Guerrilla Warfare
Introduction
The purpose of this guide is to prepare the reader to become and effective guerrilla fighter according to minimum acceptable standards.
The content of this guide will be presented as a self-guided training program. The reader will be presented with a series of exercises along with PASS/FAIL standards of completion.
This guide is for educational purposes only.
The reader assumes all liability for consequences which may follow from carrying out the actions in this guide.
Good luck and train hard.
Introduction
The purpose of this guide is to prepare the reader to become and effective guerrilla fighter according to minimum acceptable standards.
The content of this guide will be presented as a self-guided training program. The reader will be presented with a series of exercises along with PASS/FAIL standards of completion.
This guide is for educational purposes only.
The reader assumes all liability for consequences which may follow from carrying out the actions in this guide.
Good luck and train hard.
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How to use this guide:
This training program will be presented in phases. It will be assumed that the reader has no experience or training in basic infantry and survival skills. By following the training program carefully, the reader will be able to train themselves in basic infantry tasks according to minimum acceptable standards. Anyone of any level of experience or fitness will be able to us this guide, provided they are of sound health and they have the will and discipline to hold themselves to the standard for each task.
Irregular forces such as guerrilla fighters do not benefit from standardized military organization or equipment. It is not the purpose of this guide to cover every possible circumstance, and it is of course assumed that anyone engaging in this training program will equip themselves to the best of their ability, with the most effective and reliable equipment they have available.
As such, the first section will be devoted to the individual equipment necessary to complete the basic training phases. The trainee will be expected to acquire equivalent gear; however, the trainee may acquire the equipment as necessary according to the training program.
The program will begin with an individual training phase meant to familiarize the trainee with basic skills and give them a chance to develop physical fitness. Over the course of the program, the complexity, physical fitness and personnel requirements of the exercises will escalate.
Each phase will encompass a certain amount of training days required to learn and perform each task to standard. Since the program is self-guided, these tasks can be performed as the trainee is able. However, it is very important that the trainee hold themselves accountable for completing the tasks, and that they continue to perform at least a basic regimen of physical fitness and drills in order to maintain and develop their skills. A task is considered completed once the trainee can perform it according to the given PASS/FAIL standard. If the standard is not met on the first attempt, the trainee should continue attempting it until the standard is met.
This training program will be presented in phases. It will be assumed that the reader has no experience or training in basic infantry and survival skills. By following the training program carefully, the reader will be able to train themselves in basic infantry tasks according to minimum acceptable standards. Anyone of any level of experience or fitness will be able to us this guide, provided they are of sound health and they have the will and discipline to hold themselves to the standard for each task.
Irregular forces such as guerrilla fighters do not benefit from standardized military organization or equipment. It is not the purpose of this guide to cover every possible circumstance, and it is of course assumed that anyone engaging in this training program will equip themselves to the best of their ability, with the most effective and reliable equipment they have available.
As such, the first section will be devoted to the individual equipment necessary to complete the basic training phases. The trainee will be expected to acquire equivalent gear; however, the trainee may acquire the equipment as necessary according to the training program.
The program will begin with an individual training phase meant to familiarize the trainee with basic skills and give them a chance to develop physical fitness. Over the course of the program, the complexity, physical fitness and personnel requirements of the exercises will escalate.
Each phase will encompass a certain amount of training days required to learn and perform each task to standard. Since the program is self-guided, these tasks can be performed as the trainee is able. However, it is very important that the trainee hold themselves accountable for completing the tasks, and that they continue to perform at least a basic regimen of physical fitness and drills in order to maintain and develop their skills. A task is considered completed once the trainee can perform it according to the given PASS/FAIL standard. If the standard is not met on the first attempt, the trainee should continue attempting it until the standard is met.
INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
A certain amount of individual equipment will be necessary in order to complete the basic course. It is impossible to cover all types of available equipment or variations of each piece of equipment. Indeed, the purpose of this guide is not to review or compare gear. There are plenty of sources of that type of information available already. However, since a minimum amount of equipment will be assumed in the following tasks, this first section will provide a list, along with basic notes and recommendations.
The gear list will be broken down into three “lines”:
Line 1: Uniform and equipment that is worn on the trainee’s person. If the trainee does not possess any equipment, they should start acquiring the items on this list first.
Line 2: A basic fighting load as worn by light Infantry.
Line 3: A basic sustainment load necessary for extended time in the field.
A certain amount of individual equipment will be necessary in order to complete the basic course. It is impossible to cover all types of available equipment or variations of each piece of equipment. Indeed, the purpose of this guide is not to review or compare gear. There are plenty of sources of that type of information available already. However, since a minimum amount of equipment will be assumed in the following tasks, this first section will provide a list, along with basic notes and recommendations.
The gear list will be broken down into three “lines”:
Line 1: Uniform and equipment that is worn on the trainee’s person. If the trainee does not possess any equipment, they should start acquiring the items on this list first.
Line 2: A basic fighting load as worn by light Infantry.
Line 3: A basic sustainment load necessary for extended time in the field.
