Individual and Small Unit Rifle Tactics

[Michael K.]

http://www.military-sf.com/Tactics.htm

TACTICS

By William S. Frisbee Jr.

Tactics are of the utmost importance before and after the battle as well as during the battle. Proper tactics before the battle can give a warrior a critical edge when the fighting starts and poor tactics could cost him his life. Good tactics after a battle can prevent the enemy from counter attacking effectively. It can also keep the good guy from getting killed by a bad guy he/she missed or failed to notice during the battle.

For example, if a warrior walks through a large empty field with short grass he is begging to be shot. When the firing does start he will have no cover and while he cannot see that every possible hiding place is empty the enemy will have no problem spotting him in the open. If the hero goes around the big open field and sticks to cover he will have someplace to hide if someone starts shooting at him. Tactics is almost always common sense and this is where most amateurs make their mistakes, they don't think things through.

Tactics begin with the individual and the military doctrine of his nation or military branch. In reality, the individual is more concerned with survival. First (in most cases, not all) is the individual's survival, then (if he likes them) his comrades survival. National survival is not always at the top of his list.

A nation's doctrine on the subject is often a matter of the type of government. A democratic government is more likely to encourage the soldiers to survive first and foremost. Dead soldiers make bad public relations because that soldier has a mom, dad, brother or sister somewhere who can raise a lot of hell for the government.

A more oppressive nation tries to teach that survival of the state is more important than the individual and the lowly soldier should be more than willing to die for his country. This is drilled into the soldier until he is almost brainwashed in some cases.

Regardless of national doctrine however, most militaries do not want their troops to drop like flies when fighting the enemy. A nation wants its military to win gloriously. When a military designs its doctrine, it must consider what kind of troops it uses. Are they smart, resourceful and tough or are they perceived as rugged, dimwitted peasants. Are they conscripts or volunteers.

With this in mind unit tactics are devised to maximize those advantages and minimize the disadvantages. Next, technology needs to be considered. Then maybe logistics and capabilities. Finally, the tactics must be able to mesh with all the weapons available so the maximum effect can be imposed on the enemy.

A machine gun is a weapon that can lay down a high volume of fire on enemy positions. This makes the enemy put their head down so riflemen can advance on enemy positions and enter them or throw in grenades. Machine guns are the backbone of the infantry. The disadvantage of the machine gun is often the weight and ammunition required. For this reason not every infantryman is armed with a machine gun.

The key to winning a fire fight is often fire superiority. Whoever has it, wins because they have outgunned the enemy. Fire superiority does not necessarily mean a higher volume of fire. Fire superiority means that one side has forced the other side to seek cover, in effect fire superiority is fire intimidation. This can be accomplished by using a high volume of fire, or accurate fire. For example, a Marine named Carlos Hathcock gained fire superiority over an entire north Vietnamese company with only a sniper rifle. The enemy could not effectively return fire and Hathcock kept them suppressed because they knew that if they were to show themselves they would die. The entire Vietnamese company was eventually wiped out by this sniper, his spotter and the use of a radio.

Individual Tactics

Tactics at the individual level are as complex as tactics at higher levels. The individual usually has little say in whether or not combat is initiated and is more concerned with not getting killed, killing the enemy is secondary.

Firefight

Individual tactics, more than any other level of tactics are extremely common sense. If the enemy doesn't know you are there he's not likely to shoot you. If he does know you're there and is firing at you, he can't hit you if there is something in the way that his bullets can't go through, unless of course you stick your head up to shoot back. If you don't stick your head up and shoot back he is going to move into a position where he can shoot around your cover or throw a grenade at you.

This is what it is all about and it is amazing how commonly people mess it up. Amateurs (like Rambo) will stand out in the open (believing they are bullet proof?) and try to mow down the opposition. What usually happens is that one of the bad guys takes aim from behind cover and ventilates the 'hero.'

Some other common mistakes an amateur makes are taking cover behind something that does not stop bullets. Plywood does not stop bullets, neither do leaves and bushes. Leaning up against a wall is a bad thing too because bullets will ricochet off it and travel along the wall, about one to six inches parallel. Bullets do not ricochet off objects in perfect angles. Laying on concrete is not a good idea for this reason.

Another thing that amateurs do is keep sticking their head up to fire from the same spot. Eventually the enemy gets a chance to aim and when the amateur does get predictable and stick his head up again he gets shot because the enemy was waiting for him. A professional will vary his firing location and he will look around cover instead of over it because it is easier to silhouette yourself by looking over something.

It is never easy to figure out where the enemy is when he is shooting at you because nine out of ten times he is shooting from cover or concealment and you are trying to avoid getting hit rather than finding the enemy. A muzzle flash is not very visible in the light but at night it is a good indicator of where the enemy is. Bullets cannot be seen as they fly overhead, the human eye cannot track something that fast. Bullets do make a crack as they zip by because they are breaking the sound barrier. This crack can sometimes be mistake for the firing of the weapon. At longer ranges this can make things confusing because a crack can be made by shooting past a large hill. This makes the target thing the shot came from that hill.

It is very difficult to pinpoint one single shot (which is why snipers prefer firing only once) and the more shots the easier it is to figure out which direction the shooter is in.

Also, despite what most people see on the movies, bullets do not make cute little explosions when they hit something. If they don't penetrate the object and leave a little hole, they ricochet, usually unpredictably. Although they lose much of their velocity when they hit an object and ricochet, they can still be very deadly.

The movies are usually pretty good about having the good guy leap behind cover made of dry wall and receive protection. Dry wall does not protect against bullets. A trailer, in a trailer park is unlikely to stop bullets, some of the furniture inside probably will but usually not the walls, floor or ceiling. Concrete stops bullets, along with heavy metal. The type of round is also important, an armor piercer will very likely go right through a car door which will stop a lesser round but an armor piercer will also punch a hole in the bad guy that is much smaller and less dangerous than another round.

Another important aspect of individual tactics is presenting as little a target to the enemy as possible. This is one reason for crouching, or laying prone. An amateur will show a lot more of his body than a pro when firing from cover. For instance, when a pro fires around the right side of a corner, he/she places his right foot at the corner and leans over, this presents a very small target area for the enemy. An amateur will step to the side exposing everything from his head to his foot. Ricochets make it easier to hit this type of amateur.

When an individual fires it is usually his intent to hit and kill the enemy. This is not done by 'throwing bullets' at him, aiming is the most effective way of hitting the enemy. Aiming is also best accomplished when the weapon is braced. Anyone who has handled a weapon and used the sights will have noticed that the sights don't sit still on the target. Even something as little as breathing will cause the aimpoint to keep moving. This becomes even more important at longer ranges when the target is smaller.

Consider the size of everything. Bullets are very small, even a 30mm cannon round is small when you compare it with the area it is being shot at. Bullets do not home in on living targets, they go where they are aimed at and where gravity helps guide them to. This means that it is much easier to miss a target than hit it, unless the target is close enough to count pimples.

