What I mean by "every man a sage general" in context of "citizen soldier".
2 files ... the chunk I pulled, and the short extract if you're in a rush.
(NB: I was not way commando. Ok, I did airborne training w/1st, but I was just a ground-pounder. And a reservist, to boot.
Okay, gungho grunt. One gungho grunt in a section of gungho grunts. In a good platoon. In a proud battle-honoured regiment.
But still, just another ground-pounder.)
Tonight I grabbed some audio from the video I found posted to "the only official Potential Royal Marines Commando forum" ... in a thread titled "The Greatest Raid of All Times". (Pretty cocky, name aey? *G*).
So anyhow, from Jeremy Clarkson's Greatest Raid of All Time 1 of 6 ("A BBC documentary presented by Jeremy Clarkson on the St. Nazaire Raid carried out by Royal Marine Commandos.") I grabbed a chunk.
This MP3 chunk here is slightly long, 5 minutes... I wanted to provide context ... so the audio I lifted starts out explaining why the Tirpitz refit area was out of reach for navy guns, infantry assaults, and even bombing runs.
But if you only have a mo' (You rushing? Hope not. Hurry as we must, right? *G*) ... here's this bit (MP3), just 1:26. (The entire audio; 2Meg MP3.)
"A complete revolution in the concept of soldiering". Now when I hear that, I think of AirCav.
But this is about Commandos. Not sure that Commandos were those to start this ("Let'em get close then kill'em w/hatchet", right?) ... history is what historians agree on ... but what they're saying about the special sorta person who goes to do what cannot be done? This PV2 will suggest that what's said here in these clips is all about Rangers. And then he'll sit down and STFU.
"In war everybody, anybody might be killed. What decides the action might be the action of a private soldier who's left to command a trench! I wasn't put like that, but the feeling that each one of us might ..."
WRIT for communications is simple: Wait: (is it) Relevant, Important, or Time Sensitive?
Wait: self explanatory. Don’t just automatically key the microphone the second a thought comes to your head. This is the hardest thing for me! Half a second’s pause if it’s not a contact with the enemy to formulate what you’re going to say, so that you can move to the next part,
Relevant: Is what you’re going to say matter? Let’s say I placed some satchel charges and some M136 rounds in the back of a HumVee in an ArmA session before moving back to the squad after death number 32 (that would be twenty minutes into Evolution Saturday). Since we’re going to be blowing up a tower, it’s relevant. If the squad leader is calling for a sniper, saying you’re carrying an M16A2 with iron sights isn’t relevant.
Important: “I am out of anti-armor rounds” is important to the squad leader, while “I am carrying a pistol as well as my rifle” isn’t. “I’m en route from the base to your location,” is important; “I drive like crap” isn’t; they call any vehicle I drive in ArmA the “Dramamine Express” for a reason. Hearing me say the obvious is needless chatter that doesn’t inform anyone of anything useful, and may prevent someone from calling out a contact with the enemy.
Time Sensitive: Do you need to know this now? Let’s say I put those satchel charges in the HumVee at the start of an assault on the town. It’ll be a good twenty minutes before we’ll need them, and it’ll be forgotten in five minutes by everyone but me. It’s not time sensitive when I loaded them, but as we get closer to the tower, it becomes important. Enemy contacts are time sensitive; you can’t wait to tell about it!
Ranger Creed
written by Command Sergeant Major Neal R. Gentry in 1974.
(thanks to "Virtual 75th" for this version)
Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of my Ranger Regiment.
Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster, and fight harder than any other soldier.
Never shall I fail my comrades, I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong, and morally straight, and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one hundred percent and then some.
Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well trained soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress, and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.
Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.
Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission, though I be the lone survivor.
Ranger Oath:
I do hereby solemnly pledge my life, on all that I hold sacred, to uphold the Core Values of the 75th Ranger Regiment at all times - whether on-duty or off-duty; whether on-line or off-line. I will therefore embody the characteristics of:
Loyalty - I will bear true faith and allegiance to the 75th Ranger Regiment and to my brothers-in-arms; to my country; to my community; and to my fellow man.
Duty - I will fulfill my obligations and discharge all my duties to the best of my ability.