Line 1 (Worn) Equipment List:
Uniform Top & Bottom
Boots (hiking/combat)
Socks (wool/synthetic)
Hat w/brim
Gloves
Shirt (synthetic)
Face Cover (bandana, head wrap, shemagh)
Eye Protection
Ear Protection
Knee Pads
Fire Starter (matches/ferro rod/lighter)
Water Purifier (filter/tablets)
Signal Mirror
Multitool w/pliers
Map
Simple Compass
Navigational Protractor
Headlamp
Nylon Belt
Pistol Holster
Pistol
Pistol Magazines
Tourniquet
Waterproof Pen/Paper
Emergency Ration
Uniform Top & Bottom
Boots (hiking/combat)
Socks (wool/synthetic)
Hat w/brim
Gloves
Shirt (synthetic)
Face Cover (bandana, head wrap, shemagh)
Eye Protection
Ear Protection
Knee Pads
Fire Starter (matches/ferro rod/lighter)
Water Purifier (filter/tablets)
Signal Mirror
Multitool w/pliers
Map
Simple Compass
Navigational Protractor
Headlamp
Nylon Belt
Pistol Holster
Pistol
Pistol Magazines
Tourniquet
Waterproof Pen/Paper
Emergency Ration
Uniform:
The type of uniform and its coloring will be dependent on the local environment. The trainee should select a uniform that matches the color of their intended area of operations. Most modern military uniforms are a cotton/polyester blend woven in a grid, or ‘rip stop’ pattern. Genuine military issue uniforms are a good place to start, because they’ve been field tested and surplus equipment is usually cheap.
If possible, NIR compliant uniforms should be acquired. NIR compliant material is specially treated to reduce the reflection of Infrared light, which means it will blend into its surroundings better when under the gaze of Night Vision Goggles or other NIR devices.
The type of uniform and its coloring will be dependent on the local environment. The trainee should select a uniform that matches the color of their intended area of operations. Most modern military uniforms are a cotton/polyester blend woven in a grid, or ‘rip stop’ pattern. Genuine military issue uniforms are a good place to start, because they’ve been field tested and surplus equipment is usually cheap.
If possible, NIR compliant uniforms should be acquired. NIR compliant material is specially treated to reduce the reflection of Infrared light, which means it will blend into its surroundings better when under the gaze of Night Vision Goggles or other NIR devices.
Boots:
Conventional wisdom holds that if one is to splurge on any piece of gear, it should be boots. Boots should be sturdy and provide ankle support. All-leather boots will not perform well over extended periods in wet environments. Boots should either have a waterproof lining, or be constructed using drain holes and sections of breathable nylon so that they dry quickly. Military surplus boots can be durable, but may require insoles for comfort. Many brands of hiking boots are also acceptable.
Boots should be broken in extensively before they are taken to the field. Strapping on a brand new pair of US Army issue combat boots and going on a ruck march is a mistake one will only make once.
Conventional wisdom holds that if one is to splurge on any piece of gear, it should be boots. Boots should be sturdy and provide ankle support. All-leather boots will not perform well over extended periods in wet environments. Boots should either have a waterproof lining, or be constructed using drain holes and sections of breathable nylon so that they dry quickly. Military surplus boots can be durable, but may require insoles for comfort. Many brands of hiking boots are also acceptable.
Boots should be broken in extensively before they are taken to the field. Strapping on a brand new pair of US Army issue combat boots and going on a ruck march is a mistake one will only make once.
Socks:
Socks should be either wool or synthetic. Cotton socks stay wet longer.
Hat:
A hat with a brim is necessary to keep the sun off one’s face. It should match the color or camo pattern of the uniform.
Gloves:
Leather or synthetic gloves should be durable, yet as thin as weather conditions allow so that dexterity is not sacrificed.
Shirt:
Like socks, shirts should be either wool or synthetic. Cotton is a poor choice for field gear.
Face Cover:
A bandana, shemagh or balaclava will keep one’s face and neck camouflaged and protected from the elements. Fleece balaclavas should only be worn in extreme cold conditions.
Eye & Ear Protection, Knee Pads:
Personal protective equipment is necessary to avoid injury to one’s vital sense organs. Ear plugs and sunglasses should be carried at the very least, though ballistic eye protection and electronic ear muffs offer additional protection. Knee pads are welcome when taking hasty fighting positions.
Fire Starter:
A fire starter is basic survival equipment, and one should be carried in each line of equipment to create redundancy in case of loss. A ferro rod with striker should be carried as a first option, and lighters and matches can be carried as backups.
Water Purifier:
Another piece of basic survival equipment that is duplicated in each line of equipment. One can survive for extended periods of time without food, but without a clean source of water, chances of survival drop drastically and quickly. Iodine tablets should be carried as an emergency measure, and water filters should be carried for more permanent use.
Signal Mirror:
Another piece of basic survival equipment that will allow one to signal friendly forces, search teams and first responders in case of emergency.
Multitool:
A multitool with pliers is an indispensable tool. It can be used for an almost infinite variety of tasks, including weapons maintenance, in field repairs, and crafting things like snares.
