Panther's Guide To: Basic SOP's

[Panther]

An introduction to Standard Operating Procedures

 

Airsoft is a sport with wide ranging gametypes from Team Deathmatch to Capture the VIP, however many specialist sites provide something much more realistic: milsim – Military Simulation. In milsim, teams frequently wear period/nationality correct uniforms and the missions they are given are similar to ones presented to our armed forces in combat. Therefore, one would assume you would need a military or specialist law enforcement background, but that is actually not the case. In this guide I aim to show players new to airsoft who want to up their game all the way up to those seriously wanting to get into MilSim specifically.

 

The 4 Man Team

 

The most basic and effective formation, and as such is used by the British Special Forces when they are on a mission.

 

It consists of: A Pointman

An Operative (SL)

A Gunner

A Marksman (2IC)

 

Pointman – The pointman is the guy at the front, he covers the front of the patrol. Typically, he would carry an AEG which reaches out to a considerable range. His job is to lead the way, taking orders from the Commander whom is directly behind him.

 

HE MUST: Keep a 180 degree arc of fire

Observe the area

Provide covering fire

Look for enemy troops

 

Operative – The operative is the SL. Typically he carries a weapon of his choice as his main aim is to command the squad. He typically has the most experience in the entire patrol and must be switched on at all times.

 

HE MUST: Order the patrol

Observe the left flank

 

Gunner – The gunner is the support man of the squad. Typically he carries an LMG or an AR with plenty of High Caps. His job is to provide suppressive fire if the squad gets bumped whilst moving.

 

HE MUST: Be ready to provide suppressive fire at once

Have plenty of ammo

When not in contact, cover the right flank

 

Marksman – The marksman is the 2IC of the squad. Like the Operator, he must be an experienced player, able to make good and swift decisions. His job is to take out far away targets if ordered to do so by the SL. Typically he carries a DMR or a sniper rifle, as well as a sidearm or a backup AEG.

 

 

 

HE MUST: Be ready to provide precision shots at once

Have a suitable backup weapon

When not in contact, cover the rear

 

Contact Drills – These are the contact drills used by the 4 man patrol.

 

 

Mission Considerations: The Role of the Squad Leader

 

Mission

This is the objective of a particular operation. This is set by the Squad Leader who is the Commanding Officer of the mission.

 

WHAT THE SL WILL CONSIDER:

In what order will multiple objectives be achieved?

What is the primary goal?

Only that particular commander, planning the mission can decide how to proceed with a mission.

 

Enemy

The enemy are troops on the opposing side.

 

WHAT THE SL WILL CONSIDER:

Who are you facing?

What do they look like?

How are they armed and equipped?

How many of them are there?

What is their mode of thinking? In other words, will they fight, flee, or surrender?

 

Terrain

The area in which you are operating.

 

WHAT THE SL WILL CONSIDER:

What is the terrain like?

Are there any chokepoints or avenues for ambushes?

What is the weather like?

 

Troops Available to You

In this area, you should consider the makeup of your team.

 

WHAT THE SL WILL CONSIDER:

Are they strong minded, and well trained?

Will they follow orders?

Can each make critical decisions in battle?

Do the assaulters trust me?

Have we trained a lot together?

 

Time

Time is usually a major factor only when a bomb is ticking or a HVT is on the move.

 

WHAT THE SL WILL CONSIDER:

What is the quickest route to the target?

How should the team get there?

How should the mission be completed? Fast and quick, Slow and methodical?

 

These are all very important factors, you must consider. Anyone of these questions can decide victory or defeat.

 

Personal Skills

 

Camouflage

 

Camouflage is an essential skill for soldiers and allows them to remain hidden and retain the element of surprise when staging an offensive or an ambush. There are a number of aspects that effect how things are seen:

 

Shape: Some things can be recognized instantly by their shape, particularly if they contrast with their surroundings. Three easily distinguished shapes which require you to disguise for concealment are:

The clear cut shape of your outline.

The smooth round top of a combat helmet.

The hard line of a helmet brim.

