrict vehicle
traffic, it saves fuel and you have the inside routes of the circle, so the
enemy must go around.
In WWII interesting mention is made of the Carriers i.e. modern IFVs
being used to establish outposts and support existing ones. This was qualified
by the caution ‘they MUST be withdrawn at night’. When the conditions of the
battlefield restricted the intended deployment of the Carrier, it was swiftly
put to other uses. A British style Infantry Battalion had an enviable
concentration of motor transport by comparison to other formations. While soft
skin vehicles could not be used to ferry troops forward or casualties back
under fire, Carriers could. This latter role was particularly important and
helped save many lives. Fresh supplies of ammunition, food, water and other
necessities could also be moved. APC can also ram buildings to breech them.
construct
15) Develop alternate and supplementary
positions:
Alternate position to be
occupied when primary one has become unsuitable for carrying out unit’s task.
Located so that individuals or units can continue to carry out original task.
Supplementary is a position from which over all situation must be reevaluated.
Basically this is doing everything over again two more times.
Conduct of the defense
Joke; the enemy’s diversion
you’re ignoring is the main attack. Troops should not man their fighting holes
continuously; they well only give their locations away. Man them continuously
when in thick terrain, during bad weather or at night. Sense foe can get in
close and surprise you. Historically,
darkness of night the necessity of sleep, dispersion of the horses in the
pasture/modern vehicles under maintenance, affords opportunity for surprise.
Attacks also at night or in
the morning; since these are hours of refreshment, meals and or showers. All
Marines should be alerted and ready any time patrols exit camp, also kept at a
distance from exits. When you wake up, get up, could be something woke you. Eat sleep and maintenance is done in
shifts.
(Reference, Preparation
and conduct of patrol, rule # 14)
Commander is positioned for max view of battle field, so to direct fire,
through tracers fired by designated shooters. Cmdrs, F.O. or DMRs can use
tracers in the day time and lasers at night to mark targets. Cmdr engages only
if direct action is needed to turn the battle. Best way to truly soften up
defense is through psychological means. Defenders that are fighting for
something they believe in are difficult to demoralize. Enemy will usually have preemptory fire to soften up
position. This is when you man positions. Check behind you often and always be
prepared for hand to hand combat. Steel blades ready. Obey all commands and
fields of fire. Do not shoot at some one far off to one side of your position.
He well be in someone else’s field. Remember when using grenades they won’t
give your position away and there’s no need to see the enemy. They are tossed
at angles not strait out. Advantages of
defense; by assuming a defensive posture a unit doubles or triples its
firepower. The defender under cover is difficult to see. The attacker is
nervously aware of the invisibility, this leads to panic. Attackers see
comrades being hit by unseen defense. The defense also sees this and is
encouraged. Defensive casualties are not seen by attacker or defense, further
widening morale. Defense knows, safety is as close as the bottom of the
fighting hole. When attacker goes for cover the attack brakes down. However,
ultimately a defense produces only various degrees of defeat. If the defense
dose manage to clobber attacker, it well only be rewarded with orders to
counter attack.
(Reference, Step # 2,
Leadership guidelines, Company cmdr, “reserves” and “Relief forces” below)
If next attack well succeed.
A well timed retreat, will force enemy to waist time and supplies attacking empty
position, thus weakening enemy for counter attack. If foe is repelled pursue
with steady stream of fire i.e. shoot them right in the back! When soldiers are fleeing, you can
kill them as fast as you can fire. Make a damage report, note all KIA,
WIA, and MIA, which you are aware of. Do an ammo count, so it can be
redistributed. All information is reported to command. Then reestablish O/Ps
and L/Ps. Re-camouflage; if your fighting hole was not found during first attack,
chances are it won’t be assaulted during second attack. If enemy over runs the
position, you will see the FPF visual signals. You then retreat to strong
point. FPF can be in the form of CAS, guns from ship or shore, or explosives
rigged on site. “Relief forces” are
best brought up in day light. Routes forward can lead through basements,
tunnels, halve walls etc. If troops brought up during darkness they lack
orientation. Use face of buildings across street for marking boundaries.
In the advance, it is
possible to bypass certain obstacles, or at least fix them with fire. In
the defense, any reverse gives the attacker a toehold in the position.
Over
all tips
Reasons to assume: 1) Hold key terrain for surveillance etc. 2) Make plans. 3) Gather supplies,
make repairs.
4) Rest. Good defensive
planning discourages attack. Frederick
the great “Little mines try to defend everything at once, but sensible
people look at the main point, they parry the worst blows and stand a little
hart, if there by avoiding the grater one. If you hold everything you control
nothing”. Thus if they are prepared to defend to the front the stern will have
few. If to the port, starboard has few. All positions all few. Position should
be defendable by 1/3 of total force. Economy of force in one area to mass in
another, this is taking every third man from one area and sending them
elsewhere. In general fire should be opened ASAP to hamper offence during
preparations for attack. Historically with stone throwing (Futtiablus range 600’) the attacker is often more annoyed by stones
then arrows. Stones can kill without mangling body or loss of blood. Position
your forces in depth and place obstacles in depth. Gives you the ability to
absorb attackers initial blow, and time and space to figure out what he’s up
to, develop situation, maneuver and concentrate your power where it is needed.
Your choice of square, triangle or oblong shape depends on terrain. The circle
provides best defense. Perimeter
depth, one third the length, if area to small it confines Marines, to large
they well be to dispersed. During summer place yourselves near water. In
winter near foliage and wood. Raking lines in dirt or sand of perimeter to
detect traffic. Guidelines to assist lost Marines should not be strait (i.e.
lead right to base). Parapet built with under cut notches to allow lateral
communications. Notches cut to depth below base of walls to detect tunnels
(mining). Reasons not to set up a defense:
Area consisting of lightly constructed buildings of flammable material. Next to
hazardous industrial site, area around site is dominating. Avoid outer limits
of cites to leave a buffer zone. Buildings located on the edge will be targets
of direct fire weapons. In certain situations, requirements for security and
fields of fire will require the occupation of exposed buildings. In such cases,
additional reinforcing construction is necessary to provide suitable
protection. Multiple buildings provide
mutual support. Single buildings can be isolated or by passed. In dessert
static/stationary defense is rare, due to the fact that there is very little
difference from one location or another. No real advantage, enemy can easily by
pass or isolate. Bad weather slows operations which reduces casualties. Loses
from disease and sickness increase. Cumulative effect slows things up by 50 %,
this reduces casualties even more. Chemical weapons have same effect. Although
with a slightly higher casualty rate. Flat open terrain speeds up operations.
If fast pace maintained more fatigue more casualties. Bare ground and good
weather favored offence. Thick terrain and bad weather favor the defense.
Buildings reduced to rubble make better cover and concealment than those left
standing. Mountain warfare Defensive
advantages, dominant terrain provides defense with and denies the attacker
observation and firing positions. A good area for position is around the edges
of small clearing. This is true for all terrain. Hill sides and ridge slopes
are less traveled. Cold air sinks warm rises so camp high on mountain slopes
but still in tree line. Cons: Difficulty in digging fighting holes, more time
needed. Lack of roads restricts vehicle usage and makes them vulnerable. Small
unit nature of mountain warfare, makes it difficult to coordinate and conduct
counter attacks, and for the shifting of support. Pack artillery/mortars are
used more often. Supporting fire is likely just before reaching objective on
windward side. Infantry attacking over rising terrain is easier to support, up
to the point of reaching the objective, than one over descending terrain.
Although impacts may dislodge rocks or cause avalanches endangering attacker.
Grazing fire is poor to impossible. Wooden slopes and cliffs make surprise
attacks possible at multiple points. Chinese troops frequently burrowed through
the snow crest from reverse slope to forward slope.
There is
considerable divergence of opinion as to the use of the reverse slope for
reorganization but all agree that effective measures must be taken to protect
against the retaliatory artillery fire placed on the objective. The four main
methods of evading this fire are: 1) Press on forward to next defiladed area.
2) Pull bulk of unit back onto reverse slope, leaving only outposts on forward
slope. 3) Move bulk of unit to one flank of the objective.
4) Dig in promptly and hang
on until dark. Ridge position lee vs.
windward, i.e. yin and yang. Lee/yin being side enemy can not see you.
Windward/yang being the side they can see you. On the Lee side enemy can’t see
you as well to keep tabs on you, but you can’t see them either, so surprise is
in there favor. Your defensive weapons are only effective out to the range of
the ridge crest. It well be tricky for enemy to cross crest, but once over he
will be on down hill slope. Nether you or them can use direct fire weapons or
adjust indirect fire weapons as well. Windward side now both can see each other
better. Defensive small arms are now effective to max range. Enemy must attack
up hill, both you and them can use direct fire weapons and adjust indirect fire
better. Defense now has ridge crest to use for cover during FPF i.e. unit can
retreat to opposite side as strong point. You choose yin or yang side, based on
size of forces and types of weapons available to both sides, mission and nature
of the terrain: Degree of enemy observation
depends on hour of the day. Reverse ridge/corner tactic, this is
positioning a few on one side, many on other. Also used with corners of
buildings or intersections. Works two ways, if few attacked many over whelm
attacker. If many attacked few maneuver and surprise enemy. The crossing of a linier valley and
assault of a well defended ridge are similar to the forging of a river. The
purpose of crossing a small unit is to establish a foot hold, to protect
crossing of larger unit.
(Reference, PCP, rule # 13,
below)
A Platoon had the
resources to defend in depth. A Platoon Commander could commit two of his Squads
to the main line, placing his third to provide cover fire or deal with any
breach of the position. However defense in depth truly begins with the Rifle
Company. A Company would normally occupy a frontage of at least two Platoons,
with the third held as reserve. It was not uncommon though for the situation to
demand the Company defend a line in length rather than depth. This was a
particularly unappealing prospect, as it gave the Commander little way of responding to a breach into his
position. In a normal defensive position though, the Company would adopt a
horseshoe style stance, with two Platoons placed forward, and the third again
adopting a reserve role. It would be placed between and to the rear of the
forward units. Conducting the defense in depth gave the Company a greater
chance of repelling the assault.
(Reference, COE, general
combat tips, weapons employment)
Glacier bivouac procedures, when locating a bivouac site where the team well
un-rope, "probe" the area for hidden crevasses. The probe pole, at
least eight feet in length. Other rope team members will belay the probers.
Probers are "feeling" for a solid platform to place the tent. Probing
should be in 2-foot intervals in all directions within the site. Attempts to
outline crevasses can be futile if a crevasse is large. Normally, the best
decision is to relocate. Mark boundaries of site with wands or other items.
Snow walls are constructed to protect the tent from storms with high winds. At
a minimum, build walls on the windward side of the site. The walls should be
slightly higher than the tent. Walls can be constructed from blocks cut from
consolidated snow layers. In deep snow, digging three or four feet to find a
consolidated layer will result in enough snow moved to build up decent walls
around the site. Cut blocks approximately 1 by 1 by 2 feet, and construct the
walls by interlocking the blocks with overlapping placements. Notes snow must
be at least 10 inches thick to provide insulation form cold. Bare earth has at
least a 50 degrees temperature due to thermal heat, this is true any where on
earth.
Tall building are the high ground and will be the center of fighting.
Defenders must be volunteers. Buildings will eventually be lost.
Buildings cannot be retaken. Tunnel in and blow the foundation.
Preparations and conduct of patrols
1) Check your perimeter;
This is around area,
buildings, camp, room or vehicle, before leaving or exiting. You’re looking for
enemy in waiting or signs of activity past or present. With sub terrain entries
point man inters and waits just inside for 10 minutes to check air. Should remain
farther ahead during patrols too. Debark subs in pairs in case buddy breathing
is necessary due to malfunction of equipment, and pair up any time operating in
water. Patrols should never leave base from an out post especially under snow
conditions. Least they leave tracks back to post. A number of patrols may be
deployed to 'screen' a large area, for instance with armored formations in
desert theatres or infantry in MOUT. “Lay dog” pop a squat i.e. this is having your unit set up in a defensive
position just outside base and just wait and lessoning for a while. Like with
Urban patrols pausing now and then to just lesson i.e. stop and “lay dog” to listen for anything out of
place. Maneuvering units can use sounds of battle and guns for guidance
i.e. as means of staying within range of objective.
DOG TRACKING TEAMS; Dog is
trained not to bark. The dog can be used to locate sentries or determine the
extent of emplacements and may assist in positioning troops for an ambush,
without being detected by enemy. A great many insurgents wounded in ambushes get
away. The tracker group should not form part of the ambush party, but should
stand by at RP ready to move when the ambush has been sprung. While small and
lightly armed, they increase the area a security unit can search. When looking
for sniper teams, trolling along roads or intersections is a favorite tactic of
tracking teams. Trackers also use wood line sweeps and area searches. Since
wood line sweeps tend to be less specific, trackers perform them faster. A wood
line sweep if the wind is blowing through the woods and out of the wood line,
trackers move 50 to 100 meters inside a wooded area. Wind direction determines
whether the sweep will be parallel to the edge, as well as outside or 50 to 100
meters inside the wood line. If the search is started up wind of your
position, searches well move away from you. The best position for the dog
team is directly in front of the patrol/stick i.e. search team. The stick can
track visually from the flanks, and the dog and handler well guide. If the
stick loses the signs, then the dog can take over. An area search is used when
a search location is specific such as a small wooded area or block of houses.
The search area is cordoned off, if possible, and the dog/handler teams are
brought on line, about 25 to 150 meters apart, depending on terrain and
visibility. The handler hides behind cover with the dog. He searches for
movement and then sends the dog out in a straight line. The handler may control
the dog with whistles, gestures or voice commands that maybe transmitted to
speaker on dog’s collar. He remains undercover, directing the dog in a search
pattern. Usually, when the dog has moved about 50 to 75 meters, the handler
calls the dog back. The handier then moves slowly forward and always from
covered position to covered position. The search line moves forward with each
dog dashing back and forth in assigned sectors. Fight or flight? Eliminating or
injuring the dog or handler only confirms that there is a hostile in the area.
One dog can be dealt with relatively easy with a knife or large club. Dogs are
quick and will try to strike the throat, groin or limbs. The sniper must keep
low and strike upward using the wrist, never overhand. (lie down with your arms
bear hugging your own neck). If alone and faced with two or more dogs, avoid
this situation. Dogs are so reliable that if the dog does not return
immediately, the handler knows something is wrong. The handlers rely on radios
and often do not have visual contact with each other. So the sniper team may
have the opportunity to eliminate the handler and to escape the search net. The
best time is as the dog is recalled. If a handler is eliminated after he has
released the dog, but before he has recalled it, the dog continues to randomly
search out and away from the handler for several minutes. The dog may return to
another handler or to his former handler's last position. This creates a gap
from 25 to 150 meters wide in the search pattern. The eliminated handler will
probably be quickly missed from the radio net. Response times by other
searchers tends to be fast.
Climatic factors favorable to scenting
conditions: Air and ground temperatures approximately the same. Dull, damp
weather. A dog can track faster than a man, and it can track at night. The dogs
will track well at night, in the early mornings and late evenings. Under the
most favorable conditions, it will be quite feasible to follow tracks up to 24
hours old. Some dogs can (depending on weather and wind) sense the target two
hundred meters away. The dog will normally follow the freshest track, but he
will, if “given the scent” from personal clothing or belongings, discriminate
and follow the scent of that particular quarry. Even scent of disturbed
vegetation caused by man’s passing.
Climatic factors adverse to scenting conditions: Hot sun, strong winds, heavy rains, tarmac roads,
rock and other hard surfaces. Dust and running water. Dogs are attracted
quickly to and distracted by movement. Dogs are as sensitive to the elements as
humans. It should be realized that dogs tire easily, and therefore they should
only be used for tracking when visual tracking becomes very difficult or
impossible. If the tracks become visible once more visual tracking should be
resumed to conserve the dog’s strength and concentration. Dogs pant, make
other noises, and are smelly. They also crap and piss. Patrols tend to expect
the dog to perform miracles and relax their alertness. Counters available to the sniper team. NOTE; sniper teams should always operate in the counter tracking
mode. Hides located in woodpiles, never establish a position at the edge of
cover and concealment. Surround the site with a 3-cm to 5-cm band of motor oil
to mask odor; although less effective but easier to carry, garlic may be used.
A dead animal can be used, although it may attract unwanted wild canine
attention. It is critical to try to obscure or limit tracks around the hide.
Try to approach the position on hard, dry ground or along a stream or river. Remain
as faraway from the targets area as possible. Urinate in streams or rivers
or in a hole and cover it up. Never urinate in the same spot. With feces use
MRE bags sealed with tape (melting fold) and take it with you. Carry all trash
until it can be buried elsewhere. Think like the dog, they think in scent pictures
not in images. The dog is trained to avoid baits,
or cover odors used to throw it off the ‘track. You can try traveling in
increasing circles, zigzag, or figure 8. Switch
modes of transportation bike, skates, use short removable bridges, swing
threw tress like Tarzan, all set up prior to being needed. Use stilts with
single or multiple i.e. tripod base. Plank, pole or magic carpet walking, a
Plank, pole or carpet is walked over then placed back out in front of you
again. Turning up earth to cover scent, dampen surface of soil. Carefully
disguising your own scent with grass or earth. Try to smell like local animals,
especially females, furs raped around shoes. Save piss, shit, yours and animals
etc. piss on your souls, two scents one shoe on one off. Lure techniques, a
string anchored to you i.e. hold on to it, with cloth tide to end that is flung
out in some direction then dragged back. Might be flung back over your actual
tracks to re-scent them. Bottle rolled down hills, bottle tethered on long rope
bragged behind you, filled with piss etc. Broaden your scent by rolling down
hills, use poll with cloth tide to end. Laundry and sponge bath water minus any
detergent placed in container with holes then tide to rope and swung overhead
etc. Balloons with some item for scent, placed inside. Build a catapult or
slingshot and or fling your fecal matter around Ha! Ha! Ha! The stench/irritant
agent, tear gas CS, powder or pepper spray, substances laced with ammonia,
plants that cause sneezing or etching. All placed on your tracks. Sounds to
distract or cause pain too. Scorched earth, burning fields etc. Starting fires
in area well quickly overwhelm dog’s senses. Piping your scent through tubing?
This could also include checking updates on wall maps or reports of recently
returning patrols.
2) Dominate eye closed;
This is around actual or
possible light sources at night. So when such a light goes out you still have
night vision with dominate/shooting eye. Look only obliquely at sudden flares
or headlights. Use dim red lighting before night operations. Red light and or
lens exposure for 20 minutes, then closed, this to charge pupils. Wear
sunglasses if you are going to spend time in the sun. Adequate levels of
Vitamin A can help. Night vision takes 30 minutes to recover after red light
exposure. Two weeks to adapt to high altitude. In addition, people’s eyes adapt
at varying rates. People who are older, people who smoke (not smoking four to
six hours before can help), or
people who may not be in great physical shape will take longer. Twilight Vision; It occurs at dawn
and dusk, down to full moonlight. During night operations around artificial illumination in
cities and when driving around in a car at night. It also occurs when snow is
on the ground at night. Even in the daytime under double layers of jungle
canopy. Due to the lower light levels at dawn, dusk, and full moon conditions,
your visual acuity is poorer. Visual acuity can be as poor as 20/100. In fact,
the best visual acuity you can hope to obtain under twilight conditions is
between 20/50 and 20/100. You also have poorer color vision. You can
still see colors but they won't be as vivid. You also have slower reaction
times because of the reduced lighting levels. Night Vision; Occurs under starlight, as well as on moonless
and cloudy nights when there are no stars or cultural lighting. Acuity-from
20/200 to 20/400 and possibly much worse. You can recognize silhouettes, but
not the details of the objects. With night vision, the longer wavelengths of
light, such as the reds and oranges, are hard to see and will appear dark.
Unless a dark color is bordered by two lighter colors, it becomes totally
invisible. Reds will be almost invisible at night. The reason red crosses are
on white backgrounds on tents or vehicles is so they can be seen more easily at
night. On the other hand, greens and blues will appear brighter, although you
may not be able to determine their color. Test
for dominate eye; you focus on an object, three feet out in front of you.
Extend one of your hands and line up one finger with object. Then close one eye
at a time. When finger appears to have shifted to one side of the object, you
have just closed your dominate eye.
Field of view with vision, 60
degrees normal, 90 peripheries, 6 degrees focused.
Afghans with their better eyesight will be able to make eye contact with
one another from much farther distances than the average westerner would
realize.
3) Knees slightly bent;
By standing with your knees
slightly bent, you have quicker reaction time when ducking for cover. It also
reminds you to keep swaying, moving around in general, as an Anti sniper
tactic. It may just cause sniper to pick someone else. Note; here I have chosen to place
most of my sniper notes. Sniper
detection, the first sign of the presents of a sniper could come from the
unmistakable report of a rifle, and the sight of a man stopping as if halted by
an invisible hand before falling to the ground. In general units should
look for increase in single shot casualties.
To ensure their own stealth,
the sniper needs to change appearance of ghillie suit when entering buildings.
Changing positions to avoid detection. Snipers choose next position before
repositioning i.e. moving, studies route etc. Policing his area for any
evidence lift behind. Snipers do not choose roofs or top floors. They well be
located one or two floors down. In trees when snipers are tied to post to
steady aim, they will not fall from post to confirm kill. Snipers also can be
found in trenches and under concrete slabs, these slabs can be raised with car
jacks. Will position themselves between large units, to cause blue on blue
shootings. They do not like to shoot at groups. Sniper’s radio more deadly than
his rifle. Snipers well call in fire on structures to flush out targets. Sniper
counter measures include artillery or mortar and or air strikes. This ensures
they well not choose positions too close to their own infantrymen who well not
be thankful for such attention. Snipers
can be used to delay the enemies’ pursuit during your retreat. When facing
an enemy on the move, inevitably towards him snipers operate in an opportune
manner. A lone sniper can effectively pin down a whole Rifle Platoon as they
try to advance. Unlike in a defensive action, the troops have to break
cover at some point if they are to take ground. To be truly effective, the
sniper would seek to engage the enemy in an area where he had cover, but they
were forced to operate in the open.
