Training - Marine Rifle Squad for the Guerilla Fighter

In a potential SHTF/WROL scenario, where a civilian guerrilla force is operating in a disrupted or collapsed societal structure, the core skillsets outlined in MCRP 3-10A.4, Marine Rifle Squad can be adapted to fit the needs of such a group.

However, civilian guerrilla forces differ from professional military units in terms of training, resources, and organization, so the application of these skills must account for limited access to advanced equipment, formal training, and logistical support.

Below, we adapt the Marine infantryman’s core skillsets to a civilian guerrilla force in a SHTF/WROL context, focusing on practical, realistic applications while prioritizing survival, adaptability, and resourcefulness.

Weapons Proficiency

Civilian Adaptation

Guerrillas must be proficient with whatever firearms are available, likely a mix of hunting rifles, shotguns, pistols, and possibly improvised weapons. Training should focus on marksmanship, maintenance, and safe handling of diverse firearms, as standardized weapons (e.g., M27 or M4) likely will not be available.

Practical Application

• Prioritize learning to shoot accurately with common civilian weapons (e.g., AR-15s, bolt-action rifles, or handguns).
• Practice clearing jams and maintaining firearms with limited tools or spare parts.
• Train in small-unit tactics for ambushes or hit-and-run engagements, emphasizing quick, effective fire due to limited ammunition.

Challenges

Ammunition scarcity and lack of formal ranges mean training may be dry-fire focused or use minimal live rounds. Suppressors or low-visibility shooting techniques may be critical to avoid detection.

Tactical Movement and Maneuver

Civilian Adaptation

Guerrillas need to master stealthy movement to avoid detection by hostile forces (e.g., looters, rival groups, or occupying forces). Unlike Marines, they may lack body armor or heavy gear, so mobility and concealment are key.

Practical Application

• Learn individual movement techniques (e.g., low crawling, moving silently) to evade detection in urban or rural environments.
• Use simple formations like traveling overwatch or bounding overwatch for small groups (3–12 people) to maintain security during movement.
• Practice navigating without GPS, using terrain association or landmarks, as electronic devices may fail or be jammed.

Challenges

Civilians may lack the physical conditioning of Marines, so training should include building stamina for carrying gear over long distances. Urban environments may require skills like moving through abandoned buildings or avoiding open streets.

Communication Skills

Civilian Adaptation

Without military radios, guerrillas rely on civilian alternatives (e.g., walkie-talkies, dual-band radios, hand signals, or coded messages). Clear, simple communication is critical to coordinate actions and avoid confusion in chaotic scenarios.

Practical Application

• Develop hand-and-arm signals for silent communication during patrols or ambushes.
• Use low-tech methods like whistles, colored flags, or written notes for coordination if electronics are unavailable.
• Train in basic reporting (e.g., describing enemy size, location, and activity) to share intelligence within the group.

Challenges

Electronic communications may be unreliable due to power shortages or jamming. Guerrillas must establish secure, low-tech protocols and avoid detection through radio emissions.

Combat Decision-Making

Civilian Adaptation

Guerrillas must make rapid decisions under stress with incomplete information, often prioritizing survival over victory. Unlike Marines, they may face ethical dilemmas (e.g., engaging looters vs. protecting non-combatants).

Practical Application

• Train in scenario-based decision-making (e.g., when to fight, flee, or hide) using role-playing exercises to simulate SHTF situations.
• Develop situational awareness by practicing observation skills, such as identifying threats or safe routes in familiar terrain.
• Emphasize decentralized leadership, as guerrilla groups may operate in small, independent cells without a clear chain of command.

Challenges

Civilians may lack combat experience, so decisions must rely on intuition and preparation. Training should include stress inoculation (e.g., simulated ambushes) to build confidence.

Suppression and Fire Support

Civilian Adaptation

Guerrillas are unlikely to have access to mortars or air support, so suppression relies on small arms and improvised tactics. The goal is often to disengage quickly rather than destroy the enemy.

Practical Application

• Practice delivering concentrated fire with available weapons to pin down threats, allowing the group to escape or reposition.
• Use terrain (e.g., bottlenecks, high ground) to amplify the effect of limited firepower.
• Improvise explosives (e.g., Molotov cocktails or homemade traps) for defensive perimeters or ambushes, if legal and safe to do so in training.

Challenges

Limited ammunition and lack of heavy weapons mean guerrillas must avoid prolonged engagements. Training should focus on short, decisive actions.

Physical and Mental Resilience

Civilian Adaptation

Physical fitness is critical for carrying supplies, evading threats, or fighting in austere conditions. Mental resilience is equally important, as civilians may face trauma from loss, scarcity, or constant danger.

