TDG Tuesday: Neighborhood Defense

I started this series, TDG (Tactical Decision Game) Tuesdays, to get you more in the mindset of how you could potentially handle a given tactical scenario with a limited amount of resources and manpower. My goal is to get you to read these scenarios and think about what resources you have available, what sort of scenarios you might encounter, and what gaps you need to fill in your equipment/training.
I will use the basic 5-paragraph operations order format, or SMEAC, to present the scenario as follows;
Situation: Disposition of all friendly, hostile, and adjacent forces.
Mission: What we are trying to do.
Execution: How we are going to do it.
Admin & Logistics: Who/what is getting where and how.
Command & Signal: Who is in charge and how they are communicating.

TDG 2: Neighborhood Defense

Partially inspired by the book “Lights Out” by David Crawford.

Situation: Partial collapse/WROL scenario. Your region has been without electricity for two weeks, running water went out one week ago. Law enforcement is ineffective, and certain rogue elements are starting to become more of a threat.

  • OPFOR Situation: Criminal elements are emboldened by the inability of law enforcement to take or respond to 911 calls. Home invasions by looters are becoming more and more common, and nearby gang elements are starting to make their presence known by providing “protection” and demanding tribute payments in certain neighborhoods. Occasional distant gunfire can be heard at night, and it’s been getting closer the last couple of days.
  • BLUFOR Situation: You live in the subdivision pictured in the map above. Although you hadn’t really known many of your neighbors, you’ve mostly all come together since the power went out and forced you all outside to socialize. You’re aware of the situation in the rest of the town, and want to take measures to secure your subdivision. Your neighbors are in agreement, and you are on a committee of your peers making recommendations for how to best set up defenses.
  • Independents Situation: LE has not been seen or heard from in over a week and is assumed to be non-existent or tied up elsewhere. They are not hostile to your group, but cannot be counted on to render assistance. You are unaware if National Guard has been activated, but have not seen any military presence yet. Civilians have started fleeing the city in small groups, walking South along the road outside your subdivision.

Mission: Establish defensive security measures for the subdivision in order to deter looters and repel potential attacks by large groups of armed gang members.
Execution: (Up to you. Remember that not everyone can be on guard 100% of the time, and that none of you have trained together before.)
Admin & Logistics: Your available resources include the following:

  • 50 families
  • 15 men with AR-15s
  • 4 men with AKMs
  • 10 men with scoped hunting rifles
  • 1 .50 cal AMR
  • entrenching tools (shovels & picks)
  • 200 yards of barbed wire
  • a decent supply of lumber and woodworking tools from a house under construction
  • 6 FRS/GMRS Walkie-talkies with a solar charger
  • Assorted vehicles
  • Assorted camping equipment
  • Average 200 rounds per carbine, and 50 rounds per hunting rifle and the AMR.

Command & Signal: (Up to you. Cell towers are down and there is no power. You should still have a PACE plan, even with limited comm options. Remember, there are non-electronic ways of communicating.)
Hint; The acronym for priorities of work in the defense is SAFESOC:
Security
Avenues of Approach
Fields of fire
Entrenchment
Supplemental Positions
Obstacles
Camouflage
Feel free to post your answers in the comments and discuss.

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53 Comments

  1. Anonymous March 16, 2021 at 06:56

    5

  2. VAdeputy March 16, 2021 at 07:50

    These are excellent scenarios, Mike and really get a brain thinking. I appreciate the efforts you take to get us game planning these types of issues. Thank you.

  3. Anonymous March 16, 2021 at 08:44

    4.5

  4. Phelps March 16, 2021 at 11:37

    Before I answer —
    1) Aerial photos are great, but I would really like a topo map. We can just assume flatland if that is all we have, but if it’s my neighborhood I would know where the swells and defilade are. (Full disclosure — as I was writing this question, I found the location, looked at the topo and think it is significant. Just the popular name of the region tells you that.)
    2) How many teenage boys do we have?

    • Mike March 16, 2021 at 17:27

      Great point dude. You’re right, terrain plays a huge role in tactical planning. Thanks for the tip, I’ll try to include topo data when possible in future TDGs.

  5. Mudge March 16, 2021 at 11:45

    Love these.
    It looks like those 2 little spur roads on the east side enter the development. I’m blocking those with cars and using only as an emergency exit. I’m using that long road on the south as the controlled entry point with standard zigzag pattern to slow approach.
    I’m picking a house on the SE part of the development on the inside as my command post. Building an observation/overwatch tower right there manned 24×7 with the .50. QRF of 6 in 2 SUV’s there with a radio.. Also going to try to get folks to consolidate residences and hot bunk.
    2nd tower at NE corner to watch road and power cut. Radio there.
    LP/OP in woods with a radio, might block that road as well.
    1×4 person roving foot patrol 24×7 with a radio.
    Barbed wire to the west restricting access, ultimately trenched.
    By priority/phase:
    1. 24×7 command post with radio. 2×4 person security patrols. With radios. 3 stationary access control points.
    2. LP/OP in woods.
    3. Build command post/observarion tower.
    4. Fortify from there.
    LP/OP in woods to West with a radio.

