Tactics Training

The aim of the “Tactics Training” briefing document is to inform SESO operatives on how to improve their combat ability on the field. There are various ways to use this briefing document. The suggested method is for an experienced operative to follow this document as a guideline and verbally brief their fellow operatives in-game. This way, the experienced member can add his own wisdom on top of the guidelines and answer any questions. Another method is to read the document on its own.

This version of the “Tactics Training” document was created for SESO’s Tactics Training on January 10th, 2021. As such, it was made with knowledge of the time.

Throughout the text are briefing notes as indicated by footnotes like so. These are comments intended to be read by the person conducting the briefing. They usually add an extra thought or idea that could enhance one’s briefing. They are completely optional to consider.

For new operatives, it is highly suggested for them to follow and understand Tactics Training. It not only serves to help their survival in the long run, it also serves to increase cooperation between players.

For experienced operatives, take the Tactics Training as an opportunity to become accustomed to the culture in the unit. Also feel free to contribute your own wisdom to this training in case you can share a tactic better suited for SESO than the ones in this text.

Every member of SESO, whether they are boots on the ground or hosting an engagement, are susceptible to the following responsibilities. Adhering to these responsibilities helps ensure a fun and relaxing environment where everyone can complete the objective.

At the beginning of any engagement, one or more leaders are selected. Before beginning combat, all operatives have a chance to veto one or more of the leaders for any reason. This is to prevent incompetent leaders from taking the mantle. However, if no one vetoes the leaders, an unspoken agreement is made. This agreement is if no one opposes an operative taking up leadership, they will adhere to any order from the leading operative. An operative must not purposely disobey their leader(s) orders for any reason, including disagreeing with the order, disliking the leader, or intending to obstruct the objective. If someone has a reasonable opposition to a leader, explain your view to the squad and/or inform the host.

When one chooses to be a leader, they accept two responsibilities:

• Responsibility to the objective
• Responsibility to one’s subordinates

A leader's primary motive is to complete the objective as quickly, efficiently, and bloodlessly as possible. Minimizing delay, organizing operatives, and reducing chance of casualties are all actions a good leader aims to do. When one takes a leadership position of a squad, they are exclaiming that they are able to complete the objective better than anyone else. In that case, a leader must respect their objective for the sake of themselves, the mission, and their squad mates.

A less evident aspect of leadership is responsibility to one’s subordinates. If one is able to become a leader without veto, it is because every operative expects one to help accomplish the objective. Ensuring that one leads competently means it is respecting every subordinate’s decision to allow one to be a leader.

SESO is an infantry-focused unit. The most important and the longest tactics, as a result, are infantry tactics. In this section, basic infantry tactics are explained.

The most important tactic is to know when to shoot and when not to shoot. SESO is governed by the following COC or Code of Conduct, in order of most important at the top:

1. You have the right to use deadly force to defend your life
2. Give all contacts a chance to surrender
3. Do not disrupt civilians who serve no threat to you or your contract
4. The pursuit of your contract is imperative over any other objective

When working with a team, it is common to hear the leader announce an ROE or Rules of Engagement. These append to your SESO COC. An extensive list of ROEs can be seen below:

Overwatch is a foundational tactic. Overwatch is the act of providing covering fire over a large distance. Operatives are protected by the overwatcher, which can be another operative or a military vehicle.

In practice, a weapons specialist, such as a machine gunner or marksman, and an extra operative positions atop a hill and hold a clear sight over the combat area. It is vital to have at least two operatives on overwatch in case the overwatcher is in danger. Overwatch is an ideal tactic when operatives are staying in one area to defend an objective, cross a very large distance, or set up an instrument.

Keeping a good combat awareness is the best way to keep from getting ambushed. While holding a position, ensure that all operatives are behind cover and under watch of a direction. This is known as Perimeter Defense. Ideally, all directions would be under watch. This would mean that any attacker near the position will be fired against. A rule of thumb is to have operatives looking down every direction on the compass. Leaders can help keep coverage by ensuring every compass direction is covered.

Bounding is initiated when operatives cross any distance in hostile territory. Bounding is also known as “moving overwatch”, though SESO prefers the term “bounding” to avoid confusion. Bounding can be performed between operatives or between teams.

1. Make sure Alpha and Bravo spot the objective.
2. Alpha sets up overwatch towards the objective and announces it to Bravo.
3. Bravo spots a piece of cover ahead of Alpha that is within Alpha’s watch.
4. Bravo announces “crossing!” when they are sure they are safe to cross.
5. Bravo moves towards the cover.
6. When Bravo reaches the cover, they set themselves up and announce “set!”
7. Alpha finds cover ahead of Bravo and announces “crossing!”
8. When Alpha reaches cover they say “set!”
9. Repeat until Alpha and Bravo reach the objective.

Peeling, also known as center peeling, is similar to bounding. However, while bounding is moving towards the enemy, peeling is moving away from the enemy. When operatives are ambushed or outgunned, peeling is a viable option. The guiding principle of peeling is a swift and organized retreat. Every side must be covered as one operative retreats at a time.