That is why professionals do not run and fire at the same time, even with a machine gun. If the weapon sight is wavering when the shooter is motionless and concentrating, it is going to waver a hundred times more dramatically when the shooter is moving. Even slowly walking forward and aiming it is difficult to keep the weapon aligned on a target at further than fifteen feet. Try aiming sometime with a toy gun and you will see how difficult it would be to hit a target at about fifty to sixty feet. Rifles are easier to aim and have a longer range, pistols are the worst and anything beyond twenty feet is usually a waste of ammunition. Pistols are good for close range where speed and ease of movement is important.

A pro is going to aim his weapon, even a machine gun, an amateur is going to spray and pray. Machine guns put out more rounds than a regular rifle, they are not more accurate. The advantage of a machine gun is that by firing a larger number of bullets at the enemy the shooter is more likely to hit OR force the enemy to take cover.

If the enemy takes cover he can't fire back effectively because it takes time to aim, time he no longer has. Of course the spray and pray practitioner might get lucky but chances are he won't. Spray and pray was the method preferred in Vietnam and thousands of bullets were expended to just get one single hit, and that was not always fatal. Explosives and shrapnel scored most of the kills.

Another reason a person will get in the prone, or behind something is because he/she can then brace his/her weapon and fire more accurately. Fox holes usually have the edge of the hole carved out to brace their weapon and expose as little of the shooter to the enemy as possible. Fox holes (or fighting positions as the Marines call them) are not just holes in the ground, when properly built they provide cover, concealment and a brace for their weapon so the shooter can kill the enemy with a minimum of personal danger.

Firing from the hip is also stupid, even firing a machine gun from the hip is something only an amateur will do. Some machine guns, however, have too much kick to fire from the shoulder and must be fired from the hip in an emergency. When Rambo mowed down all the bad guys with an M60 machine gun in one hand I realized that the producer had no clue as to what he was doing. Hip firing is not accurate at all and is a great way to waste ammo. The only way it might be accurate is if the gunner 'walked' his rounds into the target by observing where they hit and adjusting his hold. Walking rounds into a target is only effective if the shooter has all the time in the world and the target is not firing back. Machine guns come with bipods and tripods for this reason, they are not meant to be firing without being braced on something solid.

Moving under fire is also important. The shooter wants to get closer to this target because it is easier to hit him. Running across the open is stupid, the runner is a big target and very hard not to see. Running is fast however and is most effective when the individual has to cover a small distance. Crossing a long distance (like thirty or more feet) is suicide unless the individual's buddies are keeping the bad guys from looking.

Zig-zagging is good when running toward the enemy and he is aiming at you, it only makes you move slower when you are running across his front. Zig-zagging can also be bad if you are zigging or zagging in front of a buddy behind you who is trying to provide covering fire, he might accidentally shoot you in the back.

It is always important to move unpredictably when the enemy is firing at you because he will try to anticipate your movement and aim at where you will be. Shooting at a moving target is not as easy as it sounds, especially at longer ranges, don't forget the bullet is very small compared to the target area.

Another thing that is important about movement is the person should know where he is going before he moves and it shouldn't be far away. Solid cover should be chosen before the person even gets up.

On Patrol

When a unit is on patrol people do not just blindly follow the person in front of them. Everyone has a job and everyone has a sector to cover. When an individual is on patrol it is in his better interest to assume that the enemy will start firing at him any moment. For that reason a professional will carry his weapon ready to be fired, and will continuously be looking for cover and concealment (in addition to looking for the enemy.)

Each person in a patrol is responsible for a certain arc that overlaps with another persons. Before the patrol everyone should know their area of responsibility because they will be responsible for watching that area for enemy activity. The pointman is not the only one looking for the enemy because an enemy patrol can stumble into the center of a patrol, and a point man can miss an enemy ambush.

There are three types of ready positions that a pro can use. One is the pro holds the weapon near his right shoulder and pointing down toward his left foot (but not AT his left foot) so he can bring it up, into his shoulder, quickly and fire accurately. Another ready position is to have the butt stock in or near the right arm pit and the weapon pointing off to the right of the right foot. Again this allows the shooter to bring his weapon up quickly into an accurate firing position. One variation of the first method, is the weapon is not brought into the shoulder but is placed near it against the chest, below the firer's eye. This helps with accuracy and the shooter is trained to fire with both eyes open. The third method is to have the butt stock near the hip and the muzzle up near eye level. The trooper would then be looking over the muzzle and wherever he looked he would be looking over the muzzle. When he sights a target the muzzle juts forward at the enemy and the buttstock comes out and into the shooter's shoulder. This method is best for urban combat because the shooter will most likely be firing over something and the muzzle is already over the object to be firing over. The disadvantage is the muzzle sticks out and can tip off the enemy if he see's the muzzle coming around the corner, also the shooter is likely to fire high initially and it is always better to fire low (because of ricochets).

The first method is the best because it is quick, efficient and during long patrols, the easiest to maintain. The second method can be awkward for long periods of time. Another important factor when carrying a weapon in the ready is the finger is completely OFF the trigger. The other hand, holding the rifle, has the trigger finger pointing down the barrel. This helps because all the shooter has to do is point at his target with his finger and so will the barrel, this is a very helpful method because it is more natural for a person to point his finger at something than to point a weapon.

Professionals are also trained to point their weapon wherever they are looking. This makes accurate fire quicker, if you are looking at your squad leader, however, this is not a good thing.

In a potential firefight the weapons is kept in the shoulder and aimed slightly down (and the finger OFF the trigger) until a target is spotted and then the muzzle comes up, the thumb engages the safety (if not done already), and the finger pulls the trigger. It is usually better to bring the weapon up to the target instead of down because the shooter will be more likely to shoot low, remember ricochets can kill or scare the enemy, rounds passing by overhead are much less intimidating.

It may seem strange that a lot of emphasis is placed on keeping the finger off the trigger until the enemy is actually identified. This is to prevent friendly fire. It doesn't take long to move the finger to the trigger and it gives the shooter a chance to identify his target. Someone who is scared may shoot movement before he can identify it, that fraction of a second might help him avoid shooting a friend. Also, if the shooter falls and his finger is on the trigger, he is very likely to accidentally fire and possibly injure himself or others. When getting up to move closer to the enemy the shooter takes his finger off the trigger for this reason.

An amateur on the other hand is likely to sling his rifle or carry it over his shoulder like a stick. He might even use it as a walking stick. He will aim it wherever simply because he has little or no respect for what it can do. A pro will NEVER aim his weapon at a friend, even accidentally, or put his hand over the muzzle, unlike an amateur who might do something stupid like use it to scratch his nose. When the firing starts an amateur will waste precious time changing his weapon from the carry to the fire position.

