View Full Version : Weekly/Bi-weekly lessons learned
A while back, I was asked if it was possible for me to occasionally post a unclass/sterile lessons learned from the field. The intent was to stimulate conversation and maybe even get folks to get self-critique and improve their survival posture.
I don't know if anyone is still interested in that or if everyone just wants me to STFU, either way it's fine. Let me know what you think so I dont just go wasting bandwidth.
I'm sure it will be better than aimpoint vs eotech :lol:
I'm sure it will be better than aimpoint vs eotech :lol:
EOTech is better.......everyone knows that. ;)
OP- that is a very good idea. I like it. Now I will have to come up with something not too embarrassing to share. :jester:
Suwannee Tim
08-30-11, 14:01
I'm interested.
SeriousStudent
08-30-11, 20:22
I would be interested as well. Thank you for the time and effort to do this.
I am interested in lessons learned from the field! Thanks.
scrtsqurlmk29
09-01-11, 20:50
sounds like a good idea.
May not count for much, but I think its a good idea.
K.L. Davis
09-04-11, 13:09
Go for it brother! Make a sticky at the top and start Turtle Talk!
RogerinTPA
09-04-11, 19:45
Good timely info should always be shared. Go for it.
Sounds like a good idea to me
OK, enough talk. Is a MOD going to place a sticky on this page so we can start?
Well I guess I have to put up or SHUT UP.....:smile:
I guess I will go first.
***Since I am in Afghanistan it will be lessons learned geared towards being here.*****
Not sure if this fits here but I found that Smartwool Socks are the best thing around. :dance3:
Lesson Learned - When you have a minor medical condition make sure that you do what you need to do to take care of it ASAP.
One of my guys had to be pulled off the team because he let an ingrown toenail get infected. He said he noticed it about 3 days before a big mission and waited until after to get it checked. His toe had become infected and had to get IV antibiotics for it. Take care of problems ASAP, even if you have very important stuff to do. He will be off the team for at lest 2 weeks now.
Lesson Learned - When you have a minor medical condition make sure that you do what you need to do to take care of it ASAP.
Absolutely true in any type of situation whether it be getting paid to carry a gun, camping, wilderness survival or even just your everyday desk job. It's especially important when dealing with your feet due to being bipedal and actually needing to be mobile ;) A small blister, cut or splinter can fester and turn into some really nasty shit so the best thing to do is take care of it while it's a small problem rather than blowing up into a 2 week stint on your ass or worse.
It's also a good reminder for people to assemble a first aid kit for camping, their BOB or for any type of ourdoor survival SHTF zombies are attacking type of scenario. A little TLC and fresh air in the beginning goes a long way in preventing things like this from taking you out of the game. Good start to what could potentially be a very informative thread.
Here's something I see every so often and was very evident last week:
Situation:
Many operators spend a lot of their training pipeline with other Alpha/PT stud types. What happens when they get teamed up with non-operator types, whether it be an augmentee, someoone with specific skillset to the mission, or personnel recovery?
More often than not, there are assumptions the non-operator knows more than they do, know how to use gear operators take for granted, and navigation plans/movements that are out of the non-operators scope or ability.
Lessons Learned/Take aways:
How does this apply to non .mil folks?
Many folks base their action plan based on their abilities.
Do you take your family or friends hiking, camping or other field activities?
Are you the type that has a Bug out or Bug in plan?
Have you ever been put into an impromtu group for an outdoor activity?
Take stock of who is in your group, talk to them about what they consider is a "long hump" and other physical abilities. What gear do they have and can they use it? You may have to modify your route, timeline, or pace to make it more realistic and safe.
...or you could just watch as someone goes horizontal and blows snot bubbles and everyone has to go static to take care of the casualty.
That is very true. You need to plan for everyone that you are with and not with your abilities in mind. That can mess up everything real quick.
Good point.
Well, I guess this went over like a fart in an elevator..........anyone out there?
Yep, I'm out here and watching this thread. I realize that probably doesn't count for shit, but I learned a long time ago to pay attention to the folks walking the walk. Believe it or not, I actually keep a little notebook into which I copy or transcribe tidbits learned on this site.
I'm not in any way an operator or remotely high speed/low drag, but I took Tortuga's comments from 09 Sept 2011 to heart about planning for everyone in my "group." I know a little and am learning, but my wife knows a lot less and isn't all that interested. I've started to reevaluate a lot of things (SHTF, disasters, etc) with that knowledge discrepancy in mind. That simple realization and acknowledgement was something of an eye-opener for me and is helping me reorient a bit.
So, yeah. I'm paying attention, learning, etc and am grateful for the opportunity.
Yep, I'm out here and watching this thread. I realize that probably doesn't count for shit, but I learned a long time ago to pay attention to the folks walking the walk. Believe it or not, I actually keep a little notebook into which I copy or transcribe tidbits learned on this site.
I'm not in any way an operator or remotely high speed/low drag, but I took Tortuga's comments from 09 Sept 2011 to heart about planning for everyone in my "group." I know a little and am learning, but my wife knows a lot less and isn't all that interested. I've started to reevaluate a lot of things (SHTF, disasters, etc) with that knowledge discrepancy in mind. That simple realization and acknowledgement was something of an eye-opener for me and is helping me reorient a bit.