Practical Application

• Build endurance through hiking, rucking with heavy packs, or bodyweight exercises, as gym equipment may be unavailable.
• Train in stress management techniques (e.g., breathing exercises, group morale-building) to cope with fear or fatigue.
• Prepare for prolonged operations by practicing sleep deprivation or limited food scenarios.

Challenges

Civilians may not be accustomed to extreme physical demands or psychological stress. Training should be progressive to avoid injury or burnout.

Basic Fieldcraft and Survival

Civilian Adaptation

Fieldcraft is critical in a WROL scenario, where guerrillas must survive without infrastructure. Skills like foraging, water purification, and shelter-building are as important as combat tactics.

Practical Application

• Learn land navigation using maps, compasses, or natural indicators (e.g., stars, sun position) in local terrain.
• Master camouflage techniques, such as blending into urban or rural environments using natural materials or scavenged items.
• Train in survival skills: purifying water (e.g., boiling, filtration), foraging edible plants, or trapping small game.
• Practice basic first aid, including treating gunshot wounds, fractures, or infections with limited medical supplies.

Challenges

Civilians may lack access to military-grade gear, so training should focus on improvising (e.g., using trash bags for ponchos or duct tape for repairs).

Teamwork and Leadership

Civilian Adaptation

Guerrilla groups rely on trust and cohesion, as they lack formal military discipline. Leadership may rotate based on skills or experience, and every member must be prepared to lead or follow.

Practical Application

• Train in small-unit tactics, such as fire team-sized groups (3–5 people), to build trust and coordination.
• Assign roles based on individual strengths (e.g., medic, scout, marksman) to maximize effectiveness.
• Practice consensus-based decision-making for non-combat tasks, like resource allocation or camp setup.

Challenges

Civilian groups may face internal conflicts or lack of discipline. Training should include conflict resolution and clear role definitions.

Mission-Specific Skills for SHTF/WROL

Civilian Adaptation

Guerrilla operations in a WROL scenario may focus on self-defense, securing resources, or resisting hostile groups (e.g., looters, gangs, or oppressive forces). Urban and rural tactics must be tailored to the environment.

Practical Application

• Urban Operations: Practice securing homes or buildings, creating choke points, or conducting stealthy patrols in neighborhoods. Learn to navigate rubble or abandoned structures.
• Rural Operations: Train in setting up hidden camps, conducting reconnaissance, or ambushing supply routes. Learn to blend into forests or fields.
• Resource Defense: Develop skills to protect food, water, or medical caches, including fortifying positions or setting traps.
• Community Engagement: Unlike military operations, guerrillas may need to interact with local civilians for intelligence, trade, or recruitment. Practice de-escalation and negotiation.

Challenges

Guerrillas must balance combat readiness with avoiding escalation that could draw attention. Training should emphasize stealth and minimal footprint.

Additional Considerations for Civilian Guerrillas

• Logistics and Resource Management: Unlike Marines, guerrillas lack a supply chain. Skills in scavenging, bartering, or repurposing materials (e.g., turning car parts into weapons or tools) are critical.
• Legal and Ethical Constraints: In a WROL scenario, legal boundaries may be unclear, but guerrillas should establish a code of conduct to maintain morale and community support. Training should include ethical decision-making to avoid alienating allies.
• Improvisation: With limited access to military gear, civilians must learn to improvise tools, weapons, or fortifications. For example, olive oil could be used as a lubricant for weapons, a fuel source for lamps, or a medical salve, echoing ancient Greek/Roman practices.
• Training Realism: Civilians should train in realistic scenarios (e.g., defending a home, escaping a checkpoint) using safe, legal methods like airsoft or role-playing. Avoid illegal activities during preparation.
• Community Integration: Guerrilla forces often rely on local support. Building relationships with neighbors or like-minded groups can provide intelligence, supplies, or safe havens.

Key Differences from Marine Training

• Training Access: Marines receive standardized, rigorous training; civilians must self-train or rely on informal groups, making consistency harder.
• Resources: Marines have access to advanced weapons, logistics, and support; guerrillas must make do with what’s available, emphasizing adaptability.
• Mission Focus: Marines focus on offensive and defensive operations in structured conflicts; guerrillas prioritize survival, evasion, and localized resistance in chaotic environments.

Recommendations for Training

1. Start Small: Focus on basic skills like marksmanship, first aid, and navigation before advancing to complex tactics.
2. Use Local Resources: Train in familiar terrain (e.g., local woods, urban areas) to understand its advantages and limitations.
3. Simulate Scenarios: Practice realistic SHTF scenarios, like defending a food cache or evading a pursuing group, to build confidence.
4. Build a Network: Connect with trusted individuals to form a cohesive group, as lone survival is less viable in WROL scenarios.
5. Stay Legal: Ensure all training complies with local laws, especially regarding firearms, explosives, or militia activities.