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Old 02-26-2012, 01:52   #26
LongWire
Quiet Professional
 
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: N.E.WA
Posts: 1,137
I can't stress the importance of SOP Development enough. If all of your guys don't know what to do in case of (insert action), then its not an SOP. Know them backwards, sideways and forward. Keep them simple, and know that they are METT-T/ situationaly dependent. The Australian peel can be an effective movement but it looks pretty stupid doing it out in the middle of the flat open desert. Knowing where/how the terrain effects your movement can pay dividends when it comes to speed/security. If you are going to lower one you better have a good reason to, and raise the other one. You can lower security, but you will never (intentionally) drop it.

If everyone in your patrol can't figure them (SOP's) out, then bring them up to speed or adjust it so they can. Weak links will be felt, and its usually the squared away ones that end up having to make up for it. Focus on the team, and you will remain a team. Individuals will find themselves divided, and we don't leave anybody behind.

When in charge, take charge. When not in charge......Pay Attention. Just because you aren't in a position doesn't mean that you can switch off and be clueless. Help your leaders out by being a good teammate. This will help you when its your turn. Fuck your buddy and see........Don't fuck your buddy!!!!!

Check your guys and check yourself constantly. Know where all your stuff is at and make sure it stays there. Count your guys and make sure that they are doing okay. Take breaks when you need to, but know that you have a destination and a timeline.

Know your limitations. Don't break your guys trying the impossible.

Know where you are, know the plan.....keep your guys informed/updated. Azimuth and pace count are your friends as well as terrain association.

Drink water!!!! Make your guys drink water.

The basics are just that....don't be foolish enough to think that you don't have to do them. When you progress, at times you will think that they are foolish, but they are there for a reason. Blow them off and you will kick yourself later. Conduct good PCI's. Know who has what, and where, make sure everyone else knows as well.

If you work hard enough during the development portion of your SOP's it will pay off at 0400 3 days into your movement, when no one really knows or cares what's going on, but you still have to get there.
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Last edited by LongWire; 02-26-2012 at 01:58.
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