Training - Convoys: Battle Drills

Battle drills are pre-rehearsed, immediate-response actions designed to counter threats encountered by, in our case, a guerrilla convoy (2-6 vehicles, 4-12 members) in a SHTF scenario within CONUS.

For a small team of 4-12 members, these drills must be simple, rapid, and focused on evasion and survival due to limited manpower, civilian vehicles, and lack of heavy weapons or external support.

The drills outlined are adapted from military doctrine (e.g., U.S. Army FM 3-21.8, “The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad”) but tailored for a guerrilla context, emphasizing speed, stealth, and improvisation.

Below is an in-depth explanation of each drill, detailing how a small team should execute them, including roles, actions, and guerrilla-specific adaptations.

Battle Drill 1: React to Ambush (Near)

A near ambush occurs within 50 meters, typically involving small arms fire, RPGs, or explosives, where the enemy is close enough to prevent easy disengagement. The goal is to break contact or fight through the kill zone quickly to survive.

Initial Detection

The lead vehicle identifies the ambush (e.g., gunfire from a treeline 30 meters away). The driver or vehicle commander signals “Ambush!” via radio (e.g., “Lead, contact right!”) or hand signal (e.g., rapid pointing to the threat direction).

Actions

• Lead Vehicle: The driver accelerates through the kill zone to escape, maintaining 50-meter spacing to avoid clustering. The vehicle commander/shooter returns suppressive fire (e.g., rifle bursts from a window) to disrupt the enemy, focusing on rapid movement over engagement.
• Flank Vehicles (if in diamond or staggered formation): Drivers maintain speed to follow the lead, while shooters engage the enemy with small arms (e.g., rifles, pistols) or improvised weapons (e.g., Molotov cocktails) to cover the convoy’s movement. If terrain allows, one flank vehicle may dismount 1-2 members to flank the enemy, creating a distraction.
• Rear Vehicle: The driver slows slightly to assess the situation, maintaining 50-100 meters from others. The rear security shooter provides covering fire (e.g., from the truck bed) to protect retreating vehicles or suppress pursuers.
• Convoy Commander: From the lead or central vehicle, assesses whether to fight through (if the enemy is weak) or disengage (preferred). Communicates orders via radio (e.g., “All, push through!”) or hand signals (e.g., forward wave for “move out”).

Guerrilla Adaptations

• Prioritize Evasion: With limited firepower (e.g., rifles vs. enemy machine guns), the convoy avoids prolonged fights. Accelerating through the kill zone leverages civilian vehicle speed (e.g., SUVs reaching 60 mph quickly).
• Improvised Cover: Use smoke (e.g., burning tires thrown from a truck bed) or terrain (e.g., a ditch) for concealment during escape. For example, a passenger tosses a smoke grenade (if available) to obscure the convoy’s movement.
• Small Team Dynamics: With 4-12 members, each person may perform multiple roles (e.g., driver also shoots). Cross-training ensures a shooter can navigate if the commander is incapacitated.

Execution Steps

• Lead vehicle signals ambush and accelerates.
• All vehicles return fire briefly (10-15 seconds) to suppress, focusing on escape.
• Convoy commander directs to a rally point (e.g., 1 km past the kill zone) via radio or pre-set plan.
• Dismounted members (if any) rejoin at the rally point or scatter to a secondary point if cut off.

Example: A 4-vehicle convoy (2 SUVs, 2 trucks, 8 members) is ambushed by a gang firing rifles from 40 meters in an urban alley. The lead SUV accelerates, its shooter firing a pistol to suppress. Flank trucks return fire with rifles from the beds, while the rear truck tosses a smoke bottle to obscure the enemy’s view. The convoy escapes to a pre-planned rally point at a nearby warehouse.

Battle Drill 2: React to Ambush (Far)

A far ambush occurs beyond 50 meters (e.g., sniper fire, distant small arms), allowing more time to react but requiring quick decisions to avoid being pinned down. The goal is to disengage or use terrain to escape.

Initial Detection

The lead or flank vehicle spots the threat (e.g., muzzle flashes 200 meters away). The vehicle commander signals “Contact, far!” via radio or a hand signal (e.g., pointing with an extended arm to the threat).

