I guess I'm between the extremes as far as assault battle drill goes. We certainly did enough of it at squad and platoon levels and I can see how it can do as much harm as good.
Immediate action drills for reacting to contact and breaking contact are another matter, at least according to Vietnam era recon vets. Yes, they sometimes had to be modified under fire but they got everyone started on a correct course of action. Kind of like torpedos and wire guided missiles that adjust course after being fired. They can't do any adjusting until they're fired. You have to take that first step.
Many recon vets of B-52 Project Delta and SOG credit well rehearsed immediate action drills with their survival.
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