Also, while on patrol, a pro will try to keep a low profile, be as quiet as possible and move from cover to cover, always assuming the enemy is watching him and preparing to fire. Amateurs believe they are superior to the enemy and their superior skills or ideology will allow them to defeat the enemy, (or the are simply lazy). Amateurs will also take the easiest route, simply because they have not been fired at by the enemy in a while and are probably getting tired. This is what discipline is about. A highly disciplined warrior will do everything 'by the book' even when he is tired or believes contact with the enemy is unlikely. An amateur makes excuses for poor discipline, the pro may not like doing things by the book but does it anyway. A fire fight never really begins when a person expects it, now matter how keyed up a person is and that first shot fired is almost always a shocker. The transition from surprise to action is the difference between professionals and amateurs. An amateur will waste time trying to figure things out, a pro will be operating on instinct and training.

Something else that can has more importance in a real battle than a 'Hollywood' battle is ammunition. Firearms are hungry beasts and a magazine can be emptied rapidly. Machine guns are even worse. For example, the specs on an M249 squad automatic weapon say it can fire seven hundred and fifty rounds a minute, a belt of ammunition for it only has two hundred rounds. This does not take into consideration that after so many rounds the barrel will turn cherry red and literally begin to melt.

Sooner than later, the combatants are going to have to reload and when they do they will be vulnerable to a quick rush by the enemy. Professionals are trained to reload behind cover where the enemy can't take his time and shoot them. One method used by pros is the last couple rounds in a magazine are tracer rounds. When he fires a couple tracers he knows he is almost empty. Keeping count of ammunition expended is not practical. When a person realizes he is about to run out of ammo he can always change magazines early. This keeps one round in the chamber of the weapon (for one emergency) and he doesn't have to chamber another round. Revolvers are the worst when it comes to reloading. Several FBI agents were butchered in Florida when they had to reload their revolvers and their enemy attacked.

The Battleteam

Two men make up a battleteam and they will never be far from each other. This is very important on a battlefield. First is the morale factor. A person is much more likely to panic if he is alone. He will feel cut off, in extreme danger and about to die. If someone else is nearby it provides a great deal of support because, if the individual is injured or lost, there is someone to help him or go for help. Other factors come into play also. If someone else is present the individual will attempt to mask his fear and in this way, more easily over come it. (This is one reason military forces do not readily acknowledge a soldier's fear and encourage the 'fearless' attitude). Another factor is that in 'tight' units that the two (or more) are looking out for and relying on each other. When someone knows that someone else is doing their best to protect him from harm it has a very calming affect.

The battleteam is the smallest 'unit' employed for these reasons. When a squad leader does a recon of an area he takes someone with him as 'backup'. Sniper teams usually operate in two man teams, very rarely do they operate alone.

There are exceptions to the 'battleteam rule'. If a squad uses flank security than a single man will be put out on either side. However, the flank security people will not be too far from the rest of the squad if they run into trouble.

Firefight

When the firing starts a battleteam should work together very closely. A pair of professionals will continuously be talking to each other. They will inform each other when and where they see the enemy, what kind of weapon the enemy has (especially if it is a machine gun). They will also tell each other when they are reloading or running low on ammo. Whenever a grenade is thrown a warning will be yelled so friendly forces can take cover. Pro's will use special code words to prevent the enemy from understanding them. Words like 'fire in the hole' let friendlies know a grenade or other explosive has been loosed and is getting ready to explode. The word 'grenade' is very similar in many languages and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out.

A good team will also talk about their own status, especially if one is running low on ammo and/or needs to reload. This way the other person knows to conserve ammunition and keep the enemy from rushing his partner who is vulnerable. A magazine can be dropped from the weapon and abandoned but usually they are recovered for reuse. Also, if there are a few rounds still in the magazine they can be recovered if worst comes to worst.

A pair of pros working together is also more effective than an individual because while one is moving to a better position the other is forcing the enemy to keep his head down or fire less accurately. This is called different things, leapfrogging, fire and movement or fire and maneuver, depending on the 'school'. Regardless of what it is called, the basics are the same.

Movement by a battleteam is like it is for an individual. Everyone moves from cover to cover and keeps the distance short. Many infantrymen are taught to use the phrase "I'm up, he see's me, I'm down" in order to keep distances short. By the time the trooper has recited it, he has gotten up, moved a few meters and taken cover, fast and furious.

Two troopers working together also increase the chance of locating the enemy. Four eyes are always better than two.

On Patrol

On patrol a battleteam is also important. While one man is drinking water, relieving himself, eating or whatever, the other man is covering him. This allows the person to take care of business as quickly and quietly as possible without having to worry about the enemy catching him by surprise.

Two pros working together are also less likely to be surprised because they have different areas to watch for enemy activity. Amateurs might have their attention drawn to a stream or animal or something and everyone might be looking at it when the shooting starts. Regardless of other distractions, pros will try to concentrate on their area of responsibility.

Silent Sentry Take out

Everyone has seen a movie where the good guys sneak up and cut the throat of the bad guy with a knife. This is one of the more difficult methods. Silenced weapons are preferred, bows or crossbows are secondary, knives are used when nothing else is available (like in most infantry units). A garrote can be used also.

Whenever a sentry is designated for 'removal' usually a pair of troopers is assigned the job of removing one or more sentries. One man employs the weapon (usually a knife) and the other man remains ready with his assault rifle (or machine gun) in case things go wrong.

More than two people can be used in a sentry removal team but silent sentry removal will be detailed in another section.

Defense

In the defense a two men are usually stationed together. While one man is digging the hole, the other man is watching for the enemy. While one man is sleeping, the other is watching for the enemy (this is called fifty-fifty, fifty percent asleep, fifty percent awake). When one man is placing booby traps or barbed wire, the other is covering him.

When the fight begins the two remain stationary in their holes and if one is injured he has another person present to help him and/or get help.

The Fireteam

A fireteam consists of three to six men. One member is usually armed with a light machine gun and one is the team leader. In some formations there is also a grenadier with a grenade launcher. In US Marine units the grenadier is usually the fireteam leader, in some Army units the grenadier is just a team member.

A fireteam is usually the smallest unit sent out on patrol and the team relies more on stealth than combat power because of its small size.

A well balanced combat unit, fireteams are designed to be versatile. The fireteam revolves around the light machine gun. The team leader insures the machine gun is positioned where it can do the most damage to the enemy. If the machine gun cannot fire at an enemy because of a dip in the land, a crater where the enemy is hiding or whatever, the grenadier can lob grenades into the enemy's location. If the enemy is protected or some reason from the low angle arc of the grenadier the machine gun can provide covering fire while one of the riflemen gets closer and throws a grenade or places a demo charge.

Because machine gunners are a primary target for the enemy the machine gunner is kept as safe as possible (like he does not usually lead an attack). Also, if the machine gunner is injured or killed, the next (or closest) senior man picks up the machine gun and becomes the new gunner. Regardless of casualties, the machine gun is the most important part of a fireteam. Without the machine gun the fireteam is a whole lot less effective.

The machine gun is also manned at all times. If a machine gunner is digging a hole, eating or relieving himself he gives the machine gun to someone else and takes their weapon until he is done.

In addition to carrying their own ammunition, each member of the fireteam usually carries extra ammo for the machine gun. Rocket launchers (like the LAW and AT-4) dramatically increase the effectiveness of a fireteam. A long range radio also increases the lethality of the fireteam ten fold because if they can't destroy it with their already considerable firepower, they can call in artillery, mortars, strike aircraft or reinforcements.