 

Silhouette: Any object silhouetted against a contrasting background is clearly visible. Smooth flat backgrounds such as water, a field, or worst of all the sky, should be considered dangerous. An object may also be silhouetted if it is against the background of another colour. For concealment,choose an uneven background such as a hedge, bush, trees or broken ground to hide your silhouette.

 

Texture: If an object has a texture that contrasts with its surroundings it is clearly visible. The surface of the combat helmet and white skin contrast violently with most backgrounds, so there is a need to be disguised to assist in your concealment.

 

Shadow: In sunlight and in moonlight, an object casts a shadow which gives away its presence. For concealment, try to keep in the shadows if possible. Remember that as the sun and moon moves, so do the shadows.

 

Spacing: Mother nature doesn't put things out evenly,so remember this. Natural objects are never regularly spaced. Regular spacing means man-made objects ie telegraph poles and fence posts. For concealment avoid regular spacing.

 

Movement: The eye is attracted to movement, especially sudden movement for concealment, movement has to be slow and cautious. These principles are the same for day and for night time.

 

To be affective at camouflage, you must ensure you cover all the above issues.

 

BDU's are a great start, for snipers, an all in one sniper suit like those used in the cold war are good so are ghille suits, just try not to go overkill or you could unintentially give away your posision.

 

REMEMBER TO BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS!

 

Individual Contact Drills

 

The basic drill is:

• Double tap
  
• Run two or three steps
  
• Drop to the ground or into cover
  
• Crawl a few yards (or move under concealment/cover)
  
• Observe
  
• Shoot (identified targets of opportunity within effective range)
  
• Move
  
• Observe
  
• Shoot
  
• Repeat until issued orders.
  

The basic drill is designed to provide a soldier with simple steps to follow under the stress of combat. The essential goal of the basic drill is to move the soldier into cover, remove him from the last position where he was likely to be seen by the enemy, and keep him positively engaged by identifying and shooting any targets in range until his commander makes an appraisal and issues instructions.

Depending on the mission and objectives, as well as the above drill you may be expected to take more or alternative steps in a contact, but if there are any these will be briefed to you by the SL before you go on patrol.

 

So, to recap. We now know how a 4 man squad works, how each man has his own responsibility and arc of fire. We know how a SL takes factors in to consideration when he is commanding the squad in combat zone. We know the basics of camouflage and the basic contact drill used by soldiers. Now, I will finish with a few testimonials from some team members and friends followed by links to more indepth and specific guides.

 

Thank You for reading!

 

Stay Frosty,

 

Panther

 

Testimonials

 

“Being a point man is a big deal. You have the trust of your squad, and you need to do the right job, or the consequences will be severe. You must be alert and you’ve got to be a good tactician. In a way I elected myself to be a point man for my team through my instincts. I have a long range patrol rifle, a damn good shot and i know how to react when the sh*t hits the fan. “ - Ginge

 

“I often get asked by many people how I got so good at airsoft, I usually reply with something like blood, sweat and hard work” - Nitro

 

“There is nothing better than the smell of victory in the air” - Matyr

 

 

 

Useful Links and Other Guides:

 

If you brand new to airsoft, check this out: http://www.airsoft-f...ide-to-airsoft/

 

Anyone interested in the marksman/sniper side of airsoft should check out jaybritish on youtube, he has extensive videos on sniper training, tactics and SOP's.

 

http://www.airsoftso...sic-info-24466/

 

http://www.airsoftso...shooting-56547/

 

http://www.airsoftso...lie-tips-56494/

 

http://www.airsoftso...ychology-56460/

[Airsoft-Ed]

Perfect.

 

Very concise and to the point, good links too, thanks for putting it together

[Panther]

Perfect.

 

Very concise and to the point, good links too, thanks for putting it together

 

Thank you for the kind comments!

 

Glad to see it has benefited people...

[SheriffHD]

Thats a nice read, Maybe you should write a secon guide on Squad movment "Pepper potting" and such like that.

[Panther]

Thats a nice read, Maybe you should write a secon guide on Squad movment "Pepper potting" and such like that.

 

I will consider writing more guides in the near future. But this will depend on how much time I have spare.

[Lickystrike64]

Not bad.