Actions

• Lead Vehicle: The driver seeks cover (e.g., a ditch, building) or accelerates to exit the kill zone, depending on terrain. The shooter scans for targets but holds fire unless the enemy closes in, preserving ammo.
• Flank Vehicles: Drivers maintain 50-100 meter dispersion, using terrain (e.g., hills, trees) for concealment. Shooters return fire only if the enemy is within effective range (e.g., 100 meters for rifles) to avoid wasting ammo.
• Rear Vehicle: The driver monitors for secondary threats (e.g., flanking enemies) and prepares to reverse if needed. The rear security shooter uses optics (if available) to identify enemy positions, relaying info to the commander.
• Convoy Commander: Assesses the threat’s strength via radio reports or visual cues. Orders the convoy to disengage to a rally point (e.g., “All, Route B, rally at bridge”) or scatter if pinned down, using pre-planned escape routes.

Guerrilla Adaptations

• Avoid Engagement: Far ambushes allow guerrillas to exploit distance for escape, leveraging civilian vehicle speed (e.g., 70 mph in open terrain) over fighting, given limited firepower.
• Terrain Exploitation: Use natural cover (e.g., ridges, forests) to break line-of-sight. For example, the convoy diverts into a treeline to obscure enemy snipers.
• Scattering Option: With 4-12 members, the team may scatter to multiple rally points (e.g., two groups of 2 vehicles) to confuse pursuers, regrouping later via pre-set signals (e.g., three horn beeps).

Execution Steps

• Lead vehicle signals far ambush and seeks cover or accelerates.
• Vehicles maintain dispersion, using terrain to shield movement.
• Shooters hold fire unless necessary, focusing on observation.
• Convoy regroups at a rally point or scatters to secondary points if pursued.

Example: A 3-vehicle convoy (2 SUVs, 1 truck, 6 members) detects sniper fire from a hill 300 meters away. The lead SUV accelerates behind a ridge, signaling “Contact, far, left!” via radio. Flank and rear vehicles follow, maintaining 75-meter spacing, and use a forested detour to escape, regrouping at a pre-set barn 2 km away.

Battle Drill 3: React to Roadblock/Checkpoint

A roadblock or checkpoint (e.g., hostile gang barricade, abandoned vehicles) blocks the convoy’s route, requiring negotiation, bypass, or breach. The goal is to avoid conflict while continuing the mission.

Initial Detection

The lead vehicle or scout spots the roadblock (e.g., cars blocking a road 100 meters ahead). The driver signals “Obstacle!” via radio or hand signal (e.g., open palm sweeping side-to-side, as described earlier).

Actions

• Lead Vehicle: The driver halts 100-200 meters from the roadblock to assess, maintaining a safe distance. The vehicle commander observes for threats (e.g., armed personnel) and communicates with the convoy commander.
• Flank Vehicles: Drivers hold position, maintaining 50-100 meter spacing, and prepare to maneuver (e.g., reverse or turn). Shooters scan for ambushes, ready to engage if negotiations fail.
• Rear Vehicle: The driver prepares for retreat, facing backward if possible. The rear security shooter monitors for approaching threats (e.g., pursuers) and relays updates.
• Convoy Commander: Decides the response: negotiate (if the checkpoint seems civilian), bypass (using an alternate route), or breach (if unavoidable). Signals the decision via radio (e.g., “All, bypass left”) or hand signals (e.g., pointing to the bypass direction).

Guerrilla Adaptations

• Deception: Pose as civilians (e.g., claiming to be traders) to negotiate passage, using local knowledge to seem non-threatening. For example, the commander offers food to a checkpoint guard to avoid conflict.
• Bypass Preference: With limited firepower, bypassing via backroads or off-road routes is preferred, leveraging terrain analysis from route planning.
• Breach as Last Resort: If breaching, the lead vehicle rams lightweight obstacles (e.g., barrels), while others provide cover fire with small arms or distract with smoke.

Execution Steps

• Lead vehicle halts and signals roadblock.
• Convoy commander assesses: negotiate, bypass, or breach.
• If bypassing, vehicles divert to a pre-planned alternate route (e.g., a side trail). If breaching, lead vehicle rams, supported by flank fire.
• Regroup at a rally point post-action.

Example: A 5-vehicle convoy (3 SUVs, 2 trucks, 10 members) encounters a gang roadblock with tires and armed guards. The lead SUV halts 150 meters away, signaling “Obstacle!” The commander negotiates, claiming to be civilians, while flank vehicles scout a nearby alley. When talks fail, the convoy diverts to the alley, regrouping at a pre-set gas station.

Battle Drill 4: Vehicle Breakdown or Casualty Evacuation

A vehicle becomes disabled (e.g., flat tire, engine failure) or a member is wounded, requiring the convoy to secure the area, transfer resources, or evacuate. The goal is to maintain mission capability and avoid enemy exploitation.

