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Thread: Back to Basics…The Lost Art of Basic Combat Fundamentals

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    Default Back to Basics…The Lost Art of Basic Combat Fundamentals

    Back to Basics…The Lost Art of Basic Combat Fundamentals

    Four days after I turned 17-years old, I found myself at MEPS enlisting in the Army in January of 1993. A lot has changed since then, and a lot of redirection of focus has taken place over the last two decades of the service I still maintain.

    When I went to 2nd Ranger Battalion in 1994, I was instantly given the realism of what I had entered, as I did not really get a chance to sleep for the first few days of my arrival. I inprocessed through CIF, received the (3) duffel bags of gear, rucksack, etc., only to get to the Ranger Battalion and instantly have an E4/Specialist yelling at me that night to get my gear ready to head to the field. He threw his web gear at me, and said, “Make yours look like mine.” So, without any hesitation, I took the SOP that was given to me, and started to take 550-cord and start to tie down my equipment, cut off excess nylon off of straps, 100mph tape up loose tails, and place items in the little pouches tied down to my gear that I would later use in the field. Just for my canteen cover and canteen, I had to even tie down the little plastic flap for utilizing the tube on a gas mask, then secure it with 100mph tape…Place iodine tablets in the little pouch on the outside of the canteen cover, place engineer tape in the cover, with a canteen cup that had a stove stand that slid over the outside of the cup, and finally tied down my canteen to my gear in case it fell out, I wouldn’t drop it and lose it in the night or on a jump.

    The detail to which I had to just get my canteen and canteen cover ready to the way my rucksack was setup. Even something as simple as taking illumination tape, writing my personal information on it, covering it with acetate, and then securing it with 100mph tape to the frame of my rucksack was an intricate detail. To some, they may wonder why you would do that, but to someone with basic knowledge of field craft, they know that at night, you will be able to see your name in the dark, and know which rucksack is yours in an ORP when you have to grab it and run to move out from a raid or ambush.

    In today’s world, it is all about what “guchi gear” you can get, or what elaborate setup you can have your weapon put into…From Surefire lights, Picatiny Rails, custom buttsocks, etc., it is all about what may work, but looks “cool” at the same time. The pictures of Rangers floating down the river on a Zodiac with painted faces are gone. We have become the age of the “Techy Warrior”, and less on the basics, and field craft. I personally have seen infantry that are barely able to utilize a compass, read a map, perform a true road march, and be able to setup their gear to be able to stay out on a patrol for more than 24hrs. The US soldier of the modern age is completely attached to their vehicles, “guchi gear”, technology, and the roads of the country we are in. The philosophy of decentralized operations is a lost art, and even the ability to perform extended patrols with knowledge of “The Basics” is becoming even more of an issue. No longer do soldiers place camouflage paint to their faces, but rely on digital camouflage that has proven to be ineffective in all environments to aid in their physical feature break up.

    This is something that I have been watching for a long time since we changed to the ACU, Velcro, MOLLE, body armor (IBA, IOTV, etc.) and other equipment.

    Yes, it all works fine in Iraq and Afghanistan, but there is absolutely no way on earth that you can take the soldier equipped for Iraq or Afghanistan and place them in a jungle and expect them to be able to perform the same mission. In the heat and humidity of the jungle and other temperate environments, the foam padded helmet that does not breath creates a heat trap, and absorbs moisture that will not ever dry…the body armor expected to be worn will fry a soldier due to their body core temperature going through the roof…the lack of knowledge of field craft while on a patrol when they expect to be back at the FOB that night…etc…….These are all examples and failures of our military to understand we cannot become “Pigeon-Holed” into one form of combat, but have to realize we must be able to fight in any environment.

    Honestly, based on how we equip our soldiers for Iraq/Afghanistan, if we had to send them to a tropical environment with exactly what they have there….Can anyone honestly say that a Stryker, or that soldier with the IOTV, and tons of gear will be able to survive there?