The Firefight

In battle a fireteam, when properly trained and led, is incredibly effective. Armed with machine guns, grenade launchers, anti-tank rockets, hand grenades and a radio a fireteam is the most lethal, single unit on the battle field.

When a firefight begins everyone takes cover and fires at the enemy. The fireteam leader directs the machine gunner to the best position and directs the fireteam to concentrate fire on certain targets (like enemy machine guns or leaders).

If a target cannot be killed by direct fire weapons, the grenadier opens fire.

If the enemy loses the advantage, the fireteam leader may direct his team to advance on the enemy. Depending on the amount of return fire his team is receiving, he may move his team individually or in pairs. He might even move everyone except the machine gunner and once everyone has moved, then he will move his machine gunner (or vice versa).

Basically, anybody moving is supported by accurate fire, whether the person moving is a single person or several, he has people suppressing the enemy while he finds a better position, reloads or carries out some other combat related task.

Unless the fireteam leader retains control over movement, (not an easy task!) movement is like it is for battleteams and individuals.

On Patrol

Each member of a patrolling fireteam adheres to the basics of individual and battleteam patrolling. In addition to those basics, fireteams move in formations. Each formation has a different purpose and is designated anticipating enemy contact. Since it is tiring to move from cover to cover, getting up and down, formations are used. It should be noted that although a formation looks good on paper (or screen) it is not easy to maintain any formation because warriors have to go around objects and don't pay perfect attention to the formation. Also, when the firing starts most units deploy in a line facing the enemy so everyone can fire freely at the enemy without endangering a friend. Every team leader and squad leader is different so there will be variations according to the whim of the leader. In larger formations more can change so all machine gunners are not on one side, ect. In general, the team leader places himself where he can best see what is happening and so control the unit.

FORMATIONS

Unit formations are used to control the unit so that firepower is focused more effectively on the enemy. Formations are also used to reduce the confusion and place order on the unit so the commander has more understanding of what is going on. Formations are used by all command levels from fireteam leaders on up. All formations are not set in stone and leaders frequently vary them according to the situation or terrain. The easiest formation to control is when everyone is in a line, then the leader only has to worry about the first person is going. When the unit is online, the leader has a much more difficult time controlling everyone because everyone is looking forward towards the enemy so they don't get shot. On line, or skirmisher, formations usually look like wavy lines in practice because of terrain, lack of attention or poor visibility.



FIRETEAM WEDGE: When a fireteam is unsure of the enemy's location a fireteam wedge is the best formation. It maintains a large amount of firepower to the front and makes it more difficult for the enemy to trap the fireteam in a flank position where it's firepower is severely limited. The machine gun can be placed on either side of the diamond, as directed by the team (or squad) leader. In the five man fireteam the machine gunner is kept in the rear of the formation so he can look over the situation and then deploy to the best location. The machine gunner is never put in front of a formation because the machine gun is heavier and not as easy to maneuver as a rifle. Also the lead man is more likely to come under fire and needs to be more alert, the machine gunner, because of his heavier load, usually tires faster. A tired warrior is not as alert as a fresh one.



FIRETEAM ECHELON: The Echelon is used when the enemy is suspected of being to either side. It can also be used when friendly forces are to the side not being protected against, like when a fireteam is providing flank security for a larger unit. This focuses all available firepower to the side. Firepower to the front is only slightly diminished in favor of protecting against a possible flank attack. When proper spacing is employed, this kind of formation allows each warrior to fire directly forward and to the side without endangering a comrade. Individuals are staggered instead of getting in a strait line to avoid getting in line for an enemy machine gun.



Online/Skirmisher: When the fireteam is attacking, or knows where the enemy is at, the team leader may deploy the team in a line. This focuses all available firepower to the front but leaves the team vulnerable to its flanks. To minimize the danger to a machine gun getting on a flank and mowing everyone down each individual is staggered. While this diagram looks good in theory practice is not this pretty and a line is never perfect. People take cover behind what is available and try to avoid getting in each other's way.



FIRETEAM COLUMN: A Column formation is used when the fireteam is not likely to encounter the enemy. It is also used in thick vegetation or for speed. The column formation is extremely vulnerable to an attack from the front but is well deployed for an attack from either side. Two variations of the column exist. One slightly reduces the vulnerability to a frontal attack so one machine gun cannot kill the entire unit. The other one is best used in very think terrain or at night so people don't get lost or disorganized. The illustration shows the preferred type of column. On a road for instance the rifleman and Assistant Automatic Rifleman would be on opposite sides of the road. In the less preferred formation, each member is directly behind the other.



In each formation, the fireteam members attempt to maintain as much room as possible so one grenade cannot take out more than one person and a machine gun has more space to traverse to target more people. Another side effect of good dispersion is it reduces visibility for the enemy. It is much easier for the enemy to see a group of camouflaged men than it is to see one or two camaflouged me.

Also by maintaining distance between individuals more ground can be covered. If the team walks into an ambush the dispersion may also mean that fewer people are caught in the kill zone.


The Defense

In the defense, fireteam members are deployed in pairs, two to a fighting hole. The machine gunner is carefully placed so that any approaching enemy are more likely to encounter him. Because the machine gunner is the second senior man in the fireteam, the team leader mans a different fighting position. This way, if the team leader is killed, the machine gunner can take command and pass his weapon to the person with him. They are separated so one explosion doesn't kill them both.

The machine gun is of critical importance in the defense. Usually it is deployed along the flattest piece of ground so that it can fire farther along that line effectively. This is called grazing fire. The machine gun bullets graze the ground from one foot up to four feet. Any attackers crossing the machine gun's path is vulnerable to this grazing fire, even if smoke or weather obscure the machine gunner's view.

A stake is also used to designate the machine guns FPL, or final protective line. When the enemy is about to over run the unit, the FPF (Final Protective Fire) command will be given. This means the machine guns especially will create a wall of bullets across the units front. Anyone crossing this line will be in severe danger from the machine gun firing as fast as it can. When two or more machine guns use interlocking fields of fire it creates a near impenetrable wall of fire. This makes it doubly important that machine guns be manned.

When barbed wire is used, a roll can be deployed along the machine gun's path. This way any enemy soldiers who run into the barbed wire will be stopped temporarily in the path of the machine gun. Another strand will discourage enemy troops from getting within hand grenade range of the machine gun position.

The grenadier is placed so he can fire into places the machine gun cannot.

Communication in the defense is just as important as in the attack.


NOT GETTING HIT

The most important thing in battle is not getting killed. Then you worry about killing the enemy. Simple in theory, not simple in practice. It is mostly common sense but it is amazing how many people lack common sense.

Being shot is the last thing anyone wants to happen to them. It hurts and can be very fatal. The best way to avoid getting shot and killed is to not attend the war. Unfortunately this is not always a choice.

Another method to avoid getting shot is to prevent the enemy from seeing you. If he doesn't know you are there he can't shoot you right?