Map, Compass and Protractor:
Land navigation is an essential skill that the reader will learn and practice during this course. A map, compass and navigational protractor are necessary tools to that end.
Headlamp:
A headlamp with a red light allows one to navigate using map and compass after nightfall. A red light is necessary in order to preserve the user’s natural night vision and avoid alerting opposing forces of one’s whereabouts.
Nylon Belt:
A sturdy nylon belt such as a rigger’s belt should be worn in order to support the weight of the user’s pistol and other belt-mounted items, and to facilitate emergency climbing and repelling action if necessary.
Socks should be either wool or synthetic. Cotton socks stay wet longer.
Hat:
A hat with a brim is necessary to keep the sun off one’s face. It should match the color or camo pattern of the uniform.
Gloves:
Leather or synthetic gloves should be durable, yet as thin as weather conditions allow so that dexterity is not sacrificed.
Shirt:
Like socks, shirts should be either wool or synthetic. Cotton is a poor choice for field gear.
Face Cover:
A bandana, shemagh or balaclava will keep one’s face and neck camouflaged and protected from the elements. Fleece balaclavas should only be worn in extreme cold conditions.
Eye & Ear Protection, Knee Pads:
Personal protective equipment is necessary to avoid injury to one’s vital sense organs. Ear plugs and sunglasses should be carried at the very least, though ballistic eye protection and electronic ear muffs offer additional protection. Knee pads are welcome when taking hasty fighting positions.
Fire Starter:
A fire starter is basic survival equipment, and one should be carried in each line of equipment to create redundancy in case of loss. A ferro rod with striker should be carried as a first option, and lighters and matches can be carried as backups.
Water Purifier:
Another piece of basic survival equipment that is duplicated in each line of equipment. One can survive for extended periods of time without food, but without a clean source of water, chances of survival drop drastically and quickly. Iodine tablets should be carried as an emergency measure, and water filters should be carried for more permanent use.
Signal Mirror:
Another piece of basic survival equipment that will allow one to signal friendly forces, search teams and first responders in case of emergency.
Multitool:
A multitool with pliers is an indispensable tool. It can be used for an almost infinite variety of tasks, including weapons maintenance, in field repairs, and crafting things like snares.
Map, Compass and Protractor:
Land navigation is an essential skill that the reader will learn and practice during this course. A map, compass and navigational protractor are necessary tools to that end.
Headlamp:
A headlamp with a red light allows one to navigate using map and compass after nightfall. A red light is necessary in order to preserve the user’s natural night vision and avoid alerting opposing forces of one’s whereabouts.
Nylon Belt:
A sturdy nylon belt such as a rigger’s belt should be worn in order to support the weight of the user’s pistol and other belt-mounted items, and to facilitate emergency climbing and repelling action if necessary.
Pistol, Holster and Magazines
An automatic, striker fired or Double Action/Single Action pistol in a common caliber serves as the sidearm of the irregular militia, and the main weapon of the underground urban operative. It is not the purpose of this guide to indulge in lengthy debate over which platform is the best. At a minimum, a model of pistol currently or previously in issue by police and military forces should be sought. A compact frame pistol such as the Glock 19 is an ideal choice because it can be concealed or worn outside the belt as a sidearm.
A holster with some type of retention mechanism will be also be required, as well as a minimum of three magazines. One magazine will be retained in the pistol, and the other two should be placed in a belt pouch.
An automatic, striker fired or Double Action/Single Action pistol in a common caliber serves as the sidearm of the irregular militia, and the main weapon of the underground urban operative. It is not the purpose of this guide to indulge in lengthy debate over which platform is the best. At a minimum, a model of pistol currently or previously in issue by police and military forces should be sought. A compact frame pistol such as the Glock 19 is an ideal choice because it can be concealed or worn outside the belt as a sidearm.
A holster with some type of retention mechanism will be also be required, as well as a minimum of three magazines. One magazine will be retained in the pistol, and the other two should be placed in a belt pouch.
Tourniquet:
The leading cause of death on the battlefield is blood loss. A tourniquet can be applied to a limb in case of a large wound or arterial bleeding. Arterial bleeding can cause death in less than three minutes, which makes a self-applied and improvised solution very inadvisable.
Waterproof Pen and Paper:
It will be necessary to take notes, copy orders, draw range cards, and other tasks which require paper and pen. However, regular paper will be easily ruined in wet conditions, and typical ballpoint pens will bleed and wash off if they even write at all.
Emergency Ration:
This is just a small amount of calories to keep on hand in case one is caught without the rest of their gear. Military forces often carry a ‘field stripped’ MRE; that is, and MRE that has been taken out of its bulky wrapping and stripped down to the most calorie dense components, then taped together into a more convenient package to carry.
The leading cause of death on the battlefield is blood loss. A tourniquet can be applied to a limb in case of a large wound or arterial bleeding. Arterial bleeding can cause death in less than three minutes, which makes a self-applied and improvised solution very inadvisable.