(Reference, COE rule # 2
and # 3 espicially “cavalry” as well as rule # 16)
Sniper’s target analysis, the uncomfortable thing about the sniper is the
deliberation taken before a kill. Ordinary riflemen took aim and fired just the
same, perhaps picking their targets in order of the threat they posed. What
was, and remains, unique to the sniper was his ability not to shoot a
particular target. First rule choose targets carefully, what counts is who
you kill. After taking time and trouble to secure a good position, don’t
'waste' perhaps your only shot on a lowly private if there is a chance of an
officer showing up. Choose targets based on their location within units,
special equipment/gear enemy has on them. Priorities:
other snipers, dog teams, Officers, communications, optical equipment and
operators. Crew served weapons and operators, direct fire weapons in MOUT,
machine gunners may hold their weapon down to look more like regular riflemen.
Tank commanders and scouts. Once shooting starts sniper shoots moving targets
first. Snipers well wait till paths of merging targets (i.e. targets walking
towards one another) cross to shoot. And well closely monitor exits. Snipers
staking out likely points i.e. windows where targets may expose themselves.
Note as a result of this deliberation on targets, snipers were not normally
praised. A British officer recounted the rebuke he received from his Sergeant
after shooting dead an unsuspecting German busy combing his hair; 'Are you
satisfied now you've killed him?' The only certainty is that when a sniper of
any nationality opens fire, the same two thoughts goes through the minds of the
men under attack. One is spoken, the other concealed; Where is he?
Am I next? Lethal circle formed by eyes, nose and mouth. Vital areas neck,
heart, stomach, liver, kidneys, spinal column. With heart shot, body can
function 10-12 seconds, round placed behind ear lobe well cut brain stem. AKA
the Apricot. From front view aiming point lower lip. Shooting at units; first
shot to hip of the point men. A sniper should use a standard setting (dope) on
sights for 500 meters, target closer aim low, this for quicker shots at moving
targets. Snipers avoid constant sun on one side of rifle barrel and cold wet
ammo, cold wet = low shot, hot dry = high shot. Hot air is thinner i.e. less
denser than cold.
CROWS common remotely operated weapons system/stations gun
turret multi mm weapons 5.56 – 40mm. Fiber optics gyros telescopic boom?
Accurate to 500 yards 2’ target single shot/sniper mode less accurate on auto.
Camera jump computer control can help with auto engage system and while on the
move. Boomerage/boomerang? Jacks/ spike design. Shot location system gives
autoable and texts message, a top compos within 1-2 seconds system works with
vehicle up to 60 mph and at range of ¼ mile from weapons, bullet most pass with
in 30 meters of mikes for best results. SP 12/11/08 the army ordered over 9,000
CROWS but for a while could only get 15 a month. By the end of 2006, there were
about a thousand in service. Possible counters to system; hot loaded blanks,
burst of fire at a distance but along same azimuth as closer sniper, farther
shot first and after closer shot. Also fire from area of max echo, Example
surrounding area (L) shaped to misdirect echo. Muffle sound with altitude i.e.
shooting form dominate or at least very high position. Down loaded ammo stays
subsonic. Quieter but close range headshot necessary for kill. Bolt-action so
ejection not hard or seen. With silencers noise from bolt action and ejections
still make noises. In WW 2 sniper Viselli Zeitsev recorded 137 kills in one
mouth, an average of four per day. Sniper term “pink mist”.
Position.
Select neither a panoramic view nor a tiny loophole. Positions with a wide view are easily
identified and targeted early. Positions with a wide view are elevated and thus
easily encircled. If you are too hidden, nobody will walk in front of your
loophole. If it is hard for the invaders to find you, it is hard for you to
scram. There are many semi-concealed hides; quantity makes them obscure.
Only go
into upper stories if all the nearby buildings are multi-story. The roof and
top floors of buildings will be destroyed by artillery. Avoid skyscrapers; they are easily encircled and have solid windows.
Apartments and hotels are wider and have windows and balconies.
Elevation.
Stay in the basement or first floor of most buildings. No Russian vehicle can
depress its main gun below -6°. Newjarheaddean; Tanks could attach a log to the
tanks stern. With quick release gizmo to drop it thus be able to back up onto
it and fire. If the ground is frozen, basements will protect one from artillery.
Aim to
break a soldier's pelvis. He cannot run and must be carried.
The center
of mass (hips, not heart) moves around the least.
A .308 at
500 yards will not penetrate the armor over the heart.
Shoot dirt
banks to create dust for wind reading.
Low recoil
is more important than power against dogs.
Silently
shoot enemy soldiers who blunder into you.
What is the
single worst tactic for the civilian sniper?
Engaging mounted troops from over 600 yards away by firing down the
length (the long axis) of a street. The
enemy has cannons that, unlike your deer rifle, really are accurate at that
range. Also, they have vehicles that can
quickly close in on you with machine guns and grenade launchers, which are very
dangerous at close range. Thus, by
attempting a shot that you will probably miss, you have given the enemy two
can’t miss opportunities to kill you.
Asymmetry is supposed to work the other way around.
(Reference, PCP rule # 8,
Tracking especially “weather”)
Note: with the fallowing rule 4/5 the detailed notes for the rules 4 and 5
became so similar; I decided to combine the rules. I did not renumber due to
the personal difficulty of retaining a new numerical order of rules.
4/5) Everything taped, tied, strapped down:
Pre-operations Inspections (POIs). Get "eyes-on" accountability
of critical items. Units should perform functions checks of all devices and
weapons.
Load Plans, units normally have basic load plans for vehicles, trailers,
containers and packs. Adherence to load plans can assist in POIs by providing
an orderly array of equipment for inspection.
The fighting load for a properly conditioned Marine should not exceed 48
lbs; the approach/force march load should not exceed 72 lbs; the weights
include all clothing and equipment, either worn or carried.
All gear on all troops
organized in same manner, to make it easy to locate items on someone else in
emergency or at night.
Packs;
Packs come in many sizes and
should be sized appropriately for the individual according to manufacturer's
specifications. Every Marine should keep a Bug out bag, packed with enough kit
for a few days. Placed for grab and go in emergency. Policing the ground; anything not being used is
repacked; you are ready to go at a moments notice. Packs often come with many
unneeded features. A good rule of thumb is: the simpler the pack, the better it
will be.
The two most common packs are
internal and external framed.
Internal framed packs have a
rigid frame within the pack that helps it maintain its shape and hug the back
with the weight carried low; this assists the climber in keeping their balance.
The body-hugging nature also makes it uncomfortable in warm weather.
External framed packs suspend
the load away from the back (so air circulates). The frame transfers weight to
hips and shoulders, but can be cumbersome when balance is needed for climbing
and skiing. Belly straps keep loads from swaying.
Speed and endurance are
enhanced if the load is carried more by the hips (using the waist belt) and
less by the shoulders and back. This is preferred for movement over trails or
less difficult terrain. By packing the lighter, more compressible items
(sleeping bag, clothing) in the bottom of the rucksack and the heavier gear
(stove, food, water, rope, climbing hardware, extra ammunition) on top, nearer
the shoulder blades, the load is held high and close to the back, thus placing
the most weight on the hips. In rougher terrain it pays to modify the pack
plan. Heavy articles of gear are placed lower in the pack and close to the
back, placing more weight on the shoulders and back. This lowers the climber's
center of gravity and helps him to better keep his balance. Equipment that may
be needed during movement should be arranged for quick access using either
external pockets or placing immediately underneath the top flap of the pack.
The pack and its contents
should be waterproofed. Zip-lock plastic bags can be used for small items,
which are then organized into color-coded bags. A few extra-large plastic
garbage bags should be carried for a variety of uses spare waterproofing,
emergency bivouac shelter, and water procurement, among others.
Kit sanitized of identification i.e. remove all markings. All buckles,
flaps, laces, & straps secured. Fins tided together with water ops, gloves
in winter too. So you don’t loose. Inserts and liners not worn by themselves or
they may wear out quicker. Trigger inserts fit either hand, should be changed
to opposite hand frequently to ensure even wearing.
Check gear for noises by
jumping up and down. Use rubber mallet to find rattles with vehicles or
equipment.
Loose items should be taped,
tied or raped in cloths when placed in bags/pockets. Canteens and pockets
should be kept full or empty. This keeps water from sloshing. Once canteen
opened, use all the water, pass it around if necessary.
With vehicles small fires under engine blocks or
gearboxes. Petrol poured into gearboxes. A number of vehicles kept on stand by
with engines running or started hourly. Hot water from running vehicle drained
into other vehicles to start with.
Equipment can be hauled on a
sled aka Ahkio (in winter).
For patrols equipment must be
checked and loads evenly distributed.
Sleds vary greatly in size,
from the squad-size Ahkio, a component of the 10-man arctic tent system, to the
one-person skow. Regardless of the size, sleds are an invaluable asset during
mountainous operations when snow and ice is the primary surface on which to
travel. Whichever sled is chosen, it must be attachable to the patrol members
that will be pulling it. Most sleds are constructed using fiberglass bottoms
with or without exterior runners. Runners will aid the sleds ability to maintain
a true track in the snow. The sled should also come with a cover of some sort
whether nylon or canvas to keep load dry. Packing the sled, take great care
especially when hauling fuel. Heavier items are carried towards the stern and
lighter items towards the front.
Stoves, when selecting one
must define its purpose i.e. for heating, cooking or both? When choosing a
stove, factors that should be considered are weight, altitude and temperature
where it will be used, fuel availability, and its reliability. They should be
easy to clean and repair during an operation. White gas, kerosene, and butane
are the common fuels used. All stoves require a means of pressurization to
force the fuel to the burner. Stoves that burn white gas or kerosene have a
hand pump and butane stoves have pressurized cartridges. All stoves need to
vaporize the liquid fuel before it is burned. This can be accomplished by
burning a small amount of fuel in the burner cup assembly, which will vaporize
the fuel in the fuel line. Fire Starter material is key to igniting wet
wood for emergency campfires. Candles, heat tabs, and canned heat all work. In
alpine zones above tree line with no available firewood, a stove works as an
emergency heat source. Matches and Lighter. Lighters are handy for
starting fires, but they should be backed up by matches stored in a waterproof
container with a strip of sandpaper.
images (2) edited
Fuel, batteries (frozen the
damage is to their plates. Remove batteries store in warm room or boxes). A dry
cell battery at 0 degrees Fahrenheit is about 40% of the power it would have at
room temp.
Water, food, POWER BARS: The
MRE is too big and produces too much trash for most combat situations. The
military needs to reissue something like the old "D rations" of WWII,
basically a compressed food bar (bran, nuts, raisins, whatever) that can
provide 400-600 calories and keep a Marine moving for a few more hours. Unlike
the MRE which is tedious to open and consume, a Marine could simply rip the
wrapper off, eat it in three bites, and keep moving.
Extensive first aid kits,
climbing equipment i.e. extra ropes and extra ammunition or demolition
materials, if needed. List of more MT.
equipment; oxygen tanks, aneroid barometer, rope, snap rings, pitons (rock
spikes), block and tackle, winches, hammer for difficult rock climes, ice ax,
(if not carried in hand, should be stowed on the outside of pack with the spike
up and the adze facing forward or to the outside) crampons (can be secured to
the outside stern of the pack with the points covered).
Snow Saw;
used to cut into ice and snow. It can be used in step cutting, in shelter
construction, for removing frozen obstacles, and for cutting snow stability
test pits. The special tooth design of the snow saw easily cuts into frozen
snow and ice. The blade is a rigid aluminum alloy of high strength about 3 mm
thick and 38 cm long with a pointed end to facilitate entry on the forward
stroke.
Snow Shovel;
the snow shovel is used to cut and remove ice and snow. It can be used for
avalanche rescue, shelter construction, step cutting, and removing obstacles.
The handle should be telescopic, folding, or removable to be compact when not
in use.
Wands; are
used to identify routes, crevasses, snow-bridges, caches, and turns on snow and
glaciers. Spacing of wands depends on the number of turns, number of hazards
identified, weather conditions (and visibility), and number of teams in the
climbing party. Carry too many wands is better than not having enough if they
become lost. Wands are 1 to 1.25 meters long and made of lightweight bamboo or
plastic shafts pointed on one end with a plastic or nylon flag (bright enough
in color to see at a distance) attached to the other end.
Wind proof outer garment,
have protection against sun too. Sunglasses, sun block and lip protection,
Sunscreens should have an SPF factor of 15 or higher. For lip protection, a
total UV blocking lip balm that resists sweating, washing, and licking is best.
This lip protection should be carried in the chest pocket or around the neck to
allow frequent reapplication.
In extreme cold canteen raped
and placed in pack close to back. Use warm water, never over 2/3 full. To allow
for expansion, if it dose freeze, open & allow to thaw slowly. Check for
leaks. Squeeze air from the repellent container and screw the cap on firmly. In cold weather it’s a good idea to
carry cough drops. For warmth, you can place a rock near fire. Then rap
it in cloth, it’s carried like hot water bottle. IMO this would be used more at
night i.e. warm pillow aid. In winter gasmask upon removal, any excess moisture
wiped off immediately. Of no use in protecting against frost bite in fact the
opposite is true. Helmets will be restricted to static ops. Helmet under windy
conditions well cause more noise.
MOUT Equipment; axes, crowbars,
stun grenades. Sub-terrain eq. Chalk for marking routes. The glow from the face
of a compus, glint or thermal strips, glow sticks, even a peace of decaying
wood can be used for I.D. and location of bubs in your patrol. Located on heel
or under collar of Marine in front of you. Glowing items always held away from
head or chest. Used on night operations too.
KNEE PADS; Extended physical
activity tends to cause the pads to slip, and tightening the straps cuts off
circulation. The overall impression is that knee pads are worth using but elbow
pads just get in the way. Knee pads during the winter make life easier. If you
need to suddenly take a knee to fire, you won’t be squeamish about planting one
in the snow or onto a hidden rock. It will also keep your knee dry and
let you stay kneeling for an extended period of time with very little knee
fatigue, plus there is added protection in case of a fall.
RADIOS; allow fewer men to cover more ground, and still be able to move
to support each other. While these would lack encryption, the odds that a given
enemy would have the type of radio to intercept these transmissions, happen to
speak English, understand another unit's internal slang, and be able to use the
information in the few seconds he would have, is extremely low.
Two new portable ladders are under testing. The Quick Stepladder folds up
to 2x3 feet but extends to 14 feet long. It is carried clipped to the outside
of pack. The Light Modular Ladder extends to 15 feet; a second module can be
added to reach 30 feet. The system is carried inside a bag the size of a
rucksack. The 30-foot length allows soldiers into third-story windows or onto
the roofs of single or two-story buildings.
The Hooligan Tool is a "wedge on a handle" which can be pounded into
doors with a hammer to provide leverage to break them open.
Tuff Cuffs (a new system to restrain prisoners).
Emergency survival kit
containing signaling material, fire starting material, food and water
procurement material. Pocket knife, whistle, pressure bandage, notebook with
pen or pencil, map, compass and or altimeter.
Repair Kit; a repair kit should include: Stove tools and spare
parts. Duct tape. Patches. Safety pins. Heavy-duty thread. Awl and or needles.
Cord and or wire. Small pliers (if not carrying a multipurpose tool).
RIFLE SCOPES /PERISCOPES:
Decades after trench periscopes were common in the trenches of Flanders, the US
military has no such item in its inventory. A simple $75 rubberized system
would allow a good field of view around corners, into windows, and over
obstacles. One should be issued to each squad.
LASER RANGEFINDERS: civilian
$ 350 (designed for hunters, building contractors, and other uses). These can
accurately determine distances up to 1000m. With such a device, a squad leader
could quickly lay out the range cards. In concert with the GPS and compass one could
radio precise target information on enemy patrols too close to his position for
normal artillery (with its fire-and-adjust procedure) to engage. (The unit's
mortars, also equipped with GPS, could do so far more safely, quickly, and
effectively.)
Uniforms, guerillas often use system where a simple,
color or item scarf/shirt etc is worn a certain way. That can be hidden or
discarded quickly. Also members may switch articles of clothing from time to
time to disguise individuals identification.
(Guerilla tattoos between thumb & index finger I love you (is
that in English?)
Layered principle: the Layers are of different
material, wool under layer very porous, Modern Wick-a-way cloth material that
lets moisture evaporate away from body but not towards it. Wicker material
designed with an increasing number of strans in the layers as you get farther
away from the body. Also a chemical posse to make the non absorbent man made
material become absorbent.
Gore-Tex; its waterproof,
and lets the moisture from the body evaporate. It only works when it's clean.
Dirt, sweat, and oil if allowed to build up, clog up i.e. block the gaps in the
weave and trap moisture in. Polypropylene is a good but expensive set of
thermal underwear. It wicks moisture away from the body. Polar fleece will do
this too. It is possible to break out in a sweat, remaining completely dry, and
have a layer of ice on your back while still being warm in this combination.
Outer layer should
be water resistant, if last layer water proof it well freeze over. Light weight
lose outer layer, to trap warm air along side. Layering permits rapid
adjustment of clothes over wide range of activity & temperatures. With out
the modern materials one must avoid sweating! Even with modern materials if
deployed for long periods. Best to be slightly chilly than too warm. Remove
cloths accordingly head, hands and feet are good vents. When in doors wear as
little clothing as possible. Clean cloths are warmer then dirty, also dirty
well be more flammable. Friendly and
enemy forces supplementing the layers of their uniforms with those of the dead.
Corps striped of over coats, boots particularly Russian felt boats best for
snow conditions, also lambskin cap. Wearing enemy uniforms or items there is a
danger of being shot by friendly forces. Contrasting gear like web shouldn’t be
warn on outside of snow whites. Solid whites will loose effectiveness. Special
care taken when handling sooty stoves or digging holes. You may not won’t to
wear. Under wet winter conditions -13 degrees or up. Moisture soaks in from
inside and outside due to melting show and ice. During the spring rains &
autumn’s alternating day thawing and night freezing protection against cold and
moisture i.e. humidity and wet brush etc. is needed, by summer insects are a
problem too. Clothing and foot gear to tight well restrict blood flow and
invite cold enjoy. Wearing to many pairs of socks is not a good idea. Feet
should be massaged when changing. A dry pair of socks is always carried. Socks
can be hung on out side of pack on the move for drying. Dry items in shade if
you can. Drying by fire, items hung close to ceiling, dry leather slowly. Do
not place items down wind of fires because of smell and sparks. Never left
unattended! Woolens do not boil or use hot water. In desert stay fully clothed
even on cloudy days.
Recall acronym, C.O.L.D.
Clean clothes, avoid Overheating, Layers, Dry.
EXTREME COLD WEATHER CLOTHING
SYSTEM
Outer Layers;
ECWCS the jacket and pants are made of a durable waterproof fabric. Both have a
nylon shell with a laminated breathable membrane attached. This allows the
garment to release moisture while the nylon shell provides a degree of water
resistance during rain and snow. The nylon also acts as a barrier to wind,
which helps retain warm air trapped by the insulating layers.
Insulating Layers; are those layers worn over the underwear and under the outer layers
of clothing. They should provide for easy moisture movement as well as trap
warm air. The insulating layers that are presently available are referred to as
pile or fleece. ECWCS incorporates the field jacket and field pants liner as
additional insulating layers. However, these two components do not move
moisture as effectively as the pile or fleece. Cotton layers must not be included
in any layer in an extreme cold environment.
Underwear;
Underwear should also be made of materials that move moisture from the body.
Many civilian companies manufacture this type of underwear. The primary
material in this product is polyester, which moves moisture from the body to
the outer layers. A lightweight set of long underwear coupled with a
heavyweight set will provide a multitude of layering combinations.
Headgear; 25
% of heat loss occurs through the head and neck area. Very important to wear a
hat i.e. Black watch cap of natural fibers, predominately wool. For colder
climates a neck gaiter can be added. It is a tube that fits around the neck and
can reach up over the ears and nose. For extreme cold, a balaclava can be
added. This covers the head, neck, and face leaving only a slot for the eyes
(Figure 3-5). Worn together the combination is very warm.
Figure 3-5 Neck gaiter and balaclava
Helmets; the
Kevlar ballistic helmet can be used for most basic mountaineering tasks. It
must be fitted with parachute retention straps and the foam impact pad.
SP 12/20/08 in 2007 the
Indian firm Anjani Technoplast, came up with some innovative protective vest
technologies, a new fiber (Dyneema HB26) which is 15 % lighter, 40 % stronger
than aramid (Kevlar) fibers, floats, and is more resistant to sunlight,
moisture and chemicals. Helmets made of it are 20 % lighter than the Kevlar
ones, and more resistant to bullets. It's also likely that the new generation
of U.S. armored trucks (the hummer replacement) will use Dyneema HB26, which
will lower fuel consumption and strain on the suspension and other vehicle
components.
Headlamps;
it is common to need a light source and the use of both hands. A flashlight can
provide light, but can be cumbersome when both hands are needed. Most headlamps
attach to helmets by means of elastic bands. Ensure it is waterproof and the
battery is small and is compatible with the supplies available. Most lights
will accept alkaline, nickel-cadmium, or lithium batteries. Alkaline battery
life diminishes quickly in cold temperatures, nickel-cadmium batteries last
longer in cold but require a recharging unit, and lithium batteries have twice
the voltage so modifications are required. When the light is being packed, care
should be taken that the switch doesn't accidentally activate and use precious
battery life. Also while on patrols to eliminate accidental activation.
Eye gear;
glacier glasses and goggles. Glacier glasses are sunglasses that cover the
entire eye socket. They should be antifogging. Double or triple lenses work
best. Many operations in the mountains occur above the tree line or on ice and
snow surfaces where the harmful UV rays of the sun can bombard the eyes from
every angle increasing the likelihood of snow blindness. At least one extra
pair should be carried by each climbing team.
Ballistic eye protection: Simple sports glasses with polycarbonate lenses
actually work better, and take up no more space than a normal pair of glasses.
Super ears:
Powered by four batteries, they block out sharp loud sounds (e.g., rifle
shots), allow normal conversation to pass unaffected, and enhance small sounds
such as footsteps, whispers, and the crunching of leaves and twigs. These cost
$130 each. SilversonicXL lessen up type device that is worn around ear. Also
product called lesson up.