    • Johnny Paratrooper March 16, 2021 at 21:10

      Great choice on that house in the south east. I missed that.
      As I say in most of my comments, you put enough men at the adult’s table, and the important ideas write themselves.
      Both of those roads have excellent visibility on both main lines of advance and are major high speed avenues of approach.
      We can put a secondary tactical operations center on the other side.
      The open field is no man’s land if you put enough scoped rifles on the north east quadrant.
      Interesting pen name too. Rare name. You aren’t from North Baltimore by a water tower are you?

      • 'Mudge March 16, 2021 at 22:21

        Nope. Short for curmudgeon.
        After I hit send, I thought about the exact opposite idea. Make the place look trashed, abandoned. Watchpoints from inside houses, maybe lp/op in the field across main road to east. Opposite of where hostile might be looking. Needs more thought about how it gets executed. Kind of how some German troops hid in French villages during WW2.
        I think there’s an issue with hiding out and a few folks come in looking/scavenging. Is there a valid reason to shoot them in a “partial collapse”?

        • Mike March 17, 2021 at 06:56

          Fascinating idea. In that case, it’d probably be prudent to call out to the intruders, advise them of their situation, and be able to do a show of force if necessary to get them to leave. If they’re dedicated, they may try to probe elsewhere, but they still don’t know your full strength.

  6. Brad March 16, 2021 at 11:53

    These are great. I’m looking forward to Tuesdays now.

  7. Michael March 16, 2021 at 15:28

    Electricity out for a week plus, that’s a problem. Running Water has been out for a week? You have bigger problems than gangs buddy. What is your Water Source and Sewage situation? Folks will be dying pretty soon for lack of either. Dehydration or septic derived medieval disease dude.
    Your homes are flammable no real bullet resistance homes too spread out for protection. Your well armed for a typical neighborhood but no training noted for fire discipline so that 200 rounds per carbine and 50 for hunting rifles-anti-material 50 Cal (boy am I impressed good job!) your likely to have less than 60 rounds per carbine after the first firefight. Hunters are likely to have still about 30-40 rounds each given their aim to shoot attitude.
    Yes, I’ve been in night fire fights with support troops and I am giving CREDIT to your armed civilians ability to restrain themselves from the Bang Bang excitement when things get frisky. Police don’t do much better. BUT they have Re-Supply so….
    How many shovels do you have? Do you have a fire suppression plan as houses WILL be aflame from bad attempts to heat them-cook food in addition to enemy actions. Buckets of sand ready?
    What’s your plan to protect Non-Combatants? Not soo many armed men will wander away from their family and home when things are weird. Wife and Kids think poorly of that you know.
    What’s your Medical Supplies and Medical TRAINING levels in your group. Going to NEED them pretty quickly. AGAIN a gut shot Kid or such will reduce the enthusiasm of your “Troops” to leave their families to fight the Good Fight.
    6 Walkie Talkies? I hope you have whistles and code cards so your “Civilians” can alert you to the facts your “Main Attack” you just drove off was to get some infiltrators into one or more homes and NOW you Have Multi-Hostage Situations. GANGS don’t want a shoot out THEY want some reward for their efforts. Holding hostages’ is often seen as a way to GET WHAT YOU WANT.
    Do you KNOW your Short Range OFFSET for your AR carbines so you don’t kill the Hostage tying to shoot the face of the “Terrorist”? I’ve done a hostage shoot, not fun when it’s a buddy of yours let alone a family member.
    Leadership in this case isn’t just setting up a defensive plan BUT getting the families BUY IN by providing for the OTHER NEEDS like Ah WATER?

    • Mike March 16, 2021 at 17:25

      You, sir, have completely missed the point of this exercise. Yes, there are non-tactical concerns in a situation like this, but I have neither the time nor a reason to detail how these people dig slit latrines, collect rainwater, or cook food in an exercise designed to build peoples’ tactical planning skills.
      And yes, I know that 200 rounds per carbine is pitifully little, THAT’S THE POINT OF THE EXERCISE YOU WALNUT. You never have what you want in a given scenario, so needing to deal with shortages is a legitimate concern. Does everyone in your neighborhood have thousands of rounds stockpiled? No, but many of them will have rifles, and you probably have a few thousand rounds that gets distributed.
      Next time consider the objective behind the article before making yourself look like a pompous ass in the comments.

      • Michael March 16, 2021 at 20:07

        With respect Mike seems from the other comments OTHER folks thought water being OUT for a week (implying No water, thus No Septic) and the lack of bullet resistance of the homes your trying to defend SEEMED Important.
        You die from lack of water for three days not a lot longer with bad water.
        Not as much fun as doing the gun thing but important, as we are NOT overseas shooting at little brown people and having a Helicopter bring in our ammo and taking out the wounded. YOU have non combatants and children here to support and defend.
        This Pompous Ass OUT.