Okay. You have to shoot him, that is your job and by shooting at him he quickly learns that you are there. The enemy is mostly likely just like you, he doesn't want to get shot and killed and his job is to shoot you.

Now you both know the other person is out there. You may not always know exactly where the other person is however. Standing out in the open lets the enemy find you and shoot you quickly. Getting behind a bush delays the enemy from figuring out where to shoot at. Bullets go through bushes and if the enemy guesses right you get shot and that is very bad.

To avoid having the enemy get lucky you have to get behind something that can stop bullets, like a rock, a car, ect. Simple stuff.

If the enemy knows where you are he can still aim and shoot you if you keep trying to shoot him. You can aim too. However, by aiming you are taking the chance that the enemy will get lucky and shoot you first so you will probably try to be quick about shooting at the enemy. Quick does not mean accurate, but the enemy is probably in the same situation so neither one of you is very accurate.

In order to fire effectively at the enemy several firing requirements must be met.

1. He must be able to find and know where you are.

2. He must have a target to shoot at. He can know you are behind a car but that doesn't mean he can shoot you unless you give him something (like your head) to shoot at.

3. He must be able to aim. If you don't aim your accuracy will suffer dramatically.

This is where tactics come into effect. The best marksman cannot hit the broad side of a barn if he is not willing to take a shot at it. An enemy machine gunner cannot shoot you if he is not willing to expose themselves and fire at you. Sticking your gun out of cover and firing blindly is still a dangerous thing to do because you might get a hand shot off. Besides, it is very unlikely you will hit anything.

By firing more bullets you might intimidate the enemy and ruin his aim. By firing more bullets you might even get lucky but probably not. If the enemy gets scared and gets behind something that stops bullets you can take your time to aim and wait for him to stick his head out. When he does stick his head out to see where you are at, you can drill him right between the eyes.

Make it harder for the enemy to see you and you make it harder for him to shoot you, period.

This is where teamwork comes into play. One on one is not a battle, it is a fight. A battle involves multiple opponents. One of my favorite sayings is "Teamwork is essential, it gives them someone else to shoot at." If they are shooting at someone else they are not shooting at you. However, you have a duty to the person who is being shot at to make the enemy stop. He would do the same for you right?

When the enemy is not shooting at you then you can take the time to aim at the enemy and fire accurately. A lot of confusion comes from the fact that nobody knows who is being shot at or where the enemy is. The enemy may not see all of your team, just a few individuals. If he doesn't see you he isn't shooting at you. . .

If the enemy is shooting he is easier to find. Follow the noise and muzzle flash, then shoot there. You get the picture.

The enemy might see you and fire at you. You can stand in the open and pretend to be Rambo for the brief period of time it will take for the enemy to shoot you or you can take countermeasures.

Countermeasures will make it harder for the enemy to see and shoot you. They will give the enemy less of a target to shoot and may confuse him. Countermeasures don't work if you remain stationary and they are called Evasive Movement. Key word 'Movement'.

Here is a list of Evasive Movements that are taught.

1. When moving under fire zig-zag randomly. This gives the enemy less time to acquire sight alignment and sight picture. Make sure you don't 'zig' in front of a buddy or you might get shot in the back.

2. When stopping, do so behind full or partial cover (a bush is concealment, not cover because bullets go through bushes). It makes you harder to find and hit.

3. Move from cover to cover and don't be predictable because all the enemy has to do is aim and wait for you to run into his sights.

4. When firing from behind cover, change firing positions/places to keep the enemy from aiming where you will appear. Confuse him, remain unpredictable.

5. After diving for cover do not return fire from the same place you dived in. The enemy will be expecting that.

6. Lie down or kneel whenever possible. It reduces your silhouette and what the enemy can shoot at.

7. Don't look over objects, look around them. You may see less but it makes it harder for the enemy to see you.

8. Roll instead of crawling. It is faster and keeps you lower where there less target to shoot at.

9. Don't let your shape be silhouetted, it makes you easy to recognize and if the enemy recognizes you will shoot you.

10. Right handed firers should fire around the right side eof cover, it keeps more of you safe. If you have to fire around the left side of something you might consider firing left handed.

11. When firing around the right side of a corner, or tree, the right foot should be placed against the object, just out of view of the enemy. This forces the shooter to lean to the right, exposing less of his body. Amateurs may step out of cover a little bit to fire, thus exposing themselves from the head down to the feet.

12. Do not move and fire at the same time. Even with a machinegun this is very inaccurate. Besides, it slows you down while you are in an exposed position.

13. Keep moving. It makes the enemy have to look for you and try to predict what you are up to. Besides , if you stay stationary too long he is going to send someone to flank you.

14. Reload only behind full cover.

15. Scan the area to your front as well as sides, rear and up, avoid tunnel vision. The main reason flanking is so effective is because of tunnel vision.

16. Don't get so suppressed you won't peek out of cover. The enemy might walk up and shoot you.

17. Use cover and concealment whenever possible, when running OR taking cover. The enemy can't see you coming if there is a tree between the two of you.


COVERING FIRE

When you want to kill the enemy without getting killed yourself avoid getting shot by the enemy covering fire is the key to survival. Covering fire is used to decrease the accuracy of the enemy. If the enemy can't shoot accurately it dramatically decreases the chance he will hit you when he shoots at you.

The phrase "Cover me!" is often used improperly in the movies. The hero says "Cover me," everyone counts to three and the hero goes for it while everyone else throws lead at the bad guys.

In a way this is covering fire. In a way it really isn't. More bullets thrown at the enemy doesn't mean he is going to cower. However, he is more likely to. If the enemy is cowering then he isn't shooting. This is where coolness under fire comes into play.

Nobody wants to get hit and bullets coming your way tends to encourage most people to take cover first and see how accurate the enemy is later. For instance, when the lead man in a patrol comes under fire, the entire patrol may take cover until they figure out they are not the ones being shot at. Once they know they are not a target even then they may still be reluctant to move out of cover unless ordered to do so.

Covering fire is the secret to winning a firefight because it can deny the enemy any or all of three firing requirements.

In order to hit you the enemy must be able to meet three simple requirements. Simple in theory, not in practice.

First the enemy must be able to find and know where you are. A bullet is a very small projectile that occupies a very small amount of space. Spraying the countryside indiscriminately is the best method of wasting ammo and hitting nothing. When you see a person at a distance they are smaller than if they were closer. Bullets don't get bigger as they are fired and if you aren't aiming then chances of your bullet hitting are pretty much nil at over twenty feet. Of course you may get lucky but odds are against it.

Second the enemy must have a target area to shoot at. If he can't see an head, arm, or leg he can't shoot you. He might know you are hiding in a ditch but until you stick your head up he would just be wasting ammo. When he runs out of ammo and has to reload then it is your turn to pop up and take advantage of the situation. Of course his buddies may not have run out of ammo. . .

Third the enemy must be able to aim. This means acquiring sight alignment and sight picture. If he can't aim he is likely wasting ammo.