Electronic ear protection,
that can allow troops to hear normally, when sound levels are normal, but block
out very loud noises. Equipment like this is already available for those who
maintain jet engines, and other loud equipment (like tanks).
Foot gear;
socks provide cushioning, remove excess moisture, and provide insulation from
cold temperatures. Improper wear and excess moisture are the biggest causes of
hot spots and blisters. Regardless of climatic conditions, socks should always
be worn in layers. The first layer should be a material that moves moisture
from the foot surface to the outer sock. The outer sock should also be made of
like materials, but should be complimented with materials that provide
cushioning and abrasion resistance. A third layer can be added depending upon
the climatic conditions. In severe wet conditions, a waterproof type sock can
be worn over the first two layers to reduce the amount of water that would
saturate the foot. In extremely cold conditions a vapor barrier sock can be
worn either over both of the original pairs of socks or between the whicker
layer and the insulating layer. If the user is wearing VB boots, the vapor
barrier sock is not needed.
Old socks can be pulled over boats for camouflage.
Boots souls can be painted with white non-glossy paint. Chicken wire can be
tied around boots for traction in sewers.
Currently, CTA 50-900
provides adequate footwear for most operations in mountainous terrain. In
temperate climates a combination of footwear is most appropriate to accomplish
all tasks. The two types of footwear needed are climbing shoes and plastic
mountaineering boots. (1) Climbing shoes are made specifically for climbing
vertical or near vertical rock faces. These shoes are made with a soft leather
upper, a lace-up configuration, and a smooth "sticky rubber" sole.
The smooth "sticky rubber" sole is the key to the climbing shoe,
providing greater friction on the surface of the rock, allowing the climber
access to more difficult terrain. (2) The plastic mountaineering boot is a
double boot system. The inner boot provides support, as well as insulation
against the cold. It may or may not come with a breathable membrane. The outer
boot is a molded plastic (usually with a lace-up configuration) with a lug
sole. The welt of the boot is molded in such a way that crampons, ski bindings,
and snowshoes are easily attached and detached.
Gaiters are used to protect the lower leg from snow and ice,
as well as mud, twigs, and stones. The use of waterproof fabrics or breathable
materials laminated to the nylon can also be insulated if necessary. Gaiters
are not presently fielded. Gaiters are available in three styles i.e. Alpine or
open toed, full randed and overboot.
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The most common style of
gaiter is the open-toed variety, which is a nylon shell that may or may not
have a breathable material laminated to it. The open front allows the boot to
slip easily into it and is closed with a combination of zipper, hook-pile tape,
and snaps. It will have an adjustable neoprene strap that goes under the boot
to keep it snug to the boot. The length should reach to just below the knee and
will be kept snug with a drawstring and cord lock. The second type referred to
as a full or randed gaiter. It completely covers the boot down to the welt. It
is used with plastic mountaineering boots and should be glued in place and not
removed. The third type of gaiter is specific to high-altitude mountaineering
or extremely cold temperatures and is referred to as an overboot. It is worn
completely over the boot and must be worn with crampons because it has no
traction sole.
Crampons; (Figure 3-25) Two types: Flexible and Rigid. They
should fit snugly on the boot with a minimum of 1 inch of front point
protruding. Straps should fit snugly around the foot and any long, loose ends
should be trimmed, any tools needed for adjustment will be provided by the
manufacturer. The Flexible or hinged crampon is best used when no technical ice
climbing will be done. It is designed to be used with soft, flexible boots, but
can be attached to plastic mountaineering boots. The flexible crampon gets its
name from the flexible hinge on the crampon itself. All flexible crampons are
adjustable for length while some allow for width adjustment. Most flexible
crampons will attach to the boot by means of a strap system. The Rigid crampon,
does not flex. It is designed for technical ice climbing, but can be used on
less vertical terrain. It can only be worn with plastic mountaineering boots.
Rigid crampons will have a toe and heel bail attachment with a strap that wraps
around the ankle.
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Snowshoes; offer a large displacement area on top of soft snow preventing tiresome post-holing. Still show shoeing uses 50 % more energy than regular walking.
Some snowshoes come equipped with a crampon like binding that helps in ascending steep snow and ice. Snowshoes are slower than skis, but are better suited for mixed terrain. When carrying heavy packs, snowshoes can be easier to use than skis. Skis; Mountaineering skis are wide and short. They have a binding that pivots at the toe and allows for the heel to be free for uphill travel or locked for downhill. There are Synthetic skins with fibers attached to the bottom thus allowing the ski to travel forward and prevent slipping backward. Historically with skies, animal fur was tided backwards (i.e. far lying opposite direction of travel) for traction with up hill climbing. It also aids in slowing down the rate of descents. Wax can be applied to the ski to aid in ascents instead of skins. Skis also do not provide good traction for pulling loads; again one might make use of fiber attachments or Animal fur. Wind in open areas can greatly slow skiers down.
Skis can make crossing crevasses easier because of the load distribution also a skier or a unit on skis is able to cross frozen lakes and rivers when the ice will not support a man on foot. Skis can become a makeshift stretcher for casualties. On skis Marines can be towed i.e. pulled by vehicles.
(Reference, Over all tips, MT. slopes etc.)
Hand gear; use of hand wear is extremely important in the mountains. Even during the best climatic conditions, temperatures can dip below freezing. While mittens are always warmer than gloves, the finger dexterity needed to do most tasks makes gloves the primary gear. Just as the clothing system is worn in layers, gloves and mittens work best using the same principle. Retention cords that loop over the wrist work extremely well when the wearer needs to remove the outer layer to accomplish a task that requires fine finger dexterity. Leaving the glove or mitten dangling from the wrist ensures the wearer knows where it is at all times.
The Ninja claw for climbing things like the phone repairman’s ankle hook on his boot.
Ski poles; assist in balance on skis or snowshoe patrols with heavy packs. Some are collapsible for ease of packing. The basket at the bottom prevents the pole from plunging deep into the snow and, on some models, can be detached so the pole becomes an avalanche or crevasse probe. Some ski poles come with a self-arrest grip, but should not be the only means of protection on technical terrain.
Remove loose snow and insects at entrances. Remove vegetation before approach to helicopters. Marines wear ear plugs during helicopter hopes to preserve hearing after exit.
If theirs little difference in inside an out side temp, weapons maybe taken into buildings and stored at floor level, where temperature is lowest. Weapons also sweat in warm vehicles. Batteries, binoculars, scopes, compos, grenades and weapons kept close to body in inter clothing, inside over coats. Keep ports and muzzles covered. Place magazines upside down in your pouches to keep out dirt and dust. Marines kept watch with hand over action/port area. Carry or handle, muzzle down during transport by helicopters. Trailing musket to keep it from being seen. Also slung over shoulder muzzle down, with sling over front part of shoulder hidden. Marine looks unarmed. Normal lubes in cold become thickened, sluggish action or stoppages results. Weapons are completely stripped, cleaned with dry solvents gasoline, alcohol and lighter fluid, only then lightly oiled. Particularly effective was sunflower seed oil. To insure smooth bolt action when no oil is used a finely ground powder is sprinkled on action. Also finely textured flour or sulfur. Check bore for obstructions before shooting i.e. work action.
On patrols cold rations only, so to illuminate the smell of cooking.
Trooper mentioning how he fill during a firefight and ended up on his back in a small depression and could not roll over to get up on his own. He told of how his bubs help i.e. IMO they had experienced the same thing and know right away.
New Winter clothing ensemble (officially called , generation III of the extended cold-weather system or Gen III ECWCS.)
(Reference, Appendix PCP rule # 4/5)
6) Whisper in an exhale:
This reduces echoes inside the mouth. Voice well travel, project clearer and farther. Whispering to disguise voice i.e. eliminates voice signatures, due to the fact that you’re not using vocal cords. Gaps in teeth and other characteristics would still be present but not specific enough to ID person out of general public.
7) Extra quite at night or around water:
Sounds travel faster and farther at night or over water. Night air cooler and less surrounding noises. Still cool air of north carries much farther than in temperate zone, which lies between 23 and 53 degrees north latitude. In calm weather (no wind), air currents that may be too light to detect, can still carry sounds. Air cools in the evening and moves downhill toward the valleys. If you are moving uphill late in the day or at night, air currents will probably be moving toward you if no other wind is blowing. As the morning sun warms the air in the valleys, moves uphill. Keep the wind in your face. With the sun at your back and the wind in your face, you have a slight advantage. Wind affects sounds and odors. Determine wind direction by dropping a handful of dust or dried grass from shoulder height. By facing in the same direction the wind is blowing, one can locate sounds by cupping his hands behind his ears and turning slowly. When sounds are loudest, you are facing the origin. Swimming shallow well reduce air consumption, waves conceal noise. Stay one meter off bottom to keep from silting. When coming ashore stay flat or roll out of water. Rough bark canoes are very quite.
(Reference, Def. Desquises, decoys etc. “local vapor fogs”)
8) Step toe first:
This is done two apply pressure on soul of foot gradually and evenly, this also muffles noise of braking twigs. This would also change up your digital gate signature that maybe on some database of some system tracking you.
(Reference, Planning, intelligence preparation of the battle field, I.P.B., “SP the oldest biometric”)
Crawling, (Monkey walk) supporting yourself with fest and placing knees where fest where. (Leopard crawl) supporting body with elbows and toes only. Esp. suited for crawling over leafs. Always lift feet high and pay close attention to avoid lose rocks on slopes and hills. Low crawl; hold the rifle sling with your thumb at the upper sling swivel, with the balance point of weapon on top of the fore-arm (ie see sawed on forearm), keeping the butt just off of the ground. Push your arms and right leg forward, then cover ground by pulling with the arms and pushing with the right leg. Keep the whole body flat, and change the pushing leg frequently to avoid fatigue. High crawl; cradle your rifle on top of your arms, with the muzzle off the ground. Proceed by alternately advancing right elbow and then left knee, then left elbow and right knee. Use short movements, keeping your knees well behind your buttocks. Keep your head and your buttocks low.
TRACKING
The best way of judging the effectiveness of a stick, (i.e. dog tracking team) is to note how often they track into contact. If constantly being fired on first, then they are only marginal. Good trackers will be able to tell how far ahead the enemy is. During assaults, trackers are too valuable to risk in a fire fight. However when crossing obstacles such as rivers, streams, roads, the tracking team becomes the security and first over (to keep any spoor on the other side undisturbed). When operating, use hand signals at all times. The Tracker: is responsible for reading and interpreting the spoor for the team leader. The flankers: these two members who are also trained trackers are responsible for the forward and flank security of the tracker and will probably see the enemy first. As the tracker becomes fatigued rotate duties so all trackers remain alert. The standard tracking formation is Y shaped, with the flankers at the ends of open legs of the Y and the tracker at the junction, with the team leader about 5 meters directly behind him. Fallow on troops can be in a column behind or in echelons to both sides in X formation. This allows the troops to move forward at once and leaves the trackers a gap to fall back through. Much of’ tracking means noting what is out of context in nature and realizing the cause. When examining spoor always keep your head slightly up and look 15 to 20 yards ahead of you. Move from sign to sign and always be sure of your last confirmed sign before you move on to the next. Make sure the print is not one of your own and keep a record of the different type prints you encounter. Plaster impressions, drawings, photos or even a copy of the soles themselves should be on record with local intelligence units. Once you identify a particular track, follow it. Target units may split up or scatter, until you are left following one set of tracks. If you have the personnel, assign tracking teams to each set of tracks. If not, pick one and run him to ground, then pick another. Try to stay with the main body, if possible. You may get lucky and nail the commander or end up following the spoor to a RP where you can ambush the entire unit. If you lose the spoor be patient, go back to the last positive spoor confirm and mark it. From multiple elevations conduct a quick scan. If no spoor is relocated, brief team to the nature of the searches (i.e. type and duration) to be use. Then begin searches to relocate the tracks. Types of search patterns; the most common are the cross grain, the box search and the 360-degree sweep. Cross grain method, the tracker moves laterally from the spoor either left or right about 100 meters and then doubles back toward his original line of march. Each time he turns, the tracker should advance about 50 to 75 meters forward before doubling back. If you have moved approximately 500 meters ahead of the last spoor and still cannot find the tracks, resort to the 360-degree method. 360 degree method, making ever increasing circles from last confirmed tracks. Some trackers have been known to circle as far as five kilometers from the last confirmed spoor until they cut the trail of their prey. Box method, this is boxing off all four corners of area, starting on the two sides of the spoor in direction of march. This method is best when you have enough troops for teams.
Weather; all indicators well be effected by weather. Can either aid or hinder. The type of country - Savannah or Mopani forest. Things lack depth in overcast weather. The position of the sun relative to the direction of travel. The most suitable position is when one has to track towards the sun. Use the last rain or strong wind to determine timing. Rain flattens or washes litter into low lying areas and turns paper into pulp. Exposure to weather can cause food cans to rust at the opened edge; then, the rust moves toward the center. Wind dries tracks and blows litter, sticks, or leaves into prints. By recalling wind activity, one may estimate the age of tracks. Example, one may reason "the wind is calm at present, but blew hard about an hour ago. These tracks have litter in them, so they must be over an hour old." However, he must be sure that the litter was not crushed into them when the tracks were made. On windy day, sand remaining on pebbles within tracks can indicate a fresh track. There are two distinct types of spoor; ground spoor and aerial spoor. Ground spoor is normally made by a boot or foot print and aerial spoor is in the form of trampled grass, broken bushes, broken cobwebs, spider webs usually take about an hour to be replaced by the insects. Knowing spiders usually make nest in morning hours could help. Might be wiped off onto a nearby tree or bush. Ground spoor can be defined by tracking concepts: displacement, stains, litter, (poorly disciplined or untrained units may leave a trail of litter) urine and excrement, frequently indicated by house flies, mopani bees, yellow butterflies and, during the rains, dung beetles. DDD; if the target party members realize they are being followed, they may try DDD using a stream to cover tracks. Determining the difference between staining and displacement. Both terms can be applied to some indicators. For example, muddied water; displaced mud also stains the water. Muddy footgear can stain stones in streams, and algae and other water plants can be displaced by lost footing. Rocks overturned have a lighter or darker color on the opposite side. Overturned rocks take a couple of hours to dry in direct sun, longer in shade. The person entering or exiting a stream creates slide marks scuff bark off roots or footprints, stains stones or the bank, gets vegetation wet. Normally, a person or animal seeks the path of least resistance; therefore, look for departure signs in open areas with gradual sloping banks. Or where there are large overhangs of tree branches.
(Reference, PCP rule # 9)
Trails exiting streams may appear weathered by rain due to water running from clothing or equipment. This is especially true if the party exits the stream single file. The existence of a wet, weathered trail slowly fading into a dry trail indicates the trail is fresh. Displacement; takes place when anything is moved from its original position. Impression of rifle butts being used as canes up steep slopes. The color of Scuff marks, scratched or chipped bark darkens with time; sap oozes, then hardens as it makes contact with the air. Chewed vegetation by persons or accompanying animals. Foliage, sticks, vines may be dragged or broken while cutting through heavy vegetation clearing a trail with a machete. Age track by the state of dryness, broken twigs and vines require about 10 hours for the pulp inside begins to turn brown. Grass blades will remain green for about a day after being broken, but after a few days turns brown. The reflection of light from grass or leaves displaced at an angle. When one walks through a field overturned leaves well now have their damp side exposed. Stones and sticks overturned, scuffed or removed from their original position, show a different color underneath. Disturbed dew drops on grass and plants will indicate passage of something within the last few hours after sunrise. Dew usually remains for about 4 hours after sunrise. Stains/spoor; a stain occurs when any substance from one organism or article is smeared or deposited on something else. When bloodstains are fresh, they are bright red. Air and sunlight first change blood to a deep ruby-red color, then to a dark brown crust as the moisture evaporates. Spatters or drops are not always on the ground; they may be smeared on leaves or twigs. Bloodstains, can determine the wound's location. If it seems to be dripping steadily, it probably came from a wound on the trunk. If it appears to be slung to the front, stern, or sides, the wound is probably in the extremity. Arterial wounds appear to pour blood at regular intervals with heart beat. If the wound is venous, the blood pours steadily. A lung wound deposits pink, bubbly, and frothy bloodstains. A bloodstain from a head wound appears heavy and slimy. Abdominal wounds often mix blood with digestive juices light in color, and has an odor (acidic?). One can determine the seriousness of the wound thus how far the victim can move unassisted. Staining can also occur when muddy footgear is dragged over grass, stones, and shrubs. Thus, staining and displacement combine. Crushed leaves may stain rocky ground that is too hard to show footprints. Roots, stones, and vines may be stained where leaves or berries are crushed by moving feet. Analyzing Footprints; a foot or shoe print is a good example of displacement. If a tracker finds the tracks of two men, this may indicate that a sniper team is operating in the area. Footprints may indicate direction, rate of movement, number, sex, and whether the individual knows he is being tracked. Or for example, a print that was left by a barefooted person or one with worn or frayed footgear indicates that he may have poor equipment. Rapid movement or running is apparent, if footprints are deep and with long strides, splayed out toes with toe prints deeper than heel prints, skid marks, and badly damaged vegetation. Old dried dirt, maybe from different area, stuck in treads will change print and may fall out on rocks. This dirt also indicates pass surface traveled. Prints that are deep, short, and widely spaced, with signs of scuffing and with toes splayed out indicate person is carrying a heavy load. Persons walking backward have a short, irregular stride. With an unnaturally deep toe, and soil is displaced in the direction of movement. To determine the sex study the size (women are smaller) and their toes are more splayed out than the males. Women tend to be pigeon-toed, while men walk with their feet straight ahead or pointed slightly to the outside. The stride is usually shorter than men’s. The rhythm or length of stride is a guide to where the next footprint can be found. If the stride is shorter than usual or the trail is erratic or circuitous, this may indicate walking in the dark. If particles of soil are beginning to fall into the print, or water still filling in the print is very resent. If the edges are dried and crusty, the prints are at least 1 hour old, varies with terrain. A light rain or morning dew cycles may round the edges of the print. By recalling when the last rain occurred, one can place print into a time frame. Impressions and Prints in mud will usually take about an hour to fill with water, depending on the amount of moisture in the earth. If the track is very fresh, water will not have run back into the depressions. The water will run back later, muddy water collects in new footprints in swampy ground; however, the mud settles and the water clears, normally the mud clears in about one hour, although time varies with the terrain. First of all the mud pushed up around the depression and kicked forward by the foot leaving the ground will begin to dry. If the tracks are pockmarked, they were obviously made before a heavy rain and, if not pock-marked, they were made after the rain. Note look to see if the tracks were pock-marked by water dripping from trees. Determining Key Prints; the last individual in the file usually leaves the clearest footprints; these become the key prints. Cut a stick matching length of the prints and notch it to indicate the width at the widest part of the sole. Then study the angle of the key prints for the direction of march. Look for an identifying mark or feature i.e. worn or frayed footwear, to help identify the key prints. If the trail becomes vague, erased, or merges with another, use key prints to ID unit. To count the total individuals being tracked use the box technique. There are two methods to employ it. The most accurate is to use the stride as a unit of measure. Draw a line from the key print heel across the trail. Then move forward to the key print of the opposite foot and draw a line through its instep. This well form a box to analyze with the drawn lines forming two sides, and the edges of the trail forming the others. This method is accurate for counting up to 18 persons. 36-inch box method; if key prints are not evident. Measure a 36 inches long cross section the edges of the trail as the sides of the box. Count each indentation or partial print in the box and dividing by two. This method gives an estimate it is not as accurate as the stride measurement. Should you discover a resting place, count the places on the ground and no matter what the number, add two and report that number. Troops carrying loads set down at halts make indentions like box edges, crushed grass and twigs can help to identify the load. A reclining soldier also flattens the vegetation. Look for cigarette butts. A number of them in one place with evidence of only one person in the immediate area could give time table of halt. Check the campfire’s heat. Wild life; there are many paths in the bush made by game during their nightly or seasonal movements. These animals avoid steep or slippery slopes and therefore game paths will normally provide easy going. Patrols can use these trails when quick, silent movement is required. Flushed from their natural habitat, animals and birds are another example of displacement. Most wild creatures are shy of man and will seek shelter if he has been in the area. Listen for animals snorting or running and note the direction. The Grey Loerie when disturbed will utter a loud and drawn out “g-way” call, and often follows the intruder, thus alarming the quarry or warning the tracker. The honey guide bird and ox-pecker both have the same “give away” effect on both quarry and tracker. Squashed animal or insect life and whether it has been attacked by ants, location of ant mound would be advantageous to note. Changes in the normal life of insects disturbed bees, ant holes uncovered and Tom spider webs, often spun across open areas, trails. If one does not avoid these webs, he leaves an indicator. Game Tracks; most animals lie up during the day and move about at night. Animal prints superimposed on the spoor will tell you that the spoor was made prior to nightfall. If human prints have a double set of animal spoor superimposed and spoor shows that the game has moved in both directions, the human prints are probably at least 24 hours old. If the animal spoor show that game has moved in one direction only, then the human prints were probably made during the night after the game had moved down to water but before the game moved back. The reverse is also applicable; if you see the spoor on the animal prints, the spoor was made sometime after sunrise.
(Reference, PCP rule # 3 and Defense, rule # 5 Features of Recognition, “Wild Animals” as well as Disguises decoys and diversions, “Mujahideen traveling”)
9) Walk single file:
Reduces number of tracks, but causes them to be deeper. Tracks grater problem in desert snow or mud. With later you can spread out a breast and zigzag across open areas. Concentrate on getting away from rivers and wet land or open areas quickly after crossing. With snow move just before or during fresh snow fall. For short distance you can roll and also in desert. Change direction in tall grass frequently. Movement in a strait line will cause unnatural weaving. Your foot could be swept/dragged back over grass before applying pressure on foot. Thus pressing grass down in opposite direction to travel.
COUNTER TRACKING
Main goal is to expose the tracker in the open, where he dose not what to spend much time studying tracks. When being tracked the best bet is to either try to outdistance tracker or to double back and ambush the group.
Fishhook; used to double back on your own trail in an over watch position to ambush pursuers. The size of the pursuing force dictates the chances of success. If the pursuing force is too large to be destroyed, the sniper team strives to eliminate the tracker.