        • NC Scout March 16, 2021 at 20:28

          “Not as much fun as doing the gun thing but important, as we are NOT overseas shooting at little brown people and having a Helicopter bring in our ammo and taking out the wounded.“
          WTF is this? Oh, lemme guess. I already know. Not a liberal but spouts the worst and most idiotic of liberal talking points, not a conservative and has none of the utility they possess. Couldn’t answer a question so resorts to the usual ancap nonsense talking points while hurling insults.

          • Michael March 16, 2021 at 21:09

            NC Scout where did I Insult Him? I did address the scenario. IF you don’t secure your “Warfighters Families” THEY will NOT Fight.
            Overseas OUR Families are safe behind an ocean. So thus we must address the non-combatants and the needs of them AS WELL as your Warfighters. No Water NO Warfighters, they die off shortly. No Sewer pretty soon you have no community to defend.
            Liberal ROTFLMAO. No someone that also has seen the bloody end of the spear. Just in the Combat Medic side of the team.

          • NC Scout March 16, 2021 at 21:13

            Whatever dude. You made the statement to defend, “shooting little brown people” like some dirtbag undergrad, and its one that’s straight trash.

        • Mike March 16, 2021 at 21:03

          “Yes, I’ve been in night fire fights with support troops…”
          I already doubted this statement, now I’m certain it’s a falsehood. Take your stolen valor BS somewhere else where they’re impressed.

          • Michael March 19, 2021 at 08:42

            Mike did you often insult your Medics and Supply SGT during your time in the Sandbox? Your knowledge of someone on the internet seems arrogant. Hopefully when trouble REALLY comes to our neighborhoods you remember to think before speaking. There will be plenty of troubles and enemies with out making more with hot words.
            BTW I just sent off a water sample to the state for testing from a well and pump my folks just rebuilt. Sometimes an old homestead well is abandoned for a good reason. What did you do to ensure your warfighters have safe water? You know Killhouse Rule # 3 and #5.

          • wwes March 19, 2021 at 09:19

            One thing I would like to point out- Mike never said, as far as I can see, that water and sewer didn’t matter, simply that the purpose of this exercise was not to address that issue, but to practice planning to address the defense of the neighborhood. Water is always important, as are all of the other things in SWEAT-MC, but that doesn’t mean that we have the time or space to address every issue that this community might face in a comment section. You can’t even address them all in a post of their own, it would take an entire book. These posts are here to give you a chance to practice war gaming a scenario on paper, and learn from others doing the same.
            Besides, who is to say that there aren’t already folks detailed to make nightly trips to scout out one of the small ponds in that image and bring back drinking water, or to dig latrines in this situation?

          • NC Scout March 19, 2021 at 09:19

            Give it a fucking rest.

    • Johnny Paratrooper March 16, 2021 at 18:08

      Instead of using whistles, I opted for car horns.
      And before you say “They have car horns too” try to remember that works the same way…
      And because of the Doppler effect, you can tell an incoming horn from a static horn.

    • North man April 2, 2021 at 15:05

      I enjoyed reading Phelp’s post. I have some nit picky changes to the OPs and AMR position, but really the meat worth addressing is Michael’s post.
      I’m seeing him get plenty of $hit for legitimate concerns, and it’s pretty unsettling how he’s been virtually shouted down for otherwise great addendums. Fundamentally, the scenario is one of resource allocation, and more precisely manpower allocation.
      Water is a massive tactical consideration here. Logistics for experts. This place looks barren. What if there isn’t water on site? If not, that means its getting hauled. One motherf#ck of a problem. That’s 2 Gallons (1 minimum) for every person in that neighborhood, EVERY SINGLE DAY. For the sake of this exercise, let’s say there is water in reasonable haul distance (700m?). What’s the man power draw there? Worth considering, given its likelihood to happen in anyone’s given neighborhood in the US.
      Next how about work detail? Are the women and kids working the entrenchments and improving the OPs (I’d personally just use the houses – less work)? I assume they’re doing all the farm/garden work? Latrine duty?
      Another consideration is if a few (maybe even several) of those shooters have a skill more important than being a shooter (very likely). Those look like some nice homes. Do some MD’s live there? How many of those are Emergency, Family or Internal medicine Docs? If the answer is literally any of them, they’re not standing post. They’re at the casualty collection point. The same is true for RN’s and EMTs/Paramedics. Those dudes aren’t pulling post. Any Electricians? Engineers? Same thing. There are quality of life necessities that need to be entered into the calculus and INCLUDED IN THE TACTICAL PICTURE.
      Maybe the point of this post is to point out the numbers given here will probably be redirected so we’ll be working with much less on the perimeter security and QRF fronts.

      • Phelps April 2, 2021 at 16:49

        There’s a stock pond right across 2657, 100 feet off the road. There’s another one about 600m southwest of that. Another 1km northeast of that. They are all away from the expected avenue of attack an in territory that we want to control or be friendly with.
        There’s 50 families and less than 30 trigger pullers in the settlement. I agree that labor is necessary, but at the same time, it’s outside the scope of the exercise. In fact, it’s likely that there is a trades foreman (or retired) in the settlement somewhere who would be much better at organizing the labor crews than the tactical commander.
        That stuff is absolutely important, and it’s absolutely a different exercise.
        Also, frankly, if the general lawlessness goes on for more than 10 days or so, that stuff has already been worked or it won’t be.