 

You ever served, Panther?

[Panther]

Not bad.

 

You ever served, Panther?

 

Nope, I'm 16 but decided not to go straight in, possibly try out for Sandhurst once I get a degree.

[dan9416]

The Point man wouldn't scan a 180 degree arc he got to uh other stuff to worry about

[Lickystrike64]

 

 

Nope, I'm 16 but decided not to go straight in, possibly try out for Sandhurst once I get a degree.

 

Figured as much.

 

It's not the most accurate of guides, what the hell's an "operative"? but its only Airsoft....

[Panther]

Figured as much.

 

It's not the most accurate of guides, what the hell's an "operative"? but its only Airsoft....

 

Yep you'd be right I added and changed things so they would only apply to airsoft.

 

As to the 4 man layout I did, I based it on my own experience meeting teams in the past and seeing their setups.

In a typical SAS 4 man patrol for example, your more likely to have a signaller, a dems man, a linguistic specialist and a medic. For scrims and such, that wouldnt be a feasible layout (possibly in milsim, but yet to have seen one like that, or heard of one).

 

I changed the layout to a more efficient system for beginners. Simplified it and such, its a basic guide and by no means a complete guide to milsim, but it will help players get on there feet.

 

If you have any more suggestions please let me know and I'll see if I can rectify them for you.

 

The Point man wouldn't scan a 180 degree arc he got to uh other stuff to worry about

 

Hi, firstly I took that bit of information from a book called "Ultimate Special Forces" by a former British Para-Commando.

 

Secondly, please remember this is adapted to airsoft.

 

If you have any more suggestions please let me know and I'll see if I can rectify them for you.

[Lickystrike64]

 

 

Yep you'd be right I added and changed things so they would only apply to airsoft.

 

As to the 4 man layout I did, I based it on my own experience meeting teams in the past and seeing their setups.

In a typical SAS 4 man patrol for example, your more likely to have a signaller, a dems man, a linguistic specialist and a medic. For scrims and such, that wouldnt be a feasible layout (possibly in milsim, but yet to have seen one like that, or heard of one).

 

I changed the layout to a more efficient system for beginners. Simplified it and such, its a basic guide and by no means a complete guide to milsim, but it will help players get on there feet.

 

If you have any more suggestions please let me know and I'll see if I can rectify them for you.

 

 

 

Hi, firstly I took that bit of information from a book called "Ultimate Special Forces" by a former British Para-Commando.

 

Secondly, please remember this is adapted to airsoft.

 

If you have any more suggestions please let me know and I'll see if I can rectify them for you.

 

Yeah I know how SF operate, I worked with them a few times on Herrick over summer.

 

Again, it's not bad but it isn't exactly amazing either.

[Panther]

Yeah I know how SF operate, I worked with them a few times on Herrick over summer.

 

Again, it's not bad but it isn't exactly amazing either.

 

What regiment do you serve with?

[Lickystrike64]

 

 

What regiment do you serve with?

 

I'm artillery. I'm a forward observer. We're organised into teams called fire support teams (FSTs for short), we get attached to all sorts of units from infantry to armoured units (at coy/sqn level) and provide joint fires and ISTAR support. It's a busy and dangerous job.

[Panther]

I'm artillery. I'm a forward observer. We're organised into teams called fire support teams (FSTs for short), we get attached to all sorts of units from infantry to armoured units (at coy/sqn level) and provide joint fires and ISTAR support. It's a busy and dangerous job.

I'm artillery. I'm a forward observer. We're organised into teams called fire support teams (FSTs for short), we get attached to all sorts of units from infantry to armoured units (at coy/sqn level) and provide joint fires and ISTAR support. It's a busy and dangerous job.

 

Ah so RA 2CDO or something like that? Awesome! Thank you for your service.

[Lickystrike64]

 

 

Ah so RA 2CDO or something like that? Awesome! Thank you for your service.

 

No! Please stop assuming, mate.

 

I'm not Commando trained. It's also 29 Commando regiment, RA. Not 2CDO.