In a peel, the team sets up a perimeter defense before moving.

Peeling can be performed between operatives or between teams. It requires at least three operatives. Once a perimeter defense is set, the operatives closest to the enemy moves to the back of the group. When an operative peels, the perimeter defense must cover for the gap left behind. When the operative peeling passes the next closest operative, they announce “next!” so the other operative may begin to peel. When the operative reaches the back, they set behind cover to hold the perimeter defense. See Example 2 for a center peel.

Peeling can also be covered with reinforcements. This allows for a weakened fireteam to be secured during their peel. See Example 3 for a reinforced peel.

Peeling is also used to set up for flanking. This would mean escaping an engagement only to engage again and flank the enemy. However, this is best done if the enemy is particularly vulnerable in that flank. See Example 4 on how to perform a flanking maneuver after peeling.

1. Bravo is weakened and calls for reinforcements.
2. Alpha moves into the combat area.
3. Alpha engages the enemy.
4. Bravo disengages and peels behind Alpha.
5. Once Bravo is set in cover, they will engage the enemy.
6. Alpha disengages and peels behind Bravo.
7. Once Alpha is set in cover, they will engage the enemy.
8. Repeat until both Alpha and Bravo are out of the combat area.

1. Alpha and Bravo engage the enemy.
2. Bravo will disengage and move behind Alpha by peeling.
3. Once Bravo is set in cover, they will engage the enemy.
4. Alpha will also disengage and move behind Bravo by peeling.
5. Once Alpha is set in cover, they will engage the enemy.
6. Repeat until both teams are outside the combat area.
7. Alpha and Bravo bound away from the combat area and towards the enemy’s flank.
8. Alpha and Bravo set in cover and engage the enemy from the flank.

Close-Quarters Combat or Close-Quarters Breach is the category of tactics used in tight environments such as urban compounds or building interiors. CQC is always risky as it forces operatives into tight clusters with few evacuation routes. CQC entails the following tactics: breaching, pie slicing, and marking.

It is dangerous to enter buildings or compounds in hostile territory. Enemy forces can guard every opening into the area. Civilians are also often found hiding in buildings. As a result, operatives must exercise utmost caution near and inside buildings or compounds.

Before breaching, ensure an operative is not seen near any open windows or doors. Assume every opening holds an enemy until someone checks it.

Breaching requires at least two operatives, one to cover left and one to cover right. If only one operative is available, avoid breaching if possible. Instead, attempt to shoot from outside of the buildings through openings like windows.

The first operative to breach is the pointman. The last person in the breaching team is the caboose who guards the back. See Example 5 for a breach.

1. Alpha stands to the right of the door as the pointman.
2. Bravo stands to the left of the door.
3. Alpha quickly enters the room on the right-hand side, shooting any hostiles in sight.
4. Bravo quickly enters the room on the left-hand side, also shooting any hostiles in sight.
5. Alpha and Bravo follow the nearest wall while clearing the room.
6. When the room is clear, Bravo announces “clear!”
7. Alpha and Bravo set up to breach next room.
8. Repeat until all rooms are clear.

Pie slicing can be mixed with breaching. When checking any door, window, and opening, an operative should perform a pie slice. The operative moves around the opening incrementally, slowly looking at “pie slices” of the room until they reach the opposite side of the opening. Once a pie slice is complete, the rest of the team may breach or move on to the next opening. See Example 6 for a pie slice diagram.

Buildings that are breached are considered clear of hostile forces. As a result, operatives should distinguish buildings that are clear versus those that are yet to be breached. This is where marking comes into play. When a building is considered clear, the pointman should open their map and place a dot marker on the building breached. Other operatives will see the marker and understand marked buildings to be clear. See Example 7 for markings.

White - Cover Yellow - Rendezvous Point Red - CAS Marker Purple - Extraction Marker Green - Miscellaneous (General purpose, Ex: Green - Marking location of hostages so they are not targeted by CAS.)

Uses: -Illumination (Lighting areas) -Coordination (Using it as a signal to begin an attack.) -Marking Rendezvous or Extractions

The smallest grid is 100m x 100m. To read it, read the numbers on the horizontal right line or X-axis then the lines on the vertical line up or Y-axis.

When a passenger in a vic you are silent so the driver/pilot can effectively communicate with whomever they need to. Callouts are the only exception to this rule.

Disembarkment - only disembark when ordered to by Driver/Pilot or squad lead

Be brief be clear be concise WHAT & WHERE what you see where you see it. Ex: “Infantry bearing 133, by the house 100 meters out.

WHO. when you specifically need something. Ex: “This is Ryder, I need a medic, I am by the house on your right.” -Includes: WHO, WHAT, WHERE

When you are done with a message double check that radio did not get left on. (Half-duplex)

Pro-words are words that assist radio traffic in being concise. For example: “Alpha this is Bravo, interrogative: How close are those civilians to the evac point.”

List of Pro-Words