Team Roles
by [GBH]Reaper
This section teaches you how to use your team in an effective manner, with role guides for all 5 members of the team.
Element Leader = EL
The EL is the Team organizer. His commands are to be trusted and followed at all times. Often when a S.W.A.T team member dies their reaction is to blame the EL for sending then into a deadly situation. Due to the interface that the gaming environment allows - it is not always possible for the EL to have all the relevant facts in the short periods that some situations demand. So the EL can only do their best - DO NOT BLAME THE EL. If you think a situation is deadlier than the EL is giving it credit, then there are 4 things you can do. The first is to type a message in the chat area, giving your reasons for not following the orders. The second, if the first would take to long is to shout compromise and back off, to give yourself chance to explain. A third is to say 'Negative on your command' DO NOT BE AFRAID TO USE THIS. As already stated the EL cannot see everything., however be prepared to explain yourself. A good EL will not look upon this as insolence, but merely as a warning that there are circumstances he is unaware of. The last is to follow the EL's order even at risk to oneself, this is a sometimes necessary thing to aid in the completion of a mission. The EL needs to be aware that they will gain respect by giving clear and concise orders and that calling their team by derogative names in not going to help them to gain this.
ENTRY
As the EL you should take up a position behind the Red team. Providing some forward cover, along with B1. This position also lets you see what is happening at the doorway / entry. After giving instructions and moving to clear the room, it is your role to breach the threshold third and in the Centre. Shouting, clear when done.
CIVILIAN / THREAT
The EL's role in this situation is to issue the order for restraint when he feels the situation allows it and the team is safe from threats - e.g. the suspect / civilian has been subdued and no further threats exist.
The EL of a game is also the host and should therefore preferably have a good internet connection speed.
The EL should trust his team to do the job, and not try to take on all roles themselves.
That said an EL should be prepared to do what they ask of the team themselves.
The EL should be prepared to fill the role of a downed team member.
The EL should be knowledgeable about the mission the team is under taking.
Finally a EL for GBH Clan - should be patient and understanding of new and inexperienced players. Training is part of the job.
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Red One = R1
Team member R1 is the Point man. It is R1's job to lead the team into almost any situation. He is the scout for the team and the Entry man. He is also the one whom is likely to be, fired upon first. R1 is by default the member of the team whom if still alive will replace the EL if he should fall. So as R1 some practice as EL is essential, to facilitate a smooth transition should the need occur to take the role.
ENTRY
R1 should always stack up to the side of a doorway/entry (opposite hinges) and hold it until the team is in position. Once in position R1 will have cover and therefore should receive a command from the EL to open the door, or if the entry is already open to go ahead and mirror for threats. At this point R1 is reliant on the other team members, as he is vulnerable to attack and has no way of protecting himself, other than to back away. Upon opening the door, R1 should use his mirror and report to the team the situation as he sees it. Now the EL has to make a decision on the tactical mode of entry. R1 returns to his primary weapon and the scenario laid out by the EL is played through (e.g - Red Team prepare to make Entry - go with the CS). R1's job on entry is to breach the threshold first and clear LEFT. Shouting, clear when done.
CIVILIAN
R1 is not responsible for handcuffing civilians. Upon discovery of a civilian R1 should shout the civilian to their knees and then pass the civilian and hold cover.
THREAT
R1 is not responsible for handcuffing suspects. Upon discovery of a threat, R1 should attempt to shout the suspect to their knees. If this is achieved R1 should remain in position and cover while the suspect is cuffed and only then move past the suspect into a forward covering position. Should the suspect, not be subdued by verbal commands or CS gas, then R1 is permitted to use deadly force. A bullet, to an arm or leg is preferable.
R1 train, train, train as EL - you are assured there will be occasions when you will need to fill this role.
As R1 you are most likely to call 'Compromise' or 'Negative on your command' - use them effectively.
Do not be distracted evacuating civilians, suspects or officers - leave that to a trailing team members.
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Red Two = R2
Team member R2 is cover for R1and CS/Flashbang man. It is your job as R2 to fall in behind R1. You are cover and he is dependant on you. Should he fall it is your job to fill his role.
