Training - Pulling Security in a Static Position

Roles

Sergeant of the Guard (SotG)

• Responsible for managing guard schedule and rotation
• Oncoming guards report to SotG prior to their watch
• Inspects guards, their gear, prior to posting
• Escorts oncoming guard to post to relieve
• Responsible to debrief with outgoing guard to maintain central notes
• SotG may be a rotated role to cover 24-hour

Entry/Gate Guard

• Posted at the entry to property/area (top of driveway, etc)
• Stationary position that is visible deterrent and to interdict oncoming people/vehicles
• Minimum two-man team, could be one-man with Perimeter Guard overwatch
• Maximum eight-hour shift, mostly there to be visible presence and interdict visitors
• Light gear, comms. Likely falling back to the perimeter guard post. Enough ammo/mags to break contact

Perimeter Guard

• Responsibility is NOTHING BUT SECURITY. Do NOTHING BUT GUARD (no reading, no chopping wood, no miscellaneous tasks)
• The eyes and ears, and security for your community
• Do NOT bring cell phone
• Do NOT talk to anyone while on post, no talking on the radio
• Do NOT leave while on post, for ANY REASON, until properly relieved, even if relief is late
• Do NOT eat while on post
• Do NOT smoke while on post
• Teenagers can pull security
• Regular comm check-ins at predefined intervals
• Oncoming guard should debrief with outgoing guard on notes, events, things to look for
• Heavy gear, comms. Enough ammo/mags to sustain, repel invaders, or fallback

Patrol Guard (Roving)

• Similar to perimeter guard, but minimum two-man fireteam patrolling a route
• Secondary layer on top of Perimeter Guard, if there are enough people to maintain
• Medium gear, comms. Determine what a patrolman/rifleman build should be. Going to be moving and out in the field for longer shifts

Principles

• If you are on time, you are late. You should never be late
• Don’t be late. Don’t be light. Don’t be last.
• If the meeting starts at 4pm, you should be in your seat, ready to receive instruction by 4pm
• It takes three people to guard one post
• Perimeter post supplied with water, ammo, notebook, other supplies to maintain, repel, or retreat
• No couples on a shift (for obvious reasons)

Shift Rotations

Four hours should be the maximum rotation length, as people will get bored, worn out. Target two-hour shifts if possible.

One-for-Two / One-for-Four

Worst-case, minimal number of people to pull security and only able to afford one per shift. Determine whether to rotate at two or four hour shifts. SotG still relieves the outgoing guard with the oncoming guard at the end of the shift.

Three-for-Two

Three guards for a post in a two-hour shift. Offset shifts by an hour to avoid the entire guard group rotating off at the same time.

Split-for-Four

Given two (or more) posts, a four-hour shift can be covered by rotating guards between the two posts, two-hours at a time. This allows covering a longer shift (four-hour) while helping avoid boredom at a single post.

Post Turnover

• Post is a shared space
• Oncoming guard won’t want to inherit your mess
• If changeover is 10am, oncoming guard should be there at 9:50am. Determine how early as a team (10m, 30m, etc)
• Leaving some Jolly Ranchers for your relief does wonders

Rules of Engagement

Establish RoE ahead of time, and ensure everyone is aligned and understands what to do.

• If two vehicles approach the gate, what do we do?
• Reporting requirements, what do we note/log?
• After an event, everyone that has guns are going to be carrying them so we can’t go around blasting everyone that is just carrying a gun

Team Uniform

Presentation matters. Present a team uniform if possible. This will give an air of authority and cause people to defer to your group as it looks like you are professional and know what you’re doing.

Gear

• Water
• Notebook and pen/pencil
• Rifle with magnification for PID
• (Optional) binocular if worried about pointing a rifle for observation
• Team uniform (have one)
• Flashlight
• Radio