This briefing will explain the 'ins and outs' of Battle Drills, illustrating the: definition, Warrior Tasks vs. Battle Drills, old drills vs. new drills and a hybrid list of old and new drills that are geared towards modern gaming. This does not cover how battle drills are conducted, merely how they are explained and necessary to the application of gaming. Separate briefings will explain in details each Battle Drill.
Battle Drill(s) Defined
* * * Although the official US Military doctrine changes with respect to the number/type of battle drills, there are some battle drills that remain relevant gaming. * * *
An Infantry battle drill describes how platoons and squads apply fire and maneuver to commonly encountered situations. They require leaders to make decisions rapidly and to issue brief oral orders quickly.
Battle Drills can also be described as standardized actions made in response to common battlefield occurrences. They are designed for rapid reaction situations
The Ranger Handbook defines a battle drill as "A collective action rapidly executed without applying a deliberate decision-making process".
A "Battle Drill", according to the manual Fieldcraft and Battle Drill, means the reduction of military tactics to bare essentials which are taught to a platoon/squad as a team drill.
Clear explanations regarding the objects to be achieved, the principles involved and the individual task of each member of the team are practiced.
These drills need to become second nature, with muscle memory allowing for minimal guidance to individual warfighters as to the action they are supposed to take given a specific tactical situation.
Battle drill is the process of practicing military maneuver in attack and defense. It is practiced by infantry small units such as platoons (40_+ troops) and squads (9 - 14 troops).
* * * Although the official US Military doctrine changes with respect to the number/type of battle drills, there are some battle drills that remain relevant to modern gaming. * * *
'New' Battle Drills: • React to contact: visual, improvised explosive device, direct fire (includes rocket-propelled grenade)
• React to ambush (blocked)
• React to ambush (unblocked)
• React to indirect fire
• React to chemical attack
• Break contact
• Dismount a vehicle
• Evacuate injured personnel from vehicle
• Secure at a halt
"Warrior Task" vs. "Battle Drill"
* Battle Drills are group skills designed to teach a unit to react and survive in common combat situations. *
A Warrior Task (Army) is an individual skills a warfighter needs, such as:
• Weapon use ability
• Communication
• Medical skills
• Common Skills
These particular skills are deemed critical to survival of the individual warfighter.
* Battle Drills are group skills designed to teach a unit to react and survive in common combat situations. *
Geared Towards Modern Gaming (Arma 3)
Some core Battle Drills are:
• React to Contact • React to ambush (far)
• React to ambush (close)
• React to indirect fire
• React to chemical attack
• Break contact
• Knock out a bunker
SOPs vs Battle Drills
SOP - A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by Leaders to help troops carry out routine operations on a consistent manner. SOPs aim to achieve efficiency, quality output and uniformity of performance, while reducing miscommunication and failure to comply with performance goals/standards.
SOPs are mostly used for situations such as:
• Actions at a halt
• Danger areas
• Occupying a patrol base
• ORP posture
• Rally points
• Order of movement
• Mission pallets
• Unit formations
React to Contact visual, audible, improvised explosive device, direct fire and unknown
Visual: • Also known as a 'soft contact' when the Enemy is unaware of your presence
• Sight is the only sense used to make this type of contact
• After the enemy is spotted, move to cover/concealment
• Engage/disengage as necessary
Audible: • Hearing is the only sense used to make this type of contact
• Practice learning the audible signatures of various equipment and weapons
• Know how close you can get to the Enemy while making certain noises
• After sounds are heard, determine distance and begin react to unknown contact drill
IED: • Get out of the 'Kill Box'
• Look for Enemy trigger activators within 100m
• Call for EOD, perform manual disarm/detonation or move past
• Inform friendlies
Direct Fire: • Immediately return to fire & move to cover/concealment