The closer bullets hit near a person the more likely that person is going to feel the need for self preservation. If the person can see bullets slamming into a tree near his head then only a fool would remain in position.

Covering fire has four uses.

1. Suppress the enemy. This means discourage the enemy from firing accurately. It takes time to acquire a target and aim and if bullets are hitting near him, he might not be willing to take that time. Accurate fire is what wins a fight, that is why Marines, Rangers, and other elite units consider marksmanship so important.

2. Prevent the enemy from firing. This is the ultimate goal of covering fire. If the enemy is so intimidated by your fire then you can move about with relative safety. You an stroll up and toss a grenade in his hole if he is so intimidated.

3. Force the enemy to move in a certain way. Shooting under a car is going to encourage the enemy to move to better cover where his feet won't get shot off. By forcing your enemy to move to a different piece of cover you might get in a lucky shot and down your foe or you might force him to retreat to a position that is more exposed.

4. Confuse or distract the enemy from your activities and movement. If the enemy is too busy cowering from your volley of fire he is not likely to notice your friend(s) moving off to the side where he can get a better shot. Distracting the enemy with covering fire may give you more time to aim or get closer.

There are several keys to effective covering fire. Each one is important.

Accuracy. Shooting in the wrong direction isn't going to scare the enemy (much), or kill him. Accurate, aimed fire is going to kill or intimidate the enemy. The enemy doesn't want to die any more than you do and the more accurate you are the more intimidated he will become (or the more dead he will become).

Rate Of Fire. This is more important than it might sound. Obviously more bullets fired is more intimidating. However, most magazines have a thirty round clip. Machine guns have one or two hundred rounds belts depending. If you run out of ammo you aren't going to scare the enemy for much longer. Reloading takes time and can cost someone their life if you aren't prepared for it. By controlling the rate of fire, and firing as little as you can, you can keep from running out of ammo at the wrong time.

Movement Draws Counterfire. This means that if the enemy sticks his head up he gets shot at. If he tries to fire at you, he gets shot at. If he does anything but cower, he gets shot at.

Teamwork. This is essential because it gives them someone else to shoot at. If the enemy is shooting at one of your team mates then they aren't shooting at you! Teamwork also means that you have to cooperate with your team mates to locate and suppress the enemy, make sure everyone doesn't run out of ammo at the same time and you don't get flanked. Everyone should have an area of responsibility.

Communication. This is critical. A team should be constantly talking back and forth, telling each other where the enemy is, who's doing what, who's reloading or is going to need to, who is firing at who, ect. Firefights are chaotic at best and good communications can be the key to survival.


FIREFIGHT DYNAMICS

Although television and the movies make firefights look like people just throw bullets at each other and hope to hit, reality is different. Of course some people do attempt to throw bullets in an attempt to kill him/her but professionals aren't so simple and taking the time to aim is not practical.

Noise, volume of fire and heavy caliber rounds do not kill the enemy. Hits kill the enemy and prevent him from killing you. Many people will brag about heavy caliber rounds, or the capability of their ammunition, or the high rate of fire, but that is all useless if they can't hit their target. For instance the Mossad (the Israeli's CIA) uses the .22 caliber round (a very weak, nearly harmless round) as a 'signature' weapon in assassinations. A .22 round is nearly harmless and it takes great skill to use it to kill with.

Unlike the movies, people do not stand out in the open and calmly fire at the enemy. When a person is being shot at or about to be shot at, his primary concern is not to get hit. This has to do with a survival instinct, which only fools or suicidal maniacs do not have. It takes a real fool to ignore enemy rounds and stand calmly there while aiming at the enemy. Of course if there are no other options it takes a great deal of bravery. There's one saying that goes like this; "A Hero is a coward that got cornered."

In essence firefights are confrontations where one person or group tries to kill the other person, or group, without being killed themselves. Combat is very simple, there is a first place and second place, second place is laying face down in the mud, sometimes, so is first place.

When a firefight begins, training and experience come in to play. These two qualities are more important than the weapons used in many cases.

To avoid being shot a person dodges, takes cover or hides from the enemy. A moving person is a very bad shot in the real world and professionals know it is a waste of ammo to move and shoot at the same time. Standing and shooting are less accurate than laying down and shooting. Also, when a shooter is laying down he/she presents less of a target for the enemy. For example if a person is six feet tall and lays down his target area just went from six feet of target to about two feet (or less) of target, making him over sixty percent harder to hit. Also, that person who just lay down will be able to fire more accurately because he can brace his weapon.

When a person takes cover he/she gets behind something solid which (hopefully) will stop enemy bullets (or beams). From such a position the person has a brace for his weapon, hides more of his body than someone who is prone (usually) and has some shelter to hide behind if the enemy gets the upper hand.

When a person finds concealment he is still vulnerable to enemy fire but decreases the chance of the enemy being able to fire accurately.

Dodging makes it almost impossible to accurately return fire. At most, the dodger can hope to intimidate the enemy and prevent him from firing accurately. Firing is only a little more accurate than throwing a baseball, try dodging and accurately throwing a baseball, it don't happen.

The term 'being pinned down' means that the individual pinned down has been intimidated by enemy fire and his/her survival instinct is going strong. When a person or unit is pinned down, they have lost the upper hand and are unable to return accurate fire. This is the worst thing that can happen to a defender, it is the best thing that can happen for the attacker.

Fire Superiority means that one side is able to fire more rounds and/or more accurately than the other who becomes 'suppressed.' 'Pinning down the enemy' can be complicated and difficult, or simple. Machine guns are usually instrumental in suppressing the enemy and allowing the attacker to gain the advantage through sheer volume of fire which intimidates the enemy. Accurate fire is also helpful in gaining fire superiority, combined they are deadly.

Training is critical in this. A person who has been trained to be aggressive and gung-ho is less likely to be intimidated by enemy fire. That is why Marines, Rangers, Special Forces, Seals and other elite units are so successful. Many people complain that such units are arrogant and elitist, but that, along with quality training, is what allows them to survive on the battlefield. A fighter who is timid, nice and peaceful is much more likely to be intimidated by someone who is not, even if the fighter is the best shot, very intelligent and resourceful. When the nice guy comes under fire he has fewer reason to try and 'out do' the enemy.

When a person is suppressed by enemy fire then the enemy will very likely close in, surround the defender and kill him/her. A suppressed enemy is also more likely to surrender because they are scared and believe the enemy is superior.

A machine gun is an intimidating weapon, so are rockets. A single sniper can gain fire superiority over an entire company if he is good enough. For example, Marine Carlos Hathcock and his partner shot a North Vietnamese soldier in the front of a column. When the enemy column turned around to run he shot the NVA soldier in the rear (now the front) of the column. Not knowing where the Marine Sniper was the NVA took cover. If they left cover Hathcock would shoot them. The NVA became very reluctant to leave cover or even stick their head out to look for the Marine. They attempted to return fire many times without success. Because the NVA unit was 'pinned down' they were eventually all killed by the actions of two Marines.