Waterproof Pen and Paper:
It will be necessary to take notes, copy orders, draw range cards, and other tasks which require paper and pen. However, regular paper will be easily ruined in wet conditions, and typical ballpoint pens will bleed and wash off if they even write at all.
Emergency Ration:
This is just a small amount of calories to keep on hand in case one is caught without the rest of their gear. Military forces often carry a ‘field stripped’ MRE; that is, and MRE that has been taken out of its bulky wrapping and stripped down to the most calorie dense components, then taped together into a more convenient package to carry.
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Line 2 (Fighting Load) Equipment List:
Rifle
Rifle Magazines
Load Bearing Equipment with Pouches
Fixed Blade Knife
IFAK
550 Cord
Hydration Carrier
Water Purifier
Flashlight
Lensatic Compass
Fire Starter
Poncho
Poncho Liner
Emergency Ration
Rifle
Rifle Magazines
Load Bearing Equipment with Pouches
Fixed Blade Knife
IFAK
550 Cord
Hydration Carrier
Water Purifier
Flashlight
Lensatic Compass
Fire Starter
Poncho
Poncho Liner
Emergency Ration
Rifle and Magazines:
A well-functioning, reliable rifle is literally a matter of life or death for an irregular militiaman and his opponents. There are, again, too many types of rifle to list here, and availability will vary according to location. In the United States, the AR-15 chambered in 5.56 will be one of the most practical choices. If possible, reputable manufacturers such as BCM or Aero Precision should be sought after.
Along with the rifle itself, it will be necessary to acquire at least four magazines, a sling and a weapon-mounted light. Optics, like the rifle, should be of quality manufacture; though at minimum the rifle should be equipped with quality iron sights.
A well-functioning, reliable rifle is literally a matter of life or death for an irregular militiaman and his opponents. There are, again, too many types of rifle to list here, and availability will vary according to location. In the United States, the AR-15 chambered in 5.56 will be one of the most practical choices. If possible, reputable manufacturers such as BCM or Aero Precision should be sought after.
Along with the rifle itself, it will be necessary to acquire at least four magazines, a sling and a weapon-mounted light. Optics, like the rifle, should be of quality manufacture; though at minimum the rifle should be equipped with quality iron sights.
Load Bearing Equipment:
This will be a belt, vest or chest rig designed to carry the fighting load. In the past, the United States relied on the ALICE belt and harness system, then progressed to MOLLE compatible vests and chest rigs. Coming full circle, it is once again popular to mount as much of the fighting load as possible to a purpose built MOLLE or duty belt. Any of these solutions are acceptable, and as usual, military surplus is an excellent source of reliable and affordable equipment.
If Necessary, an Assault Pack or Butt Pack can be incorporated to carry items such as the Poncho, Poncho Liner and field rations.
This will be a belt, vest or chest rig designed to carry the fighting load. In the past, the United States relied on the ALICE belt and harness system, then progressed to MOLLE compatible vests and chest rigs. Coming full circle, it is once again popular to mount as much of the fighting load as possible to a purpose built MOLLE or duty belt. Any of these solutions are acceptable, and as usual, military surplus is an excellent source of reliable and affordable equipment.
If Necessary, an Assault Pack or Butt Pack can be incorporated to carry items such as the Poncho, Poncho Liner and field rations.
IFAK
The Individual First Aid Kit contains items meant to be applied to the carrier by a friendly third party in order to treat the most common and deadly types of battlefield injuries and prevent death until more comprehensive medical care can be sought. Since the leading cause of death related to battlefield injuries is blood loss, the items contained in the IFAK should be focused on staunching the flow of blood. Tactical Combat Casualty Care will be taught during the course of this guide. In the meantime, a basic IFAK should contain the following items at a minimum:
Tourniquet
Compression Bandage (Israeli or OLAES)
Hemostatic Agent (Celox or QuikClot)
Gauze
This will allow for the treatment of massive blood loss injuries. As funds and availability allow, the following items can be added in order to treat wounds to the chest cavity and respiratory system:
Chest Seals (x2)
Nasopharyngeal Airway
Chest Decompression Needle
The Individual First Aid Kit contains items meant to be applied to the carrier by a friendly third party in order to treat the most common and deadly types of battlefield injuries and prevent death until more comprehensive medical care can be sought. Since the leading cause of death related to battlefield injuries is blood loss, the items contained in the IFAK should be focused on staunching the flow of blood. Tactical Combat Casualty Care will be taught during the course of this guide. In the meantime, a basic IFAK should contain the following items at a minimum:
Tourniquet
Compression Bandage (Israeli or OLAES)
Hemostatic Agent (Celox or QuikClot)
Gauze
This will allow for the treatment of massive blood loss injuries. As funds and availability allow, the following items can be added in order to treat wounds to the chest cavity and respiratory system:
Chest Seals (x2)
Nasopharyngeal Airway
Chest Decompression Needle
Fixed Blade Knife:
A full tang survival or combat knife serves as a final line of defense in case of close contact with the enemy, and facilitates various survival tasks such as processing wood and cordage or striking a ferro rod. No one knife will be designed to excel at all of these tasks, but a knife with a full tang, plain spine, high carbon steel content, and shallow, simple and non-serrated grind should be fine in most circumstances.