Initial Detection

The affected vehicle signals a breakdown or casualty via radio (e.g., “Rear, down, medical!”) or improvised signal (e.g., three horn beeps).

Actions

• Disabled Vehicle: The driver pulls to a defensible position (e.g., behind a hill). The vehicle commander or medic assesses the issue (e.g., repairable tire vs. engine failure) or treats the casualty.
• Other Vehicles: Form a protective perimeter (e.g., diamond formation with 50-meter spacing) around the disabled vehicle. Shooters dismount (if safe) to secure the area, scanning for threats.
• Convoy Commander: Directs resource transfer (e.g., move ammo, fuel to other vehicles) and decides to repair, abandon, or destroy the vehicle. Signals actions via radio (e.g., “All, transfer and move”) or hand signals (e.g., waving to regroup).
• Medic (if assigned): Stabilizes casualties, prioritizing rapid treatment (e.g., tourniquets, pressure dressings) for transport to a rally point.

Guerrilla Adaptations

• Rapid Transfer: With 4-12 members, the team quickly redistributes critical supplies (e.g., ammo in backpacks) to functional vehicles, abandoning non-essentials to maintain speed.
• Destruction Option: If abandoning a vehicle, destroy it (e.g., puncture fuel tank, remove key components) to prevent enemy use, using improvised tools like knives or hammers.
• Casualty Prioritization: Limited medical resources mean focusing on life-saving care (e.g., stopping bleeding) and evacuating to a safe zone, not prolonged treatment in the field.

Execution Steps

• Affected vehicle signals issue and pulls to cover.
• Convoy forms a perimeter; shooters secure the area.
• Transfer supplies and casualties to functional vehicles.
• Abandon or destroy the vehicle, then move to a rally point.

Example: A truck (1 of 4 vehicles, 8 members) gets a flat tire in a rural area. The rear vehicle signals “Down!” with three horn beeps. The convoy forms a diamond perimeter, with shooters dismounting to scan for threats. The team transfers fuel cans and a wounded member to an SUV, slashes the truck’s tires to disable it, and escapes to a rally point 1 km away.

General Execution Notes for Small Teams (4-12 Members)

• Role Flexibility: With only 4-12 members, individuals must perform multiple roles (e.g., driver as shooter, medic as navigator). Cross-training (emphasized in the course) ensures each member can adapt, such as a shooter driving if the lead driver is injured.
• Simplified Commands: Use short, clear commands (e.g., “Push through!” or “Scatter!”) via radio or hand signals to avoid confusion under stress. Pre-rehearsed signals (e.g., open-palm sweep for danger areas) are critical for rapid execution.
• Speed and Evasion: All drills prioritize breaking contact over fighting, leveraging civilian vehicle speed (e.g., 60-80 mph in open terrain) and terrain (e.g., forests for concealment). This aligns with guerrilla tactics of avoiding superior forces.
• Rally Points: Each drill includes pre-planned rally points (e.g., a barn, bridge) for regrouping post-action. Small teams use simple landmarks and signals (e.g., two headlight flashes) to coordinate, given limited manpower.
• Resource Constraints: With no heavy weapons or air support, drills rely on small arms (e.g., rifles, pistols), improvised tools (e.g., smoke bottles), and vehicle agility. For example, a truck bed shooter uses a hunting rifle to suppress, not eliminate, enemies.
• Training Integration: Practice drills in the Day 4 course exercise, using role-players or props (e.g., tires as a roadblock) to simulate threats. Rotate roles (e.g., driver to shooter) to build versatility, and debrief to refine execution.

Guerrilla-Specific Considerations

• Stealth and Deception: Drills incorporate civilian guises (e.g., posing as traders at checkpoints) to avoid detection, aligning with the low-profile principle. For example, during a roadblock drill, the commander uses local slang to negotiate passage.
• Improvisation: Limited resources force creative solutions, like using burning rags for smoke cover or ramming with a truck’s bumper to breach. These are rehearsed to ensure quick execution.
• Small Team Dynamics: With 4-12 members, drills rely on every member’s contribution. For instance, in a near ambush, all vehicles return fire briefly, even if only one shooter per vehicle, to maximize suppression.
• Terrain Exploitation: Drills use terrain for advantage, such as accelerating through open fields in a far ambush or hiding in urban alleys during a roadblock bypass, reflecting the course’s terrain adaptation focus.

These battle drills enable a small guerrilla convoy to respond effectively to threats, leveraging speed, simplicity, and adaptability to survive in a SHTF environment.