    ….I say not

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    Take the "Techy Warrior" of today and place him here with everything he his reliant on and see how he does...

    Panama - 1997 (2nd Ranger Battalion)
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    Council Member William F. Owen's Avatar
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    Do not confuse one thing, with the other.

    YES - modern infantry are overloaded with much they could do without/discard, and would not work if the need arose to conduct extended dismounted operations.
    YES - core navigation and field craft skills need to be emphasised and retained.

    BUT - a lot of modern equipment is remarkably useful. I was soldiering in the 1980's. I am deeply envious of some of the equipment I see today.
    Also a lot of what infantry does/did is just dumb. Rubber boats? Armies who have actually fought in jungles use wooden or metal boats. They also used outboard motors. You can plug a 7.62mm whole in aluminium boat with a rag, pushed home with a round. Can't do that in rubber death-trap. Rubber boats do have a role, but it is very, very limited.

    A large amount of "Infantry skills" are actually just "Hiawatha BS" not fixed in an operational reality.
    In modern warfare no one can operate without vehicle support or some sort. Even SF are deeply reliant on helicopters.

    All for core skills, but beware the "Hiawathas".
    Infinity Journal "I don't care if this works in practice. I want to see it work in theory!"

    - The job of the British Army out here is to kill or capture Communist Terrorists in Malaya.
    - If we can double the ratio of kills per contact, we will soon put an end to the shooting in Malaya.
    Sir Gerald Templer, foreword to the "Conduct of Anti-Terrorist Operations in Malaya," 1958 Edition

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    Quote Originally Posted by William F. Owen View Post
    Do not confuse one thing, with the other.

    YES - modern infantry are overloaded with much they could do without/discard, and would not work if the need arose to conduct extended dismounted operations.
    YES - core navigation and field craft skills need to be emphasised and retained.

    BUT - a lot of modern equipment is remarkably useful. I was soldiering in the 1980's. I am deeply envious of some of the equipment I see today.
    Also a lot of what infantry does/did is just dumb. Rubber boats? Armies who have actually fought in jungles use wooden or metal boats. They also used outboard motors. You can plug a 7.62mm whole in aluminium boat with a rag, pushed home with a round. Can't do that in rubber death-trap. Rubber boats do have a role, but it is very, very limited.

    A large amount of "Infantry skills" are actually just "Hiawatha BS" not fixed in an operational reality.
    In modern warfare no one can operate without vehicle support or some sort. Even SF are deeply reliant on helicopters.

    All for core skills, but beware the "Hiawathas".
    You missed the point I was trying to make. It is not about the boats...It is about the reliance on technology. Technology is great, however they can't do anything without it anymore.

    I may need to repost to get the point I'm trying to make so folks don't think it is about boats.

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    Council Member Pete's Avatar
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    When we changed from olive drab fatigues to the Battledress Uniform in 1982 we were told not to starch and press the BDUs because it would ruin some sort of protection in the fabric against detection by infrared night-vision technology. I'm glad nobody could see me while I was standing next to a 105mm howitzer or a 5-ton truck ...

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    Council Member Tom Odom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pete View Post
    When we changed from olive drab fatigues to the Battledress Uniform in 1982 we were told not to starch and press the BDUs because it would ruin some sort of protection in the fabric against detection by infrared night-vision technology. I'm glad nobody could see me while I was standing next to a 105mm howitzer or a 5-ton truck ...
    But don't forget, Pete, that after the BDUs were reissued in a hot-weather version (post-Grenada after the heat injuries), we started starching them....

    I keep watching for the first pair of shined roughside out boots.

    Sooner or later, it will happen

    Tom

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    Council Member Pete's Avatar
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    I was told that with the old WWII buckle-top boot you used a dog-tag chain to make the rough leather smooth so it would accept a polish.