        • North man April 2, 2021 at 17:16

          Yeah, perhaps. My post (and Michael’s) could have been alleviated with “Your neighborhood has water, medical, work detail, and engineering considerations outsourced or handled, what do you do with these here 30 MAM’s for perimeter security only”. On my initial reading of the scenario, my first thought was, “Let’s go find some f#cking water.”
          Also, I don’t see the water sources mentioned, but I’ll take your word for it. Any protection detail for that? If I’m the local warlord looking at this place and I see a train of people humping water back and forth (or small convoy?) day in and day out from those stock ponds, guess what I’m going after? Again, this isn’t making it into a defensive profile, why?

  8. Johnny Paratrooper March 16, 2021 at 18:03

    This is a realistic mess of a situation.
    First, I would organize my men in the best shape as QRF/RRT and establish a meet and greet. Knowing meat eaters, they will get along quick well. These guys get the AMR detail.
    Second, I would set up two SKT/LPOP with a mix of AR’s broken down in a 50/50 mix of friends and family on the outer edge.
    Route 4770 and 4771 gets the Barbed Wire 100 feet each stretched out completely perpendicular to the road. Covered by the AK’s for vehicle penetration and disable operations in pairs. Minivans are drained of fuel, except 1/4 tank and used as TCP/ECP weave barriers.
    I would have night crews dig fighting positions on an MLR and SLR standard mix and build fake “scare crows” to occupy them.
    Radios are pairs of three, one pair each for the SKT’s and QRF.
    Hunting riflemen would be given 60 degrees each in pairs. Rotated. covering the rear AKA West.
    Hunting riflemen are also going to build scarecrows and rotate them nightly.
    Car horns are used to communicate signal, strength, distance, and direction in brevity codes.
    I would create a 123ABC code matrix and greatly limit transmissions on these radios.
    I would also avoid scanning to save battery, unless power is in great supply.
    I would have a car guy and an electronics guy rig up the house alarms to car batteries.
    And I would turn the biggest truck into a mobile pillbox using lumber and rammed earth in the bed.
    Lightest trucks are topped off and used as intercepters.
    Houses north, would be abandoned at owners discretion and reconsolidated.
    I would build listening dishes out of plywood for the LPOP’s so they can set them up at night and have more acute hearing.
    What a mess. I hope this never happens.
    I would also make signs that say “You have been warned. Trespassers will be shot beyond this sign.” and then place some “dead” scare crows on the other side of the signage. Complete with a spray painted black Airsoft/Nerf gun and a dead dog.
    If the houses have pallets of Sheetrock or Plywood I would make rammed earth bunkers or stand alone cover out of them.

    • Johnny Paratrooper March 16, 2021 at 18:16

      I would make fake guns out of plywood and paint them black if I had the resources.
      These would be mandatory carry for the unarmed. Everyone gets one 24/7.

      • wwes March 16, 2021 at 20:44

        I like this idea. It’s pretty easy to cut out fakes from scrap plywood that look good from a distance, and if you don’t have paint a mixture of grease and ground up charcoal would blacken them. We had a kid at school draw out an AK a couple of years ago on plywood, and cut it out on a jigsaw. With the way some of the staff reacted, I’m surprised they didn’t call out the SWAT team lol

        • Johnny Paratrooper March 16, 2021 at 21:03

          Great Idea. And if I made AK’s I could use half the black paint. Lmao.
          My friend made a Nunchuck in HS and caught a felony for manufacturing an illegal weapon. Having a weapon on school property. Destroying evidence when told it was illegal and Fleeing authorities on a skateboard. The Shop teacher told him it was “OK” just don’t hit anyone with it. The Principle, a Globohomo pumpkin peach of a bitch, ruined his life for 4 years. I didn’t even know that NunChucks were banned in Maryland.
          Needless to say, Maryland is occupied territory full of spineless cucks.

          • VAdeputy March 16, 2021 at 22:20

            This is a very agreeable statement. F**k Maryland.

          • wwes March 17, 2021 at 08:07

            Damn, that’s rough, it sounds like the schools are even worse up there than they are here. I pretty regularly have kids trying to make shivs out of welding rods, but only once did another teacher see them doing it and say anything. I just grind the tips off and tell them to grow up.
            Usually when we start using oxyacetylene torches I’ll fill a balloon up with acetylene and light it on fire so they can see what a buildup of acetylene can do, you should have seen the principal’s face when they saw THAT for the first time lol

    • Ben Leucking March 16, 2021 at 18:50

      Sounds like a good initial plan. I would try to figure out a way to get a regular supply of water from the reservoir that is about 2 miles ESE of the subdivision. My assumption is that the subdivision is not under a 24X7 direct threat of attack. Also, with 50 men and 29 weapons, that leaves a substantial work crew available for preparing defensive structures.