Respect - I will treat others, irrespective of rank or station in life, as they should be treated: with respect and esteem; whether deserving or not.
Selfless-Service - I will put the welfare of the 75th Ranger Regiment, other institutions which I serve, and my subordinates before my own.
Honor - I will live up to the highest standards of honorable behavior; publicly and privately, I will conduct myself with honor.
Integrity - I will do what is right, legally, morally and ethically, even if I'm the only person to know that I have done so.
Personal Courage - I will face fear, danger or adversity, whether physical or moral, even if I must stand alone; even if all around me should whither and fail.
Affirmation:
I am (state your full name); I am a man of unyielding character; I am a beacon of right in a world of wrongs; I am among the finest of men that lead the way, all the way; I am a 75th Ranger.
Abram's Charter
The Ranger battalion is to be an elite, light, and most proficient infantry battalion in the world; A battalion that can do things with its hands and weapons better than anyone. The battalion will not contain any "Hoodlums" or "Brigands" and if the battalion is formed of such persons, it will be disbanded. Wherever the battalion goes, it will be apparent that it is the best.
Have your musket clean as a whistle, hatchet scoured, sixty rounds powder and ball, and be ready to march at a minutes warning.
When you're on the march, act the way you would if you was sneaking up on a deer. See enemy first.
Tell the truth about what you see and what you do. There is an army depending on us for correct information. You can lie all you please when you tell other folks about the Rangers, but don't ever lie to a Ranger or an officer.
Don't ever take a chance you don't have to.
When you're on the march we march as a single file, far enough apart so one shot can't go thru two men.
If we strike swamps, or soft ground, we spread out abreast, so it's hard to track us.
When we march, we keep moving 'til dark, so as to give the enemy the least chance at us.
When we camp, half the party stays awake while the other half sleeps.
If we take prisoners, we keep 'em separate 'til we have had time to examine them, they can cook up a story between 'em.
Don't ever march the same way. Take a different route so you won't be ambushed.
No matter whether we travel in big parties or little ones, each party has to keep a scout 20 yards ahead, 20 yards on each flank and 20 yards in the rear, so the main body can't be surprised and wiped out.
Every night you'll be told where to meet if surrounded by a superior force.
Don't sit down to eat without posting sentries.
Don't sleep beyond dawn, Dawn's when the French and Indians attack.
Don't cross a river by a regular ford.
If somebody's trailing you, make a circle, come back onto your own tracks, and ambush the folks that aim to ambush you.
Don't stand up when the enemy's coming against you. Kneel down, lie down, or hide behind a tree.
Let the enemy come 'til he's almost close enough to touch. Then let him have it and jump out and finish him with your hatchet.
Major Robert Rogers, 1759
75th Ranger Regiment Leadership Combat Elements
Regimental Commander
Colonel R. Patterson
Regimental Executive Commander
Lieutenant Colonel J. Roman
Battalion Sergeant Major
Command Sergeant Major L. Dietzel
Alpha Company Commander
First Lieutenant K. Kelly
Alpha Company First Sergeant
First Sergeant Lunsford
1st Platoon:
* Alpha Squad (Apaches) Squad Leader
Staff Sergeant M. Indorato
* Bravo Squad (Mercenaries) Squad Leader
Sergeant C. Hale
"As our forces retire, Sergeant Carney, who has kept the colors of his regiment flying upon the parapet of Wagner during the entire conflict, is seen creeping along on one knee, still holding up the flag, and only yielding its sacred trust upon finding an officer of his regiment. As he enter the field-hospital, where his wounded comrades are being brought in, they cheer him and the colors. Though nearly exhausted with the loss of blood, he says, "Boys, the old flag never touched the ground."
Posted by Pranger on Thursday, September 3 @ 13:25:39 PDT
Dismounted Night Attacks
(FM 71-2J, Chap 3; FC 71-1J, Chap 3)
"Time and time again, a few skilled infantrymen are the difference between winning
and losing a battalion/brigade level battle . . . They conduct the night attack
which causes enemy armor to reposition, thereby facilitating its destruction
by friendly tank and AT fire at first light."
--BG
E. S. Leland, Jr., Commanding General, NTC, 20 November 1985