The tide can suddenly turn in a firefight if suppressive fire is not maintained. If the machine gun(s) or riflemen run out of ammo or have to reload the slack in suppressive fire can allow the enemy to start fighting back effectively again.

When maintaining suppressive fire, machine guns will fire aimed bursts (of three to eight rounds, three to five is average) and riflemen will fire aimed shots. If the enemy manages to stick his head up, it is likely it will be ventilated, especially if he sticks it up where it is expected.

Gaining suppressive fire is an art form. Advantageous positions, good weapons, excellent training, concealment as well as cover, coordination and more, all effect the fire fight.

Actually seeing the enemy is not as common as in the movies. Usually only a few people will see the enemy. Camouflage is designed to hide the soldier from enemy view. If the soldier can't be seen he cannot be easily shot, furthermore, when a soldier is firing at an enemy he takes cover and tries to hide from enemy bullets as well as enemy observation. Of course when someone ducks behind a tree, rock, car or some other object he/she can't be seen at all and so he/she can't be shot.

What this usually means is that both sides are hiding from the each other at the same time they are trying to kill each other. Sticking your head up to look for the enemy usually means you get shot at or start attracting fire. This is a bad thing so most fighters don't spend a lot of time looking for the enemy. This means it is important for professionals to communicate and inform each other when and where they see the enemy. There are a great many ways warriors use to inform each other of where the enemy is at. Team leaders can use tracers, smoke grenades, or shouted commands to show their team where to fire. Just because a unit can't see the enemy doesn't mean the enemy cannot be suppressed with a high volume of fire. What is important is that the suppressive fire be close enough to the enemy to scare them.

Amateurs will just fire blindly at anything that moves, sometimes even each other. Team leaders and squad leaders lead the panic fire. For instance, one US unit in Vietnam was fired on by a VC sniper and the entire battalion opened fire on their surroundings expending incredible amounts of ammunition.

Something else that must be considered is the will of the firer. Some conscripts, for instance, don't want to be fighting and don't want to have the death of another person on their conscious. For this reason they may not fire at all and this is not good when a unit is trying to suppress the enemy. Of course if cornered, even a conscript will fight back fiercely.

The way warriors fire is also important. If troopers fire over the head of the enemy the bullets are wasted, if they fire too low the bullet can ricochet off a hard surface and still kill the enemy. Also the enemy can see the bullets bouncing off the ground and the enemy will fear them. Tracers are also an excellent way to intimidate the enemy because they can be seen as they ricochet and zip by. Regular bullets make a crack as the pass the listener and break the sound barrier but they travel too fast to be seen, tracers fix this problem.

For example, in Africa, one commando team parachuted into their area of operations at night and attacked, by using a very high mix of tracers (usually there is one tracer for every four regular rounds, these bold fellows had more). Their targets were severely frightened by this high volume of fire and although they were outnumbered more than ten to one, and attacking, they were still victorious because the enemy soldiers ran away.

Flanking an enemy is also important. When a person becomes scared their attention frequently focuses on the source of their fear and this is called tunnel vision. It is like the person is looking down a tunnel at the source of his fear and he can't see to either side. Even if rounds are coming from the side he might not notice. Good training teaches the warrior to constantly look around, amateurs submit to their tunnel vision. In addition to tunnel vision there is also the formation to consider. During a fire fight everyone tries to get a shot at the enemy and nobody likes being shot past or shooting past an ally. For this reason fighters line up facing the enemy. If an attack should come from the side, fewer people could return fire because they would be firing past friends. Moving to deal with an attack from the flank means that the defenders have to redeploy to face the new attackers. If they are being fired at from the original group then moving is a lot more difficult. Also another thing to consider is the fact that when a person takes cover to deal with a threat to the front then he might be vulnerable because he has to protection from the sides.

Another way to make the enemy put their head down and keep it down is artillery and mortars. Fighters and attack helicopters are another method of discouraging enemy initiative and keeping where they're at.

As you are beginning to see combat is as much physchological as physical and attacking the enemy in a firefight is attacking his mind as much as his body because if the enemy cannot think well enough to resist he is simply waiting to die.

As mentioned before machine guns are instrumental in suppressive fire. Light machine guns usually have a higher volume of fire (because the gunner can carry more ammo). Medium machine guns are good for suppressive fire because they are more intimidating and have better penetration (they can go through more than one soldier and light cover). Heavy machine guns are even slower but have a higher level of penetration. Machine guns can lay down a wall of fire that is lethal to cross. More details about machine guns in the defense will be covered later, it is important to note here that the heavier the machine gun, the more intimidating it is, this does not mean a heavier machine gun is always more dangerous.

Here is an example of a firefight between a professional unit and one that is not.

A Marine patrol is stalking through the jungle on a search and attack mission. Suddenly the point man comes under fire and hits the ground. The Automatic Rifleman, behind the pointman, opens fire on the suspected enemy position, firing as fast as he accurately can. The third man in formation (with a grenade launcher) starts to fire on the enemy also. As quickly as it can, the Marines will bring as much firepower as they can on the enemy and will get in a line facing the enemy. There will usually be enough room between Marines so that a single grenade will not kill more than one or two. The point man might have a higher content of tracers in his weapon to designate the enemy's location and because tracers help with suppression.

Grenade launchers will fire smoke, as well as explosives to mark the enemy location for those that don't yet see the enemy. The smoke would interfere with the enemy's ability to see the Marines and it will tell the Marines about where the enemy is at, the smoke is also less likely to interfere with the Marine's ability to see. Fireteam leaders will order their fireteams to concentrate fire on those locations.

If the Marines have managed to suppress the enemy, the squad leader may send a fireteam to the side of the enemy and assault him from there (flanking). If this fails or is not practical then the squad leader will get on his radio and call for mortars or artillery (if he hasn't done so already). Also, reinforcements might be dispatched by higher authorities.

If the enemy fire is too strong and the Marines are taking casualties then they will retreat under cover of mortars, artillery, close air support or Naval gunfire.

If the squad leader believes he cannot flank the enemy and the squad can assault them he will give the order. At this point he can advance the squad by fireteams, or give the fireteam leaders control. While two fireteams lays down a high volume of fire, and suppresses the enemy, another fireteam will advance. Meanwhile, fireteam leaders are directing their teams to advantageous positions, with the machine gunner taking priority. If there is a target that the machine gunner is having difficulty with then the team leader will engage it with his grenade launcher. Also, Marines on either side of the line will be told to be more watchful so the Marines don't get flanked.

If the squad leader has a machine gun team (with a medium machine gun) it will receive the best firing position in the squad and remain as stationary as possible. A rocket team will be used against fortified targets or difficult enemy hold-outs as directed by the squad leader (or team leader).

All Marines will place a priority on killing enemy machine gunners, radio operators and leaders, and concentrate fire accordingly.

If the vegetation is too thick and the squad leader is having difficulty controlling the squad, the squad leader may order the fireteam leaders to advance their teams. The fireteam leaders can advance their people two ways, in battleteams of two, or he can move one person at a time while the rest of the team 'pins' down the enemy. These methods can be alternated depending on the terrain and situation. If the fireteam does not have a target it will advance until it does or is fired at. A good unit does not waste ammo, because it also gives them away and even when rounds are flying all over the place an individual can still surprise his enemy.