 

To elaborate, every artillery gun regiment has FSTs, weather this is at the troop level (platoon sized) as part of a gun battery or a TAC battery that is made up of purely FSTs, or both. You don't need to be commando or para trained to be a forward observer. It's a good job if you don't mind playing IED roulette with the infantry.

 

Anyway, to get back on track, your guide needs work.

[Panther]

No! Please stop assuming, mate.

 

I'm not Commando trained. It's also 29 Commando regiment, RA. Not 2CDO.

 

To elaborate, every artillery gun regiment has FSTs, weather this is at the troop level (platoon sized) as part of a gun battery or a TAC battery that is made up of purely FSTs, or both. You don't need to be commando or para trained to be a forward observer. It's a good job if you don't mind playing IED roulette with the infantry.

 

Anyway, to get back on track, your guide needs work.

 

Sorry! Thanks for correcting me.

 

Give me some suggestions and I'll sort them now.

[Lickystrike64]

 

 

Sorry! Thanks for correcting me.

 

Give me some suggestions and I'll sort them now.

 

No probs. happy to help, my advice would be to either not bother as Airsoft is all about having fun and meeting new people, and shooting them with plastic BBs. Or, get someone more experienced to write it if you're adamant you want to have a guide like this. Your age and inexperience shows through and your terminology suggests you've read too many books and watched too many movies.

 

 

[Panther]

No probs. happy to help, my advice would be to either not bother as Airsoft is all about having fun and meeting new people, and shooting them with plastic BBs. Or, get someone more experienced to write it if you're adamant you want to have a guide like this. Your age and inexperience shows through and your terminology suggests you've read too many books and watched too many movies.

 

Aye, I must agree I've read alot of books by ex-SAS/SBS guys, and quite a few movies.

 

As for airsoft, I always have fun, but I like to try and be tactical too. This is how I usually try to be tactical (I.e using what I've wrote in the guide). I know its not perfect but its enjoyable for me.

 

I'm sure after a few years and hopefully joining the army I'll have the exprience and training to write a proper guide through and through but for now, this should suffice for beginners and certainly for me.

 

As I said, if you want something added or whatever, just drop me a PM or something and I'll sort it.

 

Thanks for taking the time to advise me.

[Lickystrike64]

 

 

Aye, I must agree I've read alot of books by ex-SAS/SBS guys, and quite a few movies.

 

As for airsoft, I always have fun, but I like to try and be tactical too. This is how I usually try to be tactical (I.e using what I've wrote in the guide). I know its not perfect but its enjoyable for me.

 

I'm sure after a few years and hopefully joining the army I'll have the exprience and training to write a proper guide through and through but for now, this should suffice for beginners and certainly for me.

 

As I said, if you want something added or whatever, just drop me a PM or something and I'll sort it.

 

Thanks for taking the time to advise me.

 

Yeah no probs. but as I've said, someone more experienced can do better. They probably have better things to do though.

 

Although, having said that, it's got me thinking... I might have a crack myself later...

[Panther]

Yeah no probs. but as I've said, someone more experienced can do better. They probably have better things to do though.

 

Although, having said that, it's got me thinking... I might have a crack myself later...

 

It's cool. I totally understand.

 

Just wanted to help out beginners.

[Lickystrike64]

 

 

It's cool. I totally understand.

 

Just wanted to help out beginners.

 

I know, mate, and it's an admirable trait. Never lose it.

[Hutton]

in simple terms

RTR

return fire.

take cover

return apropriate fire

[Hutton]

my advice to you panther is to keep going mate, you know alot for a civilian. once you get into the army, especially the infantry you realise who you should, and shouldnt take advice from. for example: dont take advice from remfs. they dont know a great deal about tactics. i think youre doing great mate

[Panther]

my advice to you panther is to keep going mate, you know alot for a civilian. once you get into the army, especially the infantry you realise who you should, and shouldnt take advice from. for example: dont take advice from remfs. they dont know a great deal about tactics. i think youre doing great mate

 

Thank you very much.

 

I apologise for this post being so late. Had a lot of things going on in my life!

[joec1]

As a complete newbie. And with no gun or military experience. This was a realy good and informative read. Remjnded me of the old conflict desert storm games.