So, yeah. I'm paying attention, learning, etc and am grateful for the opportunity.
I second that. I'm in a very similar situation and before reading that post was getting a bit carried away with my ideas of my families capabilities in a survival situation. Not only did it give me a reality check but motivated me to get them more involved with my plans and preps.
Also the tidbit about not letting small wounds or other small issues go untreated was very good advice. I think alot of us that don't have the real world experiance can get caught up in the more "glamorous" survival ideals (guns,ammo,etc.) that we overlook the small or fundamental things that we are much more likely to use/encounter.
I hope we get some more real world lessons, the first couple have been great!
Sorry about the hiatus, I was a bit turned off of forums in general due to some various events and a change of employers kept me busy.
Anyways, I'm back and hopefully have things to contribute or at least spur some ideas.
My latest thought: How many of us are "fair weather" field folks?
When's the last time you tried to use your gear or shoot in foul weather?
What made me think of this is running some drills at a buddy's house the other weekend. We ran carbines, pistols, and I test drove some new mods to a scattergun. Oh yeah, it was -2 F according to the Kestral.
Things to consider:
How does your weapon/lube combo act at freezing temps?
Did your zero change?
How does your weapon fit with multiple layers (wicking/warming/weather)?
Do you have manipulation issues with gloves?
Do your optics have issues in rain or in freezing temps?
Did you remember to keep back up batteries close to your body to stay warm?
This is only the tip of the iceberg. There's all sorts of variables with gear and clothing. Plastics snapping, metal on skin contact, etc.
Even those of you farther south than I experience temps that tip below the freezing mark. I encourage you to make a point to get out to an outdoor range on those days. You may learn a thing or two about you and your gear...and at the very least, you'll avoid the crowds.
Don't forget the cold (or heat) when it comes to survival items. We don't have the opportunity to choose the weather when things go sour.
Grayling14
04-13-12, 07:01
Here's a basic: Know your equipment ... obviously, right? Well, sometimes the most obvious things are the easiest to overlook.
1st case in point: I went packing with my brother a couple of years ago, he brought his new tent but neglected to run even one setup drill before hitting the trail. He spent 4X as long as he should have to get it pitched, (along with slinging a barrel load of profanities).
2nd case in point: When my CCW class started, two of the students had yet to fire a single round through the sidearms that they had brought to qualify with, they hadn't even read the operators manual! So the class had to wait while they were given instruction on how their weapons functioned; and they never did seem very comfortable with them.
Bottom line: Being familiar with one's equipment is essential to be able to operate it properly and efficiently. Without practice the potential for frustration, failure and injury is greatly increased.
Sanitation and cleanliness. Insects.
Those three things will cause a lot of grief if not proply cared for.
Your hands are in bacteria, fungi and microbial pests all day long.
I recall one buddy who got worms from eating a MRE with dirty hands. Turns out the bugs were under his fingernails.
Situation: Bug-out test with pack and weapons
Narrative: I tested my bug-out bag and weapons on a little 6 mile hike in the desert as a test run. Wanted to see if I could handle the weight, see what I would and would not use, and see if my rifle and pistol setup was good.
Lesson learned: I learned to move things I used or most likely would use close to the top or outside of the pack for quicker and easier access (sun block, bug spray, compass, etc). I moved my AFG2 closer to the magazine on my rifle because hiking with it all the way out was uncomfortable and hurt my arm. Full extension is good when you are doing operator-style cqb all of the time, but sucks when you actually hike/hunt with the rifle. Had to lock-tight my screws on my holster as the bouncing around loosened them.
Overall: Exercise your gear. Fire your weapons to confirm zero and setup. If it is bug-out gear, bug-out! (for a short duration) to test it. This all also determines your over-all fitness and determines if the food you stuffed in your pack will actually sustain you for a full day, or 3 days, of actual bug-out movement.
Here's a basic: Know your equipment ... obviously, right? Well, sometimes the most obvious things are the easiest to overlook.
1st case in point: I went packing with my brother a couple of years ago, he brought his new tent but neglected to run even one setup drill before hitting the trail. He spent 4X as long as he should have to get it pitched, (along with slinging a barrel load of profanities).
2nd case in point: When my CCW class started, two of the students had yet to fire a single round through the sidearms that they had brought to qualify with, they hadn't even read the operators manual! So the class had to wait while they were given instruction on how their weapons functioned; and they never did seem very comfortable with them.
Bottom line: Being familiar with one's equipment is essential to be able to operate it properly and efficiently. Without practice the potential for frustration, failure and injury is greatly increased.
My first live fire ccw class was a train wreck. Several people had never fired their weapons. They couldnt hit a target at 3yards. Instructor told us to empty our weapons, so to me that meant drop the mag and clear the chamber. Simple, right? WRONG!! The lady next to me, she decided it meant to empty it rapid fire into her target, and miss it of course. We all just stood there and stared in awe.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
My first live fire ccw class was a train wreck. Several people had never fired their weapons. They couldnt hit a target at 3yards. Instructor told us to empty our weapons, so to me that meant drop the mag and clear the chamber. Simple, right? WRONG!! The lady next to me, she decided it meant to empty it rapid fire into her target, and miss it of course. We all just stood there and stared in awe.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
:lol: I'd like to say that's a surprise, but it really isn't. But hey, at least she is getting some training.
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