Commentary on the Small Kill Team, by SGM S.

The following was a comment left by a retired Sergeant Major commenting on the Small Kill Team (SKT) article by our own Johnny Paratrooper. His sentiment should echo much of what I’ve advocated over the years and taught in my courses (and specifically the Scout Course), going directly against the grain of the bulk of the ‘tacticool-aid’ drinkers out there. Our mission is not to be the ‘cool guys’, its to prepare you for the combat that’s coming. -NCS
Great article, and great discussion.
When I’m asked “what calibers should I get,” I reply “who has the most ammo in the US?” Answer: US Military (particularly the Army). And the calibers they use? 5.56mm NATO, 9x19mm, 7.62×51 NATO, 300WM (for sniping), .50BMG. I have read that they have some 6.5 Creedmore, but don’t know that this one is Military Ubiquitous yet. Most of this will be acquired by Battlefield Pickup.
I emphasize the use of Ballistic Advantage, which means effectively engaging them at ranges they likely won’t even try, or would only be spraying & praying when returning fire. This requires rifles, ammunition, and training capable of accurately reaching out to at least 600 meters (AR15/5.56), 800-1000 meters (7.62) and possibly 1500 meters with 300-magnum or .50/.338, etc.
For 5.56, you get this level of accuracy with match-grade ammo (at least 69 grain), a 20-inch barrel, bipod, and at least a 10X scope. An alternative for the “Bolt Gunners” would be to carry the heavy, long-range, low-rate-of-fire rifle in a bag, and a 16″ barrel AR (or even an AR pistol) for immediate self-defense.
Tactically, we don’t want to mix it up at short-ranges with any superior OPFOR, so it makes sense to me to hit them while you enjoy ballistic advantage, then withdraw as they move into effective range of you. This is where, also, that second SKT can have a disruptive effect on the OPFOR: Set up Engagement Areas (EA) which the other SKT covers by fire in order to disrupt the other guy’s advance against you. While SKT2 is engaging, you withdraw/displace to another pre-planned position which would allow your SKT to cover the displacement of SKT2.
Remember, in these cases, WE are doing “guerilla stuff” against a superior enemy. We also can NEVER afford casualties – replacements will be too hard to find!
Which brings us to Our Mobility. I remember the US Army “Light Fighters” mantra: “Too Light to Fight; Too Heavy to Run!”
We won’t have the logistics tail necessary for resupply, and we must ALWAYS assume that we’ll be short on AMMO, and we must carry what we have, so parsimonious precision semi-auto fire MUST be the order of the day! We might carry 300 rounds of 5.56mm or 7.62mm, but can we move with that weight in order to escape encirclement? Consider mountain-bikes or (while fuel is available) quiet dirt-bikes/ATVs where possible to get in and out of target areas.
Regarding slick rifles: Easier to carry, but not good for ballistic advantage. AT LEAST mount a variable-power magnifying optic which allows you to identify and engage targets beyond 300-400 meters. This means that, rather than toting a plethora of binoculars and spotting scopes, every rifleman can scan on low-power, switching to higher-power to more closely scrutinize possible targets, spot splashes for the big rifles; then more accurately engage bad-guys as they approach the 300-meter “let’s get out of here!” line. (Note: Laser rangefinders are NOT a luxury!)
I saw no mention of night combat in the comments above. If you have Night Vision Devices, you must be able to aim your weapon with them, which implies using weapon-mounted IR lasers in conjunction with head-mounted NVDs, or weapon mounted NVDs that work with day-sights – ie clamp-on night scopes in front of day-optics. (Yes, I know: EXPENSIVE!) Red-dot/holographic sights? Not good beyond 200 meters, so keep them as short-range backups to your magnifying optics.
Finally, periodically I get the argument “we never get shots beyond 100-200 meters around here.” Yes, many times all you have is closer-in engagement possibilities, but EVERYWHERE (except in the depths of thick forest) there are opportunities for longer-range engagements – one must only look for them. If our, and jihadi, snipers could get 1200 meter shots inside Baghdad and Ramadi, it can be done in American cities, towns, and rural areas.
Here’s hoping that my rant engenders more discussion, and more relevant ideas: No one of us is smarter than all of us!
SGM S.