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The sniper team may use the frequently used and or the least used routes to cover its movement. Frequently Used Routes; travel on railways, roads merging with civilians. Least Used Routes; avoid all man-made trails or roads. Least used routes are normally magnetic azimuths between two points. Reduction of spoor; moving on hard-surfaces or rocky ground. Changing footgear, wrap footgear with rags. Wear the same boots as the enemy, if you are operating in his territory. Brush out the trail. This is rarely done without leaving signs (best just before rains). A sniper who tries to hide his trail moves at reduced speed; sniper secures area, scopes target area, spotter hides tracks, scouts routes. Backward Walking; walking backward in tracks already made, and then stepping off the trail onto terrain or objects that leave little sign. Use this technique when leaving or entering a stream. Large Tree; a good deception tactic is to change directions at large trees (Figure 8-7). Walk past a large tree (12 inches wide or larger) for 5 to 10 paces. Carefully walk backwards to the forward/lee side of the tree and make a 90-degree change in the direction of travel, passing the tree on its forward side. Using the tree as a screen to hide the new trail. If this is not the direction that you want to go, change direction again about fifty meters away using the same technique.
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Cut the Corner; used when approaching a road or trail. About 100 meters from the road, change direction, either 45 degrees left or right. Once the road is reached, leave a visible trail in the direction of the deception for a short distance on the road. Leave several signs of your presence. The tracker should believe that the corner was cut to save time. The sniper team backtracks on the trail to the point where it entered the road, and then it carefully moves on the road without leaving a good trail (i.e. maybe rolling), once the desired distance is achieved, the sniper team changes direction and continues movement. Or you just cross the trail and leave no sign of your leaving it in the first place. Then move about one hundred meters at an angle of 45 degrees, but this time on the other side of the trail and in the reverse of your approach. When changing direction back to your original line of march, the big tree technique is used to draw the enemy tracker along the easier trail. By changing direction before reaching the trail, you have indicated that the trail is your new line of march.
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Slip the Stream; executed the same as the cut the comer technique. After entering the stream, move down stream to prevent floating debris and silt from compromising the fact you have entered the river. At some point cross to opposite shore then move back upstream and leave the stream in your initial direction. The sniper team establishes false trails upstream if time permits. Then, it moves downstream to escape since creeks and streams gain tributaries that offer more escape alternatives. When your direction of movement parallels a stream, use the stream to deceive. Stay in the center of the stream and in deep water. Watch for rocks or roots near the banks that are not covered with moss or vegetation and leave the stream at that point. - Walk out backward on soft ground.
The Circle; used to escape pursuers or to hide a patrol base. It establishes a trail in a circle as large as possible. The trail that starts on a road and returns to the same point. At some point along the trail you step off, leaving one set of tracks. The large tree maneuver or low hanging branch technique can be used to leave the trail.
Scent start by washing yourself and your clothes without using soap.
Standing in smoke from a fire can help mask your scent from animals. While animals are afraid of fresh smoke from a fire, older smoke scents are normal smells after forest fires and do not scare them.
(Reference, Defence, rule # 5 Disguises, decoys, etc. “tracks once made” and PCP rule # 8 “exiting streams” as well as the next rule number 10, Don’t back track)
10) Don’t back track:
Don’t use same door, gate, road, route you used to inter. Also with Firewatch relief’s, you should not use path your relief just used on his approach. With patrols you can circle back on to your route to ambush someone fallowing you. Easier in jungle or desert, where terrain looks similar. Note with a circular pattern, a tracker might be slowed thinking he’s being set up for ambush. Return routs along paths just off original i.e. parallel to, however at far enough distance i.e. enough separation to avoid enemy ambush, but close enough to engage the enemy. The hope here is that you well walk up on them, just behind their position.
(Reference, rule # 9 i.e. walk single file, counter tracking)
11) Keep distance:
Second in command in stern of patrol, first up front. For patrol members, dispersed at 45’-55’ feet intervals, if terrain allows. Dispersion reduces WIA especially if enemy fire hits ammo of crew served weapons or grenades. It also makes it more difficult for enemy to get a count, as he must wait longer for patrol to pass.
With groups, this could be not everyone leaving at the same time to go to the same i.e. next location. Or not setting i.e. hanging out with each other once everyone arrives. Members could play it casual gradually introducing one another and joining up at a certain table as security situation is assessed.
In dessert, large units should converge on objective than scatter as an anti counter attack tactic, especially from air. Also recon units stay farther away from main units and move in deceptive directions from main units. MOUNTAINEERING; Route Selection; Crossing re-entrants as near to the watershed as possible. (All the land area that drains into a stream system is called a watershed) Bad weather limiting visibility can lift quickly. Don’t get caught in open areas or camp in them. In general the shortest route was not always the quickest; the trick was to avoid obstacles such as cliffs, quarries scree/rocks, bracken, ice, snow and bogs. Often the best descent is on a different route than the ascent. When looking for a firmer surface, watch for darker/dirty/settled snow this absorbs more heat and thus hardens faster than lighter/clean/fresh snow. Windward sides more packed easier traveled. Pick route where you can traverse downhill as quickly as possible. When you must ascend a dangerous slope, climb to the side of the avalanche path, and not directly up the center. Since most avalanches occur within 24 hours of a storm and or at midday, avoid moving during these periods. Units should travel before sun up, not at noon, not during unusually high or low temperatures. Late night or early morning patrols are best especially if daytime temperatures are going to rise above freeing. Avoid cornices from above or below. Avoid convex slopes stay high in slopes or low in tree line. You have to pace yourself, breath and march rhythmically. Traversing the slope in a zigzag i.e. switch back manner. The number of stragglers may be expected to increase. You had to make up time by running down the easy slopes. On the uphill keep your feet horizontal on the slopes. Avoid areas next to logs, rocks, trees, where the surrounding snow has melted away, creating hidden ice hazards. Cross danger areas one at a time. Use same path, keep mouth covered with cloth, loosen or remove skies. Remove your hands from ski pole wrist straps. Detach ski runaway cords. Prepare to discard equipment. Put your hood on. Close up your clothing. Deploy avalanche cord. Make avalanche probes and shovels accessible. If caught in slid swim or roll, working towards the edge of the avalanche. If you feel your feet touch the ground, give a hard push and try to "pop out" onto the surface. If buried spitting can help determine up or down, also throbbing in head. When your buried your breath fresses around your head trapping the carbon dioxide and you are asphyxiated. Avalanches accounted for more than ½ the KIA during alpine fighting in WW1.
AVALANCHE SEARCH AND RESCUE TECHNIQUES; when the snow comes to rest it sets up like cement. Don’t shout unless you hear rescuers immediately above you; in snow, no one can hear you scream. The respiration of an unconscious person is shallower, their pulse rate declines, and the body temperature is lowered, all of which reduce the amount of oxygen needed. Chances of survival after burial by an avalanche are approximately 90 % if the victim is located within 15 minutes. However, probability of survival drops rapidly and, after two hours, chances of survival are remote. Suffocation accounts for 65 % of fatalities, collision with debris accounts for 25 % and hypothermia and shock accounts for 10 %. In many respects, a moving avalanche resembles a liquid. A human body, with a higher density than the flowing snow, would be expected to sink deeper and deeper into the avalanche; however, several factors influence the body's location. Turbulence, terrain, and the victim's own efforts to extricate himself all interact to determine the final burial position. Efforts of the victim to extricate himself by vigorous motion and "swimming" definitely minimize burial depth. Conversely, the limp body of an unconscious victim is likely to be buried deeply. If any indication of the location of the victim is found, random probing starts in that vicinity. Establish from witnesses where the victim was located just before the avalanche to determine the point where the victim disappeared the "last seen" point. Using this and any other information, establish a probable victim trajectory line leading to high priority search areas. If two points of the victim's trajectory can be established, a high probability exists that the victim will be near the downhill flow line passing through these two points. The tip and edges of the slide are also likely areas to search. A human body is bulky and is apt to be thrown toward the surface or the sides. The majority of buried victims are carried to the place of greatest deposition, usually the toe of the slide. Any terrain features that catches debris are also apt to catch a victim. The likelihood of a victim being buried in a particular bend is proportional to the amount of debris deposited there. The victim tends to be retained above the obstacle. An obstacle may simply delay the victim's motion, leading to final burial down flow from the obstacle. Maximum speed of the flowing snow occurs at the avalanche center. Friction reduces flow velocity along the edges. The closer the victim's trajectory is to the center of the slide, the greater will be his burial depth. Probing for victims; probe Poles, 10 feet long two ski or tent pools, designed to attach to each other. The ski pole can be reversed, probing with the wrist strap down; or the basket can be removed so that the point is down (the preferred method), which allows the ski pole to penetrate the snow more easily. Probing Lines; for the probing operation to be effective, probing lines must be orderly and properly spaced. To ensure systematic and orderly probing. A string may be used to keep the probe lines aligned, but will require added time to maintain. Probing does not come to a halt when a possible contact is made. The probe is left in contact and the line continues. A shovel crew follows up by digging down along the pole. Dig in shifts, one standing by to assist when needed. Such a plan of operation is especially important when more than one victim is buried. Striking a body gives a distinct feel to the probe, which is easily recognizable in soft snow but less recognizable in hard compacted snow. A common problem is encountering debris that can be mistaken for the victim. Debris usually much more solid causing vibrations through probe. The probers themselves work silently. Probers are spaced the same as for the coarse probe. Each man probes in front of his left foot, then in the center of his straddled position, and finally in front of his right foot, then does the reverse. Types and characteristics; Starting points average 10 k’. Speeds average 200 mph. Slope Aspect; any slope of fresh snow (which dose not cohere) with an angle of repose of around 25 degrees or steeper suspect until it settles, Slopes as gentle as 15 degrees have avalanched. Most avalanches occur on slopes between 30 and 45 degrees. Slopes above 60 degrees often do not build up significant quantities of snow. When the avalanche danger is high avoid Northern, eastern and southern facing slopes? South and west slopes are harder and harden earlier in season and after storms? Most prone to avalanches in spring. Snow on north facing slopes is more likely to slide in midwinter. South facing slopes are most dangerous in the spring and on sunny, warm days. Slopes on the windward side are generally more stable than leeward slopes. Loose snow (aka point) avalanches; dangers of powder snow slides are suffocation or being swept over cliffs. Start at one point on the snow cover and grow in the shape of an inverted "V." Most frequently during the winter snow season. They often fall as many small sluffs during or shortly after a storm. This process removes snow from steep upper slopes and either stabilizes lower slopes or loads them with additional snow. Wet loose snow avalanches, large avalanches of this type, lubricated and weighed down by melting water or rain can travel long distances and have tremendous destructive power. Coastal ranges that have high temperatures and frequent rain are the most common areas for this type of avalanche. Occur in spring and summer. Slab avalanches are generally considered more dangerous than loose snow avalanches. Slab release is rapid. Are more likely to occur on convex slopes when cohesive snow begins to slide on a weak layer. The fracture line where the moving snow breaks away from the snow pack makes this type of avalanche easy to identify. Slides of wet snow freezes more solidly upon stopping. Settled snow looks darker than new flake. Compacted snow normally will not avalanche. Ground Cover rough terrain is more stable than smooth terrain. On grass, scree or on smooth rock, the snow has little to anchor to so slopes of even moderate steepness, are liable to avalanche. Or if seeping water peculates under snow forming ice base. Evidence of Avalanching look for recent avalanches and for signs of wind-loading and wind-slabs. Fracture Lines avoid any slopes showing cracks. Sounds beware of hollow sounds a "whumping" noise. They may suggest a radical settling of the snow pack.
TRIGGERS; Vibration, earth tremors have triggered avalanches. Units should always trigger avalanches before crossing if tactical situation permits. Using passing helicopters, heavy equipment, explosions.
Temperature, early ski mountaineers in the Alps noticed that avalanches sometimes occurred when shadows struck a previously sun-warmed slope. When the temperature is extremely low, settlement and adhesion occur slowly. Avalanches that occur during extreme cold weather usually occur during or immediately following a storm. At a temperature just below freezing, the snow pack stabilizes quickly. At temperatures above freezing, especially if temperatures rise quickly, the potential for avalanche is high. Rapid temperature changes, packed snow expands and contracts with temperature changes. For normal density, settled snow, a drop in temperature of 10 degrees Celsius (18 degrees Fahrenheit) would cause a snow slope 300 meters wide to contract 2 centimeters. Precipitation, storms can deposit dry snow early, which bonds poorly with the heavier snow deposited later. About 90 % of avalanches occur during or within twenty-four hours after a snowstorm. The rate at which snow falls is important. High rates of snowfall (2.5 centimeters per hour or greater?), especially when accompanied by wind, are usually responsible for major periods of avalanche activity. Rain falling on snow will increase its weight and weakens the snow pack. Wind, sustained winds of 15 mph and over transport snow and form wind slabs on the lee side of slopes.
TEST; Snow Pits; snow pits can be used to determine slope stability. Dig the snow pit on the suspect slope or a slope with the same sun and wind conditions. Snow deposits may vary greatly within a few meters due to wind and sun variations. Dig a 2-meter by 2-meter pit across the fall line, down to ground level. Once the pit is complete, smooth the face with a shovel. Conduct a shovel shear test; a shovel shear test puts pressure on a representative sample of the snow pack. The core of this test is to isolate a column of the snow pack from three sides. The column should be of similar size to the blade of the shovel. Dig out the sides of the column without pressing against the column with the shovel (this affects the strength). To isolate the rear of the column, use a rope or string to saw from side to side to the base of the column. If the column remained standing while cutting the rear, place the shovel face down on the top of the column. Tap with varying degrees of strength on the shovel to see what force it takes to create movement on the bed of the column. The surface that eventually slides will be the layer to look at closer. This test provides a better understanding of the snow pack strength. For greater results you will need to do this test in many areas and formulate a scale for the varying methods of tapping the shovel i.e. shovel lifted to a constant height before dropping onto column. Conduct a Rutschblock test; to conduct the test, isolate a column slightly longer than the length of your snowshoes or skis (same method as for the shovel shear test). One person moves on their skis or snowshoes above the block without disturbing the block. Once above, the person carefully places one snowshoe or ski onto the block with no body weight for the first stage of the test. The next stage is adding weight to the first leg. Next, place the other foot on the block. If the block is still holding up, squat once, then twice, and so on. The remaining stage is to jump up and land on the block.
(Reference, Step # 3 Concepts of Operations, part B) maps, models and weather. COE rule # 3 Formations “men learned” and rule # 5. And Appendix PCP rule # 13 for information on glaciers and Appendix MM&W for more information)
12) Don’t skyline:
Don’t cast silhouettes against backgrounds i.e. skylines, crawl up too roof pecks, hill crest, ridges or cliffs after choosing good backgrounds. Example, positioned right in front of tree. The rising ground behind objective prevented light form fire diffusing itself. Those close to fire see less of what is in its light. Be just as careful at night especially moonlight nights as in the daytime about keeping off the skyline. If you are framed against a light road at night, you will make a sharp silhouette. Remember that the position of the enemy observer, and not the topographic crest, fixes the skyline.
13) When crossing:
The easy way is always mined. lol! With elongated objects, Example: logs, fences or walls lie along side and roll over parallel to them. When crossing roads, trails and (rivers if tactical and other factors coincide) you want to cross just before a bend at low points and or at under passes or bridges. Look for a high place from which you can get a good view of the obstacle and possible crossing sites. A distant view, perhaps from a ridge is sometimes better than a hundred close views from the roadside or riverbank. Then crawl up to the edge of road etc (chose good back ground) and observe the other side. Pick location with cover and or concealment on both sides. Always set up flank security especially a lookout posted 100 meters upstream to watch for any obstacles (fallen trees) that may be carried downstream and interfere with the crossing (or traffic of any kind on river or roads). Security posted downstream might set up a net to snag items lost or Marines who fall in. At least have poles or ropes prepared to throw for rescue. After crossing to other side, check area and establish flank security. From the air, crossing an open field is easily observed. Movement over open ground is disclosed by tracks, especially from the air, your individual footprints show up as a light line across such a field. Stay on the terrain lines: fences, ditches, hedgerows, roads and paths already there. In open areas standing Marines casts larger shadows. Hugging the ground, keeps shadows as small as possible. With less growth available, the more the necessity for crawling and speed i.e. running. Moving in the open during moonless nights. Reasons for this, a dark night furnishes the shadow/concealment and a route is chosen to give you background, keeping you off the skyline. In cultivated fields, the lowest point may be covered by water, reducing silhouette if you wade in, and concealing tracks. Also despite conventional wisdom to the contrary, many prefer to travel in the middle of rice paddies. People, pigs and geese lived in the tree lines. Furthermore, it is also difficult to walk quietly in the woods at night, easier for the enemy waiting in ambush to here you. Light discipline is essential. On bright moonlight nights, the shadow along the edge of the woods maybe the best route, but you lose security, with enemy having cover and concealment if located along wooded edge.
The absents of good roads well have less effect in summer but dust gives away the least movement. Dust clouds of German vehicles on eastern front during WW 11 seen 40 miles away by USSR civilians. In barren land dust can wear out pistons in weeks. Crossing desert surfaces maintain constant speed, avoid sharp turns abrupt stops or starts. Patches of different colors or Shades should be checked before crossing, especially in Marshes. Marsh tails visible during dry season well hold water in wet season. In summer marshes/swamps are barriers to traffic, in winter like rivers become bridges for traffic. Mud in general leads to the feeling of isolation and premature retreats. Avoiding tracks of vehicles in front of yours may provide better traction. Lead vehicles become separated from fallow on vehicles. Formations difficult to control as Marines and vehicles simply seek out best routes. Getting stuck, tress cut down, items and debris (from buildings) taken and thrown into the road. Vehicle winching use anchored whole method. Tarp is filled with sand for anchor. Letting air out of tires for traction. Using engine exhaust to fill air bags, to lift vehicles. Crossing dunes drive strait up at best speed on windward/up wind side which is crusted and has a more gradual slope. Leeward/Down wind side no crust and has steeper slope. With tanks, sluggish steering response indicates sand build up between stern sprockets, treads can come off. Counter by backing up. Shaking right and left. Tank treads shorten not raped around all wheels will still work.
(Reference, Step # 3 Concepts of Operations, part B) maps, models and weather. And PCP rule # 11. Appendix PCP rule # 13 for information on glaciers and Appendix MM&W for more information)
14) Patrol till dusk wake before dawn:
As long as patrol is moving it is less a target. Once you stop, seeing you is more difficult. Enemy will most likely attack at dawn be up and ready. You do not wait for sunrise in the place you were at during sunset. Move to alternate position. Attack at night or in the morning; these are hours of refreshment, meals and or showers.
(Reference, Def., conduct of the defense, “Historically, darkness of night” etc.)
15) Never let up your guard:
When you secure an area don’t forget to tell the enemy. lol! This rule applies especially at exits or entries when patrols are leaving or returning. Enemy attacks likely at night or after long patrols. Villagers in area being friendly with Marines on there initial contact, then blocking patrol on their return trip, upon egress from area. When walking look back frequently to note features of recognition for return trip, especially in sub-terrain or caves. With units every other man (360 degree check) method for enemy searches. When returning to original positions make a complete circle with your body. Urban patrols should pause now and then to just lesson i.e. stop and “lay dog” to listen for anything out of place.
When on patrol and you come up on a possible ambush point i.e. ally entrance a foe could jump out from and get between patrol members to shoot them after they pass. You should station yourself there until next member arrives to relieve you. Aka station and relief tactic. Note figure eight pattern might work well for individual search as you patrol.
Over all tips
The classic Law of the 7 P’s applies. Proper Previous Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
Dispatch trail breaking teams far enough in advance to insure continuous, uninterrupted movement of the main body.
Prior detailed reconnaissance is most important to insure successful mobility as always.
The first halt after initiating a march should be made in approximately 15 minutes. This will allow adjustment of clothing and equipment.
Normally, corpsmen and first sgt will bring up the rear of the column and, in each halt, will check the men and report their condition to the leader.
Marching in single file is often the best formation. It maintains track discipline, camouflage, and reduces the number of trailbreakers and reconnaissance parties required.
Advantages of snow; speed of patrol on skies and longer ranges possible. Holding capacity is the interaction with waxes and snow to minimize back sliding with out impeding forward motion. Changes with snow conditions different waxes are used. Carrying capacity when snow packed capacity improves movement is easier. Ice although it is firm it is slippery. In the woods snow softer Carrying capacity pourer than in open area. Also in wooded areas snow collects latter in winter and remains longer into spring. Movement from sun lighted to shaded areas is difficult because snow in lighted areas is wet and sticks to skies and snow shoes, then freezes in shaded areas. During break up periods i.e. Spring. Snow becomes slushy, danger of rust and corrosion is at its highest in Summer. At mid winter the lack of moisture in the air reduces this risk. During brake up and autumn drops in temperature at night and still in early morning makes movement easier. Sleds when run long distances build up heat on there skates; when sleds are stopped they may settle in snow and freeze in the ice. Should be parked on logs or unloaded and stood on end or side.
MT. slopes easy to travel in summer can be difficult in winter. Sleet on rocks can quickly transform trail into difficult route. Rock falls almost always localized on certain part of the face of a peak in gullies or couloirs making natural funnels. Routes which cling to a ridge (military crest) are immune. (Sinai) Rock slides and avalanches are not as common as in high cold mountains. Whenever a rock is kicked loose, personnel in area can immediately lean into the cliff to reduce their exposure, and do not look up. Personnel farther away may look up to determine where the rock is heading and seek cover behind an obstacle. Lacking cover, personnel should move out of its path to the left or right. If a Marine slips or stumbles he must immediately self-arrest, roll over onto stomach with his legs downhill, digging into the slope with hands, elbows, knees and toes. With steep terrain, of solid ground, (rock or ice) use the ice ax for self-arrest. Also used as a third point of contact on difficult terrain. If not in use the ice ax is carried in or on the rucksack with its head down and secured. The character of rocks; Dolomite or Granite of the Aiguilles of Chamonix is very secure. Sandstone and shale of the Canadian Rockies very unstable. Rock most likely to fall when ice of previous night melts in morning sunlight, Eastern slopes first.
