Basic Small Team Warfare in the 21st Century

[Draven]

I've been working on a survival team and the primary goal is put together a 5 man team. 1 person acting as a tech guy and 4 more for small team warfare. Now of course all the basic survivalist planning comes into play stock piling food, equiptment etc.

Some of the additional projects that are technology based are using wireless video cameras, wireless mics, motion actived alarms and wireless key pad alarm systems. Basically allowing a person to secure an area, building or room and allow for only one person to minitor a given area while the other do various tasks, rest or eat all the while maintaining 360 degrees of security. Also this allows for unmanned observation posts and additional security while scouting, patroling etc.

Any thoughts..?

[General Grim]

You really enjoy looking into the SHTF scenario, don't you?

I would personally get all members to study electronics, woodwork, metal work and other building skills to enable them to at least make low level technology (if need be). Other additional projects should include a sustained amount of training in combat (fear disables even the most knowledgible of people) monthly, going to outdoor survival trips and other related activities.

[Draven]

Originally Posted by General Grim

You really enjoy looking into the SHTF scenario, don't you?

I would personally get all members to study electronics, woodwork, metal work and other building skills to enable them to at least make low level technology (if need be). Other additional projects should include a sustained amount of training in combat (fear disables even the most knowledgible of people) monthly, going to outdoor survival trips and other related activities.

Well we've established an SOP & a standard training format for general skill sets. We don't take the training too seriour but we don't make a joke out of it either. I personally would love to a SHTF scenario myself lol.

Hand-to-Hand Combatives
Knifefighting/Sentry Removal
Marksmanship Rifles, Assault Rifles, Shotguns & Pistols
Wilderness, Cold Weather, Desert & Urban Suvival
Battle Drills
Camouflage & Stealth
Booby Traps
Herbal Medicine

Everyone has basic specialties; in addition to the basic skills training...
Mechanic (Vehicles)
Technition (Electronics and Support System)
Medic (First Aid & Preventative Medicine (me)
Hunter (Scout & Security)
Supply & Agriculter (Food & Supply Organizer)
Team Leader (Logistics & Support Cordinator (me)

What you think...

[CyberWar]

Knowledge of electronics is, of course, good, but only for so long as there is electricity to power them.

If a civilization-busting disaster struck or an all-out war happened, skills like carpentry, metalworking and agriculture as well as some melee combat would be critical to survival, as fuel and ammo for modern technology would not last for long.

Installing wind generators or other sources of alternative power in your hideaway is definately a good idea, but make sure to stock on spare parts for these - if the worst happens, you are in there for a long time.

Motor vehicles are rather useless in survivalist scenarios - fuel is not something that could be readily produced, unless you have some of these vehicles that run on ethanol. However, production of enough ethanol to be used as fuel requires quite a large community and arable land. And, of course, lots of spare parts that will be needed eventually. So it is best to keep things simple - who's in for horsmanship?

Basically, keep the modern equipment at hand, but also be prepared to live as in Middle Ages.

[Draven]

I agree with what your saying, but when you consider that mechanical skills go beyond vehicles. Also some basic mechanic devices such as bicycles. I agree with the horse thing, though I think a pony would be better smaller and consumes less food. Also you can make a significant amount of ethonal in small quanities. Which means vehicles should only be used for emergencies only.

[Corporal Punishment]

Oy...give me a .22 and a .308 and I'll be your demolition/scout/marksman/general death salesman

also... I've made man sized pitfall/punji pit, dead fall, spring switch traps before...with what i've learned since then...well... I make plans too yknow

[CyberWar]

A good way to learn advanced survival skills in absence of advanced technology is to join an experimental archaeology community. They practice pretty much every craft that is needed to sustain a fully-autonomous life.

[Draven]

Most of what we have, can support us for 10 to 20 years, as far as technology goes. In any SHTF scenario most people plan for 6 months to a year. I figure things will straighten out to "normal-ish" (Thinking Jerico or Jeremiah normal) in 5 to 10 years.

[CyberWar]

Yet, having the "know-how" never hurts.

[Draven]

Originally Posted by CyberWar

Yet, having the "know-how" never hurts.

True, I have the farmering down but I'm researching mining, metalergy and blacksmithing.

[Shepherd]

It sounds like you want to set up an old Green Beret "A" team. Squad leader, medic, comm., two wepps guys. One of the weapons guys is also the explosives guy, the other one is also your armorer. Everybody cross-trained into at least one if not more specialities. Look up the appropriate FM for the training requirements for the teams if you are locked into five. If you would consider more, research into the SEAL teams, they operate in groups of three to fifteen.

But that is a combat team, not a rebuild civilization team. What you need to do is make an agreement with a larger group that you will provide security and a known set of skills in return for food and shelter. Unfortunately, most of the communities don't want armed outsiders providing their security. They have plenty of armed men and women of their own. And some of them are combat veterans.

[Draven]

Originally Posted by Shepherd

It sounds like you want to set up an old Green Beret "A" team. Squad leader, medic, comm., two wepps guys. One of the weapons guys is also the explosives guy, the other one is also your armorer. Everybody cross-trained into at least one if not more specialities. Look up the appropriate FM for the training requirements for the teams if you are locked into five. If you would consider more, research into the SEAL teams, they operate in groups of three to fifteen.

But that is a combat team, not a rebuild civilization team. What you need to do is make an agreement with a larger group that you will provide security and a known set of skills in return for food and shelter. Unfortunately, most of the communities don't want armed outsiders providing their security. They have plenty of armed men and women of their own. And some of them are combat veterans.

I had infantry school under my belt and have worked with Rangers and attacthed to SF guys during field training exercises. The army infantry soldier is trained to work in buddy (2 man teams) to division ized elements the SEALs just copy that same basic methods. The thing is you need a combat team, security is a major requirement for success. If we have the ability to rebuild society in general fine but you still need to be able to deal with conflicts (internal and external) and protect anything you can build, create or establish.

I take a more Spartan appraoch, feeling that every "citizen" within the settlement should be a "soldier" to help defend the settlement (survival group). Of course thats all based on the idea that survival is the highest asset.

[Shepherd]

No offense intended Draven.

[Draven]

I took no offense I just didn't want you to think I was some 13 y/o wanting to play militia lol...

[Shepherd]

Yeah, there seems to be a lot of them around. I'm an old veteran, USMC 1974-78. Air Wing, helicopters. I didn'e slog the same mud, but I dropped off a few of the sloggers. No offense, but snake eaters are a strange breed. I know a lot more now than I did then, but compared to a true SOCOM, I know very little.

Best of luck to you.