Basic Infantry Course

This article covers the Basic Infantry Course from the perspective of the instructor and trainee. It is intended to be guideline for the instructor to use while they perform the BIC. It can also be used by the trainee as a reference.

Every trainee, which is any member currently enrolled in the BIC, should know the following concepts:

1. Unit Organization, Rules, and Progression
2. Communication
   1. Communication Principles
   2. SITREP
   3. ACEREP and ACE Checks
   4. GRIDREF
   5. CONREP
3. Weapon Practice
   1. Rifle Practice
   2. LMG, MMG, and HMG Practice
   3. LAT, MAT, and HAT Practice
   4. AA Practice
4. Infantry Tactics
   1. Formations
      1. All Round Defense
      2. Wedge
      3. Line
      4. Column
   2. Types of Fire
      1. Point Fire
      2. Suppressive Fire
      3. Fire and Maneuver
      4. Talking Guns
   3. FISH
      1. Crossing Danger Areas
      2. Stacking Danger Areas
      3. Pieing Danger Areas
      4. Clearing Danger Areas

Every trainee should know:

• What the Executive Board is and who to reach out to
• What the Universal Rules and Operational Rules
• What are the SESO ranks, what they permit, and how to progress through them

SESO is managed by an egalitarian board of CxOs known as Executive Board. SESO is a PMC which means we have a corporate hierarchy outside of operations. However, this hierarchy is small so it can be simple to follow. Every member of the Executive Board is a CxO where X represents their responsibility. You can freely reach out to any CxO without going through a middle man. Whether you're new or old, if you have a question, concern, idea, or want to talk about your day, you can always directly reach out to the CEO Dildo Sagbag.

SESO has two sets of rules: the Universal Rules and the Operational Rules. The Universal Rules apply everywhere, all the time, on all SESO services, games, Discord, websites, etc. The Universal Rules are:

• No Harassment
• No Malicious Files / Links
• No Explicit Media of Death / Gore / Pornography

Common sense applies here. Chances are, if you have to ask if something is okay to post or say, it is probably not permitted by the Universal Rules. If you are unsure, ask other members before posting.

The other set of rules are Operational Rules. They apply in every Arma 3 operation from the moment you join the server to the moment you leave it. They are:

Do not attempt to intentionally fail the mission or cause friendly fire. This includes threats of failing the mission or causing friendly fire. Even jokes are considered threats so don't try it. We play to cooperate and we cooperate to win. Anything against that is counterproductive.

Listening is important in Arma 3. Not only are you trying to listen to the game, you are trying to listen to everyone else. Do not repeatedly emit unsolicited noises, music, or sound effects through the game or through TeamSpeak. This doesn't mean you can never hear music and sound effects, just as long as you ask for permission and prepare to immediately end it if someone asks.

Sticking to a single role is extremely important in SESO. Since we focus on cooperation, everyone needs to play according to their role and respect other roles' responsibilities. If everyone can do everything then there's not point to cooperating. Multi-roling is performing the jobs of multiple roles. Your equipment and weapons defines the role you have so stick to the gear you appropriate for your role. In some situations, there can be exceptions such as:

1. Last Resort: If you have an immediate, unbeatable threat in front of you, you can use nearby equipment outside of your role to destroy it.
2. Combat Ineffective: If you run out ammunition for your primary weapon, you are considered combat ineffective. Ask for ammunition for your weapon. Otherwise, pick up a different weapon until you can resupply again.

This also goes to leadership. It is okay to give occasional suggestions but leave planning to the leaders. If you want to plan for your squad then you should sign up as a leader.

These exceptions to not apply to vehicles. You can never use vehicles meant for Cavalry as a non-Cavalry operative.

In SESO, Cavalry are the members trained to use all vehicles such as armoured ground vehicles and aircraft. As non-Cavalry, you are usually limited to motorized vehicles such as trucks, technicals, and cars. That way, Cavalry can as armoured support to an infantry squad. As a rule of thumb, if the vehicle has a steering wheel, you can drive it.

All Operational Rules and policies in SESO can be overriden by the Host. There can be operations where you act as a guerilla picking up enemy weapons or operations where you hijack different vehicles. Always assume the Operational Rules apply unless explicitly stated by the Host.

SESO uses a simple rank structure meant to represent your interest in the unit and available privileges. Unlike other rank structures, you are not obligated to progress your rank and dedicate your life to the unit. Put in as much time as you like and you will earn the rank appropriate for you.

Every member of SESO starts either as a Contractor or a Combat Service Support, also known as CSS. A Contractor is eligible to rise through the next three ranks. Shorthand for ranks always starts with the letter O with OC as Contractor through O1, O2, and O3.

An OC rank or Contractor is meant for someone who is uninterested in progressing through the unit. Usually, they prefer volunteering as an infantryman and following orders. They complete no training and that's okay, we try to accommodate for all playstyles.

When you complete the BIC, you become O1 or Junior Operative. This separates you from Contractors since you show interest to learn and improve. You will also gain priority compared to Contractors since you know more and people will trust you to apply what you learned from the BIC. Both ranks are able to volunteer as any roles that do not require certs such as Rifleman, Machine Gunner, Grenadier, and Anti-Vehicle Specialist.

After deploying to a total of 4 operations, you rise from O1 to O2 or Standard Operative. This is the most popular rank because it permits enrollment into Certificate Schools. You can enroll in additional courses to earn certs in Medical, Logistics, Cavalry, Leadership, and Scout schools. If you want to be a Medic, Pilot, Tank Crewman, Squad Leader, Engineer, or Scout, this is where you go to earn it. Since these roles are more complex than the average infantry role, you learn about additional skills and tactics. You can enroll in as many certs as you like. To sign up for a school, fill out the Weekly Certificate School Interest Form and the head of the school, known as an SME, will schedule a time with you.

If you are interested in leading or hosting, you can progress from an O2 to O3 or Senior Operatives. These operatives drive the unit, coordinate soldiers, and host operations. They carry out the toughest jobs in SESO and are relegated a special rank to show their investment to the unit. To become a Senior Operative, you have to pass the Leadership Probationary and deploy to a total of 8 operations. Every Senior Operative has shown experience as a squad leader and can move on to platoon leading and even hosting their operations. If you are interested in leading or hosting operations, this is the rank you want to achieve.

Remember that you are not required to earn every rank. Some people do not want to go through the BIC and simply want to volunteer as a basic infantryman and follow orders. Those interested to duties common to enlisted ranks in modern militaries stay as a Standard Operative and those interested in duties of officer ranks stay as a Senior Operative.