550 Cord:
A hank or prepared guy lines of 550 cord will allow the user to quickly construct expedient shelters and lash together gear, among many other survival tasks. In combination with the Poncho, a prepared 25’ ridgeline and several 3-5’ with knots pre-tied will allow the user to construct an emergency shelter in a matter of minutes.
Hydration Carrier:
Staying hydrated is extremely important during high stress, high exertion combat and survival scenarios. A one-quart canteen or hydration bladder carried on the L.B.E. should be considered a critical piece of equipment.
Water Purifier:
Another piece of basic survival equipment that is duplicated in each line of equipment. One can survive for extended periods of time without food, but without a clean source of water, chances of survival drop drastically and quickly. Iodine tablets should be carried as an emergency measure, and water filters should be carried for more permanent use.
Flashlight:
A flashlight facilitates navigation, gear handling and target identification in low-light situations in circumstances where light discipline is unnecessary.
Lensatic Compass:
As with all other basic survival items, this is duplicated in more than one line of equipment in order to create redundancy. A military style lensatic compass allows the user to shoot an azimuth to known landmarks for purposes of navigation and orientation.
Fire Starter:
A fire starter is basic survival equipment, and one should be carried in each line of equipment to create redundancy in case of loss. A ferro rod with striker should be carried as a first option, and lighters and matches can be carried as backups.
Poncho:
A military Poncho is a lightweight, multipurpose piece of gear. It can be used as a poncho in order to keep one’s person and equipment dry in case of rain, and it can be used as a tarp to create field expedient shelters.
Poncho Liner:
The Poncho Liner, or ‘woobie’, maintains survivability and comfort when sleeping in the field in lieu of a full sleep system.
Emergency Ration:
This is just a small amount of calories to keep on hand in case one is caught without the rest of their gear. Military forces often carry a ‘field stripped’ MRE; that is, and MRE that has been taken out of its bulky wrapping and stripped down to the most calorie dense components, then taped together into a more convenient package to carry.
A full tang survival or combat knife serves as a final line of defense in case of close contact with the enemy, and facilitates various survival tasks such as processing wood and cordage or striking a ferro rod. No one knife will be designed to excel at all of these tasks, but a knife with a full tang, plain spine, high carbon steel content, and shallow, simple and non-serrated grind should be fine in most circumstances.
550 Cord:
A hank or prepared guy lines of 550 cord will allow the user to quickly construct expedient shelters and lash together gear, among many other survival tasks. In combination with the Poncho, a prepared 25’ ridgeline and several 3-5’ with knots pre-tied will allow the user to construct an emergency shelter in a matter of minutes.
Hydration Carrier:
Staying hydrated is extremely important during high stress, high exertion combat and survival scenarios. A one-quart canteen or hydration bladder carried on the L.B.E. should be considered a critical piece of equipment.
Water Purifier:
Another piece of basic survival equipment that is duplicated in each line of equipment. One can survive for extended periods of time without food, but without a clean source of water, chances of survival drop drastically and quickly. Iodine tablets should be carried as an emergency measure, and water filters should be carried for more permanent use.
Flashlight:
A flashlight facilitates navigation, gear handling and target identification in low-light situations in circumstances where light discipline is unnecessary.
Lensatic Compass:
As with all other basic survival items, this is duplicated in more than one line of equipment in order to create redundancy. A military style lensatic compass allows the user to shoot an azimuth to known landmarks for purposes of navigation and orientation.
Fire Starter:
A fire starter is basic survival equipment, and one should be carried in each line of equipment to create redundancy in case of loss. A ferro rod with striker should be carried as a first option, and lighters and matches can be carried as backups.
Poncho:
A military Poncho is a lightweight, multipurpose piece of gear. It can be used as a poncho in order to keep one’s person and equipment dry in case of rain, and it can be used as a tarp to create field expedient shelters.
Poncho Liner:
The Poncho Liner, or ‘woobie’, maintains survivability and comfort when sleeping in the field in lieu of a full sleep system.
Emergency Ration:
This is just a small amount of calories to keep on hand in case one is caught without the rest of their gear. Military forces often carry a ‘field stripped’ MRE; that is, and MRE that has been taken out of its bulky wrapping and stripped down to the most calorie dense components, then taped together into a more convenient package to carry.