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About the Author: NC Scout

NC Scout is the nom de guerre of a former Infantry Scout and Sergeant in one of the Army’s best Reconnaissance Units. He has combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He teaches a series of courses focusing on small unit skills rarely if ever taught anywhere else in the prepping and survival field, including his RTO Course which focuses on small unit communications. In his free time he is an avid hunter, bushcrafter, writer, long range shooter, prepper, amateur radio operator and Libertarian activist. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via his blog at brushbeater.wordpress.com .

42 Comments

  1. MTHead March 10, 2021 at 13:06

    I would mention even in wooded area LPVO are better. If for no other reason than being able to spot your enemy. You see pictures of Vietnam era Green Berets carrying binoculars. Even in mostly jungle fights.
    Being able to spot your enemy. And shoot even the smallest portion of him is going to be a big force multiplier. And an ammo saver.

    • NC Scout March 10, 2021 at 13:27

      Yup. The LPVO is probably the biggest game changer for a small unit out there, save for the advent of night vision and thermal.

      • JD April 11, 2021 at 21:52

        Good stuff re: LVPO, NODS, thermal. I’m with Johnny on comms importance also. Comtac VI on a bump with NODS, hooked to a UV-5R, good radio etiquette, IR, 2 pair SKT’s can own the night as long as there’s no overwatch. 😖

  2. Anonymous March 10, 2021 at 13:09

    5

  3. Phelps March 10, 2021 at 13:30

    but EVERYWHERE (except in the depths of thick forest) there are opportunities for longer-range engagements – one must only look for them.

    This. YOU are the guerilla. YOU pick the battlefield. If you are in a firefight that you didn’t chose, you have ALREADY fucked up, and your only goal should be breaking contact, exfil, and making sure that doesn’t happen again.

    • Patriotman March 10, 2021 at 16:06

      ^^
      DING DING DING WE HAVE A WINNER
      Someone who gets it. So refreshing to see.

  4. SemperFi, 0321 March 10, 2021 at 15:26

    The one major thing no one is addressing;….FedGov owns the sky. Day and night.
    You think all those drones/FLIR are all mothballed surplus now?
    When this shit goes hot, they will have no moral issues with dropping some missiles down your back pocket, they’ve already stated repeatedly who the domestic terrorists are, and that means anything goes to erase the threat. Don’t think gas/chemicals are out of the question either, they’ve stated they want mass population reduction.
    Operating in the worst conditions possible will be the norm, from severe storms with heavy cloudcover in the thickest mud, that’s what it will entail to be successful (and don’t leave any tracks for tomorrows flyover). Nice clear days are your worst enemy, they have the advantage on you x10. Drone operators don’t get dirty or cold in their cubicles.
    Shooting will be the easy part.

    • NC Scout March 10, 2021 at 15:42

      Where do they land?
      How long are they on station?
      How can either of these be manipulated? (I know the answers to these questions).

      • Gray Man March 10, 2021 at 17:30

        Also: Who are the drone pilots and where do they live?

      • SemperFi, 0321 March 10, 2021 at 18:03

        I know young folks with state of the art sniper rifles and suppressors, but they’re weekend toys, they’ll never use them for what we’re discussing. And they sure as hell won’t go to some AFB a thousand miles away looking for folks in flight suits either.
        The majority of these things are bought because they’re the latest civilian fad in the gun mags, something to make you FEEL tacticool, not because these guys are skilled vets with an agenda.
        Nice pipe dream though.

        • NC Scout March 10, 2021 at 18:49

          That’s the answer I thought you’d give.
          The irony is I’ve been in your backyard training people multiple times (and will be again) and never seen you. Says much.

          • SemperFi, 0321 March 10, 2021 at 19:00

            I know where you go, one of his instructors was a Recon Marine same time as I was, but I’m not interested in radios.
            You shoot me an email next time and I’ll buy dinner up here. You’ll find I’m not always an old grumpy asshole. Fair enough?

          • NC Scout March 10, 2021 at 19:01

            I run the Scout course as well. Be there in June.
            They know you too.

          • Mike March 10, 2021 at 19:44

            “not interested in radios” are you? I’m not very interested in logistics and supply chains, doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t study it because it comes in pretty darn handy down the road.