      • Johnny Paratrooper March 16, 2021 at 19:03

        I would have solved the water problem, but I figured that would have been solved the second day it was out. Considering there are 50 men, it would have been solved quick. It looks like there are two water sources in the south east and south west, only a recon could check that out.

    • Claymore March 16, 2021 at 21:47

      Any special treatment for the ROW running east/west? Would seem a natural avenue of approach for people on foot or on off-road type vehicles.

      • Johnny Paratrooper March 16, 2021 at 23:03

        Great question.
        Logic would dictate several reasons for not dedicating a special unit to this.
        1) Anyone who takes this route knows the area and might be friendly; Not an opportunistic looter.
        2) One of the SKT’s would also cover this route. The other would be mirrored North. They would be designated SKT North-SKT South.
        3) You could easily use Vehicles to block the round for 2 wheel drive sedans. But a 4×4 would just go around. As would and looters by foot.
        4) If they looked really mean, they would be noticed many times driving down. They would be mean mugging you driving down Highway East North/South #1.
        5) I already had dozens of fake pill boxes made with straw soldiers. Fake pill boxes are as dangerous as real ones. For two reasons. One, you cant ignore them and must expend ammunition clearing them, and, Two I could have rotated a sleeper team into any one of them.
        6) The Top route, Or NorthSide East/West #1 is going to get the same treatment. Same Response. Keeps rotating teams easy and keeps people from getting board. The south side has lots of visibility judging by the terrain. The Northern one makes me nervous because I would be worried about my own guys getting sniped and everyone losing their morale and voting me out of the leadership position. North side would keep there heads down, I would consider making some periscopes using cut mirrors, construction adhesive, and some lumber(preferably trim to keep it light). Which would be tactically smart because the sun usually tracks East-West. So any glare or glint would be minimal.
        Periscopes. A lesson from WW1. “Once forgotten; Twice remembered”- Anonymous Military Strategist.

  9. Hugh Mungus March 16, 2021 at 21:39

    Relevant to this task:
    Perimeter Defense – https://youtu.be/ngvL9sC9heg

  10. hillbillyjack March 17, 2021 at 00:08

    I have a suggestion, very cheap and effective. Road blocking and control I would use the porcupine defense. Using railroad ties landscaping timbers or old power/telephone poles.
    Take the smallest re bar you can get cut it in 1 foot lengths. Sharpen one end drill into the wood about half the length of the spike. Cutting the wood in 6 foot lengths connect 2 with cable or chain form in a V shape towards enemy 2 rows deep . Secure with light weight wire to the edge of the road.
    Set a over watch with 2 gas guns.
    This will stop any blitz attack by heavy 4 wheeler attack. Make sure the porcupines are placed where it’s impossible to bypass going off road.

  11. OptimisticCynic March 17, 2021 at 06:42

    Lots of details to this scenario. I am a total amateur at this. Feel free to laugh if I mess up big time.
    Primary strategy: Hide in plain sight.
    First security action; Manned guard posts at NE & SE corners. Two men, two guns each. Rooftops preferred, military crest. Primarily watching for armed groups approaching from N & S along main road. Will provide sniping fire support following initial engagement by duty squad.
    Six man armed duty squad on call with vehicle to support where needed.
    This takes three radios. Two more radios go with two work crews, minimum three guns each. Sixth radio at command post to dispatch messengers for all hands call outs.
    Fields of fire: All combatants to approach hostiles from South and West, pushing hostiles to North and East exits. As much as possible. All non combatant and off duty residents caught North and East of hostiles to cover in place without engaging until friendlies come abreast. I think anything more complicated than this is likely to fail with primarily untrained combatants.
    Entrenchment: First block access roads with cars. Then build less threatening blocks on access roads. Brush piles bound together by wire should do. One gate on southern corner road. Move the cars away. Make it difficult for travelers on the main road to see the houses along the road. Camouflage the barrier as common, tall wooden privacy fences and hedges. Set alarms around the rest of the perimeter. Lots of other improvements to guard posts, barriers, etc..
    Supplemental positions: This is where I am going to go far afield from common base defense tactics. I would establish a trading post and an aid station. The trading post would be at the four way intersection North of the home subdivision. Use some camping gear to set it up. It’s a straight line of sight for the NE guard post to see flags at the trading post. Here you have your forward observation post, and a place to meet people, gather intelligence, and distract attention away from the home base. If the land owners there will allow, it could also be set up as a trap for gangs of thieves. Most likely though, this trading post will have to be abandoned if it is attacked. A self identified hostile is easier to eliminate. To the south of home, again with a straight line of sight from the home guard post, set up a water aid station and perhaps an overnight campground for people leaving town. This one for sure should be set up to trap hostile groups. The idea is to attract people’s attention to destinations outside of your fortified subdivision so they pass by without even noticing that you are there. At the same time, you can gather intel on potential threats and opportunities.
    I’ve imagined a lot of other details. All dogs must be moved to the west side of the subdivision. Barking would draw the attention of passersby on the main road. Neighborhood watch signs must be prominently displayed throughout the subdivision. The signs are meant to discourage lone wandering pedestrian murderers and looters who might come in by the back ways. The E-W road on the south side of the neighborhood should be blocked off at the T to the West where it begins. For this end, I would use a very wide, but not too tall brush pile. Cover the first 100 feet of road and it doesn’t look like there is supposed to be a road there. Move along, move along, there is nothing to see here.
    Hiding in plain sight, watch posts, sniper posts, duty squad to front troubles, all hands call ups, and still engaging with the larger community. This might work.