Line 3 (Sustainment Load) Equipment List:
Ruck
Sleep System
Cookset
Stove
Entrenching Tool
First Aid Kit
Hygiene Kit
Extra Shirts
Extra Socks
Extra Uniform
Thermal Layers
Wet Weather Top & Bottom
Cotton Bandana/Shemagh
Waterproof Pack Liner
Cordage
Water Container
Fire Starter
Water Filter
Maintenance Kit
Rations
Ruck
Sleep System
Cookset
Stove
Entrenching Tool
First Aid Kit
Hygiene Kit
Extra Shirts
Extra Socks
Extra Uniform
Thermal Layers
Wet Weather Top & Bottom
Cotton Bandana/Shemagh
Waterproof Pack Liner
Cordage
Water Container
Fire Starter
Water Filter
Maintenance Kit
Rations
Ruck:
The Rucksack is used to carry the sustainment load for extended time in the field, and is usually left behind at a secure location, rally point or patrol base during operations. The ruck must be durable and designed to carry a significant amount of weight comfortably. The ruck should feature an internal or external frame and waist belt. Military surplus rucksacks are among the best options because of their toughness and cost. The Medium Alice pack with frame is an older, less sophisticated and less comfortable piece of equipment, but it is highly adaptable and rugged. The MOLLE II rucksack is much larger and features a plastic frame. The U.S. Marine Corps has developed the FILBE and ILBE pack series, which are designed to carry extremely large and heavy loads.
Most civilian hiking packs are not constructed to meet the durability requirements of heavy field use, so they are not optimal choices. However, exceptions would include packs designed for hunting or third-party tactical markets.
The Rucksack is used to carry the sustainment load for extended time in the field, and is usually left behind at a secure location, rally point or patrol base during operations. The ruck must be durable and designed to carry a significant amount of weight comfortably. The ruck should feature an internal or external frame and waist belt. Military surplus rucksacks are among the best options because of their toughness and cost. The Medium Alice pack with frame is an older, less sophisticated and less comfortable piece of equipment, but it is highly adaptable and rugged. The MOLLE II rucksack is much larger and features a plastic frame. The U.S. Marine Corps has developed the FILBE and ILBE pack series, which are designed to carry extremely large and heavy loads.
Most civilian hiking packs are not constructed to meet the durability requirements of heavy field use, so they are not optimal choices. However, exceptions would include packs designed for hunting or third-party tactical markets.
Sleep System
The sleep system should include the following items:
Sleeping Bag, synthetic fill
Sleeping Pad, insulated, foam or inflatable
Sleeping Bag Cover (bivy sack)
Carrier (stuff sack or external carrier)
A sleeping bag should be rated for the lowest expected temperature, but the temperature range can be extended through the use of clothing. Down sleeping bags are lighter, but down loses its loft when wet, and is not recommended.
A sleeping pad is necessary to insulate the user’s body from the ground, especially in cold climates.
A bivy sack is a waterproof emergency shelter into which the bag and pad are placed. In combination with a Poncho shelter, a bivy sack will keep the user warm and dry through almost any weather conditions. The U.S.G.I. Goretex bivy sack is one of the best pieces of gear money can buy, and is very cheap compared to equivalent civilian models.
Depending on the rucksack, the sleep system can be carried inside the ruck or lashed to the outside using an external carrier.
The sleep system should include the following items:
Sleeping Bag, synthetic fill
Sleeping Pad, insulated, foam or inflatable
Sleeping Bag Cover (bivy sack)
Carrier (stuff sack or external carrier)
A sleeping bag should be rated for the lowest expected temperature, but the temperature range can be extended through the use of clothing. Down sleeping bags are lighter, but down loses its loft when wet, and is not recommended.
A sleeping pad is necessary to insulate the user’s body from the ground, especially in cold climates.
A bivy sack is a waterproof emergency shelter into which the bag and pad are placed. In combination with a Poncho shelter, a bivy sack will keep the user warm and dry through almost any weather conditions. The U.S.G.I. Goretex bivy sack is one of the best pieces of gear money can buy, and is very cheap compared to equivalent civilian models.
Depending on the rucksack, the sleep system can be carried inside the ruck or lashed to the outside using an external carrier.
Cookset and Stove:
This will include instruments for heating and eating food and boiling water. If a 1 quart canteen is being used, a steel canteen cup makes an excellent, space saving option for a small pot. There are many different types of stoves available, but a solid fuel or alcohol burning stove will take up the least space and weight when compared to a gas stove. An additional benefit to solid fuel stoves such as Esbit stoves is that they can employ small sticks as fuel, meaning that fuel shortage will rarely be an issue.
Entrenching Tool:
Modern entrenching tools are folding shovels that can be employed in several configurations for a wide variety of tasks. They can be used as a shovel, pick, root saw, chopping instrument, seat, and if worse comes to worse, a weapon.
First Aid Kit:
In contrast with the IFAK, which is meant to provide immediate, temporary treatment to life-threatening injuries, a general first aid kit should include items used to treat minor cuts, stings and burns. A minor cut may not seem like a big deal, but if left untreated it can become infected.
Items for treating foot-related ailments should not be overlooked. Foot powder or baby powder can be used to keep feet dry and healthy. Moleskin can be used to isolate blisters and prevent them from becoming worse. Waterlogged or blistered feet can make an already stressful experience soul-crushing.
Hygiene Kit:
Any items necessary for personal grooming and maintenance shall be included here. It is important to maintain good hygiene during extended time in the field. Baby wipes can be used in lieu of running water for a field expedient bath. Additionally, sunscreen and bug spray are important outdoor items.