In MT. travel is difficult on snow shoes. Continuous traffic packs snow and may allow movement on foot, with out skies or shoes. Infantry may utilize tracks made by armor. Marines on skies can be towed but not with shoes. On shoes mobility restored to point approaching foot traffic on hard ground.
(Reference, PCP, rule # 4/5 skis)
Assent of MT. start from camp located at snow line or above, early as possible in morning several hours before sunrise. Marines roped together as soon as unit reaches the ne’ve (firn) of glaciers. Most experienced leads, least in the middle. If soft snow is found or much step cutting in ice is necessary each Marine relieves the other as leader. Pace is slow enough that no one gasps for breath. At low altitude strong unit can average 2000 feet per hour vertically. Can be as slow as 100 feet per hour with lots of step cutting or on rocks. Rope always kept taunt between Marines. Spikes driven in by leader as high as can be reached. Snap ring emplaced, rope fed threw and then haul others up. Halts made rarely at low altitudes, every two hours at high elevations. Crossing wide snow fields, willow wands may be set. Stone cairns may be erected at strategic points on rocks. On descent strongest man at stern for holding Marines that fall. At difficult points on the descent even more than on the ascent the rope is belayed about a projection (piece of rock) or ice axes, wedged in to rocks. Only one man moves at a time. At very difficult points during descent units may descend en rappel. Fatigue or feeling of relaxation makes for carelessness, more accidents happen during descent. At least 3 Marines per unit, smaller the party less delay crossing difficult terrain, when only one at a time may cross. With out 3 rescue of one becomes difficult. The weak link is very important, in gauging units’ abilities. When vehicle patrols are stopped (weather to turn engines off or not) Herringbone maneuver, column splits into two one each side facing out. Two vehicles forward one each lane to block traffic, two vehicles move to stern.
CLIMBING
The margin of safety is a protective buffer the climber places between himself and potential climbing hazards. Both subjective (personnel-related) and objective (environmental) hazards must be considered when applying the margin of safety. The leader must apply the margin of safety taking into account the strengths and weaknesses of the entire team or unit.
Rock climbing can leave the climbing party totally exposed to weather, terrain hazards, and the enemy for the length of the climb. Sometimes steep rock cannot be avoided. Climbing relatively short sections of steep rock (one or two pitches) may prove quicker and safer than using alternate routes. A steep rock route would normally be considered an unlikely avenue of approach and, therefore, might be weakly defended or not defended at all.
Approach Observations for route selection.
Watch the mountain during the approach march, studying it for climbing routes. Distant views can reveal large-scale patterns of ridges, cliffs, snowfields and glaciers. General angles of the large rock masses can be seen from afar. Most features (patterns and angles) repeat themselves at increasingly finer levels (smaller scale), as they are generally derived from the overall structure of the particular mountain group. A basic knowledge of mountain geology, combined with the specific geological background of the operational area, pays off in more efficient travel. Experienced climbers learn to climb with the "eyes." before getting on the rock, study all possible routes, or "lines," to the top. Noting fault lines, gross bedding planes of rock, cliff bands, and crevasse zones. Snowy or vegetated ledge systems. Note any larger ledges or benches for resting places. Weaknesses in the mountain walls, such as couloirs or gullies. Looking for cracks, ledges, nubbins, and other irregularities in the rock used for footholds and handholds, mentally climb the route, rehearsing the step-by-step sequence of movements required.
SPOTTING
A "top-rope" belay can be used for safety, allowing the individual to increase the length and difficulty of the climb under the protection of the climbing rope.
Personnel not climbing can act as "otters" for those climbing. Spotting is a technique used to add a level of safety to climbing without a rope. A second man stands below and just outside of the climbers fall path and helps (spots) the climber to land safely if he should fall. The spotter should not catch but pushes the climber against the rock.
CLIMBING TECHNIQUE
A variety of techniques are used to climb different types of rock formations. These techniques can be thought of as a combination of the balanced movement required to walk a tightrope and the used to ascend a ladder. No mountaineering equipment is required; however, the techniques are also used in roped climbing.
Climbing involves linking together a series of movements based on foot and hand placement, weight shift, and movement. When this series of movements is combined correctly, smooth climbing which reduces excess force results. The basic principle is based on the five body parts described here. The right hand, left hand, right foot, left foot, and body (trunk). The basic principle is to move only one at a time. The trunk is not moved in conjunction with a foot or hand, a hand is not moved in conjunction with a foot, and so on. Following this simple technique forces both legs to do all the lifting simultaneously.
Body position is the single most important element. The body should be near vertical with the weight centered over feet. Leaning in towards the rock will cause the feet to push outward, away from the rock, resulting in a loss of friction between the boot sole and rock surface. A relaxed, comfortable stance is essential. The legs are straight, bent legs and tense muscles tire quickly. The heels are kept low to reduce fatigue. Strained muscles may vibrate uncontrollably. AKA "Elvis-ing" it is cured by straightening the leg, lowering the heel. The hands are used to maintain balance. Keeping the hands between waist and shoulder level will reduce arm fatigue.
Whenever possible, three points of contact are maintained with the rock. Proper positioning of the hips and shoulders is critical. When using two footholds and one handhold, the hips and shoulders should be centered over both feet. In most cases, as the climbing progresses, the body is resting on one foot with two handholds for balance. The hips and shoulders must be centered over the support foot to maintain balance, allowing the "free" foot to maneuver.
The angle or steepness of the rock also determines how far away from the rock the hips and shoulders should be. On low-angle slopes, the hips are moved out away from the rock to keep the body in balance with the weight over the feet. The shoulders can be moved closer to the rock to reach handholds. On steep rock, the hips are pushed closer to the rock. The shoulders are moved away from the rock by arching the back. The body is still in balance over the feet and the eyes can see where the hands need to go. Sometimes, when footholds are small, the hips are moved back to increase friction between the foot and the rock. This is normally done on quick, intermediate holds. It should be avoided in the rest position as it places more weight on the arms and hands. When weight must be placed on handholds, the arms should be kept straight to reduce fatigue.
Performing these steps in this exact order will not always be necessary because the nature of the route will dictate the availability of hand and foot placements. The basic steps are weight, shift, and movement (movement being either the foot, hand, or body). (A typical climbing sequence is shown in Figure 6-3.)
The trunk does not move during foot movement. Shift the weight from both feet to one foot. Feet placed within one to two feet of the starting position (higher placement will result in a potentially higher lift for the legs to make, creating more stress, and is called a high step) Shift the weight onto both feet. Lift the body into a new stance with both legs. Move one hand to a new position between waist and head height. During this movement, the trunk should be completely balanced in position and the removed hand should have no effect on stability.
Now the entire body is in a new position and ready to start the process again. Following these steps will prevent lifting with the hands and arms, which are used to maintain stance and balance. If both legs are bent, leg extension can be performed as soon as one foot has been moved. Hand movements can be delayed until numerous foot movements have been made, which not only creates shorter lifts with the legs, but may allow a better choice for the next hand movements because the reach will have increased.
When the angle of the rock increases, these movements become more critical. Holding or pulling the body into the rock with the arms and hands may be necessary as the angle increases (this is still not lifting with the arms). Many climbing routes have angles greater than ninety degrees (overhanging) and the arms are used to support partial body weight. The same technique applies even at those angles. Avoid climbing directly above or below other climbers. When personnel must climb at the same time, following the same line, a fixed rope should be installed.
Avoid moving on the knees and elbows. These bony portions of the limbs offer little friction and "feel" on the rock.
USE OF HOLDS
All jewelry should be removed from the fingers.
Avoid climbing with gloves on because of the decreased "feel" for the rock. The use of gloves in the training environment is especially discouraged, while their use in the mountains is often mandatory when it is cold. A thin polypropylene or wool glove is best for rock climbing, although heavier cotton or leather work gloves are often used for belaying.
Avoid grasping vegetation for handholds; the root systems can be shallow and will usually not support much weight.
The climber should check each hold before use, grab and tug on the hold to test it. Force can be applied in a direction that strengthens it. A loose nubbin might not be strong enough to support the climber's weight, but it may serve as an adequate handhold.
CLIMBING WITH THE FEET
It is true that solid handholds and a firm grip are needed in some combination techniques; however, even the most strenuous techniques require good footwork and a quick return to a balanced position over one or both feet.
The beginning climber will have a natural tendency to look up for handholds. Try to keep the hands low and train your eyes to look down for footholds. Even the smallest irregularity in the rock can support the climber once the foot is positioned properly and weight is committed to it.
Maximum Sole Contact. Maximum friction is obtained by placing as much of the boot sole on the rock as possible, leg muscles can also relax. (Figure 6-4) On some large holds, like bucket holds that extend deep into the rock, the entire foot cannot be used. The climber may not be able to achieve a balanced position if the foot is stuck too far underneath a bulge in the rock. In this case, placing only part of the foot on the hold may allow the climber to achieve a balanced stance. Remember to keep the heels low to reduce strain on the lower leg muscles.
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Edging. used where horizontal crack systems and other irregularities in the rock form small, well-defined ledges. The edge of the boot sole (usually, the inside edge) is used. Whenever possible, turn the foot sideways and use the entire inside edge. (Figure 6-5)
On smaller holds, edging with the toe, may be used. Use of the toe is most tiring because the heel is off the rock. Remember to keep the heel low to reduce fatigue. Curling and stiffening the toes in the boot increases support. A stronger position is usually obtained on small ledges by turning the foot at about a 45-degree angle, using the strength of the big toe and the ball of the foot. The stiffer the sole, the better the edging capability.
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Smearing. When footholds are too small to use a good edging technique, the ball of the foot can be "smeared" over the hold. The smearing technique requires the boot to adhere to the rock by deformation of the sole and by friction. The leg should be kept straight whenever possible. Rock climbing shoes are specifically designed to maximize friction for smearing; some athletic shoes also work well. (Figure 6-6)
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Jamming. Works on the same principal as chock placement. The foot is set into a crack in such a way that it "jams" into place, resisting a downward pull. The jamming technique is a specialized skill used to climb vertical or near vertical cracks. The technique is not limited to just wedging the feet; fingers, hands, arms, even the entire leg or body are all used in the jamming technique, depending on the size of the crack. The foot can be jammed in a crack in different ways. It can be inserted above a constriction and set into the narrow portion, or it can be placed in the crack and turned, like a camming device, until it locks in place. Some foot jams may be difficult to remove once weight has been committed to them, especially if a stiffer sole boot is used. The foot is less likely to get stuck when it is twisted or "cammed" into position. When removing the boot from a crack, reverse the way it was placed to prevent further constriction.
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USING THE HANDS
Exactly how and where to position the hands and arms depends on what holds are available, and what configuration will best support the current stance as well as the movement to the next stance. Selecting handholds between waist and shoulder level helps in different ways. Circulation in the arms and hands is best when arms are low. Secondly, there’s less tendency to "hang" on the arms when handholds are at shoulder level and below. Both of these contribute to a relaxed stance and reduce fatigue.
a. As the individual climbs, he continually repositions his hands and arms to keep the body in balance, with the weight centered over the feet. On lower-angled rock, he may simply need to place the hands up against the rock and extend the arm to maintain balance; just like using an ice ax as a third point of contact in mountain walking. Sometimes, he will be able to push directly down on a large hold with the palm of the hand. More often though, he will need to "grip" the rock and push or pull to maintain balance.
b. Beginners will undoubtedly place too much weight on the hands and arms. Think about ourselves climbing a ladder, our body weight is on our legs. Our hands grip, and our arms pull on each rung only enough to maintain our balance. Of course, as the size and availability of holds decreases, and the steepness of the rock approaches the vertical, more weight well be placed on the arms and handholds for brief moments. The key move quickly from smaller holds to the larger holds.
(1) Push Holds. rely on friction created when the hand is pushed against the rock. Most often a "downward pressure" on a ledge or nubbin. However, don’t limit push holds to applications of down pressure. Pushing sideways, and on occasion, even upward on less obvious holds can prove secure. Push holds often work best when used in combination with other holds. Pushing in opposite directions and "push-pull" combinations are excellent techniques.
(a) effective push holds don’t require the use of the entire hand. On smaller holds, the side of the palm, the fingers, or the thumb may be all that’s needed.
(b) Most push holds do not require much grip; however, friction might be increased by taking advantage of any rough surfaces or irregularities in the rock. Try squeezing, or "pinching," the rock between the thumb and fingers (see paragraph on pinch holds).
(2) Pull Holds. aka "cling holds," which are grasped and pulled upon, are the most widely used holds. Grip plays more of a role, therefore, it normally feels more secure to the climber than a push hold. Because of this feeling of security, pull holds are often overworked, and climbers have a tendency to hang from them. Avoid the "death grip" syndrome by climbing with the feet. (Figure 6-9)
(a) Like push holds, pressure on a pull hold can be applied straight down, sideways, or upward.
(b) Pulling sideways on vertical cracks can be very secure. There is less tendency to hang from "side-clings" and the hands naturally remain lower. The thumb can often push against one side of the crack, in opposition to the pull by the fingers, creating a stronger hold. Both hands can also be placed in the same crack, with the hands pulling in opposite directions. The number of possible combinations is limited only by the imagination.
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(c) Friction and strength of a pull hold can be increased by the way the hand grips the rock. Normally, the grip is stronger when the fingers are closed together; however, sometimes more friction is obtained by spreading the fingers apart and placing them between irregularities on the rock surface. On small holds, grip can often be improved by bending the fingers upward, forcing the palm of the hand to push against the rock. This helps to hold the finger tips in place and reduces muscle strain in the hand. Keeping the forearm up against the rock also allows the arm and hand muscles to relax more.
(d) Another technique that helps to strengthen a cling hold for a downward pull is to press the thumb against the side of the index finger, or place it on top of the index finger and press down. This hand configuration, known as a "ring grip," works well on smaller holds.
(3) Pinch Holds. Sometimes a small nubbin or protrusion in the rock can be "squeezed" between the thumb and fingers. Friction is applied by increasing the grip on the rock. Pinch holds are often overlooked by the novice climber because they feel insecure at first and cannot be relied upon to support much body weight. If the climber has his weight over his feet properly, the pinch hold will work well in providing balance. The pinch hold can also be used as a gripping technique for push holds and pull holds.
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(4) Jam Holds. Like foot jams, the fingers and hands can be wedged or cammed into a crack. Cotton tape can be used to protect the fingertips, knuckles, and the back of the hand; however, tape also adds friction. Prolonged jamming technique should be avoided.
(a) An open hand or clenched fist can be inserted and wedged into a crack. Friction can be created by applying cross pressure between the fingers and the back of the hand. Another technique for vertical cracks is to place the hand in the crack with the thumb pointed either up or down. The hand is then clenched as much as possible. When the arm is straightened, it will twist the hand and tend to cam it into place. This combination of clenching and camming usually produces the most friction, and the most secure hand jam in vertical cracks.
(b) In smaller cracks, only the fingers will fit. Use as many fingers as the crack will allow. The fingers can sometimes be stacked in some configuration to increase friction. The thumb is usually kept outside the crack in finger jams and pressed against the rock to increase friction or create cross pressure. In vertical cracks it is best to insert the fingers with the thumb pointing down to make use of the natural camming action of the fingers that occurs when the arm is twisted towards a normal position. Note thumb up or down or tucked into palm.
(c) Jamming technique for large cracks, or "off widths," requiring the use of arm, leg, and body jams, is another technique. To jam or cam an arm, leg, or body into an off width, the principle is the same as for fingers, hands, or feet-you are making the jammed appendage "fatter" by folding or twisting it inside the crack. For off widths, you may place your entire arm inside the crack with the arm folded and the palm pointing outward. The leg can be used, from the calf to the thigh, and flexed to fit the crack. Routes requiring this type of climbing should be avoided as the equipment normally used for protection might not be large enough to protect larger cracks and openings. However, sometimes a narrower section may be deeper in the crack allowing the use of "normal" size protection.
6-10. COMBINATION TECHNIQUES
a. Sometimes, the climber may come upon a section of the rock that defies the basic principles of climbing. Many of these type problems require the hands and feet to work in opposition to one another. Most will place more weight on the hands and arms than is desirable, and some will put the climber in an "out of balance" position. To make the move, the climber may have to "break the rules" momentarily. The key to using combination techniques is to plan and execute them deliberately, without lunging or groping for holds, yet quickly, before muscles tire, good technique more than great strength.
(1) Change Step. The change step, or hop step, can be used when the climber needs to change position of the feet. It is commonly used when traversing to avoid crossing the feet. Two solid handholds should be used. Keeping the forearms against the rock during the maneuver takes some of the strain off the hands. The climber simply places his weight on his handholds while he repositions the feet. Often with a quick "hop," replacing the lead foot with the trail foot on the same hold.
(2) Mantling. can be used when the distance between holds increases and there are no immediate places to move the hands or feet. It does require a ledge (mantle) or projection in the rock that the climber can press straight down upon.
(a) When the ledge is above head height, mantling begins with pull holds, usually "hooking" both hands over the ledge. The climber pulls himself up until his head is above the hands, where the pull holds become push holds. He elevates himself until the arms are straight and he can lock the elbows to relax the muscles. Rotating the hands inward during the transition to push holds helps to place the palms more securely on the ledge. Once the arms are locked, a foot can be raised and placed on the ledge. The climber may have to remove one hand to make room for the foot. With the foot on the ledge, weight can be taken off the arms and the climber can grasp the holds that were previously out of reach. Once balanced over the foot, he can stand up on the ledge and plan his next move.
(b) Pure mantling uses arm strength to raise the body; however, the climber can often smear the balls of the feet against the rock and "walk" the feet up during the maneuver to take some of the weight off the arms.
(3) Undercling. a classic example of handholds and footholds working in opposition (Figure 6-13). Commonly used where the rock projects outward, forming a bulge or small overhang. Can be used in the tops of buckets, also. The hands are placed "palms-up" underneath the bulge, applying an upward pull. Increasing this upward pull creates a counterforce, or body tension, which applies more weight and friction to the footholds. The arms and legs should be kept as straight as possible to reduce fatigue. The climber can often lean back slightly in the undercling position, enabling him to see above the overhang better and search for the next hold.
(4) Lieback. another good example of the hands working in opposition to the feet. Often used in a vertical or diagonal crack separating two rock faces that come together at, more or less, a right angle (commonly referred to as a dihedral). The crack edge closest to the body is used for handholds while the feet are pressed against the other edge. The climber bends at the waist, putting the body into an L-shaped position. Leaning away from the crack on two pull holds, body tension creates friction between the feet and the hands. The feet must be kept relatively high to maintain weight, creating maximum friction between the sole and the rock surface. Either full sole contact or the smearing technique can be used, whichever produces the most friction.
(a) The climber ascends a dihedral by alternately shuffling the hands and feet upward. The lieback technique can be extremely tiring, especially when the dihedral is near vertical. The arms should be kept straight throughout the entire maneuver so the climber's weight is pulling against bones and ligaments, rather than muscle. The legs should be straightened whenever possible.
(b) Placing protection in a lieback is especially tiring. Look for edges or pockets for the feet in the crack or on the face for a better position to place protection from, or for a rest position. Often, a lieback can be avoided with closer examination of the available face features. The lieback can be used alternately with the jamming technique, or vice versa, for variation or to get past a section of a crack with difficult or nonexistent jam possibilities. The lieback can sometimes be used as a face maneuver (Figure 6-14).
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(5) Stemming. When the feet work in opposition from a relatively wide stance, the maneuver is known as stemming. Sometimes used on faces, as well as in a dihedral in the absence of solid handholds for the lieback (Figure 6-15).
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(a) The classic example of stemming is when used in combination with two opposing push holds in wide, parallel cracks, known as chimneys. Chimneys are cracks in which the walls are at least 1 foot apart and just big enough to squeeze the body into. Friction is created by pushing outward with the hands and feet on each side of the crack. The climber ascends the chimney by alternately moving the hands and feet up the crack (Figure 6-16). Applying pressure with the back and bottom is usually necessary in wider chimneys. Usually, full sole contact of the shoes will provide the most friction, although smearing may work best in some instances. Chimneys that do not allow a full stemming position can be negotiated using the arms, legs, or body as an integral contact point. This technique will often feel more secure since there is more body to rock contact.
Figure 6-16. Chimney sequence (continued).
(b) The climber can sometimes rest by placing both feet on the same side of the crack, forcing the body against the opposing wall. The feet must be kept relatively high up under the body so the force is directed sideways against the walls. The arms should be straightened with the elbows locked whenever possible. The climber must ensure that the crack does not widen beyond the climbable width before committing to the maneuver.
(6) Slab Technique. A slab is a relatively smooth, low-angled rock formation that requires a slightly modified climbing technique (Figure 6-17). Since slab rock normally contains few, if any holds, the technique requires maximum friction and perfect balance over the feet.
(a) On lower-angled slab, the climber can often stand erect and climb using full sole contact. On steeper slab, the climber will need to apply good smearing technique. The climber will have to flex the ankles and knees so his weight is placed more directly over the balls of the feet. He may then have to bend at the waist to place the hands on the rock, while keeping the hips over his feet.
(b) The climber must pay attention to any changes in slope angle and adjust his body accordingly. Even the slightest change in the position of the hips over the feet can mean the difference between a good grip or a quick slip. The climber should also take advantage of any rough surfaces, or other irregularities.
(7) Down Climbing. Descending steep rock is normally performed using a roped method; however, the climber may at some point be required to down climb a route. Down climbing easier terrain is often quicker than taking the time to rig a rappel point. Also, a climber might find himself confronted with difficulties part way up a route that exceed his climbing ability, or the abilities of others to follow.
1. Down climbing can inadvertently lead into an unforeseen dangerous position on a descent. When in doubt, use a roped descent.
2. Down climbing is accomplished at a difficulty level well below the ability of the climber.
(a) On easier terrain, the climber can face outward, away from the rock, enabling him to see the route better and descend quickly. As the steepness and difficulty increase, he can often turn sideways, still having a good view but being better able to use the hands and feet on the holds available. On the steepest terrain, the climber will have to face the rock and down climb using good climbing techniques.
(b) Down climbing is usually more difficult than ascending a given route. Some holds will be less visible when down climbing, and slips are more likely to occur. The climber must often lean well away from the rock to look for holds and plan his movements. More weight is placed on the arms and handholds at times to accomplish this, as well as to help lower the climber to the next foothold. Hands should be moved to holds as low as waist level to give the climber more range of movement with each step. If the handholds are too high, he may have trouble reaching the next foothold. The climber must be careful not to overextend himself, forcing a release of his handholds before reaching the next foothold.