ENTRY
R2 should always stack up on the shoulder of R1 (furthest from the doorway/entry) and lean around to see as much of the entry as possible, without being in the line of fire from the entry. R2 is to keep his primary weapon trained on the doorway at all times. Once R1 has finished his commands (given by EL) then as R2 you may be required to throw a Flashbang/CS into the room. If this is the case then you must wait for R1 to resume the use of their primary weapon, which they will then train on the entry. Switch to the chosen device, deploy and return to primary weapon. Upon activation of the device and having received the order to enter, it is your role to breach the threshold second and clear RIGHT. Shouting, clear when done. If no order to enter has been given - DO NOT ENTER await further instructions.
CIVILIAN
R2 is not responsible for handcuffing civilians. Upon discovery of a civilian R1 should shout the civilian to their knees and then pass the civilian and hold cover. R2 may assist in shouting as this has a cumulative effect on the Civilian and may aid in bringing about compliance quickly. R2 is to continue to provide cover for R1.
THREAT
R2 is not responsible for handcuffing suspects. Upon discovery of a threat, R1 should attempt to shout the suspect to their knees, R2 may assist in this as this has a cumulative effect on the Suspect and may aid in bringing about compliance quickly. If this is achieved, R1 should remain in position and cover while the suspect is cuffed and only then move past the suspect into a forward covering position. R2's role is to continue to provide cover for R1.
R2 train, train, train as R1 - you are assured there will be occasions when you will need to fill this role.
As R2 you are most likely going to be called upon to shoot a suspect whilst covering R1. It is imperative to check that they are a threat before the use of deadly force.
Do not be distracted evacuating civilians, suspects or officers - leave that to a trailing team members.
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Blue One = B1
The team member B1 is Cover for Red team and Clean Up. It is your job as B1 to fall in behind the Red team and the EL (EL will be central behind and between the Red team). You also have the difficult task, of looking out for B2. If he falls it is your job to take his position. In addition to this if R2 falls you are to assume his role. So although a clean up role when the team survive, if they die this role lends itself to a flexible officer.
ENTRY
On entry you stack up along the wall behind R1, R2 and EL. However you are now needed to provide forward cover along with the EL for the red team. You need to place yourself in a position where you are able to observe the landscape ahead whilst not in the line of fire from the entry the team is tackling. If the entry is a door on a corridor and the door is shut, you move past the door and the entry team and hold a position hugging the wall. If this is not possible without being in the line of fire when the door is breached then you do not pass the door. As the team are ordered, and breach the entry/doorway, you do not enter but continue to provide forward cover. Only when the area is secured and the order issued from the EL do you enter.
CIVILIAN
It is the role of B1 to secure civilians with handcuffs. Wait for the EL to issue the command to secure and you should be in a position of safety, (cover is provided from both red team members and the EL and from B2 behind you.). Once secure, report to TOC and evacuate the civilian. If a civilian is uncooperative and will not respond to verbal commands from your team, it is your job to subdue them using CS gas.
THREAT
It is the role of B1 to secure suspects with handcuffs, Wait for the EL to issue the command to secure and you should be in a position of safety (cover from both red team members and the EL). Once secure, report to TOC and evacuate the suspect. If a suspect is uncooperative and will not respond to verbal commands from your fellow team members it is your job to subdue them using CS gas.
As B1 you may be required to fill the position of R2 or B2 - train, train, train, oh and train some more.
B1 should very rarely come under fire and will usually only be in this position when covering an entry by the red team. It is imperative to check that you have a threat before the use of deadly force.
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Blue Two = B2
The team member B2 is cover for the whole team, in the occurrence of a threat from behind. In general rooms are cleared as the team progress through a mission. This is not always possible and will therefore you exposed at the rear of the unit. B2 also may be required to move into the position of B1 if he should fall.
ENTRY
On entry you stack up behind the rest of the team tight. You take up a position of facing backwards, trust is required here and discipline. Even if shoots are fired you should remain facing the rear (try to have a forward members viewpoint in your camera view - ideally B1). You do not enter as the team enter, you must wait for the area to be secured and the order issued. You are the last man to enter the area, as you do so if there is a door - close it behind you and hold it - until the team start to move on.
CIVILIAN
You cover the rear, leave the rest to your teammates.
THREAT
You cover the rear, leave the rest to your teammates.
This is a vital - if sometimes lonely role, and your team will be eternally grateful if you master it.
Oh yeah train, train, train as B1 - you never know.
