A training ladder that takes someone up from untrained, to being competent to be a member of a team, to being competent to be a fire-team leader, and then a squad leader.
Three levels for infantry/security: I, II, III
1. Basic skills all team members need to know. Consider these "common tasks" or skills. Regardless of specialty, every group member needs to be trained to a basic level of competency in these core skills.
2. What a fire-team leader needs to know and/or a member of a more skilled team such as a "Minuteman" or QRF type force. More advanced infantry skills, which become more specialized, more CQB (including weapon retention, use of weapon as impact weapon, hand-to hand, etc.) building and room clearing, fixed position defense, intelligence, planning operations, and leadership in combat. Focus is on cultivating strong fire-team leaders capable of independent decision making and training their own group.
3. Squad leader or above knowledge. Focus on leadership, planning, and logistics, as well as being able to effectively train others. At this level, being able to organize, instruct, lead small units and coordinate their use in an AOR (area of responsibility). This person should be able to go into an area and organize/train up a local resistance force.
All group members should learn the same skills for each level, but the more capable will be considered "infantry" who will go out in the field on a fire team. The less fit/capable will be the "home guard" and security for the larger group.
INFANTRY/SECURITY LEVEL I
Weapons safety
The four rules of gun safety are a great standard:
1. Guns are always loaded.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target.
4. Identify your target, and what is behind it.
Weapons handling (how it works, disassembly, cleaning, maintenance, loading, unloading, carry methods, mag changes, clearing malfunctions, etc).
Marksmanship
Rife and handgun. (Rifle is priority).
Carbine I. One day
Familiarization. Loading/unloading.
Mag changes, malfunction drills. Field shooting positions. Snap shooting.
Group members need to be able to run their rifle as an effective fighting weapon in the field. Groups need a well-developed practice program as well as minimal standards for shooting in a dynamic environment.
SMALL TEAM TACTICS
THREE DAY CLASS 1. (Three to four man teams).
a. Communications. How to use radios properly.
b. Basic formations, includes hand signals.
c. Defensive positions. Shell scrapes, and two man positions.
d. Patrolling. Tactical movement, listening halts, reaction to contact, crossing danger areas, hasty ambush, etc.
e.Patrol base. How to set one up, and the routine to be followed in one.
f. Sentry duty. Challenge and Pass words. Sectors of fire.
g. React to contact, (fire, dash, down, crawl, identify target, suppressive fire). Break contact. Bounding/Peeling backward/sideways/forward.
SALUTE REPORT
Three Day class 2.
Movement to contact and fight through. Raids and ambushes. React to ambush. Hasty ambush.
Fighting through - Bounding forward
Fixed position defense and perimeter security.
MEDICAL . Combat lifesaver. All group members should be trained to combat lifesaver standard.
Introduction to building/room entry and clearing.
Vehicle movement and convoy defense/offense. React to contact in and around vehicles.
LAWFUL USE OF FORCE
Instruction on law and liability, lawful use of force for self-defense and defense of others under the "reasonable man" standard, the force continuum, and liability considerations.
COMBAT MINDSET AND AWARENESS
Thoughts on Skill Level I:
The group needs to be competent as a fire-team. That includes a great deal of skills, ranging from firearms safety and proficiency , to small unit tactics and battle drills , basic communications, land nav, Combat Lifesaver, to performing a SALUTE report, and standing watch, etc.
Figure on answering the question "what would you want a guy to know how to do before you went through a door with him while responding to an active shooter incident, or out on patrol in the woods, or on a vehicle patrol/convoy? What minimal level of training do you want him to have if you are going to be in a fire-fight together? What does he need to know how to do to be a decent team member? What level of basic firearms safety and competency must he have before you trust him with live fire team tactics drills?
The group needs to be fundamentally solid, and they also need to start learning the correct way to fight as individuals/buddy teams/fire-teams, and squads. This needs to happen as soon as possible, so they work on small unit tactics at the same time they continue to work on their own weapons handling and marksmanship.
A good thing for group members would be to attend an NRA class or two, as well as Appleseed, or equivalent, so they can benefit from those other programs that are held all over.
CPT INFANTRY/SECURITY LEVEL II
Fighting in built up areas. Entering buildings, fighting inside, and defending. Vehicle patrols and react to contact. Convoys. VIP protection. INTEL. gather, process and disseminate.
NIGHT MOVEMENT AND LAND NAVIGATION.
Hand to hand, boxing, grappling, weapon retention, basic disarming drills.
Stalking in. (essentially a "sniper" stalk, but without concern for shooting standards - teaching infiltration and exfiltration and appreciation of micro-terrain and camouflage).
MED II. sutures, splints, wilderness medicine, "grid down" medicine.
Contact report. FLASH CARDS and vehicle and equipment recognition.
Ruck march. Give the group a personal training track.
MAN TRACKING: An often overlooked, but critical skill. Has been invaluable in irregular warfare and counterinsurgency worldwide. At Level II, the group members need to learn at least the basics. Helps with countering trackers too.
Radio skills, HAM, FRS/GMRS, CB, etc…
LEVEL III
More advanced hand to hand, CQB, Force on force, E&E, & wilderness survival, more difficult scenarios for ambush, reaction to contact, and tactical maneuvers.
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