Do not drop from good handholds to a standing position. A bad landing could lead to injured ankles or a fall beyond the planned landing area.
(c) Descending slab formations can be especially tricky. The generally lower angle of slab rock may give the climber a false sense of security, and a tendency to move too quickly. Down climbing must be slow and deliberate, as in ascending, to maintain perfect balance and weight distribution over the feet.
(d) On steeper slab, the climber will normally face the rock and down climb, using the same smearing technique as for ascending. An alternate method for descending slab is to face away from the rock in a "crab" position (Figure 6-18). Weight is still concentrated over the feet, but may be shifted partly onto the hands to increase overall friction. The climber is able to maintain full sole contact with the rock and see the entire descent route. Allowing the buttocks to "drag behind" on the rock will decrease the actual weight on the footholds, reducing friction, and leading to the likelihood of a slip. Facing the rock, and down-climbing with good smearing technique, is usually best on steeper slab.
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MOUNTAIN WALKING TECHNIQUES
BASIC PRINCIPLES
Up scree or talus, through boulder fields or steep wooded mountainsides, over snow or grass-covered slopes, the basic principles of mountain walking remain the same.
a. The soldier’s weight is centered directly over the feet. He places his foot flat on the ground to obtain as much (boot) sole-ground contact as possible. Then, he places his foot on the uphill side of grass tussocks, small talus and other level spots to avoid twisting the ankle and straining the Achilles tendon. He straightens the knee after each step to allow for rest, and takes moderate steps at a steady pace. An angle of ascent or descent that is too steep is avoided, and any indentations in the slope are used to advantage.
b. pace is adapted to conditions. Set a tempo, or number of steps per minute, according to the pace of the unit. (Physical differences mean that the tempos of two people moving at the same speed will not always be the same.) The soldier maintains tempo and compensates for changes of slope or terrain by adjusting the length of his stride. Tempo, pace, and rhythm are enhanced when an interval of three to five paces is kept between individuals. This interval helps lessen the "accordion" effect of people at the end of the file who must constantly stop and start.
c. The terrain, weather, and light conditions affect the rate of climb.
d. When a moderate pace is set, the need for rest halts decreases, the chance of personnel overheating is lessened, and a unit can cover a given distance in a minimal time. Moving too fast, produces early fatigue, requires more rest halts resulting in loss of climbing time. Rest, good nutrition and hydration, acclimatization, are key to successful mountain operations.
If possible, rests should be taken on level ground avoiding steeper inclines.
(1) During the first half-hour of movement an adjustment halt should be taken. Soldiers will loosen or tighten bootlaces as needed, adjust packs and add or remove appropriate layers of clothing.
(2) Following the first halt, a well-conditioned party may take a short rest every 1 to 1.5 hours. If possible, soldiers lean against a tree, rock, or hillside to relieve the shoulders of pack weight, breathe deeply, hydrate, and snack on trail food. These halts are kept short enough to avoid muscles stiffening (one to two minutes).
(3) Later in the march longer halts may be necessary due to fatigue. At these halts soldiers should immediately put on additional clothing to avoid chilling—it is much easier to keep a warm body warm than to warm up a cold one.
e. The rest step is used for steep slopes, snowfields, and higher elevations. It controls pace and limits fatigue by giving the lungs and legs a moment to recuperate between steps. Pace is kept slow and rhythmic.
(1) After each step forward, the soldier pauses briefly, relaxing the muscles of the forward leg while resting his entire bodyweight on the stern leg. The rear leg is kept straight with the knee locked so that bone, not muscle, supports the weight.
(2) Breathing is synchronized with the rest step. The number of breaths per step will change depending on the difficulty of the climb. Steeper slopes or higher elevations may require several breaths per step. When the air thins at altitude it is especially important to breathe deeply, using the "pressure breathing" technique. The soldier exhales strongly, enabling an easier, deeper inhale.
(3) This slow, steady, halting rest step is more efficient than spurts of speed, which are rapidly exhausting and require longer recovery.
f. Downhill walking uses less energy than uphill but is much harder on the body. Stepping down can hammer the full bodyweight onto the feet and legs. Blisters and blackened toenails, knee damage, and back pain may follow. To avoid these problems the soldier should start by tightening bootlaces and keep toenails trimmed. A ski pole, ice ax, or walking stick will help. (Refer to Chapter 11 for techniques and use of the ice ax.) Keep a moderate pace and walk with knees flexed to absorb shock.
g. Side hill travel on any surface should be avoided. Weighted down with a rucksack, the soldier is vulnerable to twisted ankles, back injury, and loss of balance. If side hill travel is necessary, try to switchback periodically, and use any lower angle flat areas such as rocks, animal trails, and the ground above grass or brush clumps to level off the route.
8-2. TECHNIQUES
Mountain walking techniques can be divided according to the general formation, surface, and ground cover such as walking on hard ground, on snow slopes and grassy slopes, through thick brush, and on scree and talus slopes.
a. Hard Ground. When ascending, employ the rest step to rest the leg muscles. Steep slopes can be traversed rather than climbed straight up. To turn at the end of each traverse, the soldier should step off in the new direction with the uphill foot. This prevents crossing the feet and possible loss of balance. While traversing, the full sole-to-ground principle is accomplished by rolling the ankle downhill on each step. For small stretches the herringbone step may be used—ascending straight up a slope with toes pointed out. A normal progression, as the slope steepens, would be from walking straight up, to a herringbone step, and then to a traverse on the steeper areas.
(2) Descending is best done by walking straight down the slope without traversing. The soldier keeps his back straight and bends at the knees to absorb the shock of each step. Body weight is kept directly over the feet and the full boot sole is placed on the ground with each step. Walking with a slight forward lean and with the feet in a normal position make the descent easier.
b. Snow Slopes. Snow-covered terrain can be encountered throughout the year above 1,500 meters in many mountainous areas. For ascending and descending moderate snow slopes are similar to walking on hard ground with some exceptions.
(1) Diagonal Traverse Technique. The most efficient means to ascend snow, in conjunction with the ice ax it provides balance and safety. This technique is a two-step sequence. The basic rest step, placing the leading (uphill) foot above and in front of the trailing (downhill) foot, and weighting the trail leg. This is the in-balance position. The ice ax, held in the uphill hand, is placed in the snow above and to the front. The soldier shifts his weight to the leading (uphill) leg and brings the unweighted trail (downhill) foot ahead of the uphill foot. He shifts weight to the forward (downhill) leg and then moves the uphill foot up and places it out ahead of the trail foot, returning to the in-balance position. At this point the ax is moved forward in preparation for the next step.
(2) Step Kicking. A basic technique used when crampons are not worn. It is best used on moderate slopes when the snow is soft enough to leave clear footprints. On softer snow the soldier swings his foot into the snow, allowing the leg’s weight and momentum to carve the step. Fully laden soldiers will need to kick steps, which take half of the boot. The steps should be angled slightly into the slope for added security. Succeeding climbers will follow directly in the steps of the trailbreaker, each one improving the step as he ascends. Harder snow requires more effort to kick steps, and they will not be as secure. The soldier may need to slice the step with the side of his boot and use the diagonal technique to ascend.
(3) Descending Snow. If the snow is soft and the slope gentle, simply walk straight down. Harder snow or steeper slopes call for the plunge step, which must be done in a positive, aggressive manner. The soldier faces out, steps off, and plants his foot solidly, driving the heel into the snow while keeping his leg straight. He shifts his weight to the new foot plant and continues down with the other foot. On steeper terrain it may be necessary to squat on the weighted leg when setting the plunge step. The upper body should be kept erect or canted slightly forward.
Tips on Snow Travel.
(a) Often the best descent is on a different route than the ascent. When looking for a firmer travel surface, watch for dirty snow—this absorbs more heat and thus hardens faster than clean snow.
(b) In the Northern Hemisphere, slopes with southern and western exposures set up earlier in the season and quicker after storms, but are more prone to avalanches in the spring. These slopes generally provide firm surfaces while northern and eastern exposures remain unconsolidated.
(c) Travel late at night or early in the morning is best if daytime temperatures are above freezing and the sun heats the slopes. The night’s cold hardens the snow surface.
(d) Avoid walking on snow next to logs, trees, and rocks as the subsurface snow has melted away creating hidden traps.
c. Grassy Slopes, are usually composed of small tussocks of growth rather than one continuous field.
(1) When ascending, step on the upper side of each hummock or tussock, where the ground is more level.
(2) When descending a grassy slope, the traverse technique should be used because of the uneven nature of the ground. A climber can easily build up too much speed and fall if a direct descent is tried. The hop-skip step can be useful on this type of slope. In this technique, the lower leg takes all of the weight, and the upper leg is used only for balance. When traversing, the climber’s uphill foot points in the direction of travel. The downhill foot points about 45 degrees off the direction of travel (downhill). This maintains maximum sole contact and prevents possible downhill ankle roll-out.
Note:
Wet grass can be extremely slippery; be aware of ground cover conditions.
d. Thick Brush is both a help and a hindrance. Brush-filled gullies can provide routes and rally points concealed from observation; on the other hand steep brushy terrain is hazardous to negotiate. Cliffs and steep ravines are hidden traps, and blow downs and thickets can obstruct travel. When brush must be negotiated take the most direct route across the obstacle; look for downed timber to use as bridges through the obstacle; or create a tunnel, standing on lower branches and using upper limbs for support.
e. Scree Slopes. Slopes composed of the smallest rocks are called scree slopes. Scree varies in size from the smallest gravel to about the size of a man’s fist.
(1) Ascending scree slopes is difficult and tiring and should be avoided, if possible. All principles of ascending hard ground and snow apply, but each step is carefully chosen so that the foot does not slide down when weighted. This is done by kicking in with the toe of the upper foot (similar to step-kicking in snow) so that a step is formed in the loose scree. After determining that the step is stable, weight is transferred to the upper leg, the soldier then steps up and repeats the process with the lower foot.
(2) The best method for descending scree slopes is to come straight down the slope using a short shuffling step with the knees bent, back straight, feet pointed downhill, and heels dug in. When several climbers descend a scree slope together, they should be as close together as possible (one behind the other at single arm interval) to prevent injury from dislodged rocks. When the bottom of the slope (or run out zone) cannot be seen, use caution because drop-offs may be encountered.
(3) Scree slopes can be traversed using the ice ax as a third point of contact. Always keep the ax on the uphill side. When the herringbone or diagonal method is used to ascend scree, the ax can be used placing both hands on the top and driving the spike into the scree slope above the climber. The climber uses the ax for balance as he moves up to it, and then repeats the process.
f. Talus Slopes, composed of rocks larger than a man’s fist. When ascending or descending, in talus climbers should always step on the uphill side of rocks and stay alert for movement underfoot. Disturbing unstable talus can cause rockslides. Climbers must stay in close columns while walking through talus so that dislodged rocks do not reach dangerous speeds before reaching lower soldiers. To prevent rock fall injuries, avoid traversing below other climbers. All other basics of mountain walking apply.
MOVEMENT OVER SNOW AND ICE
10-1. MOVEMENT OVER SNOW
On steep slopes in deep snow, the climber may climb straight up facing the slope. The ice ax shaft, driven directly into the snow, provides a quick and effective self-belay in case of a slip—the deeper the shaft penetrates the snow, the better the anchor (Figure 10-1). It is usually best, however, to climb snow-covered slopes in a traversing fashion in order to conserve energy, unless there is significant avalanche danger.
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a.The progression from walking on flat terrain to moving on steep terrain is the same as for moving over snow-free terrain. If the snow is packed the sole of the boot will generally hold by kicking steps, even on steep slopes. Where it is difficult to make an effective step with the boot, a cut made with the adze of the ice ax creates an effective step. In these situations crampons should be used for faster and easier movement.
A technique known as glissading may also be used as an easy method of descent and is covered in detail later in this chapter.
10-3. USE OF ICE AX AND CRAMPONS
Movement over snow and ice is almost impossible without an ice ax and or crampons.
a.Ice Ax. When walking on snow or ice, the ice ax can be used as a third point of contact.
(1) Cane Position. The ice ax can be used on gentle slopes as a walking stick or cane (Figure 10-2). The ax is held by the head with the spike down and the pick facing to the rear in preparation for self-arrest. When moving up or down gentle slopes the ice ax is placed in front as the third point of contact, and the climber moves toward it. When traversing, the ax is held on the uphill side, in preparation for a self-arrest.
Figure 10-2. Using the ice ax in the cane position.
(2) Cross Body Position or Port Arms Position. On steeper slopes the ax can be used in the port arms position, or cross body position (Figure 10-3). It is carried across the chest, upslope hand on the shaft, spike towards the slope. The head of the ax is held away from the slope with the pick to the rear in preparation for self-arrest. Ensure the leash is connected to the upslope hand, which allows the ax to be used in the hammer position on the upslope side of the climber. The spike, in this case, is used as an aid for maintaining balance.
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(3) Anchor Position. As the slope continues to steepen, the ax may be used in the anchor position (Figure 10-4). The head is held in the upslope hand and the pick is driven into the slope. The spike is held in the downhill hand and pulled slightly away from the slope to increase the "bite" of the pick into the ice. If the climber is wearing a harness, the pick can be deeply inserted in the ice or hard snow and the ax leash could be connected to the tie-in point on the harness for an anchor (ensure the ax is placed for the intended direction of pull).
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(4) Push-Hold Position. (Figure 10-5). The hand is placed on the shaft of the ax just below the head with the pick forward. The pick is driven into the slope at shoulder height. The hand is then placed on the top of the ax head for use as a handhold.
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(5) Dagger Position. Used to place a handhold above shoulder height (Figure 10-6). The hand grasps the head of the ax with the pick forward and the shaft hanging down. The ax is driven into the surface in a stabbing action. The hand is then placed on the ax head for use as a handhold.
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(6) Hammer Position. The ax is used like a hammer, sets the pick deepest in any snow or ice (Figure 10-7). On vertical or near-vertical sections, two axes used in the hammer position will often be required.
b. Crampons. Walking in crampons does present difficulties. The same mountain walking principles are used, except that when a leg is advanced it is swung in a slight arc around the fixed foot to avoid locking the crampons or catching them on clothing. The trousers should be bloused. All straps should be secured. The buckles should be located on the outside of each foot.
(1) Two methods of ascent are used on slopes: traversing and straight up.
(a) A traverse on ice or snow looks much like any mountain walking traverse, except that the ankles are rolled so that the crampons are placed flat on the surface (Figure 10-8). On snow the points penetrate easily; on ice the foot must be pressed or stamped firmly to obtain maximum penetration. At the turning points of a traverse, direction is changed with the uphill foot as in mountain walking.
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(b) A straight up method is for relatively short pitches, since it is more tiring than a traverse. The climber faces directly up the slope and walks straight uphill. As the slope steepens, the herringbone step is used to maintain the flatfoot technique. For short steep pitches, the climber may also face downslope, squatting so the legs almost form a 90-degree angle at the knees, driving the spike of the ice ax into the slope at hip level, and then moving the feet up to the ax (similar to the crab position). This method can be tiring.
(2) A technique known as "front-pointing" may be used for moving straight uphill (Figure 10-9). It is especially useful on steep terrain, in combination with the ice ax in the push-hold, dagger, or hammer position. Front-pointing is easiest with the use of more rigid mountain boots and rigid crampons. The technique is similar to doing calf raises on the tips of the toes and is much more tiring than flat-footing.
(a) The technique starts with the feet approximately shoulder width apart. When a step is taken the climber places the front points of the crampons into the ice with the toe of the boot pointing straight into the slope.
(b) When the front points have bitten into the ice the heel of the boot is lowered slightly so that the first set of vertical points can also bite. The body is kept erect, with the weight centered over the feet as in climbing on rock.
Figure 10-9. Front-pointing with crampons.
c. Vertical Ice. When a climb on ice reaches the 60- to 70-degree angle, two ice axes may be helpful, and will become necessary as the angle approaches 90 degrees. The same basic climbing techniques described in Chapter 6 should be applied. If leashes of the correct length and fit are attached to both axes, it may be possible to hang completely from the axes while moving the feet.
d. Descending with Crampons and Ice Ax. Whenever possible, descend straight down the fall line. As the slope steepens, gradually turn sideways; on steeper slopes, bend at the waist and knees as if sitting, keeping the feet flat to engage all vertical crampon points and keep the weight over the feet as in descending rock slab (Figures 10-10 and 10-11). On steep terrain, assume a cross body or port arms position with the ax, and traverse. Regardless of the technique used, always ensure the points of the crampons are inserted in the snow or ice and take short, deliberate steps to minimize the chance of tripping and falling down the slope.
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Normal Progression. The techniques can be used in any combination, dictated by the terrain and skill of the individual. A typical progression could be as follows:
(1) Crampons.
Walking as on flat ground.
Herringbone step straight up the slope.
Traverse with feet flat.
Backing up the slope (crab position).
Front-pointing.
(2) Ice Ax. Use the ice ax in these situations:
Cane position on flat ground.
Cane position on uphill side as slope steepens.
Port arms position with spike on uphill side.
Anchor position with pick on uphill side.
Push-hold position using front-pointing technique.
Dagger position using front-pointing technique.
Hammer position using front-pointing technique.
Climbing Sequence. (Figure 10-12). Begin by positioning the feet in a secure stance and placing the ax in the hammer position as high as possible. Slowly and carefully move the feet to higher positions alternately, and move the hand up the ax shaft. Repeat this until the hand is on top of the head of the ax. Remove the ax and place it at a higher position and begin again.
Figure 10-12. Climbing sequence.
f. Step Cutting. In ascending, steps may be cut straight up the slope, although a traverse will normally be adopted. In descending, a traverse is also the preferred method. When changing direction, a step large enough for both feet and crampons must be made. Once the step is formed, the adze is best used to further shape and clean the step.
(1) Snow. using the inside corner of the adze for cutting. fashion the step so that it slopes slightly inward and is big enough to admit the entire foot. Steps used for resting or for turning must be larger.
(2) Ice. Hard ice requires that the pick of the ax be used. Begin by directing a line of blows at right angles to the slope to make a fracture line along the base of the intended step. This technique will reduce the chance of an unwanted fracture in the ice breaking out the entire step. Next, chop above the fracture line to fashion the step. When using the pick it should be given an outward jerk as it is placed to prevent it from sticking in the ice.
(3) Step Cutting in a Traverse. When cutting steps in a traverse, the preferred cutting sequence is to cut one step at an arm's length from the highest step already cut, then cut one between those two. Cutting ahead one step then cutting an intermediate step keeps all of the steps relatively close to one another and maintains a suitable interval that all personnel can use.
(4) Handholds. If handholds are cut, they should be smaller than footholds, and angled more.
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g. Self-Arrest. The large number of climbers injured or killed while climbing on snow and ice can be attributed to two major failings on the part of the climber: climbing unroped, and a lack of knowledge and experience in the techniques necessary to stop, or arrest, a fall (Figure 10-14). A climber should always carry an ice ax when climbing on steep snow or ice; if a fall occurs, he must retain possession and control of his ice ax if he is to successfully arrest the fall. During movement on steep ice, the ax pick will be in the ice solidly before the body is moved, which should prevent a fall of any significance (this is a self belay not a self-arrest).
CAUTION
Self-arrest requires the ax pick to gradually dig in to slow the descent. Self-arrest is difficult on steep ice because the ice ax pick instantly "bites" into the ice, possibly resulting in either arm or shoulder injury, or the ax is deflected immediately upon contact.
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(1) A climber who has fallen may roll or spin; if this happens, the climber must first gain control of his body, whether it is with his ice ax or simply by brute force. Once the roll or spin has been controlled, the climber will find himself in one of four positions.
Head upslope, stomach on the slope, and feet pointed downslope.
Head upslope, back to the slope, and feet pointed downslope.
Head downslope, stomach on the slope, and feet pointed upslope.
Head downslope, back to the slope, and feet pointed upslope.
(2) To place the body in position to arrest from the four basic fall positions the following must be accomplished.
(a) In the first position, the body is in proper relation to the slope for an arrest.
(b) In the second position, the body must first be rotated from face up to face down on the slope. This is accomplished by rolling the body toward the head of the ax.
(c) In the third position, the pick of the ice ax is placed upslope and used as a pivot to bring the body into proper position.
(d) In the fourth position, the head of the ax must be driven into the snow to the climber's side. This will cause the body to rotate into a head up, stomach down position.
(3) The final position when the arrest of the fall is completed should be with the head upslope, stomach on the slope, with the feet pointed downslope. If crampons are not worn, the toe of the boots may be dug into the slope. The ax is held diagonally across the chest, with the head of the ax by one shoulder and the spike near the opposite hip. One hand grasps the head of the ax, with the pick pointed into the slope, while the other hand is on the shaft near the spike, lifting up on it to prevent the spike from digging into the slope.
Note:
If crampons are worn, the feet must be raised to prevent the crampons from digging into the snow or ice too quickly.
(4) When a fall occurs, the climber should immediately grasp the ax with both hands and hold it firmly as described above. Once sufficient control of the body is attained, the climber drives the pick of the ice ax into the slope, increasing the pressure until the fall is arrested. Raising the spike end of the shaft increases the biting action of the pick. It is critical that control of the ice ax be maintained at all times.
10-4. GLISSADING
Glissading is the intentional, controlled, rapid descent, or slide of a mountaineer down a steep slope covered with snow (Figure 10-15). Glissading is similar to skiing, except skis are not used. The same balance and control are necessary, but instead of skis the soles of the feet or the buttocks are used. The only piece of equipment required is an ice ax, which serves as the rudder, brake, and guide. The two basic methods are:
a.Squatting Glissade. accomplished by placing the body in a semi-crouched position with both knees bent and the body weight directly over the feet. The ice ax is grasped with one hand on the head, pick, and adze outboard (away from the body), and the other hand on the shaft. The hand on the shaft grips it firmly in a position that allows control as well as the application of downward pressure on the spike of the ax.
b. Sitting Glissade. It is slower but easier to control. Sitting on the snow with the legs flat, and the heels and feet raised and pointed downslope. The ice ax is firmly grasped in the same manner, with the exception that the hand on the shaft must be locked against the hip for control.
c. Safety. Should never be attempted if the snow cover is thin or on a slope where the bottom cannot be seen, since drop-offs may exist out of view.