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    Council Member Ken White's Avatar
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    Default Better way is to slather on the polish, light it with a match

    Quote Originally Posted by Pete View Post
    I was told that with the old WWII buckle-top boot you used a dog-tag chain to make the rough leather smooth so it would accept a polish.
    and let it burn long enough to burn off most of the little bits of protruding hide then hit 'em with an old bore brush. Five times as fast as the chain...

    Not that I know, I read that somewhere...

    Tracker 275
    "I may need to repost to get the point I'm trying to make so folks don't think it is about boats.
    Nah, you made the point. Wilf's merely pointing out a basic "stay alive" fact lest someone get the wrong ides from the visuals and Ranger usage, rubber boats do have merit (turning over in heavy surf...) but patrolling jungle rivers sure isn't advisable.

    For that, you use the old M2 Assault Boat shown below. Engineer Assault Boat Teams have 80 of 'em by TOE, probably few to none operational right now but there are likely dozens of the boats in the bunkers at Pueblo Army Depot. Six guys can carry them and get 'em in the water then ride in them (10 overload ).

    Your points, that we do not teach the basics at all well and that we are sometimes over reliant on techo-goodies is well made and is certainly valid. Your further point that things that work in the 'Stan or I-rak may not work elsewhere is even more important. I've long been waiting to see he who tries personal armor in the Jungle...

    However, in line with the 'picture is worth a thousand words' bit, putting pitchers of a large batch of boats with outboards and a couple of shots of a SOF 60 bird did sort of turn the end result toward the techno aspects rather than your valid and important points...
    Last edited by Ken White; 10-27-2011 at 01:20 AM.

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    Now that Ken's let the cat out of the bag it won't be long before the Army is shining its rough-leather-out boots. It'll start at Fort Bragg, migrate to Fort Campbell, and then to Fort Riley.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Pete View Post
    When we changed from olive drab fatigues to the Battledress Uniform in 1982 we were told not to starch and press the BDUs because it would ruin some sort of protection in the fabric against detection by infrared night-vision technology. I'm glad nobody could see me while I was standing next to a 105mm howitzer or a 5-ton truck ...
    I was told that same thing when in the Royal Australian Air Farce when we got our AUSCAM uniforms. Army blokes told me to boil and use heavy detergent for three washes before wearing them as they were a heat magnet. 40% nylon in the tropics sucks.

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    Council Member Ken White's Avatar
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    Default *Nothing* migrates to Fort Riley

    if it can be avoided...

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    Council Member Infanteer's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tracker275 View Post
    This is something that I have been watching for a long time since we changed to the ACU, Velcro, MOLLE, body armor (IBA, IOTV, etc.) and other equipment.

    Yes, it all works fine in Iraq and Afghanistan, but there is absolutely no way on earth that you can take the soldier equipped for Iraq or Afghanistan and place them in a jungle and expect them to be able to perform the same mission. In the heat and humidity of the jungle and other temperate environments, the foam padded helmet that does not breath creates a heat trap, and absorbs moisture that will not ever dry…the body armor expected to be worn will fry a soldier due to their body core temperature going through the roof…the lack of knowledge of field craft while on a patrol when they expect to be back at the FOB that night…etc…….These are all examples and failures of our military to understand we cannot become “Pigeon-Holed” into one form of combat, but have to realize we must be able to fight in any environment.
    Honestly, based on how we equip our soldiers for Iraq/Afghanistan, if we had to send them to a tropical environment with exactly what they have there….Can anyone honestly say that a Stryker, or that soldier with the IOTV, and tons of gear will be able to survive there?

    ….I say not
    Did you walk 40 miles to school each day with no shoes as well? Thanks for reminding me about how inferior my generation is. As I was humping around in the 40 degree celcius heat in a grapefield I should have said "Well, it could be worse, I could be soldiering in the '80s when men were men!"

    Funny thing is, the generation before yours probably said the same thing about you guys.

    I don't doubt that your relevant points have merit, but they get lost in your polemic about "the good ole days". For some reason, people tend to remember the "good" of the past while only focusing on the "not-so-bad" of the present.