Extra Clothing:
Extra clothing, in particular extra socks, should be kept dry inside the pack. At the very least, it is vitally important that a dry set of clothing be kept to change into at night when the temperature drops. It may not be fun to wake up and change back into a wet set of clothes, but it’s better than hypothermia.
Thermal Layers:
A thermal base layer (top & bottom), fleece jacket liner and fleece or wool watch cap will help maintain body temperature at night, and can extend the working range of a sleeping bag considerably.
Wet Weather Top & Bottom:
Rain gear should always be available in case of adverse weather. Military issue Goretex jackets and pants are well worth their cost.
Bandana/Shemagh:
Basically the only piece of cotton advisable in the field, a cotton bandana has a litany of survival uses. It can be used to filter large particulates out of water. When combined with ground up charcoal from a camp fire, it can even be used as an emergency water filter. It can be used as a bandage, splint, container, and of course a face covering.
Water Proof Pack Liner:
A waterproof bag of some type should be used to line the ruck in order to protect the items inside. Given an airtight seal, it will make the pack buoyant. At the very least, a couple of large trash bags should be used for this purpose.
Cordage:
An additional hank of 550 cord, or even a length of rope, should be stored in the ruck.
Water carrier:
And additional two quart canteen or water bladder should be carried in the ruck, expanding water capacity of the full kit to at least three liters. Water should be kept topped off as much as possible, particularly if using canteens or water bottles; sloshing water is noisy.
Maintenance Kit:
Weapons and equipment maintenance is a critical task. As such, a weapons cleaning kit, sewing kit, and small selection of basic tools should be carried in the ruck.
This will include instruments for heating and eating food and boiling water. If a 1 quart canteen is being used, a steel canteen cup makes an excellent, space saving option for a small pot. There are many different types of stoves available, but a solid fuel or alcohol burning stove will take up the least space and weight when compared to a gas stove. An additional benefit to solid fuel stoves such as Esbit stoves is that they can employ small sticks as fuel, meaning that fuel shortage will rarely be an issue.
Entrenching Tool:
Modern entrenching tools are folding shovels that can be employed in several configurations for a wide variety of tasks. They can be used as a shovel, pick, root saw, chopping instrument, seat, and if worse comes to worse, a weapon.
First Aid Kit:
In contrast with the IFAK, which is meant to provide immediate, temporary treatment to life-threatening injuries, a general first aid kit should include items used to treat minor cuts, stings and burns. A minor cut may not seem like a big deal, but if left untreated it can become infected.
Items for treating foot-related ailments should not be overlooked. Foot powder or baby powder can be used to keep feet dry and healthy. Moleskin can be used to isolate blisters and prevent them from becoming worse. Waterlogged or blistered feet can make an already stressful experience soul-crushing.
Hygiene Kit:
Any items necessary for personal grooming and maintenance shall be included here. It is important to maintain good hygiene during extended time in the field. Baby wipes can be used in lieu of running water for a field expedient bath. Additionally, sunscreen and bug spray are important outdoor items.
Extra Clothing:
Extra clothing, in particular extra socks, should be kept dry inside the pack. At the very least, it is vitally important that a dry set of clothing be kept to change into at night when the temperature drops. It may not be fun to wake up and change back into a wet set of clothes, but it’s better than hypothermia.
Thermal Layers:
A thermal base layer (top & bottom), fleece jacket liner and fleece or wool watch cap will help maintain body temperature at night, and can extend the working range of a sleeping bag considerably.
Wet Weather Top & Bottom:
Rain gear should always be available in case of adverse weather. Military issue Goretex jackets and pants are well worth their cost.
Bandana/Shemagh:
Basically the only piece of cotton advisable in the field, a cotton bandana has a litany of survival uses. It can be used to filter large particulates out of water. When combined with ground up charcoal from a camp fire, it can even be used as an emergency water filter. It can be used as a bandage, splint, container, and of course a face covering.
Water Proof Pack Liner:
A waterproof bag of some type should be used to line the ruck in order to protect the items inside. Given an airtight seal, it will make the pack buoyant. At the very least, a couple of large trash bags should be used for this purpose.
Cordage:
An additional hank of 550 cord, or even a length of rope, should be stored in the ruck.
Water carrier:
And additional two quart canteen or water bladder should be carried in the ruck, expanding water capacity of the full kit to at least three liters. Water should be kept topped off as much as possible, particularly if using canteens or water bottles; sloshing water is noisy.
Maintenance Kit:
Weapons and equipment maintenance is a critical task. As such, a weapons cleaning kit, sewing kit, and small selection of basic tools should be carried in the ruck.
Additional Equipment Considerations:
The above constitutes a basic light infantry loadout that will be useful in a wide variety of situations, but it is by no means all-inclusive. Gear requirements will vary depending on area of operations, mission critical tasks, season etc.
Additional expendable items such as plastic freezer bags, batteries, personal comfort items and the like should not be overlooked. However, it should be remembered that everything is carried. One would be surprised at how little equipment is necessary to survive for weeks in the wilderness. As such, It is recommended that unnecessary items be kept to a minimum.