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ROPED CLIMBING
Class 4 and usually on class 5 terrain, ropes must be used.
TYING-IN TO THE CLIMBING ROPE
Some of the older methods of tying directly into the rope require minimal equipment and are relatively easy to inspect; however, they offer little support to the climber. Tying directly into the rope is perfectly safe for many roped party climbs used in training on lower-angled rock.
In some instances, such as on glaciers, rope team members can often move at the same time, relying on the security of a tight rope and "team arrest" techniques , but not on steep terrain. For the climbing rope to be of any value on steep rock climbs, the rope team must incorporate "belays" into the movement.
Belaying is a method of managing the rope in such a way that, if one person falls, the fall can be halted or "arrested" by another rope team member (belayer). One person climbs at a time, while being belayed from above or below by another. The belayer manipulates the rope so that friction, or a "brake," can be applied to halt a fall. Belay techniques are also used to control the descent of personnel and equipment on fixed rope installations, and for additional safety on rappels and stream crossings.
Setting up a belay remember the following key points:
Select the best possible terrain features for the position and use terrain to your advantage.
Use a well braced, sitting position whenever possible.
Aim and anchor the belay for all possible load directions.
Follow the "minimum" rule for belay anchors-2 for a downward pull, 1 for an upward pull.
Ensure anchor attachments are aligned, independent, and snug.
Stack the rope properly.
Choose a belay technique appropriate for the climbing.
Use a guide carabiner for rope control in all body belays.
Ensure anchor attachments, guide carabiner (if applicable), and rope running to the climber are all on the guidehand side.
The brake hand remains on the rope when belaying.
CAUTION
Never remove the brake hand from the rope while belaying. If the brake hand is removed, there is no belay.
The belay remains in place from the time the belayer commands "BELAY ON" until the climber commands "OFF BELAY."
PROCEDURE FOR MANAGING THE ROPE
A number of different belay techniques are used in modern climbing, ranging from the basic "body belays" to the various "mechanical belays," which incorporate some type of friction device.
a. Whether the rope is wrapped around the body, or run through a friction device, the procedure is basically the same. The belayer performs three basic functions: manipulate the rope to give the climber slack during movement, take up rope to remove excess slack, and apply the brake to halt a fall.
b. The belayer must maintain "total control" of the rope at all times. Meaning the brake hand is NEVER removed. When giving slack, the rope simply slides through the grasp of the brake hand, at times being fed to the climber with the other "feeling" or guide hand. Taking up rope, however, requires a certain technique to ensure the brake hand remains on the rope at all times. The following procedure describes how to take up excess rope and apply the brake in a basic body belay.
(1) Grasping the rope with both hands, place it behind the back and around the hips. The hand on the section of rope between the belayer and the climber would be the guide hand. The other hand is the brake hand.
(2) Take in rope with the brake hand until the arm is fully extended. The guide hand can also help to pull in the rope (Figure 6-21, step 1).
(3) Holding the rope in the brake hand, slide the guide hand out, extending the arm so the guide hand is father away from the body than the brake hand (Figure 6-21, step 2).
(4) Grasp both parts of the rope, to the front of the brake hand, with the guide hand (Figure 6-21, step 3).
(5) Slide the brake hand back towards the body (Figure 6-21, step 4).
(6) Repeat step 5 of Figure 6-21. The brake can be applied at any moment during the procedure. It is applied by wrapping the rope around the front of the hips while increasing grip with the brake hand (Figure 6-21, step 6).
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6-15. CHOOSING A BELAY TECHNIQUE
The choice between body belays and mechanical belays depends largely on equipment available and the amount of load, or fall force to be absorbed.
The basic body belay uses friction between the rope and the clothed body as the rope is pressured across the clothing. It is simple, requiring no special equipment. It gives the belayer the greatest "feel" for the climber, letting him know when to give slack or take up rope. Rope management is quick and easy and is effective when ropes become wet, stiff, and frozen. It will hold low to moderate impact falls well.
CAUTION
The belayer must ensure he is wearing adequate clothing and gloves to protect his body from rope burns.
(1) Sitting Body Belay. is the preferred position and most secure (Figure 6-22). The belayer sits facing the direction where the force of a fall will likely come from, using terrain to his advantage, brace both feet against the rock. It is best to sit in a slight depression, placing the buttocks lower than the feet, and straightening the legs for maximum support. When perfectly aligned, the rope running to the climber will pass between the belayer's feet. Sometimes, the belayer may not be able to sit facing the direction he would like, or both feet cannot be braced well. The leg on the "guide hand" side should then point towards the load. The belayer can also "straddle" a large tree or rock.
In snow or ice the position can be improved by digging depressions into the snow or ice for a seat and footholds.
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(2) Standing Body Belay. Used on smaller ledges where there is no room to sit (Figure 6-23). What appears at first to be a fairly unstable position can actually be quite secure when belay anchors are placed at or above shoulder height to support the stance when the force will be downward.
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(a) For a body belay to work effectively, the belayer must ensure that the rope runs around the hips properly, and remains there under load when applying the brake. The rope should run around the narrow portion of the pelvic girdle, just below the bony high points of the hips. If the rope runs too high, the force of a fall could injure the belayer's midsection and lower rib cage. If the rope runs too low, the load may pull the rope below the buttocks, dumping the belayer out of position.
The rope is clipped into a carabiner attached to the guide hand side of the seat harness (or bowline-on-a-coil). This "guide carabiner" helps keep the rope in place around the hips and prevents loss of control. (Figure 6-24).
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b. Mechanical Belay. Used whenever there is potential for the lead climber to take a severe fall. The holding power of a belay device is vastly superior to any body belay. However, rope management is more difficult to master.
(1) Munter Hitch. Requires only a rope and a carabiner (Figure 6-25). The Munter is actually a two-way friction hitch. The Munter hitch will flip back and forth through the carabiner as the belayer switches from giving slack to taking up rope. The carabiner must be large enough, and of the proper design, to allow this function. The locking pear-shaped carabiner, or pearabiner, is designed for the Munter hitch.
(a) The Munter hitch works exceptionally well as a lowering belay off the anchor. As a climbing belay, the carabiner should be attached to the front of the belayer's seat harness. The hitch is tied by forming a loop and a bight in the rope, attaching both to the carabiner. It's fairly easy to place the bight on the carabiner backwards, which forms an obvious, useless hitch. Put some tension on the Munter to ensure it is formed correctly, as depicted in the following illustrations.
(b) The Munter hitch will automatically "lock-up" under load as the brake hand grips the rope. The brake is increased by pulling the slack rope away from the body, towards the load. The belayer must be aware that flipping the hitch DOES NOT change the function of the hands. The hand on the rope running to the climber, or load, is always the guide hand.
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(2) Figure-Eight Device. A versatile piece of equipment and, though developed as a rappel device, has become widely accepted as an effective mechanical belay device (Figure 6-26). The advantage of any mechanical belay is friction required to halt a fall is applied on the rope through the device, rather than around the belayer's body. The device itself provides rope control for upward and downward pulls and excellent friction for halting severe falls. The main principle behind the figure-eight device in belay mode is the friction developing on the rope as it reaches and exceeds the 90-degree angle between the rope entering the device and leaving the device. As a belay device, the figure-eight works well for both belayed climbing and for lowering personnel and equipment on fixed-rope installations.
(a) As a climbing belay, a bight placed into the climbing rope is run through the "small eye" of the device and attached to a locking carabiner at the front of the belayer's seat harness. A short, small diameter safety rope is used to connect the "large eye" of the figure eight to the locking carabiner for control of the device. The guide hand is placed on the rope running to the climber. Rope management is performed as in a body belay. The brake is applied by pulling the slack rope in the brake hand towards the body, locking the rope between the device and the carabiner.
(b) As a lowering belay, the device is normally attached directly to the anchor with the rope routed as in rappelling.
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(3) Mechanical Camming Device. The mechanical camming device has an internal camming action that begins locking the rope in place as friction is increased. Unlike the other devices, the mechanical camming device can stop a falling climber without any input from the belayer. A few other devices perform similarly to this, but have no moving parts. Some limitations to these type devices are minimum and maximum rope diameters.
ESTABLISHING A BELAY
A belay can be established using either a direct or indirect connection. Each type has advantages and disadvantages. The choice will depend on the intended use of the belay.
a. Direct Belay. The direct belay removes any possible forces from the belayer and places this force completely on the anchor. Used often for rescue installations or to bring a second climber up to a new belay position in conjunction with the Munter hitch, the belay can be placed above the belayer's stance, creating a comfortable position and ease of applying the brake. Also, if the second falls or weights the rope, the belayer is not locked into a position. Direct belays provide no shock-absorbing properties from the belayer's attachment to the system as does the indirect belay; therefore, the belayer is apt to pay closer attention to the belaying process.
b. Indirect Belay. An indirect belay, the most commonly used, uses a belay device attached to the belayer's harness. This type of belay provides dynamic shock or weight absorption by the belayer if the climber falls or weights the rope, which reduces the direct force on the anchor and prevents a severe shock load to the anchor.
c. Belaying on Snow and Ice. The principles of belaying on ice and snow are the same as on rock. Generally, the high-force falls found in rock climbing are not present on snow and ice unless the pitch being climbed is extremely steep.
(1) Boot-Ax Belay. Can be useful in areas where the full length of the ice ax can penetrate the snow. The holding strength is directly related to the firmness of the snow and to the strength of the ice ax shaft. The shaft of the ax is tilted slightly uphill and jammed into the snow. The belayer places his uphill foot against the downhill side of the ax for support. A bight formed in the rope is placed over the boot and around the shaft of the ice ax. The brake is applied by wrapping the rope around the heel of the boot (Figure 10-20).
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(3) Munter Hitch. This belay technique is also used on snow and ice. When using the hitch off of the anchor, a two-point equalized anchor should be constructed as a minimum.
6-17. SETTING UP A BELAY
In rock climbing, climbers must sometimes make do with marginal protection placements along a route, but belay positions must be made as "bombproof" as possible. Additionally, the belayer must set up the belay in relation to where the fall force will come from. All belay positions are established with the anchor connection to the front of the harness. If the belay is correctly established, the belayer will feel little or no force if the climber falls or has to rest on the rope. Regardless of the actual belay technique used, five basic steps are required to set up a sound belay.
a. Select Position and Stance. Once the climbing line is picked, the belayer selects his position. It's best if the position is off to the side of the actual line, putting the belayer out of the direct path of a potential fall or any rocks kicked loose by the climber. The position should allow the belayer to maintain a comfortable, relaxed stance, as he could be in the position for a fairly long time. Large ledges that allow a well braced, sitting stance are preferred. Look for belay positions close to bombproof natural anchors.
b. Aim the Belay. Determine where the rope leading to the climber will run and the direction the force of a fall will likely come from. When a lead climber begins placing protection, the fall force on the belayer will be in some upward direction, and in line with the first protection placement. If this placement fails under load, the force on the belay could be straight down again. The belayer must aim his belay for all possible load directions, adjusting his position or stance when necessary. The belay can be aimed through an anchor placement to immediately establish an upward pull; however, the belayer must always be prepared for the more severe downward fall force in the event intermediate protection placements fail.
c. Anchor the Belay. For a climbing belay to be considered bombproof, the belayer must be attached to a solid anchor capable of withstanding the highest possible fall force. A solid natural anchor would be ideal, but more often the belayer will have to place pitons or chocks. A single artificial placement should never be considered adequate for anchoring a belay. The rule of thumb is to place two anchors for a downward pull and one anchor for an upward pull. The following key points also apply to anchoring belays.
(1) Each anchor must be placed in line with the direction of pull it is intended to support.
(2) Each anchor attachment must be rigged "independently" so a failure of one will not shock load remaining placements or cause the belayer to be pulled out of position.
(3) The attachment between the anchor and the belayer must be snug to support the stance. Both belayer's stance and belay anchors should absorb the force of a fall.
(4) It is best for the anchors to be placed relatively close to the belayer with short attachments. If the climber has to be tied-off in an emergency, say after a severe fall, the belayer can attach a Prusik sling to the climbing rope, reach back, and connect the sling to one of the anchors. The load can be placed on the Prusik and the belayer can come out of the system to render help.
(5) The belayer can use either a portion of the climbing rope or slings of the appropriate length to connect himself to the anchors. It's best to use the climbing rope whenever possible, saving the slings for the climb. The rope is attached using either figure eight loops or clove hitches. Clove hitches have the advantage of being easily adjusted. If the belayer has to change his stance at some point, he can reach back with the guide hand and adjust the length of the attachment through the clove hitch as needed.
(6) The anchor attachments should also help prevent the force of a fall from "rotating" the belayer out of position. To accomplish this, the climbing rope must pass around the "guide-hand side" of the body to the anchors. Sling attachments are connected to the belayer's seat harness (or bowline-on-a-coil) on the guide-hand side.
(7) Arrangement of rope and sling attachments may vary according to the number and location of placements. Follow the guidelines set forth and remember the key points for belay anchors; "in line", "independent", and "snug". Figure 6-27 shows an example of a common arrangement, attaching the rope to the two "downward" anchors and a sling to the "upward" anchor. Note how the rope is connected from one of the anchors back to the belayer. This is not mandatory, but often helps "line-up" the second attachment.
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d. Stack the Rope. Once the belayer is anchored into position, he must stack the rope to ensure it is free of twists and tangles that might hinder rope management in the belay.
(1) On small ledges, the rope can be stacked on top of the anchor attachments if there is no other place to lay it, but make sure to stack it carefully so it won't tangle with the anchored portion of the rope or other slings. The belayer must also ensure that the rope will not get tangled around his legs or other body parts as it "feeds" out.
(2) The rope should never be allowed to hang down over the ledge. If it gets caught in the rock below the position, the belayer may have to tie-off the climber and come out of the belay to free the rope. The final point to remember is the rope must be stacked "from the belayer's end" so the rope running to the climber comes off the "top" of the stacked pile.
The final step of the procedure is to attach the belay. With the rope properly stacked, the belayer takes the rope coming off the top of the pile, removes any slack between himself and the climber, and applies the actual belay technique. If using a body belay, ensure the rope is clipped into the guide carabiner.
(1) The belayer should make one quick, final inspection of his belay. If the belay is set up correctly, the anchor attachments, guide carabiner if applicable, and the rope running to the climber will all be on the "guide hand" side, which is normally closest to the rock (Figure 6-28). If the climber takes a fall, the force, if any, should not have any negative effect on the belayer's involvement in the system. The brake hand is out away from the slope where it won't be jammed between the body and the rock. The guide hand can be placed on the rock to help support the stance when applying the brake.
(2) When the belayer is satisfied with his position, he gives the signal, "BELAY ON!". When belaying the "second", the same procedure is used to set up the belay. Unless the belay is aimed for an upward pull, the fall force is of course downward and the belayer is usually facing away from the rock, the exception being a hanging belay on a vertical face. If the rope runs straight down to the climber and the anchors are directly behind the position, the belayer may choose to brake with the hand he feels most comfortable with. Anchor attachments, guide carabiner, and rope running to the climber through the guide hand must still be aligned on the same side to prevent the belayer from being rotated out of position, unless the belayer is using an improvised harness and the anchor attachment is at the rear.
VERBAL COMMANDS
ROPE TUG COMMANDS
Sometimes the loudest scream cannot be heard when the climber and belayer are far apart. This is especially true in windy conditions, or when the climber is around a corner, above an overhang, or at the back of a ledge. It may be necessary to use a series of "tugs" on the rope. To avoid any possible confusion with interpretation of multiple rope tug commands, use only one.
a. While a lead climb is in progress, the most important command is "BELAY ON." This command is given only by the climber when the climber is anchored and is prepared for the second to begin climbing. With the issue of this command, the second knows the climber is anchored and the second prepares to climb.
b. For a rope tug command, the leader issues three distinct tugs on the rope AFTER anchoring and putting the second on belay. This is the signal for "BELAY ON" and signals the second to climb when ready. The new belayer keeps slack out of the rope.
10-6. ROPED CLIMBING ON ICE AND SNOW
When crevasses are expected, a three-man rope team is recommended.
a.Tie-In Method. same as for rock climbing; however, when moving over snow-covered glaciers, the tie-in is modified slightly. (See paragraph 10-7, Movement on Glaciers, for more information).
Movement on gentle or moderate slopes all climbers move simultaneously. Normally the climbers move in single file using the steps created by the lead climber and improving them when necessary. The rope between the climbers should be fully extended and kept reasonably tight. Should any member fall, the other members immediately drop into a self-arrest position. On steeper slopes, the climbers use techniques as in rock climbing.
d. Fixed Ropes. Recommended for moving units through icefall areas on glaciers or other steep ice conditions. The procedures are basically the same as on rock with the exception that anchors need more attention, both in initial placement and in subsequent inspection, and steps may have to be cut to assist personnel.
In military mountaineering, the primary mission of a roped climbing team is to "fix" a route with some type of rope installation to assist movement of less trained personnel in the unit.
6-22. LEAD CLIMBING
A lead climb consists of a belayer, a leader or climber, rope(s), and webbing or hardware used to establish anchors or protect the climb. As he climbs the route, the leader emplaces "intermediate" anchors, and the climbing rope is connected to these anchors with a carabiner. These "intermediate" anchors protect the climber against a fall-thus the term "protecting the climb."
Note:
Intermediate anchors are commonly referred to as "protection," "pro," "pieces," "pieces of pro," "pro placements," and so on. For standardization within this publication, these specific anchors will be referred to as "protection;" anchors established for other purposes, such as rappel points, belays, or other rope installations, will be referred to as "anchors."
CAUTION
During all lead climbing, each climber in the team is either anchored or being belayed.
a. Lead climbing with two climbers is the preferred combination for movement on difficult terrain. Two climbers are at least twice as fast as three and are efficient for installing a "fixed rope," probably the most widely used rope installation in the mountains. A group of three climbers are typically used on moderate snow, ice, and snow-covered glaciers where the rope team can often move at the same time.
b. When the difficulty of the climbing is within the "leading ability" of both climbers, valuable time can be saved by "swinging leads." This is normally the most efficient method for climbing multipitch routes. The second finishes cleaning the first pitch and continues climbing, taking on the role of lead climber. The belayer simply adjusts his position, re-aiming the belay once the new leader begins placing protection. Swinging leads, or "leap frogging," should be planned before starting the climb so the leader knows to anchor the upper belay for both upward and downward pulls during the setup.
The leader must ensure the route is well within his ability and the ability of the second. The lead climber carries most of the climbing equipment in order to place protection along the route and set up the next belay. The leader must also ensure that the second has the necessary equipment, such as a piton hammer, nut tool, etc., to remove any protection that the leader may place.
(1) The leader is responsible for emplacing protection frequently enough and in such a manner that, in the event that either the leader or the second should fall, the fall will be neither long enough nor hard enough to result in injury. The leader must also ensure that the rope is routed in a way that will allow it to run freely through the protection placements, thus minimizing friction, or "rope drag".
(2) The other member of the climbing team, the belayer (sometimes referred to as the "second"), is responsible for belaying the leader, removing the belay anchor, and retrieving the protection placed by the leader between belay positions (also called "cleaning the pitch").
(3) Before the climb starts, the second will normally set up the first belay while the leader is arranging his rack. When the belay is ready, the belayer signals, "BELAY ON", affirming that the belay is "on" and the rope will be managed as necessary. When the leader is ready, he double checks the belay.
(4) While belaying, the second must pay close attention to the climber's every move, if he cannot see the climber, he must "feel" the climber through the rope. Unless told otherwise by the climber, the belayer can slowly give slack on the rope as the climber proceeds. The belayer should keep just enough slack in the rope so the climber does not have to pull it through the belay. If the climber wants a tighter rope, it can be called for.
(5) As the leader protects the climb, slack will sometimes be needed to place the rope through the carabiner (clipping), in a piece of protection above the tie-in point on the leaders harness. In this situation, the leader gives the command "SLACK". When the leader has completed the connection, or the clip, the command "TAKE ROPE" is given.
(6) The leader continues on the route until either a designated belay location is reached or he is at the end of or near the end of the rope. At this position, the leader sets an anchor, connects to the anchor and signals "OFF BELAY". The belayer prepares to climb by removing all but at least one of his anchors and secures the remaining equipment. The belayer remains attached to at least one anchor until the command "BELAY ON" is given.
The leader will assemble, or "rack," the necessary equipment onto his harness or onto slings around the head and shoulder. A typical leader "rack" consists of:
Six to eight small wired stoppers on a carabiner.
Four to six medium to large wired stoppers on a carabiner.
Assorted hexentrics, each on a separate carabiner.
SLCDs of required size, each on a separate carabiner.
Five to ten standard length runners, with two carabiners on each.
Two to three double length runners, with two carabiners on each.
Extra carabiners.
Nut tool.
Note:
The route chosen will dictate, to some degree, the necessary equipment. Members of a climbing team may need to consolidate gear to climb a particular route.
(2) The belayer and the leader both should carry many duplicate items while climbing.
Short Prusik sling.
Long Prusik sling.
Cordellette.
10 feet of 1-inch webbing.
20 feet of 1-inch webbing.
Belay device (a combination belay/rappel device is multifunctional).
Rappel device (a combination belay/rappel device is multifunctional).
Large locking carabiner (pear shape carabiners are multifunctional).
Extra carabiners.
Nut tool (if stoppers are carried).
Note:
If using an over the shoulder gear sling, place the items in order from smallest to the front and largest to the rear.
e. Leading a difficult pitch is the most hazardous task in roped climbing. The lead climber may be exposed to potentially long, hard falls and must exercise keen judgment in route selection, placement of protection, and routing of the climbing rope through the protection. The leader should try to keep the climbing line as direct as possible to the next belay to allow the rope to run smoothly through the protection with minimal friction. Protection should be placed whenever the leader feels he needs it, and BEFORE moving past a difficult section.
CAUTION
The climber must remember he will fall twice the distance from his last piece of protection before the rope can even begin to stop him.