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    Council Member Pete's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ken White View Post
    *Nothing* migrates to Fort Riley if it can be avoided...
    The Big Red One would be the last outfit in the world that would want to be left behind in a race to be starched and shiny-boots STRAC.

    Question for Ken -- what was STRAC, anyway? Strategic Command? The figure of speech lived on way after the existence of the organization. In my time it had the connotation of being squared-away and ready for inspection.
    Last edited by Pete; 08-27-2010 at 05:15 AM. Reason: Question about STRAC.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Infanteer View Post
    Did you walk 40 miles to school each day with no shoes as well? Thanks for reminding me about how inferior my generation is. As I was humping around in the 40 degree celcius heat in a grapefield I should have said "Well, it could be worse, I could be soldiering in the '80s when men were men!"

    Funny thing is, the generation before yours probably said the same thing about you guys.

    I don't doubt that your relevant points have merit, but they get lost in your polemic about "the good ole days". For some reason, people tend to remember the "good" of the past while only focusing on the "not-so-bad" of the present.
    I find it funny you say that, because I am still in. Having just returned from a tour only weeks ago, I think my points are valid as they encompass not only several years ago, but today. So, to act as if I am out of the service and dwelling on the "good-ole-days" is definitely a deficiency on your part, as I still live it and do it in combat theaters as you do.

    So, do not belittle me with your dribble about today vs. yesterday, as I am still humping the same ruck as you today in the same places that you end up. See you in theater on my next tour.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ken White View Post
    However, in line with the 'picture is worth a thousand words' bit, putting pitchers of a large batch of boats with outboards and a couple of shots of a SOF 60 bird did sort of turn the end result toward the techno aspects rather than your valid and important points...
    I do not see how this particular portion of your points actually makes sense. Considering that the Waffen SS utilized inflatable boats in WWII, and the innovation of the helecopter is as old as the Korean War.

    A soldier can still make their ruck float, and helecopters transporting troops is definitely not a new concept. However, the fact that those same individuals that were transported either by boat or helo, could at least use a compass.

    Most are missing the point that after you are tranported to where you need to go, they maintain the reliance on everything from mine resistant vehicles, satellites, roads, etc. The Chinese proved that a satellite is just as vulnerable as anything on earth, when they shot one out of space in January 2007. Considering that all vehicles are reliant on their Blue Force Tracker, DAGGER GPS, etc., and the fact that the lensatic compass is not considered as part of your kit, or a map is anywhere to be found....

    ...Well, that is only one piece of the big picture. Look at who we are fighting in Afghanistan. The fact that we are still there after almost 10-years, the supposedly most "advanced" military in the world can not defeat those that wear regular cultural garb, and only carry the most basic of weapons.

    Please note, that the enemy we fight today, is holding off the self-proclaimed "military superpower" of the world. All the Taliban is doing is what we did against the British in our own history.

    Now, for a recap on the boats and helecopters you speak of, here is some history when apparently "techy" was started.

    ...The first picture is a squad in the Waffen SS on the Eastern Front in an inflatable boat, and the second is a MEDEVAC in Korea during the Korean War.
    Attached Images Attached Images

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    ....Geesh...to think we moved beyond frick'n boats...

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    Council Member carl's Avatar
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    Tracker:

    Your point about over reliance on technology and disregard for the basics is well taken (please note that I am a forever civilian when you consider my opinion) I think. And it extends beyond the ground and into the air. I illustrate with the following story.

    We took off one very fine day from our base next to the Tigris. About 2:00pm it was with visibility clear to the horizon. 15 miles from the field we had a total electrical failure and lost all our radios, nav and comm. I was the non-flying pilot so while I was sorting things out I told the flying pilot to head back to the field. He then asked me which way he should go. 15 miles out and he didn't know where he was or how to get back to base because the GPS was out! I was shocked. After that I made sure to tell new pilots to make a point of learning the landmarks so they could find their way in good wx if the nav went out. When I started my flying career 36 years ago I never dreamed that I would someday have to brief a professional pilot to look at the countryside so he could find his way.

