Originally posted by Skibi:
[b]Commandos are generally better than normal
soldiers because they are trained to keep things simple and
stupid. In a high-stress combat situation, the simplest method is
often the most idiot-proof and efficient method. Just do the
minimum required to achieve the objective.
Not quite. While the simplest solution is often the best one,
you can't take that as an assumption. The most effective solution
is one that suits the situation and is reasonably simple to
execute, but you don't necessarily fall back on automatic
drills.
Case in point: I was in a four-man recce team on a BTEC exercise
against a Guards unit. As the last man to cross a track, I just
started making my way across when three Guards Rovers came round
the corner. I dived behind the bush where the rest of my team was
and the Rovers stopped on the other side of the bush. We were most
likely outnumbered, and the simple and stupid thing to do would
have been to get out of Dodge right quick. On the other hand, if
the Guardsmen decided to come after us, it would all be over.
I sent two guys a few metres to the right while I and the remaining
team member laid down fire, and I started shouting, "Section 2,
right flank!". The other two guys waited a few seconds and strated
laying down their own fire. Once we finished one magazine each, we
headed for the hills. After getting about half a click away, we
checked back just in time to see an umpire pop smoke, simulating
arty.
What I pulled wasn't the simplest solution, but I still reckon we'd
have been done like dinner if we simply ran. By scamming the other
side into thinking they were facing a platoon strength and getting
them to delay by calling arty instead, we bought enough time to get
out without getting hassled.
