SOP's

[Legbreaker]

I though it was about time we had a thread where people could ask those with RL experience about a range of military topics, specifically what is expected in certain situations or how trained soldiers would react in comparison to civilians. This could be anything - ambush drills, when a pilot should eject, sentry duty, smoking in the field, noise, etc, etc (the list is endless).

My question (to get the ball rolling) is as follows:

The last few days I've been trawling the net in an attempt to get a handle on what armoured crewmen are expected to do in the event their vehicle is immobilised while in a hostile area but with little luck. I realise the exact circumstances will dictate what happens more often than not, but in a general sense, what is the default action?

[Abbott Shaull]

Well I wouldn't know what the SOP for this would be exactly, but if they were immobilized and they couldn't recover right then due to being behind enemy line, and have means to continue with the rest of their company.

1. They would make sure all items of high intel value would be removed or destroyed to the best of their abilities.

2. Make sure the canon would be unusable by what ever means they would happen to do this.

etc., etc., etc...

One of the reasons some of this SOP isn't on the net in any detail is that for some things, it varies from Division to Division, Brigade to Brigade and on down to Company level. Depending on who the Commander is, will dictate the SOP since several steps in many circumstance can be done in varied ordered.

Next thing is the enemy is trawling for the same stuff. There is plenty of information Field Manuals that if you can find. Some of which have been published online in the pass.

[Eddie]

Originally Posted by Abbott Shaull

One of the reasons some of this SOP isn't on the net in any detail is that for some things, it varies from Division to Division, Brigade to Brigade and on down to Company level. Depending on who the Commander is, will dictate the SOP since several steps in many circumstance can be done in varied ordered.

Absolutely correct. In some instances, it varies even down to the team level in a squad.

Next thing is the enemy is trawling for the same stuff. There is plenty of information Field Manuals that if you can find. Some of which have been published online in the pass.

Abbot is right on the money here. As an Active Duty Officer, I gotta ask that you steer away from this topic for exactly this reason. If you're absolutely set on pursuing this, do it in PMs. Even "old" TTPs from the 90s and 80s, and in some instances, the 70s or older, are still in use. Potentially anything could be used against our soldiers. In all honesty, the older, not-used-anymore TTPs are more dangerous because they were less technological in nature and using the equipment and vehicles found around the world now.

[kato13]

I will keep an eye on this thread and delete anything that seems even semi dangerous. Maybe we can tweak the details a bit for ambiguity. Eddie I want to error on caution so if you feel things cross the line let me know (or request an edit from the poster).

Everyone who posts need to think about the lives of soldiers out in the field, so don't endanger them ok.

[Abbott Shaull]

Originally Posted by kato13

I will keep an eye on this thread and delete anything that seems even semi dangerous. Maybe we can tweak the details a bit for ambiguity. Eddie I want to error on caution so if you feel things cross the line let me know (or request an edit from the poster).

Everyone who posts need to think about the lives of soldiers out in the field, so don't endanger them ok.

I do understand where you coming from Kato, but this option has one flaw in it. If people have an option to get posting sent to their email. Deleting a posting doesn't work to well, since people already would have the info to retain in their email box.

The only way to continue with this thread would be limit it so the posting would have to go for approval which add work load on the Moderator(s). What one would feel comfortable with allowing other will may not.

Ambiguity is a very thin line. I remember when we were at the other hosting site, this would pop up every once and great while. Sometimes we all forget there are operations still going on and trying to help other who may not have first hand knowledge of things, and in trying to help them understand cross the line.

Honestly PM and Email is the only the way to relieve the burden from Moderator(s) and place it back on the people who would be posting such thing.

For those who ask for such information, just remember what responses you receive may not be as complete as you think they should be. Well it because there are too many things that could be used. There is already too much publish info out that people if they know where to look can find and use. Much like the posters that use to circulate during WWI and WWII loose lip have at time cost other their life.

Which I am surprise the government isn't more active than not. I mean even now one can find OOB of current formations. I have seen on other sites where people frequently post this information and narrow it down to what could be considered an act of treason in another day and age of the past. Just my thoughts on it...

[pmulcahy11b]

Originally Posted by Abbott Shaull

One of the reasons some of this SOP isn't on the net in any detail is that for some things, it varies from Division to Division, Brigade to Brigade and on down to Company level. Depending on who the Commander is, will dictate the SOP since several steps in many circumstance can be done in varied ordered.

As far as things like immediate action drills, there are so many things that you would have to write a book (hmmm....I think the Army already did that). But you learn the best stuff by absorption and informal teaching -- experience and having more experienced soldiers show you. A lot of that stuff isn't in any book.

[Abbott Shaull]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy11b

As far as things like immediate action drills, there are so many things that you would have to write a book (hmmm....I think the Army already did that). But you learn the best stuff by absorption and informal teaching -- experience and having more experienced soldiers show you. A lot of that stuff isn't in any book.

And it part of the reason why SOP on some things like these varies. Leaders and Commanders use what they have learn and believe works.