    The guy I flew with that day wasn't deficient or especially unusual. That is how many guys are today. Not just civilian either. If the GPS constellation was knocked out, it would be complete chaos.

    I would like your opinion on something I've thought about over the years and asked other people. Do you think it would be useful to sort of wargame old battles and campaigns using present equipment and technology? For example, run the Merrill's Marauders mission with modern uniforms, equipment and weapons; but without the helos. Could it be done? Or chasing the Apaches into Mexico, again without the helos. Just curious.
    "We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again." Gen. Nathanael Greene

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    That was just one story about aircrew learning to forget about landmarks, maps and roads. I have lots of others.
    "We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again." Gen. Nathanael Greene

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    Quote Originally Posted by carl View Post
    I would like your opinion on something I've thought about over the years and asked other people. Do you think it would be useful to sort of wargame old battles and campaigns using present equipment and technology? For example, run the Merrill's Marauders mission with modern uniforms, equipment and weapons; but without the helos. Could it be done? Or chasing the Apaches into Mexico, again without the helos. Just curious.
    I would like to say that you provided a perfect case in point...

    No, the wargaming of old battles and campaigns using present equipment and technology is not the key to either training or current operations in a wartime environment.

    One thing I learned early on in my military career is always have a contingency plan. That plan was focused on utilizing another avenue for completing the mission without any relationship to the initial plan.

    When I go to theater, yes, I utilize my GPS, and all of the technology that is available to our forces in a combat theater.

    However, I always have another means that does not rely on the same technology that doesn't work at that time so I can continue on with my mission.

    A few months ago, I will never forget the look on a Platoon Leaders face when he was fiddling around with his GPS, and couldn't get it to do what he wanted. In the time it took him to just fiddle around with the various screens of his GPS, I pulled out a lensatic compass out of my kit, and in literally seconds...I was like, "Sir, we need to go this way, and we should be at the point we need to get to just up ahead...Follow me..."

    What he was trying to pull up was the compass capability on his GPS, instead of just pulling out a compass, which he did not have. Granted, this is a simple scenario that is only one facet of what I am bringing up. It does not have to be a GPS vs. a compass. It can be anything that has a technological tie, but is backed up by a backup that does not require the same technology.

    I do not ever want anyone to say that I said technology is bad. What I want folks to realize is you never "put all your eggs in one basket", so to speak.

    Always have a contingency that does not rely on one thing, and always be able to rely on what is not the latest and greatest in technology.

    Right now, we are finding ourselves in theater only a few dead batteries away from disaster. However, the main point I've been trying to make is that when technology fails, we do not have a backup.
    Last edited by Tracker275; 08-27-2010 at 06:32 AM.

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    Council Member William F. Owen's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ken White View Post

    Tracker 275Nah, you made the point. Wilf's merely pointing out a basic "stay alive" fact lest someone get the wrong ides from the visuals and Ranger usage, rubber boats do have merit (turning over in heavy surf...) but patrolling jungle rivers sure isn't advisable.
    As ever... thank you Ken.

    Technology: - I watched every sniper doing a British Army stalking exercise get detected by an old Hand held thermal imager in 1985. Today, TIWS, NVG and PRR have made soldiers greatly more effective that they were in the 1980s provided they are used in context. GPS has meant that things previously very difficult, can now be done quicker and by more people.

    The down side of technology is stupid people, and stupid leaders, unable to correctly understand its limitations or advantages. OK some folks can't work without it. They are merely badly trained and badly lead.
    Infinity Journal "I don't care if this works in practice. I want to see it work in theory!"

    - The job of the British Army out here is to kill or capture Communist Terrorists in Malaya.
    - If we can double the ratio of kills per contact, we will soon put an end to the shooting in Malaya.
    Sir Gerald Templer, foreword to the "Conduct of Anti-Terrorist Operations in Malaya," 1958 Edition

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