Military tactics and information

[Michael Lewis]

I'm going to be starting a Twilight 2000/2013 campaign soon. I was wondering if there was some information about military tactics, communication, organization, what officers do, and so forth that someone with more knowledge than me could direct me too. I've never been in the military and almost all of my information comes from the movies(defilade sounds cool! Don't know what it means, but it sounds cool).

Something that's not textbook size. Youtube would be great.

Do any video games help with this that someone could recommend?


Thanks,

Michael

[M-Type]

I was in (still am really) the same position as you were. This site here gave me a lot of good insight into a lot of things it'd be hard to find out somewhere else. And you get the added bonus of being 'from the source' at that!

[ArmySGT.]

Fm 7-8

fm 7-10

[Adm.Lee]

Originally Posted by Michael Lewis

Youtube would be great.

Do any video games help with this that someone could recommend?

I'm sorry, I really don't mean to get sarcastic, but I just had a grognard moment. "Videos? Video games?! Learn tactics like the Universe intended! Play Squad Leader! And get offa my lawn, you darn kids!"

Seriously, some short bits:
1. Duck.
2. Have scouts out.
3. Split your force into 2-3 elements, have 1-2 start shooting at the bad guys, while the other sneaks up beside or behind them (this is called the bounding overwatch). The Infantry School at Fort Benning used to summarize infantry tactics as, "Two up, one back; hit 'em in the flank and serve a hot meal."
4. The guy who commits his reserve last, or best, will win the day.

Concerning organization and officers: a commander should have between 3-5 subordinates reporting to him, or that he gives directions to. Any more than that, and it's easy to overload.

[Cdnwolf]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_Spectrum_Warrior

I played this a few times and seems to be the best for working out tactics.

[James Langham]

As you are a film fan try watching the following:

* An Ungentlemanly Act (Falklands - possibly my favourite - very realistic and accurate)
* Tumbledown (Falklands again - very gritty)
* Falling Skies (Alien invasion - particularly the end of series two for civil-military relations but some very nice weapon handling drills throughout)
* Apocalypse Now (Vietnam - if nothing else for the insanity of it)
* Band of Brothers (WW2 although tactics have moved on)
* Black Hawk Down (Somalia - good idea of urban fighting)
* Bravo 20 (Gulf War - some of the best fire and movement on film)
* Tears of the Sun (Africa - useful for how a fire team acts in combat)

That should give a good starting point.

[dragoon500ly]

Two off the recommened reading list for the military is the NCO Handbook (US Army) and the Last Hundred Yards (USMC).

The Handbook covers basic leadership skills for new sergeants. The Hundred Yards covers in more detail (and easier to read format) a lot of the basic skills at small unit level.

You can also cruise the DOD websites and look over the recommend reading lists, these books will give you a better feel for the military.

And don't forget that we have a large number of current and former servicemembers on this forum, just ask and someone will respond!

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by dragoon500ly

And don't forget that we have a large number of current and former service members on this forum, just ask and someone will respond!

Just depends on whether you want US, British, Australian, Soviet, etc doctrine or not...
Every nation has differing ideas on what is the RIGHT way to do things in combat.

[pmulcahy11b]

To James' list, I'd add Go Tell the Spartans. Right at the beginning of US involvement in Vietnam, and has some gritty footage of guerrilla tactics and close ambushes (close ambushes are the most difficult to pull off but the most lethal). It's why so much training in the Infantry is devoted to the close ambush (and how to crack one before they hit you with one).

[Legbreaker]

Ah, ambushes....
The best, easiest, and safest way to inflict a LOT of casualties upon an enemy with the least number of troops and with (relatively) minimal risk.
I LOVE them!

As an infantryman, they also mean you're not on your feet for a while.

[dragoon500ly]

The Great Raid is another good movie, covers the 6th Ranger Battalions POW rescue mission 1945.

[ArmySGT.]

Phantom Soldier by H. John Poole.

A write up on Asian philosophy to conducting war.

[Michael Lewis]

Thanks for the info.