          • SemperFi, 0321 March 10, 2021 at 20:00

            Hey Mike, I used to run and program PRC-77/KY-38 scramblers many decades ago (you know, the ones with the little black pin boxes, right?), still not interested in a HAM license. Doesn’t mean I can’t run a radio. It’s just not something I’m interested in. Kinda like rebuilding carburetors, I know how to do it but it’s not my hobby of choice.

          • NC Scout March 10, 2021 at 20:13

            Interest in a topic has nothing to do with why you don’t train out there.
            I’d quit, now.

          • SemperFi, 0321 March 10, 2021 at 21:07

            I’m here playing devils advocate because all the wannbes think it will be fun sniping the bad guys.
            BTDT, I was an S-2 Scout with BLT 1/9 for Operation Eagle Pull. My unit didn’t get the call when it was time to go, and I had already rotated CONUS to 2nd Recon. We had studied every single LZ in downtown Saigon and Phnom Penh near the embassies, I knew them intimately.
            0321 out.

          • NC Scout March 10, 2021 at 21:08

            Nice backing down. Wise decision.

        • SOG March 10, 2021 at 20:24

          a cornered animal strikes. cool guy gear can be handed to the initiated. and we are the initiated
          weekend warriors will fall in with tools to contribute to the mission. when outraged and victimized appropriately they might suprise you

        • Johnny Paratrooper March 10, 2021 at 20:51

          Not to interrupt this, but my two cents are pretty simple on the radio question.
          Guns are cool. No doubt. But the physics, material sciences, and chemistry are pretty straight forward.
          Speed, aerodynamics, gravity, bullet weight, pistol powders, rifles, shotgun powder, black powder.
          All that stuff is cool. I love talking about everything guns except Glocks. Glocks are a little boring.
          Radios are significantly more complex and very similar in their format.
          There are pocket radios, which are like the pistols of the radio world.
          There are man packs and portables, which are like the AR or AK, or R700 of the radio world.
          And then there are dedicated Radio Shacks and Outlander rigs running 60 or 80 meters with a variety of antenna.
          That’s like the .338 Lapua or .408 Cheytac of the radio world. Truly amazing the range.
          You can also do things like hide inside other EMF; Using it as cloaking and camouflage. Confusing enemy DXing, like putting a magnet next to a compass. I’m not even a radio guy; I’m basically a freshman with radios, but believe me, they are much more technical than guns could ever try to be.
          Radios have played a major role in every single conflict since Marconi’s light bulb moment. And the communists love their broadcast stations. There are also a whole other field of electronic devices like scanners, digital systems, and others types as well.
          The stuff a civilian can buy today is well beyond the 1970’s.
          You can even send SMS over radio like a text message. Which is incredible.
          When you combine a radio and a computer, you have a tool that exceeds anything that can be done with a rifle or pistol.

        • Paulo March 10, 2021 at 22:37

          SF,0321 has good RECON abilities.
          Heck, I remember the time you spotted an old Buffalo Jump from far away
          while paddling around and was correct in the find.
          Pray all is good and squared away SF,O321.
          Personally, I find the topics written and discussed very educational.
          Being a former Combat Enginneer (primary MOS) then TOW (secondary MOS), understading
          the many factors and parameters involved in the overall picture.
          Thank you all.

    • Matt Bracken March 10, 2021 at 18:24

      Three million square miles in the lower 48.
      Estimates of the number of firearms range from 300 to 600 million, IOW, nobody knows.
      But based on the number of deer stamps etc, I’d estimate at least tens of millions of scoped deer rifles capable of taking a 200# mammal at 500+ yards.
      A guy goes out and takes one shot and goes back to bed.
      You think drone operators are watching all 3 million square miles 24/7, at that granular detail?

      • SemperFi, 0321 March 10, 2021 at 19:10

        They don’t need to cover 3 million miles, just your electronic trails.
        Haven’t found 1 single person who will turn off his phone when I’m trying to have a conversation with them. Went to visit a friend a few weeks ago, told him to leave his phone on the kitchen table as we went outside, nope, wasn’t gonna happen. Neither did our conversation.
        Until we get a full blown EMP attack, you’re not going to get people’s full undivided attention. And they will rat you out thru stupidity. Guaranfuknteed.