  12. Houdini March 17, 2021 at 12:54

    In this scenario we have the luxury of time and a well stocked fridge to give our ideas, real time…not so much. Do any of these homes have basements? If so, some could be designated as emergency shelters for the community in case of an attack and an aid station. Any of the homes have a second story? If so they might serve as a platform for long guns and could be reinforced by sandbagging or some other ballistic reinforcement on the reverse slope.

  13. ICRoy... March 17, 2021 at 13:31

    A good idea might be to choose one CoA here and do a follow-on with the assumption that things went poorly…

  14. Retired instructor March 17, 2021 at 17:06

    Different point of view here. You need a area plan first before deciding how to build your local defense plan. Don’t plan on anything for that location except GTFO fast as you can toward the west or south. I thought that area looked familiar. Then it dawned on me that is just west of Gray AAF. Just outside the pattern I have flown hundreds of times. If you are within a certain perimeter (will not disclose details) of that air field you won’t stay there for long, you will be removed and without your shit and NO Firearms allowed. By guys with… very serious tools. Anyone in that restricted zone after removal of locals will not be tolerated, with maximum force authorized. You won’t sneak back in and retrieve your shit. They will see you and remove the threat, very quickly. Not knocking the idea here, but you must know your area and account for any close in…. complications. Figuring out if your location is viable is task one. In this location, I know it is not. Now move this to a different location and use these ideas but still look about. Air Assault! Retired instructor

    • Phelps March 17, 2021 at 18:04

      In all fairness, if that was the scenario then the general lawlessness north that precipitates this would have never happened.

