Helpful Militia Hints and Tips
If you come under poison/tear gas attack and do not have gas mask, peeing on a hankercheif or other rag and tying it to your face will work.
Never (I mean NEVER) walk between to hills, walk on the ridge just below the top. This will make it harder for the enemy to notice you.
Try not to opperate out of a specific place. Random attacks on the enemy that cannot be traced destroys the enemies moral and improves your own.
Always snipe for men who are being saluted or have on fancy uniforms. Many battles have been lost because a leader was killed.
Use sterno to cook with instead of an open fire.If you need to cook at all. The aroma from cooked food (and fire) travels incredibly far compared with cold food.When people are hungry their sense of smell increases too.
If you are using MREs,eliminate the extra crap. All the cardboard,extra wrappers,spoons (you only need one) heaters (your not at the Ritz) and stuff. That will cut a lot of bulk and extra pounds.
Replace you 2 one quart canteens on your LBV with 1 two
quart canteen.Lighter (10 ounces I think) and when the air
is crushed out it is 1000% quieter.If you feel you need a
canteen cup throw it in your pack.If you don't have your
pack you probably won't be cooking either.Trust me.Your not
gonna dig a fighting position in hard soil with a canteen
cup.
Drink the water from on your pack first.That way if you
have to ditch your pack you still have water with you.It
also lightens the load on your back.
Wear loose fitting clothes.Tight fitting clothes tear
more easily.
Tape the muzzle of your rifle to keep crud and water
out.Or use condoms or colored (tactical) water
balloons.
Last three rounds in your magazine should be tracers to
alert you to a mag change.
Replace the cartridge in your the chamber of your weapon
each morning "quietly".Codensation may casue a
malfunction.
Oil the selector switch on your weapon daily and work the
switch back and forth.This will prevent a stuck switch.
Always carry a small vial/tube of oil for your weapon
Always carry your weapon on "safe".
Conduct a jump test before moving out.Jump in the air
with your full combat load and tape (carry black electrical
tape in your buttpack) what rattles or clangs.There is
nothing metal in the woods!
Never assume your weapon is clean enough.Clean your
weapon daily!Never have more then two weapons broken down
at a time.Less if you number less then 10 people.
Place magazines upside down to keep out water and crud
with bullets pointing OUT to prevent a "lucky" shot from
discharging your rounds.
Be sure all snaps and buckles are taped
Tie a string a laynard to everthing you don't want to
loose or if taken under fire while using.ie
compass,flashlight.
Place you battle dressing carrier upside down on your
shoulder starps so you don't smack yourself in the face
opening it.
When treating someone else use THEIR first aid equipment
and not yours first.If they are evacuated of the field they
are taking their bandages too.If you use yours and then
your hit...
Always carry a knife of some sort (other then a "Rambo"
knife).
Always carry a survival kit on YOU.Not in your pack or
gear.I use my right BDU pocket and carry an M258A-1 decon
container for crushproofness.Outside it is a "space
blanket" secured with a length of 550 cord.
Carry smoke grenades (if at all) on your pack and not your web
gear.You don't fight with smoke grenades and 99 out of a
100 times if you need one you'll have your pack too.
Camoflage your rifle and gear.Your enemy is smart enough
to know that black M-16 isn't walking through the woods
alone.
Use natural foilage to break up your outline.Do not take
from your ambush sight but use the same foilage found in
your ambush sight.Replace as it dies.
Use a poncho liner (or two) for sleepong instead of a
heavy bulky sleepong bag.
Carry 550 cord to replace broken web gear/pack straps and
for 1000 other things.
Use ziplocks or water proof bags inside your pack to keep
things dry and help make you and your pack more
bouyant.
Don't carry passes,I.D cards,licenses,dog tags,name
tapes,personalized lighters and rings etc.If the items are
lost or your caught or killed they won't be going to you
house to say hello.
Carry cough drops or medicine especially during rainy
weather
Carry maps,notebooks etc in the same pockets for hasty
removal if you become a casualty.
Always carry a cleaning kit.
Never take pictures of team members on patrol.If the
enemy captures the camera they will have gained invaluable
intelligence.
On patrol move and LISTEN.Move and LISTEN.
Be alert 100% of the time.You are not safe till you are
back home.
Never break branches on trees or bushes.Don't kick
rocks.You'll leave an easy trail for the enemy to
follow.
Put insect repellent around the tops of your boots,on
pants fly,belt,and cuffs to keep out insects and
leeches.
Continually check your compass man to ensure he is on the
right azimuth.Do not run a compass course on patrol.Change
your direction regularly.
If followed by trackers,change direction of movement
often and attempt to evade or ambush them.They ake good
POW's.
Change your socks and use foot powder!Never more then two
people at a time and never take both boots off at once.If
your feet go so will you!
Avoid overconfidence,it leads to carlessness.Just because
you have seen no sign of the enemy for 2 or 3 days does not
mean he isn't there or hasn't seen you.
A large percentage of patrols have been compromised due
to poor noise discipline.
If you have to talk to someone about the mission (leave
the football game at home) cup your hands and whisper into
his ear.
Camoflage facees,necks and hands in the morning,at noon
and at the remain overnight or ambush position.
Never cook or build fires on patrol.No more then to
people should eat chow at a time.The rest should be on
security.
When a team stops,always check out 40-60 meters from the
perimeter.
Carry a compass and learn how to use it.
Each man should observe the man in front of him and
behind him and watch for hand signals.
Special thanks to Total Resistance