If a team goes to battleteams then one person will move while the other covers. The person that moves will not run far and will have something to hid behind when he gets there. Usually, the Marine gets prone behind something that can protect him from enemy fire, or at least provide him with a little concealment. It is important to note that a person does not always get and run forward. The Marine might crawl forward and he is unlikely to just stop in the open and get down if there is not cover.

During the attack (or retreat since everything can be done in reverse) professionals are always communicating. Fireteam leaders tell their teams where to concentrate their fires, team members yell out when and where they see the enemy, everyone yells out when they are running low, or reloading, when they have taken cover and firing (so the other person can get up and move).

Fireteam leaders and members should also communicate with their fellow Marines on either side regardless of fireteam or unit.

Squad leader ar

[Michael K.]

DOCTRINE AND TACTICS, YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK.  DOWNLOAD AND READ HERE: (IF YOUR SECURITY SETTINGS ARE OK)

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[Timothy_Fitzpatrick]

If they use an electro-magnetic weapon, there won't much of any gunfight. Thanks for the post, MK. Never read about this stuff before.

[Wimpy]

If they use an electro-magnetic weapon, there won't much of any gunfight. Thanks for the post, MK. Never read about this stuff before.

To paraphrase:  Give up, comply or you'll be toast. :crazy:  

[Timothy_Fitzpatrick]

If they use an electro-magnetic weapon, there won't much of any gunfight. Thanks for the post, MK. Never read about this stuff before.

To paraphrase:  Give up, comply or you'll be toast. :crazy:  

No, all I am saying is not to be surprised if this unfolds completely different from what you imagined. I think the Iraqis or Palestinians could tell you how sophisticated the weaponry is that is killing them. Going down in a blaze of glory in some Western-themed gun sling is extremely unlikely. "Patriots" are going to be hit from no where. Watch and see. The sophistication of today's weapons is unbelievable. What reason do you have to believe they won't be used domestically on a grand scale? What do you think the smart grid is being set up for? It's a soft-kill method. They can provoke a heart-attack in anyone, and the coroner will report it as a natural cause.

[Michael K.]

Timothy,

I agree in principle that there will be a threat from some kind of environment pervading weapon, too.  I have the gut feeling that they will set fire to all of the tank farms and all of the suburbs packed with wood frame houses, that this is the realization of some great strategic plan to absolutely crush the economic machinery of daily life, and that the resulting smoke will be toxic and create a kill zone which will limit travel for weeks.  I think we will get surprise attacked and be leveled by fire, since I think the Capitalist elitist West is the Great Harlot, and that the National Bolshevik Eurasuian BEast is going to finally enact the stated long-run plan of Communism, to destroy Capitalism (The Great Harlot, America).

Now reason with me concerning guns, and particularly rifles, especially high capacity, combat ones:

They are doing everything imaginable to get an assault weapons ban, yet they have an electronic weapon that makes it possible to neutralize the threat posed by such individual arms?  No, something limits the effectiveness of any area of effect weapon, namely the unwillingness to use it in cases where the area effect could harm "friendlies".   Also, six feet of earth counters most surface radiation whether nuclear fallout or EMF weapon, so people can hide from it and come out later.

The way humans are made, the way the world around us has to have humans physically present in strategic places to make it function on a grand scale, the way most conflicts come down to two people on opposite sides struggling with one another, makes human to human weaponry indispensable on the field of battle.  An perhaps you do not have an appreciation of just how lethal a .30 cal full powered rifle cartridge is, how it almost cuts a man in two like a stroke from a samurai sword, at a distance of 500m.

The rifle changed warfare forever, it allowed a physically small person to strike with awesome lethality from behind hidden cover at distances that are several times greater than what a long bow was capable of.  The chief limiting factor is marksmanship, the ability to aim and hold steady.  Now peasants and women with this skill and their relatively cheap, mass manufactured weapons, could be lethal on par with giants wielding battle axes, or expert swordsmen with years of training.  Since most acts of human oppression and bondage involve a larger, more powerful person, physically forcing a smaller one to perform in some way, the proliferation of guns made the playing field far more dangerous and unpredictable for bullying and brutality.   Now everyone is a potential warrior, if they but have the mettle.

Unfortunately, this newfound power does not automatically make people good or endow them with strategic prowess, so it's up to the individual how dedicated he wants to get to the fight for what one considers justice; and if good men don't pick up the use of rifles, it is still axiomatic that bad men won't have such reservations.

[CrackSmokeRepublican]

Great and useful material Micheal K!  Thanks much for posting, definitely learned a few things.

[Timothy_Fitzpatrick]

MK, what would you recommend to one of your northern neighbours?

[Michael K.]

MK, what would you recommend to one of your northern neighbours?

If you mean in terms of weapons, get a good quality 30-06 or .308 bolt action hunting rifle and 200 rounds.  Synthetic stock is desirable.  Make sure it has good adjustable iron sights (a square front sight post and rear peep sight is the best), and a sling.  Get a second rifle, a single shot .22 target rifle with similar sights, and a brick of 1000 rounds.   Read up on practical marksmanship.  Sight in and practice with the .22 until you shoot all 1000 rounds, then sight in and practice with the first 100 rounds of your .30 cal ammo, and save the other half for the big event.  Keep in practice by shooting the .22 a lot.  Make sure you get the appropriate cleaning kit and gun oil, and use it.  

Other than that, play chess against a computer to develop systematic caution and strategy in your approach to tactical problem solving, it may save your life some day.  And go out walking with a backpack containing 20-25 kg a couple times a week to get broken in to carrying it, and get comfortable carrying it over long distances.

And of course, say your prayers.  Also, if you are poor as dirt, a Mosin-Nagant surplus WWI Russian bolt action rifle costs about $150 and delivers the equivalent of a 30-06 in power, has rugged sights, and could be used to beat a bear in a pinch.  Some of them are a touch rough out of the box, but a $50 trip to the gunsmith, or at least few hours with some emery cloth would smooth it up considerably.  These things are still the favorite of some Afghans.


Mosin Nagant Rifle 7.62mm (.30 cal) x 54mm R

[Timothy_Fitzpatrick]

Thanks, MK. Need to get my gun licence before I can arm up.

I assume these tactics are meant purely for self defence and not as part of some planned second American revolution that the likes of people like Alex Judas Goat Jones are pressing?

[Michael K.]

Timothy:

I assume a struggle for survival in the wake of a wave of arson and "Helter Skelter."  Revolution memes are the work of the Kike.

[Wimpy]

Timothy:

I assume a struggle for survival in the wake of a wave of arson and "Helter Skelter."  Revolution memes are the work of the Kike.

Self Defense for anyone directly threatening my life, liberty, my pursuit of happiness (within properly considered moral grounds) and my God given rights - including the Bill of Rights.  I won't be the one crossing the line.