While Speaking with Concerned American from WRSA a while back, he asked me about the validity of putting out a checklist of skills which originate in the “Common Tasks/Skill Level 1” (now called “Warrior Skills Level 1”) manual that the US Army uses. After thinking about it, I decided to go through the PDF Table of Contents, and I highlighted what I thought were important skills for the Survivalist/ NPT (Neighborhood Protection Team) Member to concentrate on.
For a number of years now, I have concentrated most of my class time on the Rural Buddy Team Essentials Course (RBTEC), because the Buddy Team is not only the core building block of any martial/defensive group (Techniques of movement, etc. are usually the same, just on a larger scale with the bigger groups), but is also what I believe is the most realistic, when it comes to how many people you will have to work with.
So here goes. The skills I believe you should concentrate on are highlighted in yellow, and I will make notes below or in the screenshot where I feel it is appropriate (they will be in black after the task listing, or in red if it needs explanation). Keep in mind, that if you know someone that served in the US Army, they had to test on this every year in their respective units. This isn’t just an “Infantry?Combat Arms” thing.

The Burns, Oregon debacle proved that interacting (or not) with media is an important skill. Code of Conduct is basic Ethics and Morality on the battlefield.
Here’s the link again if you missed it above, http://www.milsci.ucsb.edu/sites/secure.lsit.ucsb.edu.mili.d7/files/sitefiles/resources/STP%2021-1-SMCT,%20Warrior%20Skills,%20Level%201.pdf
Most of these are the basic tasks a member of the US Army has to perform to pass “Common Tasks Testing” every year. Infantry personnel have to perform the CTT, then do their eval on their own MOS skillsets, which are related to your position/level in the Unit ( Level 1- Enlisted E1-E4, Level 2 E5/Team Leader, Level 3/E6 Squad Leader, Level 4 E7/Platoon Sgt) . If you can’t show proficiency in the common tasks of First Aid, Commo, Land Nav, Movement as a Buddy Team and in a patrol, and proficient, accurate use of your primary weapon, when even a Dental Hygienist in the Army has to do it every year, how do you plan on functioning in an “Infantry” type role?
Find a friend that has an Army or Marine Corps background (I’m using the US Army, because that is what I know and understand what their requirements are, and I know the Marine Corps consider everyone a “Rifleman first”), and ask them to help you become proficient. I don’t know what basic Air Force and Navy teaches everybody, and that’s why I haven’t recommended them. They would be on a case by case basis, and their job in their respective service would be the indicator of the knowledge you seek (example: Security Forces, Para Rescue, Combat Control, or SERE in the Air Force, and Pilot, SEAL, SWCC, or SERE in the Navy comes to mind).
Either continue making excuses for doing little or nothing of substance in your preparations (“Mom, the bad man called me a child!”), or get it done! You have no one to blame but yourself if you’re not even a speed bump in the thugs movement to power. For God’s sake, at least be a Damned speed bump! You owe your family that much. Train and Prepare yourself Spiritually, Mentally and Physically, and get your logistics in order.
Next up will be: “Common Infantry Tasks Testing-The Basic Requirements Applied To Survivalists”.
JCD
"Parata Vivere"-Live Prepared.
Slowly but surely, I’m working on it, man am I out of shape and fat! 😀 Last night, as part of my workout, I decided to go down to the bottom of our forested property, in pitch black (had a high power headlamp) and my CC gun, to retrieve a game camera I left down there months ago without replacing the memory card. Wow, that sucked BAD! There was over a foot of snow (past my knees), it was 30 degrees, and I walked over 200 yards in boots with an decline of over 125 ft, then back up. I 260 lb at 5’9″, I sunk like a boat anchor. I’m going to have to walk around on our top acre where the house is in the snow and build up to the hill, and buy snow shoes… Thanks for the great articles JCDodge. God bless.
Thanks for the kudos. Slow but sure is where it’s at. Take your time, don’t injure yourself, and get it done. Make small goals.