  15. Phelps March 17, 2021 at 17:34

    Organization:
    3 platoons of 6, divided into 3 buddies teams each of AKM/AR riflemen. Grouping existing friendships and relations is encouraged.
    One pair of DMs with hunting rifles attached to each platoon (6 DMs). The four best stalkers/hunters are separated out and are the scouts.
    Owner of the AMR or his designee gets the last rifleman as his security and they are a buddy team. Everyone keeps his own weapon unless he voluntarily gives it up. It’s way too easy to alienate people at the start of this, and find out that they’ve R-U-N-N-O-F-T (with their AMR) when no one was looking.
    Anticipated avenue of attack is from the North on 2657. A diplomatic team needs to be sent to the ranch across 2657 and to the ranch on the west side of 2657 to the south. They need to be recruited, or at the very least, consent given to operate on the curtilage of their properties and mutual protection pacts forged.
    Three LP/OPs established, in order of priority:
    One (1-LP) on the southern slope of the hill formed by the neighborhood entrance, on the east side of the road, as far back from the shoulder as can be while still maintaining sight down the highway. The goal when positioning is to be able to see to the bend in the road to the north. This position is dug in, with pillbox fortifications to the south. Concealment to the north is the main concern.
    Second LP/OP dug in near the under construction house to the northwest. The goal in positioning is to be able to observe the power line right of way w/e, and to observe the western border across the construction road in the gully.
    Third LP/OP should be positioned at the corner of 2657 and 4700. The primary goal is to observe the south to the bend 400m away, with observation of 4700 to the west as secondary. 1&3 will have LOS to each other to provide emergency support if in danger of being overrun.
    Overhead cover (for comfort and concealment, not shrapnel) to be constructed and concealed expediently (camo net is ideal, bedsheet dragged through the mud and cut into a net if needed) for all LP/OPs. All LP/OPs get a designated radio that stays at the LP (unless abandoned.) All LP/OPs should be built trench style for concealment and cover. Later, labor permitting, the trenches can be extended to allow deployment or retreat under cover.
    The day gets blocked out into six hour watches. A/C platoons start, then A/B, then B/C, then A/C, and so on. Each watch has a buddy team in an LP/OP for two hours, then relieved by the next team. Given that this is an untrained militia, I see this as the best compromise. Less than two hours, and they really don’t get a feel for the area they are observing. More than two hours, discipline breaks down and sleeping starts, especially at night. Each platoon’s DMs should rotate on the same two hour terms, one each at 1-LP and 3-LP. If an alarm is raised, they are to leave the observers at the post and join the QRF (unless it is their LP that is observing the danger, obviously.)
    If available, each LP/OP is also assigned 1-2 teenage boys for 4 hour watches, as runners and snitches for sleepers and lolygaggers. They can alternatively remain within earshot at other concealed positions (backyards behind fences, etc.) Fetching missions (coffee, necessary sundries, etc) are also allowed as long as at least one teen stays as a messenger.
    Platoon members that are on, but not in an LP/OP are to stay mustered at the TOC as the QRF. Ideal location for the TOC is the NE house with the green yard, probably commandeering the garage. Time and labor permitting, we’ll build something more suitable (earthwork cover, ventilation, etc) in the empty lot to the west. Riflemen at the TOC are encouraged to either perform personal maintenance or sleep, as long as 2 men are up to rouse the others. (6 hours between watches is not enough for proper sleep hygiene, this is intended to mitigate that.) The TOC gets a radio, and if it can be routed through a boom box or similar for amplification, it should be done. A rotation of non-combatant OODs should be mustered to man the radio if the QRF is deployed.
    Vehicles should be procured for the QRF, preferably pickups. Given that there is likely to only be 6-9 men in the QRF, one full sized pickup is likely enough. Two more vehicles should be designated as backups and for reinforcement.
    AMR team needs bunking near the TOC, adjacent preferred. A fighting position and deployment route needs to be prepared for the AMR team at the entrance, potentially the same position as 1-LP. The rifleman attached to the AMR marksman is issued a radio. The AMR team should man their fighting position for 4-6 hours out of 24, preferably at night (especially dusk) or when dictated by scouted intel. The AMR team should also be taking short sorties to build range cards with an emphasis on the northern avenue of attack and to identify potential cover for attackers.
    The scouts are organized in two pairs (move-cover), and are tasked with scouting a 1 km band around the perimeter. The scout leader is issued a rifle. They are to scout for 4 hours, return to base, and spend 11 hours off. This will give them some routine for maintenance and sleep hygiene, and stagger the times of the patrols. When they are not patrolling, they should put their gear in order to assist the QRF before sleeping. They should also regularly visit the LP/OPs and consult with the riflemen manning them for any potential intel. (Also esprit de corps. The scouts will be seen as elite whether they are or not.)
    Overt obstacles are to be avoided. Clear fields of fire are our advantages, and obstacles will provide the enemy more cover rather than slowing them down. Unless the scouts report that there are Mad Max vehicles in the area, then we are talking about thin skinned vehicles, likely driven by people who aren’t used to receiving massed, aimed fire. Obviously, if we get that sort of intel, we drop logs on the road, laced together and prepare them for ignition. Good running large vehicles not suitable for the QRF should be positioned across the 2657 entrance where it Ts into 4772 (not readily visible from the road) as a mobile obstacle. The same should be done at 4772 and 4776 to the southwest. We are not trying to control movement on 4700 or 2657. We are trying to repel attacks. A pair of “ROAD CLOSED” signs should be painted up and placed in the road at dusk on either end of 2657 and removed at dawn.
    Generally, we are depending on warning and awareness for defense. Trying to fortify stick construction houses to withstand an attack in force is an attractive nuisance, and would sap morale (implying that is what we expect) and labor for little gain. Barbed wire should be emplaced in coils across worn footpaths in the ROW under the powerlines. (There isn’t NEARLY enough wire to cover any significant spans of this area.)
    P: FRS radios
    A: Runners
    C: Three shots, rapid succession
    E: Molotov cocktails in the road
    LP/OPs that are in contact and in danger of being overrun before the QRF can respond are to be abandoned if possible. Molotov cocktails should be used for area denial and concealment if abandoning the position. Don’t forget the radio.
    Daytime ROE is that single vehicles traveling 2657 or 4700 are to be reported, kept under observation, and concealment maintained. Single vehicles are allowed to pass if peaceful. Multiple vehicle observed activates the QRF. 3 or more vehicles gives the AMR and DMs authorization to use their judgment for engagement based on the vehicle behavior. (Maybe a line of church busses plodding along is OK, but four pickups full of MAMs in gang colors with rifles barreling south on 2657 get engaged right off the bat.)
    Groups on foot activate the QRF on sight to the south and west, and at 700m (midway between 4765 and rabbit rd) to the north. Large crowds or groups acting suspiciously are to receive warning shots into the ground by the DM at 500m (crossing 2657 and 4765 to the north, coming around the bend at 400m to the south and west.) Small groups (especially families) are to be met by a team of 3 from the QRF, preferably mounted on ATVs if available, at the ROW under the powerlines to the north, at 4776 to the west, and 100m south of LP-3 to the south. If they are non-aggressive and passing through, they pass through. If they are suspicious (neck tattoo or spoonie types) they are turned around and sent away. The AMR is only to engage people on foot in an anti-sniper role.
    Nighttime ROE is that single vehicles, running at reasonable speed with lights rouse the QRF, but are observed and allowed to pass if peaceful. Multiple vehicles in a convoy, or vehicles running without lights are engaged when passing the “ROAD CLOSED” signs if DMs or the AMR are at the observing LP, with an aim to warn off and then disable the vehicle, or by riflemen at the LP if they will arrive before the QRF. QRF is to fire warning shots at the lead vehicles, and engage in force if the warning shots are not heeded.
    Anytime there is contact, anyone not on duty should respond to the TOC at the sound of gunfire, use the radio at the TOC to figure out where the engagement is (if there is no OOD) and deploy in buddy teams.
    Logistically, sleeping bags should be gathered if needed for the weather for warmth at the LP/OPs. Families should contribute coffee to the watch standers. We’re not going to shoot anyone over it, but anyone keeping coffee for themselves that is not standing a watch should be reminded by the entire community what pieces of shit they are every time they are seen. A committee should be formed to gather and prepare rations for the militia on the platoon changes. Again, records should be kept and shame should be applied to hoarders, with lesser shame applied to grasshoppers unable to contribute.
    PHASE 2: When all this is in place, labor crews should start working on building a simple TOC, with waist high earth berm walls and overhead cover. Gasoline should be assessed and cataloged, and siphoned when needed for QRF vehicles. Anyone requiring food or water from their neighbors first has to submit to a search of their house for supplies necessary to the militia, and join a work team if they have been holding out. (I expect a large overlap between the “I won’t help” crowds and the “I’m hungry/thirsty” crowds.)
    Scouts should look for signs of other militias, and if located, a diplomacy team should be sent to parlay. Mutual defense pacts should be negotiated when possible. Diplomacy teams should also be sent to the surrounding farms and ranches. These homesteads are likely to be long on supplies and radios, and short on manpower. There are deals to be made there. A back-office type non-combatant should be tasked with debriefing and documenting the intel the scouts come back with. The scouts should be consulted on the need to expand or contract the 1KM scouting band after a few patrols.
    Labor crews should start working on building a wood-fired community kitchen, and improving fighting positions. If there is an agreement with the property across 2657, fighting positions for the QRF should be prepared there, overlooking the avenue of attack from the north. Trees may need to be felled for fields of fire.
    Fighting positions should also be prepared in the lot north of the TOC house and overlooking the gully to the west. Constructing an earth berm fighting position concealed against the backyard fence behind LP-3 should be explored. LP trenches should be extended into the subdivision to allow deployment and retreat under cover.
    The empty wooded lot in the center of the development should be dug out and earth berm cover constructed 360 degrees. This is a fallback position for noncombatants. We are doing this for morale reasons, not tactical ones. If the militia gets wiped out, no fortification is going to help the ones left.
    Vehicles should be uparmored using laminated plywood and available materials like drywall or sheet metal. Molotov cocktails should be prepared, and a slingshot launching system should be developed. Ammunition needs to be scrounged, gathered if there is any excess, and kept at the TOC.
    Teenagers should be encouraged to serve as runners. If there is an engagement, empty mags should be gathered by runners, returned to the TOC, reloaded there, and carried back up to the engagement line.
    The loudest carhorn in the area needs to be removed, and wired to a switch and a car battery in the TOC. This is the general alarm for residents, and will also serve to call in off-duty militia if the gunfire doesn’t suffice.
    Anything else, shit, we’ll figure it out on the fly.