The above constitutes a basic light infantry loadout that will be useful in a wide variety of situations, but it is by no means all-inclusive. Gear requirements will vary depending on area of operations, mission critical tasks, season etc.
Additional expendable items such as plastic freezer bags, batteries, personal comfort items and the like should not be overlooked. However, it should be remembered that everything is carried. One would be surprised at how little equipment is necessary to survive for weeks in the wilderness. As such, It is recommended that unnecessary items be kept to a minimum.
Body Armor:
Body armor sold in the U.S. is rated according to the NIJ certification standards listed above. Note that level III armor is rated to defeat 7.62x51 M80 ball ammunition and M855 “Penetrator” steel-tip 5.56. However, regular 5.56 ball ammunition traveling above 2800-3000 fps will punch straight through level III steel plates, making them nearly worthless for defeating rifle threats in the U.S.
For this reason, manufacturers have begun producing “level III+” plates. The standards for testing III+ armor vary according to manufacturer, because no such NIJ certification exists. It is important to review the manufacturer’s lab results before buying any armor, but for all intents and purposes, level III+ plates are the only steel plates worth buying.
The use of body armor should be dependent on the mission and the expected threat. Guerrilla forces rarely engage in close combat with the enemy, preferring to stick to hit and run tactics, though different missions have different requirements.
Body armor sold in the U.S. is rated according to the NIJ certification standards listed above. Note that level III armor is rated to defeat 7.62x51 M80 ball ammunition and M855 “Penetrator” steel-tip 5.56. However, regular 5.56 ball ammunition traveling above 2800-3000 fps will punch straight through level III steel plates, making them nearly worthless for defeating rifle threats in the U.S.
For this reason, manufacturers have begun producing “level III+” plates. The standards for testing III+ armor vary according to manufacturer, because no such NIJ certification exists. It is important to review the manufacturer’s lab results before buying any armor, but for all intents and purposes, level III+ plates are the only steel plates worth buying.
The use of body armor should be dependent on the mission and the expected threat. Guerrilla forces rarely engage in close combat with the enemy, preferring to stick to hit and run tactics, though different missions have different requirements.
Training Program
This training program is intended to teach someone with no knowledge or experience basic infantry skills. It will be presented in weekly intervals containing blocks of instruction, skill-building drills, and self-administered critical skill assessments. For those without a current physical fitness routine, a workout plan will also be provided.
The program will initially cover three phases: individual, buddy, and team.
The individual phase will teach individual soldier skills such as marksmanship, land navigation, and basic wilderness survival.
Once the individual phase has been completed, the trainee will be expected to locate a suitable buddy, and if necessary, train them on the individual soldier skills learned in phase one. Then, as a buddy pair, they will train in basic tactical movement and communication, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, and more advanced marksmanship techniques.
After completing the buddy phase, the buddy team will once again locate and train one to two more buddy teams. The group will then train as a fire team in basic small unit tactics, patrolling, and field operations.
It is, essentially, a simplified and self-administered basic training course, designed to be completed in a fair amount of spare time and with limited resources.
Extensive use will be made of dry-fire training and exercises to account for the cost of ammunition and availability of suitable training areas. However, a minimum amount of live-fire training and exercises will be expected, and recommended. If the trainee has access to large quantities of ammunition and suitable facilities, they will benefit greatly from substituting additional live-fire training.
Short guides will be included on how to locate and choose training partners and facilities, how to train safely, and how to maintain operational security. The beauty of this program is that since it is self administered and comes from a centralized source with whom no communication is necessary, it can be conducted in a safe manner according to the time constraints and resources of the trainee.
This training program is intended to teach someone with no knowledge or experience basic infantry skills. It will be presented in weekly intervals containing blocks of instruction, skill-building drills, and self-administered critical skill assessments. For those without a current physical fitness routine, a workout plan will also be provided.
The program will initially cover three phases: individual, buddy, and team.
The individual phase will teach individual soldier skills such as marksmanship, land navigation, and basic wilderness survival.
Once the individual phase has been completed, the trainee will be expected to locate a suitable buddy, and if necessary, train them on the individual soldier skills learned in phase one. Then, as a buddy pair, they will train in basic tactical movement and communication, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, and more advanced marksmanship techniques.
After completing the buddy phase, the buddy team will once again locate and train one to two more buddy teams. The group will then train as a fire team in basic small unit tactics, patrolling, and field operations.
It is, essentially, a simplified and self-administered basic training course, designed to be completed in a fair amount of spare time and with limited resources.
Extensive use will be made of dry-fire training and exercises to account for the cost of ammunition and availability of suitable training areas. However, a minimum amount of live-fire training and exercises will be expected, and recommended. If the trainee has access to large quantities of ammunition and suitable facilities, they will benefit greatly from substituting additional live-fire training.
Short guides will be included on how to locate and choose training partners and facilities, how to train safely, and how to maintain operational security. The beauty of this program is that since it is self administered and comes from a centralized source with whom no communication is necessary, it can be conducted in a safe manner according to the time constraints and resources of the trainee.
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