Small Unit Tactics: The Key to Success, by FlyBy

There’s a saying, “what is old will be new again.” Force on force is no exception. Historians and tacticians have been discussing the importance of small unit in the tactical landscape since Sun Tzu and even before. H.J. Poole writes that small units encounter the following types of enemy engagements: chance contact, ambush or prepared enemy positions. Additionally, Poole notes that the key to success for the small unit is actively preparing for conflict thru training. Success for the small unit is found in having multiple plans available for each type of engagement. “For tactical control to be successfully decentralized, subordinate units must receive adequate individual and small unit training. If they understand their commander’s intent well enough, fewer orders will be necessary to control them.” Again, Poole notes, “Battle Drill teaches small units to react and with some semblances of order without lengthy instructions.” To effective prepare, the small unit must be open to varying their tactics and their response to the current situation and not allowing their tactics and doctrine to confine their actions. There is no one right answer. Study, rehearsal and training are the keys. “Small units will fight how they train.” In other words, the unit will fall to its level of training and not rise to the occasion. Take the time now to prepare, while you can. The Last Hundred Yards, Fry the Brain, The Guerilla Sniper Tactics Handbook, Guerilla Days in Ireland are all great books that provide mechanisms for the success of future actions. Get training. NC Scout, Badlands Rifleman, JC Dodge, as well as some others here provide excellent training at the small unit level. Remember that “Rapid and forceful action [of a battle drill] will often surprise an enemy and throw him off balance.” Finally, take a look at the video clip from the beginning of We Were Soldiers where the NVA attack the French Paras. Watch the clip through the prism of the above discussion. Who had momentum and the will to fight? Who was prepared?

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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 .

11 Comments

  1. Anonymous April 9, 2021 at 04:10

    5

  2. Mike April 9, 2021 at 04:31

    5

  3. Mike April 9, 2021 at 04:38

    Excellent points, great write-up FlyBy. I want to add that in order to get proficient with immediate action/battle drills, they need to be rehearsed ad nauseum. There will come a point where it’s no longer fun, but you keep doing it because you know that your survival depends on how well you execute the drill. This is where you will see the warriors separate from the chaff.

    • FlyBy April 9, 2021 at 16:47

      Thank you. Your comment segues with that of Black3. Almost like it was planned.
      Thanks again.

  4. Black3 April 9, 2021 at 08:07

    Amateurs train until they get it right. Professionals train until they can’t get it wrong.

    • FlyBy April 9, 2021 at 16:52

      Thanks brother.

  5. Badlands Rifleman April 9, 2021 at 09:50

    Awesome write up, and not because you mentioned me in it either! The last hundred yards is an awesome book, definitely one of my favorites. Nice work!

    • FlyBy April 9, 2021 at 18:24

      Thank you!

  6. Wyogrunt April 9, 2021 at 10:19

    I attended one of Pat McNamaras classes a few years back and he said several things I will never forget. One was Delta is great at its job because it trains on the stuff they suck at. He also told about spending days training on getting out of a humvee under fire. As humans we are drawn to the things that make us fell good, train on the things you suck at. His book Sentinel is well worth the read. Good article thanks brothers

    • FlyBy April 9, 2021 at 16:55

      From what I’ve seen, Pat seems like an intense dude. I’d bet it was a great class. I’ll check out the book.
      Thanks bro.

  7. Juri April 9, 2021 at 13:27

    I prefer The Squad training . You get all world best special forces gun grabbed without single shot like AOC and Ilhan Omar do.

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