        • NC Scout March 10, 2021 at 19:16

          And both of you hang out on Gab.
          Imagine that.

          • SemperFi, 0321 March 10, 2021 at 19:52

            Sorry, not a Gab user. Hang out on WRSA and links. I don’t go anywhere that requires sign up.

      • Ornery March 10, 2021 at 22:58

        Thank God the voice of reason showed up.

    • MTHead March 10, 2021 at 20:16

      How they going to see you as more than an animal running around the woods? They can’t even see through an umbrella, let alone trees. The war they sure as hell can’t win is the tire war. All we have to do is shoot tires at random. And the whole thing falls apart. Hell pop the cell tower you don’t like being tracked. They can’t win. But we won’t either as far as the Chinese have it planned. America is ending cheap for them.

    • Shannon Gream March 13, 2021 at 00:46

      Biden said during one if his rare out of the basement appearances that our AKs are nothing compared to his F15s…that statement got to me, but not 1 news agency picked it up, not even the independents!

  5. ChuckInBama March 10, 2021 at 16:51

    “Long distance is the next best thing to being there”. An old ad slogan for Bell telephone. And the for a small force, the way to conduct operations. Hit, disappear. Ideally, coordinate with other small teams that can hit then disappear from another angle. Shoot, move, communicate. Keep the OPFOR confused. Death by a thousand cuts.

  6. Gray Man March 10, 2021 at 17:27

    5

  7. boss21 March 10, 2021 at 20:18

    Good stuff. Had drinks with an IRA man some years ago . His favorite op was taking a few shots across a hard terrain feature with a Garand with 3 to 4 men around him with ARs/Armalites as security. Weapons were cached in one location before and another after. Everyone separated immediately after. The Brits had state of the surveillance gear. He did time for some other stupid shit. He still has drinks.

  8. Joseph Schmo March 10, 2021 at 23:36

    Everyone should have the means to build a large spark gap transmitter when the time comes.

  9. Juri March 11, 2021 at 03:08

    In 4th Gen war when enemy wearing civilian clothes and avoids any easily recognizable stuff , how you can see from 1200 meters, who is friend and who is foe ?

    • NC Scout March 11, 2021 at 07:13

      By their actions.

      • Juri March 11, 2021 at 07:57

        Then the shooter must be serious body language expert and suspicious behavior may not be caused by hostile activity against us. Big chance to pick wrong target. Every nervous guy on the street corner is not enemy spotter or IED trigger man.

        • NC Scout March 11, 2021 at 07:58

          It’s what we did quite a bit of.

        • Phelps March 11, 2021 at 10:02

          It’s shockingly easy to read body language. Can you screw that up? Sure. War sucks. Get a helmet. Sometimes the wrong guy catches some lead.
          Also, this is why intel is important. You’re not ambushing people cold. If you’ve done your legwork, you know that they are identifying each other by wearing green watchcaps, and the guy with a white band on his watchcap is the officer.
          If you’re just sitting around in a blind looking through a scope randomly and waiting to see someone you feel like zapping, you’re not a guerilla, you’re a terrorists. Terrorists have a different role and different goals in 4GW.

    • Johnny Paratrooper March 11, 2021 at 08:06

      The exact same way a bouncer identifies who he needs to keep an extra eye on at the bar. Or the same way a cop knows who to be nice with or who to stay 30 feet away from. Or the same way a poker player can spot a tell. It takes practice, but it is absolutely possible.

  10. Anonymous March 11, 2021 at 10:06

    4.5

  11. rto-jerry March 11, 2021 at 10:53

    Snoop and poop like a ghost. Thanks SGM S!!

  12. Highlander March 12, 2021 at 12:00

    I see a lot of folks saying they cant hit a target at 1000 yards with iron sights? That’s more of a larger target like a vehicle but if you can’t do it get practicing! Don’t bet your life on electronic gadgets, Murphy says that they will fail at a critical moment. Learn to do everything in the dark without the aid of electronic devices. That is not to say you should not use ’em if you’ve got ’em, but keeping them running will become problematic rapidly. Your potential adversary will not be able to operate effectively at night with out those crutches and will be limited by them, train better then that.
    Old School Staff Sergeant

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