FROM ALPHA TO OMEGA A MILSIM TACTICAL PRIMER AND TRAINING MANUAL CRAIG R. WHITE Copyright © by Craig R. White, 2019. All rights reserved. While every reasonable precaution has been taken to ensure the reliability and accuracy of this book and its contents, neither the author not the publisher assume any responsibility for the use or misuse of information contained herein. Suggestions and advice provided herein are only offered to provoke independent thought. In no event shall the author or publisher be held liable for any incidental, consequential and/or indirect damages (including but not limited to, damages based on loss of profits, business interruption, loss of information, etc.) caused by the use of this book. This book is for informational purposes only. To Nan, Ethan and Peyton for their patience in allowing me to pursue this crazy hobby. “THERE ARE NO SECRETS TO SUCCESS. IT IS THE RESULTOF PREPARATION, HARD WORK, LEARNING FROM FAILURE.” COLIN POWELL “IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN A FAIR FIGHT, YOUR TACTICS SUCK.” JOHN STEINBECK “OUT OF EVERY ONE HUNDRED MEN, TEN SHOULDN’T EVEN BE THERE, EIGHTY ARE JUST TARGETS, NINE ARE REAL FIGHTERS, AND WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE THEM, FOR THEY MAKE THE BATTLE. AH, BUT THE ONE, ONE IS A WARRIOR, AND HE WILL BRING THE OTHERS BACK.” HERACLITUS “NEVER TELL PEOPLE HOW TO DO THINGS. TELL THEM WHAT TO DO AND THEY WILL SURPRISE YOU WITH THEIR INGENUITY.” GEORGE S. PATTON, JR. TABLE OF CONTENTS FROM ALPHA TO OMEGA TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION PART I – BASIC CONSIDERATIONS, FIELDCRAFT AND TEAM ROLES/ RESPONSIBILITIES ALPHA: BASIC OVERRIDING CONCEPTS SITUATIONAL AWARENESS: MAINTAINING INITIATIVE: EFFECTIVENESS: SIMPLICITY: IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY: BETA: WHAT ARE TACTICS, TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES (TTPs)? PSYCHOLOGY: POSITION: TIMING: GAMMA: FIELDCRAFT, BASIC SKILLS AND STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES SITUATIONAL AWARENESS: WEAPON ACCURACY: SLLS CHECK: SMOOTH, STEALTHY MOVEMENT TO CONTACT: NOISE DISCIPLINE: LIGHT DISCIPLINE: SCAN WHILE MOVING: SCANNING: INDICATORS: AVOID PROVIDING INDICATORS TO ENEMY: FIRE AND MOVEMENT/BOUNDING: FLANKING: TACTICAL PATIENCE: COVER VS. CONCEALMENT: HUGGING COVER: STACKING TREES: WORKING COVER: CONTACT WITH ENEMY: MUZZLE AND TRIGGER DISCIPLINE: HEAD, BODY, WEAPON: DISPLACEMENT: AVOID CROSSING OTHER TEAM MEMBERS’ FIELD OF FIRE: STAY OUT OF THE FATAL FUNNEL: THIRD EYE: NIGHT VISION PROTECTION: FINDWORK TO DO: RIFLEMAN: SUPPORT GUNNER: FIRE TEAM LEADER: SQUAD LEADER: SNIPER/DESIGNATED MARKSMAN: ANTI-TANK/GRENADIER: SUBMACHINE GUNNER: SPECIALIST: ONE WAY OF FIGHTING: TEST YOUR GEAR EXTENSIVELY BEFORE FIELDING IT AT AN OPERATION: EQUIPMENT SPECIFIC PREPARATIONS: ERGONOMICS: DEFINITION OF CHAIN OF COMMAND: STRUCTURE OF CHAIN OF COMMAND: SUCCESSION OF COMMAND: FOLLOWING CHAIN OF COMMAND: SHOOT, MOVE, COMMUNICATE: MAINTAIN OBJECTIVE FOCUS: GUN UP: EYES ON SECTOR (EOS): BUDDY PAIRS: TARGETING DURING INITIAL ENGAGEMENT: FINISH THE GUNFIGHT: DO NOT MUZZLE FLASH TEAM MEMBERS: ORDERS: NO SANCTUARY: AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY: CORNERING: MAXIMUM USE OF COVER: AVOID FLAGGING: LACE REPORT: SOLAR COLLECTION/SKYLIGHTING: ISOLATE OBJECTIVES: CLOCKRAY METHOD OF IDENTIFYING ENEMY POSITIONS: FRESH MAGAZINES: MAGAZINE CHANGE PROCEDURE: MEDIC PROCEDURES: PART II – COMMUNICATIONS DELTA: COMMUNICATIONS HAND COMMUNICATIONS RADIO COMMUNICATION STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE: RADIO PROWORDS: PHONETIC ALPHABET: NUMBERING: ACRONYMS: SQUAD AND FIRE TEAM LEADERS: RIFLEMEN, SUPPORT GUNNERS AND SPECIALISTS: CHALLENGE WORDS/PASSCODES: MATH CHALLENGE: RUNNING PASSWORD: OPERATIONAL CODE WORDS: PART III – ROOM CLEARING TACTICS AND PROCEDURES EPSILON: CLOSE QUARTERS BATTLE – ROOM CLEARING SPEED SURPRISE VIOLENCE OF ACTION CLEAR THE DOORWAY AND IMMEDIATE AREA CLEAR THE CORNERS DOMINATE THE ROOM CONTROL OCCUPANTS SECURE THE ROOM REPORT STATUS BACK CLEAR (SECONDARY SWEEP) COVER AND EVACUATE COMPLEXITY OF ENVIRONMENT ENTRY TEAM STACK OFFSET FIELDS OF FIRE FOR POINT AND SECOND MEN FREE FLOW/READ METHOD OF ROOM ENTRY EXECUTE DECISIONS MOVEMENT DURING TEAM BREACH COMMUNICATE SLOW IS SMOOTH, SMOOTH IS FAST DIMINISHING SECTORS (DS) POINT AND SECOND MEN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY THIRD MAN AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY FOURTH MAN AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY AVOID OVER-PENETRATION