    • NC Scout March 17, 2021 at 17:49

      This is fucking outstanding. Send me an email brother, I have something for you. (seriously).

    • Phelps March 17, 2021 at 18:10

      Scout leader is issued a radio, he already has a rifle. Also, the scouts are to ignore targets of opportunity and GTFO at the merest hint of contact. They are eyes, the rifles are self defense and optics only.

    • Johnny Paratrooper March 17, 2021 at 18:15

      Well done. Very nicely briefed as well. Don’t forget, Extra car battery for listening to the radio on low volume for the Vehicle Watchmen. You can easily disable several of the speakers to lower the power draw.

    • Mike March 18, 2021 at 07:03

      Good shit dude! Someone get this man a beer.

    • Ken dean March 18, 2021 at 22:00

      To many acronyms . Cant understand Russian if our language is American. Waste of print

      • NC Scout March 18, 2021 at 22:29

        What a valuable and worthy contribution you are.

      • Mike March 19, 2021 at 07:31

        Open a google tab genius.

      • wwes March 19, 2021 at 09:03

        Maybe instead of whining about it you should take the time to learn what the acronyms mean. I’m not from a military background myself, and when I see an acronym for something and I don’t understand what it means, which happens a lot, I look it up and learn. If you’re too lazy to educate yourself you damn well shouldn’t expect others to dumb it down for you.

      • Phelps March 19, 2021 at 18:09

        Americans either know or can figure out what the acronyms mean.
        I guess you’re from Dumbfuckistan.
        Don’t try to figure it out. Jesus warned us about casting pearls before swine just to have them trampled on.

  16. Wyogrunt March 19, 2021 at 17:04

    Thanks for putting these together Mike. Some of us get it and just ignore the dumb asses. Lots of great ideas and plans to incorporate into our own strategies. Looking forward to next weeks maybe an assault on an occupied defended structure? Security or recon patrol in a non permissive environment? Thanks again.

    • Mike March 20, 2021 at 18:02

      Thanks dude! The best part of doing these is reading everyone’s unique solutions to the problem at hand, and everyone learning from each other. And don’t worry, I got plenty of good scenarios in the works for the coming weeks.

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