Solid communication is an essential part of any operation, especially ones that involve CQB. Good commo can result in smoother coordination and better delivery of tactics, since the entire team knows what each member is doing.
In the ongoing chapter, Chris Tolino of 2nd Force Recon Co., outlines why good commo can mean the difference between success and failure. – ATACS
Chapter 3: Communication
Communication is vital to a team’s success. There are a number of forms of communication used by today’s special Forces units. The very first and still favorite in some cases are hand signals. Hand signals are completely quiet and they are effective. The other common method of communication is through tactical radios(TacRadio). Even though a good radio is expensive, if you’re a serious team, you will want to shell out the money. NOTE: Some tournaments do not allow radio communication. Refer to the rules in your area before purchasing!! TacRadios offer more flexibility than hand signals and can be more effective. If you do purchase radios, spend the money to get a decent one because if your team relies on TacRadio comm. units and they go down, you’re screwed.
Depending on if you have military experience or how serious your team is, you may have pre-Assigned positions in the team. Common military positions include the Point Man, OIC, Corpsman(medical Officer), Assaulters, Grenadiers, and Rear security. These positions will be referred to for the rest of this document. The acting position of a team member is a good reference for radio communication. While some teams choose to use names, our team quickly chose the position naming reference over names. WE found names to be cumbersome while positions worked out quite nicely.
Whether you use TacRadios or hand signals, communication should be short and to the point. You don’t want to get caught waiting around in an open area because your comm. Isn’t effective enough. That’s begging for an ambush to happen. Simple code words are an asset to radio communication. Hand signals are for more developed and serious team and need to be developed by the team itself. Teams are most familiar with signals that they come up with on their own. The same goes with code words.
Communication Standard Operating Procedures(SOPs) are best developed by the teams themselves. The information above is only there to help you formulate your own ideas. No matter what form of communication you choose, the same principles apply. Restrict communication to only necessary comments that directly affect the mission. For TacRadios, make sure that the ones you choose have a hands-option. Holding your weapon and concentrating on the task at hand can be complicated enough.
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