GORUCK Mind/Might GVL 2023

Friday, Aug 18:

NIGHT FIRE PISTOL

I didn't participate in the Friday Basic Pistol and Pistol - Night Fire class, but I watched and hung out for Night Fire.

My favorite part was watching them do their culminating exercise through my AGM Taipan thermal monocular.  I didn't want to take out the NODS since it's more involved, and I didn't want white light to mess it up.  It was pretty neat, although it's designed more for far-away viewing than close-up viewing, which makes sense if you're hunting, I guess.  You'd rather have standard magnification be >1.

The device allows you to take pictures, too, which is cool.  I took the class photo, where it definitely doesn't matter if you're smiling or blinking.

Saturday, Aug 19:

SUT - Day

Team Tactics for this class was more SUT-oriented than usual, based on the land that we had to work with.

We began with some classroom time, where we learned a bunch of acronyms and lists like:

- Principles of Patrolling 

• Planning
• Recon
• Security
• Control
• Common Sense

- MET-TC (factors that can influence how you approach a situation)

• Mission
• Enemy
• Terrain
• Troops
• Time
• Civillians

- OAKOC (how to think about terrain)

• Observation/Fields of Fire
• Avenues of Approach
• Key Terrain
• Obstacles
• Cover & Concealment

- GOTWA  (5-pt contingency plan)

• Going where
• Others with
• Time
• What if
• Actions in case of contact

- SLLS

• Stop
• Look
• Listen
• Smell

- Troop Leading Procedures

• Receive Mission
• Issue Warning Order
• Make Tentative Plan
• Initiate Movement
• Conduct Recon
• Complete Plan
• Issue Operations Order
• Supervise & Refine

We learned movement formations, like

• Wedge
• Line
• Column/file
• Diamond
• Modified Wedge

We did individual movement techniques in the field, and then practiced the SUT movement formations.

We learned how to conduct an ambush, using a sand table.

Mission 1: Recon

We were issued gear, organized into teams, and then planned our first mission to do recon offsite.  We caravaned over there, ran into some dudes and dealt with them, had a team hold security while another went in to do recon.  There was contact for both squads, and then the first mission was endexed.

Main Learnings:

- Do "Budweisers" periodically to make sure that everyone still has all key gear.

- How to properly search someone

Mission 2: Ambush

Next, we had to plan an ambush.  It was pretty disastrous, with not being in the right spot, not knowing where we were vs where we were supposed to be, having some elements get compromised, having a radio get dropped and found by the enemy.

SUT - Night Fire

Mission 3: CQB 1

We got to use some vacant buildings to do CQB.  The team that had started on security was still on security, after 3 missions, which was getting old and which needed to be changed.  The team that went inside ran into unexpected obstacles inside the building.

Learnings:

- Whoever is leading should lead from a position where they can control the situation, and not be in the stack.

- Put more guys in the assault team, if you're on a timeline and need to get stuff done before it's too late.

Mission 4: CQB 2

I joined OPFOR to get away from Security, and Security did get to switch with the assaulting force.  

Learnings:

- Never try to clear alone

- If contact, don't freeze or retreat and wait, since that just gives the enemy time to get ready for when you return.  Go fast, in general.

- Don't go past open doors.

- Watch out for "squirters"

Overall

I never got to fire a shot all day today, but there were many good lessons in leadership, like delegating.  It's hard for one person to do all the detailed stuff that needs to be done, but there are many capable people who you can get to do different tasks.

Also noteworthy: You can't wear a paintball mask and NODS at the same time.

Sunday, Aug 20:

TACTICAL DECISION MAKING

I finally got to shoot!

We did the usual inoculation activity and find-your-target activity.

Cafe Scene

Learnings:

- If someone is clearly overly-emotional and intent on doing harm, then trying to talk them down may not be the best option.

- When you're really close, it's hard to see everything that's going on

CQB Class

- Practiced center-fed and corner-fed rooms

Mission 1

Learning:

Dig your corner, and don't get sucked in by a guy in the middle of the room who isn't your responsibility if you're the #1/2 man.

Mission 2

Learning:

A couple times, guys who seemed to not be threats initially became threatening later, so don't let your guard down.

Overall

Lots of fun, lots of learning, especially [suprisingly] in the leadership realm.  Like the scenarios were just a vehicle for learning leadership lessons that apply even in normal life.  Got to do it with a solid crew.