Placing Protection. Generally, protection is placed from one stable position to the next. The anchor should be placed as high as possible to reduce the potential fall distance between placements. If the climbing is difficult, protection should be placed more frequently. If the climbing becomes easier, protection can be placed farther apart, saving hardware for difficult sections. On some routes an extended diagonal or horizontal movement, known as a traverse, is required. As the leader begins this type of move, he must consider the second's safety as well as his own. The potential fall of the second will result in a pendulum swing if protection is not adequate to prevent this. The danger comes from any objects in the swinging path of the second.
CAUTION
Leader should place protection prior to, during, and upon completion of any traverse. This will minimize the potential swing, or pendulum, for both the leader and second if either should fall.
(2) Correct Clipping Technique. Once an anchor is placed, the climber "clips" the rope into the carabiner (Figure 6-29). As a carabiner hangs from the protection, the rope can be routed through the carabiner in two possible ways. One way will allow the rope to run smoothly as the climber moves past the placement; the other way will often create a dangerous situation in which the rope could become "unclipped" from the carabiner if the leader were to fall on this piece of protection. In addition, a series of incorrectly clipped carabiners may contribute to rope drag. When placing protection, the leader must ensure the carabiner on the protection does not hang with the carabiner gate facing the rock; when placing protection in a crack ensure the carabiner gate is not facing into the crack.
Grasp the rope with either hand with the thumb pointing down the rope towards the belayer
Pull enough rope to reach the carabiner with a bight
Note the direction the carabiner is hanging from the protection
Place the bight into the carabiner so that, when released, the rope does not cause the carabiner to twist.
(a) If the route changes direction, clipping the carabiner will require a little more thought. Once leaving that piece of protection, the rope may force the carabiner to twist if not correctly clipped. If the clip is made correctly, a rotation of the clipped carabiner to ensure that the gate is not resting against the rock may be all that is necessary.
CAUTION
Ensure the carabiner gate is not resting against a protrusion or crack edge in the rock surface; the rock may cause the gate to open.
(b) Once the rope is clipped into the carabiner, the climber should check to see that it is routed correctly by pulling on the rope in the direction it will travel when the climber moves past that position.
(c) Another potential hazard peculiar to leading should be eliminated before the climber continues. The carabiner is attached to the anchor or runner with the gate facing away from the rock and opening down for easy insertion of the rope. However, in a leader fall, it is possible for the rope to run back over the carabiner as the climber falls below the placement. If the carabiner is left with the gate facing the direction of the route there is a chance that the rope will open the gate and unclip itself entirely from the placement. To prevent this possibility, the climber should ensure that after the clip has been made, the gate is facing away from the direction of the route. There are two ways to accomplish this: determine which direction the gate will face before the protection or runner is placed or once clipped, rotate the carabiner upwards 180 degrees. This problem is more apt to occur if bent gate carabiners are used. Straight gate ovals or "Ds" are less likely to have this problem and are stronger and are highly recommended. Bent gate carabiners are easier to clip the rope into and are used mostly on routes with bolts preplaced for protection. Bent gate carabiners are not recommended for many climbing situations.
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(3) Reducing Rope Drag; Using Runners. No matter how direct the route, the climber will often encounter problems with "rope drag" through the protection positions. The friction created by rope drag will increase to some degree every time the rope passes through a carabiner, or anchor. It will increase dramatically if the rope begins to "zigzag" as it travels through the carabiners. To prevent this, the placements should be positioned so the rope creates a smooth, almost straight line as it passes through the carabiners (Figure 6-30). Minimal rope drag is an inconvenience; severe rope drag may actually pull the climber off balance, inducing a fall.
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CAUTION
Rope drag can cause confusion when belaying the second or follower up to a new belay position. Rope drag can be mistaken for the climber, causing the belayer to not take in the necessary slack in the rope and possibly resulting in a serious fall.
(a) If it is not possible to place all the protection so the carabiners form a straight line as the rope moves through, you should "extend" the protection (Figure 6-31). Do this by attaching an appropriate length sling, or runner, to the protection to extend the rope connection in the necessary direction. The runner is attached to the protection's carabiner while the rope is clipped into a carabiner at the other end of the runner. Extending placements with runners will allow the climber to vary the route slightly while the rope continues to run in a relatively straight line.
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(b) Not only is rope drag a hindrance, it can cause undue movement of protection as the rope tightens between any "out of line" placements. Rope drag through chock placements can be dangerous. As the climber moves above the placements, an outward or upward pull from rope drag may cause correctly set chocks to pop out, even when used "actively". Most all chocks placed for leader protection should be extended with a runner, even if the line is direct to eliminate the possibility of movement.
(c) Wired chocks are especially prone to wiggling loose as the rope pulls on the stiff cable attachment. All wired chocks used for leader protection should be extended to reduce the chance of the rope pulling them out (Figure 6-32). Some of the larger chocks, such as roped Hexentrics and Tri-Cams, have longer slings pre-attached that will normally serve as an adequate runner for the placement. Chocks with smaller sling attachments must often be extended with a runner. Many of today's chocks are manufactured with pre-sewn webbing installed instead of cable.
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(d) When a correctly placed piton is used for protection, it will normally not be affected by rope drag. A correctly placed piton is generally a multi-directional anchor, therefore, rope drag through pitons will usually only affect the leader's movements but will continue to protect as expected.
(e) Rope drag will quite often move SLCDs out of position, or "walk" them deeper into the crack than initially placed, resulting in difficult removal or inability to remove them at all. Furthermore, most cases of SLCD movement result in the SLCD moving to a position that does not provide protection in the correct direction or no protection at all due to the lobes being at different angles from those at the original position.
Note:
Any placement extended with a runner will increase the distance of a potential fall by the actual length of the sling. Try to use the shortest runners possible, ensuring they are long enough to function properly.
f. Belaying the follower is similar to belaying a top-roped climb in that the follower is not able to fall any farther than rope stretch will allow. This does not imply there is no danger in following. Sharp rocks, rock fall, and inadequately protected traverses can result in damage to equipment or injury to the second.
g. Following, or seconding, a leader has a variety of responsibilities. The second has to issue commands to the leader, as well as follow the leader's commands. Once the lead climber reaches a good belay position, he immediately establishes an anchor and connects to it. When this is completed he can signal "OFF BELAY" to the belayer. The second can now remove the leader's belay and prepare to climb. The second must remain attached to at least one of the original anchors while the leader is preparing the next belay position. The removed materials and hardware can be organized and secured on the second's rack in preparation to climb.
(1) When the leader has established the new belay position and is ready to belay the follower, the "new" belayer signals "BELAY ON." The second, now the climber, removes any remaining anchor hardware/materials and completes any final preparations. The belayer maintains tension on the rope, unless otherwise directed, while the final preparations are taking place, since removal of these remaining anchors can introduce slack into the rope. When the second is ready, he can, as a courtesy, signal "CLIMBING," and the leader can, again as a courtesy, reply with "CLIMB."
(2) Upon signaling "BELAY ON," the belayer must remove and keep all slack from the rope. (This is especially important as in many situations the belayer cannot see the follower. A long pitch induces weight and sometimes "drag" on the rope and the belayer above will have difficulty distinguishing these from a rope with no slack.)
h. When removing protection, the man cleaning the pitch should rack it properly to facilitate the exchange and or arrangement of equipment at the end of the pitch. When removing the protection, or "cleaning the pitch", SLCDs or chocks may be left attached to the rope to prevent loss if they are accidentally dropped during removal. If necessary, the hardware can remain on the rope until the second reaches a more secure stance. If removing a piton, the rope should be unclipped from the piton to avoid the possibility of damaging the rope with a hammer strike.
(1) The second may need to place full body weight on the rope to facilitate use of both hands for protection removal by giving the command "TENSION." The second must also ensure that he does not climb faster than the rope is being taken in by the belayer. If too much slack develops, he should signal "TAKE ROPE" and wait until the excess is removed before continuing the climb. Once the second completes the pitch, he should immediately connect to the anchor. Once secured, he can signal "OFF BELAY." The leader removes the belay, while remaining attached to an anchor. The equipment is exchanged or organized in preparation for the next pitch or climb.
(2) When the difficulty of the climbing is within the "leading ability" of both climbers, valuable time can be saved by "swinging leads." This is normally the most efficient method for climbing multi-pitch routes. The second finishes cleaning the first pitch and continues climbing, taking on the role of lead climber. Unless he requires equipment from the belayer or desires a break, he can climb past the belay and immediately begin leading. The belayer simply adjusts his position, re-aiming the belay once the new leader begins placing protection. Swinging leads, or "leap frogging," should be planned before starting the climb so the leader knows to anchor the upper belay for both upward and downward pulls during the setup.
6-23. AID CLIMBING
When a route is too difficult to free climb and is unavoidable, if the correct equipment is available you might aid climb the route. Aid climbing consists of placing protection and putting full body weight on the piece. This allows you to hang solely on the protection you place, giving you the ability to ascend more difficult routes than you can free climb. Clean aid consists of using SLCDs and chocks, and is the simplest form of aid climbing.
a. Equipment. Aid climbing can be accomplished with various types of protection. Regardless of the type of protection used, the method of aid climbing is the same. In addition to the equipment for free climbing, other specialized equipment will be needed.
(1) Pitons. Pitons are used the same as for free climbing. Most piton placements will require the use of both hands. Piton usage will usually leave a scar in the rock just by virtue of the hardness of the piton and the force required to set it with a hammer. Swinging a hammer to place pitons will lead to climber fatigue sooner than clean aid. Since pitons are multidirectional, the strength of a well-placed piton is more secure than most clean aid protection. Consider other forms of protection when noise could be hazardous to tactics.
(2) Bolts. Bolts are used when no other protection will work. They are a more permanent form of protection and more time is needed to place them. Placing bolts creates more noise whether drilled by hand or by motorized drill. Bolts used in climbing are a multi-part expanding system pounded into predrilled holes and then tightened to the desired torque with a wrench or other tool. Bolts are used in many ways in climbing today. The most common use is with a hanger attached and placed for anchors in face climbing. However, bolts can be used for aid climbing, with or without the hanger.
(a) Placing bolts for aid climbing takes much more time than using pitons or clean aid. Bolting for aid climbing consists of consecutive bolts about 2 feet apart. Drilling a deep enough hole takes approximately thirty minutes with a hand drill and up to two minutes with a powered hammer drill. A lot of time and work is expended in a short distance no matter how the hole is drilled. (The weight of a powered hammer drill becomes an issue in itself.) Noise will also be a factor in both applications. A constant pounding with a hammer on the hand drill or the motorized pounding of the powered drill may alert the enemy to the position. The typical climbing bolt/hanger combination normally is left in the hole where it was placed.
(b) Other items that can be used instead of the bolt/hanger combination are the removable and reusable "spring-loaded removable bolts" such as rivets (hex head threaded bolts sized to fit tightly into the hole and pounded in with a hammer), split-shaft rivets, and some piton sizes that can be pounded into the holes. When using rivets or bolts without a hanger, place a loop of cable over the head and onto the shaft of the rivet or bolt and attach a carabiner to the other end of the loop (a stopper with the chock slid back will suffice). Rivet hangers are available that slide onto the rivet or bolt after it is placed and are easily removed for reuse. Easy removal means a slight loss of security while in use.
(3) SLCDs. SLCDs are used the same as for free climbing, although in aid climbing, full body weight is applied to the SLCD as soon as it is placed.
(4) Chocks. Chocks are used the same as for free climbing, although in aid climbing, weight is applied to the chock as soon as it is placed.
(5) Daisy Chains. Daisy chains are tied or presewn loops of webbing with small tied or presewn loops approximately every two inches. The small loops are just large enough for two or three carabiners. Two daisy chains should be girth-hitched to the tie-in point in the harness.
(6) Etriers (or Aiders). Etriers (aiders) are tied or presewn webbing loops with four to six tied or presewn internal loops, or steps, approximately every 12 inches. The internal loops are large enough to easily place one booted foot into. At least two etriers (aiders) should be connected by carabiner to the free ends of the daisy chains.
(7) Fifi Hook. A fifi hook is a small, smooth-surfaced hook strong enough for body weight. The fifi hook should be girth-hitched to the tie-in point in the harness and is used in the small loops of the daisy chain. A carabiner can be used in place of the fifi hook, although the fifi hook is simpler and adequate.
(8) Ascenders. Ascenders are mechanical devices that will move easily in one direction on the rope, but will lock in place if pushed or pulled the other direction. (Prusiks can be used but are more difficult than ascenders.)
b. Technique. The belay will be the same as in normal lead climbing and the rope will be routed through the protection the same way also. The big difference is the movement up the rock. With the daisy chains, aiders, and fifi hook attached to the rope tie-in point of the harness as stated above, and secured temporarily to a gear loop or gear sling, the climb continues as follows:
(1) The leader places the first piece of protection as high as can safely be reached and attaches the appropriate sling/carabiner
(2) Attach one daisy chain/aider group to the newly placed protection
(3) Clip the rope into the protection, (the same as for normal lead climbing)
(4) Insure the protection is sound by weighting it gradually; place both feet, one at a time, into the steps in the aider, secure your balance by grasping the top of the aider with your hands.
(5) When both feet are in the aider, move up the steps until your waist is no higher than the top of the aider.
(6) Place the fifi hook (or substituted carabiner) into the loop of the daisy chain closest to the daisy chain/aider carabiner, this effectively shortens the daisy chain; maintain tension on the daisy chain as the hook can fall out of the daisy chain loop if it is unweighted.
Note:
Moving the waist higher than the top of the aider is possible, but this creates a potential for a fall to occur even though you are on the aider and "hooked" close to the protection with the daisy chain. As the daisy chain tie-in point on the harness moves above the top of the aider, you are no longer supported from above by the daisy chain, you are now standing above your support. From this height, the fifi hook can easily fall out of the daisy chain loop if it is unweighted. If this happens, you could fall the full length of the daisy chain resulting in a static fall on the last piece of protection placed.
(7) Release one hand from the aider and place the next piece of protection, again, as high as you can comfortably reach; if using pitons or bolts you may need both hands free- "lean" backwards slowly, and rest your upper body on the daisy chain that you have "shortened" with the fifi hook
(8) Clip the rope into the protection
(9) Attach the other daisy chain/aider group to the next piece of protection
(10) Repeat entire process until climb is finished
c. Seconding. When the pitch is completed, the belayer will need to ascend the route. To ascend the route, use ascenders instead of Prusiks, ascenders are much faster and safer than Prusiks. Attach each ascender to a daisy chain/aider group with carabiners. To adjust the maximum reach/height of the ascenders on the rope, adjust the effective length of the daisy chains with a carabiner the same as with the fifi hook; the typical height will be enough to hold the attached ascender in the hand at nose level. When adjusted to the correct height, the arms need not support much body weight. If the ascender is too high, you will have difficulty reaching and maintaining a grip on the handle.
(1) Unlike lead climbing, there will be a continuous load on the rope during the cleaning of the route, this would normally increase the difficulty of removing protection. To make this easier, as you approach the protection on the ascenders, move the ascenders, one at a time, above the piece. When your weight is on the rope above the piece, you can easily unclip and remove the protection.
CAUTION
If both ascenders should fail while ascending the pitch, a serious fall could result. To prevent this possibility, tie-in short on the rope every 10-20 feet by tying a figure eight loop and clipping it into the harness with a separate locking carabiner as soon as the ascent is started. After ascending another 20 feet, repeat this procedure. Do not unclip the previous figure eight until the new knot is attached to another locking carabiner. Clear each knot as you unclip it.
Notes:
1.
Ensure the loops formed by the short tie-ins do not catch on anything below as you ascend.
2. If the nature of the rock will cause the "hanging loop" of rope, formed by tying in at the end of the rope, to get caught as you move upward, do not tie into the end of the rope.
(2) Seconding an aid pitch can be done in a similar fashion as seconding free-climbed pitches. The second can be belayed from above as the second "climbs" the protection. However, the rope is unclipped from the protection before the aider/daisy chain is attached.
d. Seconding Through a Traverse. While leading an aid traverse, the climber is hanging on the protection placed in front of the current position. If the second were to clean the section by hanging on the rope while cleaning, the protection will be pulled in more than one direction, possibly resulting in the protection failing. To make this safer and easier, the second should hang on the protection just as the leader did. As the second moves to the beginning of the traverse, one ascender/daisy chain/aider group is removed from the rope and clipped to the protection with a carabiner, (keep the ascenders attached to the daisy chain/aider group for convenience when the traverse ends). The second will negotiate the traverse by leapfrogging the daisy chain/aider groups on the next protection just as the leader did. Cleaning is accomplished by removing the protection as it is passed when all weight is removed from it. This is in effect a self-belay. The second maintains a shorter safety tie-in on the rope than for vertical movement to reduce the possibility of a lengthy pendulum if the protection should pull before intended.
e. Clean Aid Climbing. Clean aid climbing consists of using protection placed without a hammer or drill involvement: chocks, SLCDs, hooks, and other protection placed easily by hand. This type of aid climbing will normally leave no trace of the climb when completed. When climbing the aiders on clean aid protection, ensure the protection does not "move" from it's original position.
(1) Hooks are any device that rests on the rock surface without a camming or gripping action. Hooks are just what the name implies, a curved piece of hard steel with a hole in one end for webbing attachment. The hook blade shape will vary from one model to another, some have curved or notched "blades" to better fit a certain crystal shape on a face placement. These types of devices due to their passive application, are only secure while weighted by the climber.
(2) Some featureless sections of rock can be negotiated with hook use, although bolts can be used. Hook usage is faster and quieter but the margin of safety is not there unless hooks are alternated with more active forms of protection. If the last twenty foot section of a route is negotiated with hooks, a forty foot fall could result.
6-24. THREE-MAN CLIMBING TEAM
Often times a movement on steep terrain will require a team of more than two climbers, which involves more difficulties. A four-man team (or more) more than doubles the difficulty found in three men climbing together. A four-man team should be broken down into two groups of two unless prevented by a severe lack of gear.
a. Given one rope, a three-man team is at a disadvantage on a steep, belayed climb. It takes at least twice as long to climb an average length pitch because of the third climber and the extra belaying required. The distance between belay positions will be halved if only one rope is used because one climber must tie in at the middle of the rope. Two ropes are recommended for a team of three climbers.
Note:
Time and complications will increase when a three-man team uses only one rope. For example: a 100-foot climb with a 150-foot rope would normally require two belays for two climbers; a 100-foot climb with a 150-foot rope would require six belays for three climbers.
b. At times a three-man climb may be unavoidable and personnel should be familiar with the procedure. Although a team of three may choose from many different methods, only two are described below. If the climb is only one pitch, the methods will vary.
CAUTION
When climbing with a team of three, protected traverses will require additional time. The equipment used to protect the traverse must be left in place to protect both the second and third climbers.
(1) The first method can be used when the belay positions are not large enough for three men. If using one rope, two climbers tie in at each end and the other at the mid point. When using two ropes, the second will tie in at one end of both ropes, and the other two climbers will each tie in to the other ends. The most experienced individual is the leader, or number 1 climber. The second, or number 2 climber, is the stronger of the remaining two and will be the belayer for both number 1 and number 3. Number 3 will be the last to climb. Although the number 3 climber does no belaying in this method, each climber should be skilled in the belay techniques required. The sequence for this method (in one pitch increments) is as follows (repeated until the climb is complete):
(a) Number 1 ascends belayed by number 2. Number 2 belays the leader up the first pitch while number 3 is simply anchored to the rock for security (unless starting off at ground level) and manages the rope between himself and number 2. When the leader completes the pitch, he sets up the next belay and belays number 2 up.
(b) Number 2 ascends belayed by number 1, and cleans the route (except for traverses). Number 2 returns the hardware to the leader and belays him up the next pitch. When the leader completes this pitch, he again sets up a new belay. When number 2 receives "OFF BELAY" from the leader, he changes ropes and puts number 3 on belay. He should not have to change anchor attachments because the position was already aimed for a downward as well as an upward pull when he belayed the leader.
(c) Number 3 ascends belayed by number 2. When number 3 receives "BELAY ON," he removes his anchor and climbs to number 2's position. When the pitch is completed he secures himself to one of number 2's belay anchors. When number 1's belay is ready, he brings up number 2 while number 3 remains anchored for security. Number 2 again cleans the pitch and the procedure is continued until the climb is completed.
(d) In this method, number 3 performs no belay function. He climbs when told to do so by number 2. When number 3 is not climbing, he remains anchored to the rock for security. The standard rope commands are used; however, the number 2 climber may include the trailing climber's name or number in the commands to avoid confusion as to who should be climbing.
(d) Normally, only one climber would be climbing at a time; however, the number 3 climber could ascend a fixed rope to number 2's belay position using proper ascending technique, with no effect on the other two members of the team. This would save time for a team of three, since number 2 would not have to belay number 3 and could be either belaying number 1 to the next belay or climbing to number 1. If number 3 is to ascend a fixed rope to the next belay position, the rope will be loaded with number 3's weight, and positioned directly off the anchors established for the belay. The rope should be located so it does not contact any sharp edges. The rope to the ascending number 3 could be secured to a separate anchor, but this would require additional time and gear.
(2) The second method uses either two ropes or a doubled rope, and number 2 and number 3 climb simultaneously. This requires either a special belay device that accepts two ropes, such as the tuber type, or with two Munter hitches. The ropes must travel through the belay device(s) without affecting each other.
(a) As the leader climbs the pitch, he will trail a second rope or will be tied in with a figure eight in the middle of a doubled rope. The leader reaches the next belay position and establishes the anchor and then places both remaining climbers on belay. One remaining climber will start the ascent toward the leader and the other will start when a gap of at least 10 feet is created between the two climbers. The belayer will have to remain alert for differences in rope movement and the climbers will have to climb at the same speed. One of the "second" climbers also cleans the pitch.
(b) Having at least two experienced climbers in this team will also save time. The belayer will have additional requirements to meet as opposed to having just one second. The possible force on the anchor will be twice that of one second. The second that is not cleaning the pitch can climb off route, but staying on route will usually prevent a possible swing if stance is not maintained.
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(Reference, Step # 3, General phases of an attack, Phase one the attack and Phase two contact)
I'm going to see if this all post now before adding the "Conduct of engagements" section.
G-day!
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