Squad Lead 101
Squad Lead 101 Guide
Squad Leader Checklist
Collect your squad, grab all members and assemble at a nearby rally point
Depending on the Squad Size, ASSIGN your Team Lead/s in your squad. A squad is normally composed of 6-10 members, if a squad has more than 8 members it is advised to get more than 2 team leads ( American style Squad) . For lower number squads, One team Lead should work effectively (British Style Squad), with the Squad lead acting as the second Team lead.
Once you’ve gotten the full briefing assign the dedicated roles to members of your squad
It is advisable to have the Medic, MG, and DMR on one Team whilst the Rifleman, AT, and secondary MG on the Other Team. This way the Base of Fire element and Flanking element are visibly divided.
Once all Roles are set, Determine what your assigned Radio Channel is on the Short range for your squad and Call for a Radio check from all members of the squad. If a long range is required make sure your long range is set to the required channel on the Battle Net.
Leadership Theory
GIVING ORDERS
The difference between a good squad leader and a great squad leader is how he gives the orders. We split how to give orders into two situations:
Pre Combat/Mission Orders
Before the Mission starts, Squad leads are expected to make the plans for the initial approach. Thus at this point it is common for Squad Leads to take the Democratic Approach. For example, Squad Leads would give a general explanation of the objective, give an initial plan for the attack and then ask for any suggestions/comments for the attack. At this point anyone in the squad is encouraged to give suggestions to create a better plan/provide more information about the attack.
At this point squad leads then run through the entire plan one more time, ensure all members know their roles and then get ready to execute the plan
Orders during Combat
In a combat environment, Squad Leaders are expected to have an authoritarian style of leadership. In other words Squad Leads are required to take full control of the situation and react properly to any deviations within it. When a squad is under combat conditions, Orders from the squad lead must be followed to the best of their ability whilst still taking the initiative.
It is at this time that Squad Leads must understand that they must always be ready to issue orders when a squad goes under combat. It is better to have a Bad Plan then no plan at all. Hesitance under combat conditions is one of the few things that will kill a squad during a mission, and it is very important to reiterate that the squad lead has the final say when they are being engaged and thus the squad must be ready to execute the orders he gives. Squad Leads are expected to be giving orders under combat.
Communicating with Command and the higher echelons.
Be Clear and Concise with your SITREPS and Statements. Try to minimise radio time as much as possible whilst still providing Command with the same level of Information required by them.
Lastly, it is important for Squad Leads to note that they must remember not to Over Micromanage their Squads. There is a reason why Team leads exist and so it is important to trust the judgement of the Team Leaders. It is your responsibility to take care of the squad, but it is the Team Leads responsibility on where to place each individual member. That way it allows you to see the bigger picture and properly react to the situation as necessary. Squad leads deal with the Upper Echelons and the Team leads deal with the members within their team.
Brevity is the key to giving successful orders
RADIO PROTOCOL
Proper Radio Protocol for requesting transport
ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT
Smoke grenades ( 3x White, 2x Green 2x Red, 2x Yellow)
Rangefinder
GPS
Radio
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