A crucial reference for writers of military science fiction and a priceless resource for other writers. What goes on during a firefight? What does a Staff Sergeant do? A Corporal? How big is a company? How far can soldiers march in a day? What are the mechanics of an orbital assault drop? Why aren’t all soldiers equipped with machine guns? How many Marines are in a squad and what are their jobs? What is the French Foreign Legion equivalent of a staff sergeant? What does adrenaline do to a human body. This book covers things from types of armor, weapons, biotechnology, cybernetics, psionics to and so much more. While this book may not have it ALL, it tries and it has links to other resources as well.
Over 250 pages of crucial information. Good for veterans and civilians. Experienced and inexperienced writers of Military Science Fiction.
1 INTRODUCTION. 13
1.1 LINKS AND URLS. 14
1.2 EVOLUTION OF WARFARE. 15
1.3 NATURE OF WAR. 18
1.4 LEVELS OF WAR. 19
2 THE BIG PICTURE. 21
2.1 DIMENSIONS OF WAR. 21
2.2 ELEMENTS OF WAR. 22
2.3 GENERATIONS OF WAR. 23
2.4 STRATEGIC LEVEL. 24
2.4.1 WHAT IS STRATEGY. 24
2.4.2 TYPES OF WAR. 24
2.4.2.1 ATTRITION.. 25
2.4.2.2 MANEUVER WARFARE. 25
2.4.2.3 GUERRILLA WARFARE. 26
2.4.2.4 TOTAL WAR. 26
2.4.2.5 UNRESTRICTED WAR. 27
2.5 OPERATIONAL LEVEL. 27
2.5.1 OPERATIONAL. 27
2.5.2 PRINCIPLES OF WAR. 28
2.5.3 TYPES OF FORCE. 30
2.6 TACTICAL LEVEL. 31
2.7 INDIVIDUAL LEVEL. 31
3 MILITARY ORGANIZATION. 32
3.1 UNIT ORGANIZATION. 32
3.1.1 CHAIN OF COMMAND.. 33
3.1.2 DETAILED UNIT ORGANIZATION. 34
3.1.3 BUDDY TEAM.. 38
3.1.4 FIRETEAM.. 39
3.1.5 SQUAD.. 41
3.1.6 SECTION. 42
3.1.7 PLATOON. 42
3.1.8 TROOP. 43
3.1.9 COMPANY. 43
3.1.10 FLIGHT. 44
3.1.11 BATTERY. 44
3.1.12 BATTALIONCOHORT. 45
3.1.13 SQUADRON. 46
3.1.14 WING.. 46
3.1.15 MEU. 47
3.1.16 MAGTF. 47
3.1.17 REGIMENT. 47
3.1.18 BRIGADE. 48
3.1.19 MEB. 49
3.1.20 DIVISIONLEGION. 49
3.1.21 MEF. 50
3.1.22 CORPS. 50
3.1.23 FIELD ARMY. 50
3.1.24 ARMY GROUP. 50
3.1.25 FRONT. 51
3.1.26 LOGISTICS. 51
3.1.27 INTELLIGENCE. 52
3.1.28 COMMUNICATION. 53
3.1.29 ORDERS. 56
3.1.30 LINKS. 57
3.2 MARINES, ARMY OR NAVY. 58
3.2.1 MARINES OR NAVAL INFANTRY. 58
3.2.2 ARMY OR LEGION. 58
3.2.3 FOREIGN LEGION. 58
3.3 DESIGNING ARMED FORCES. 59
3.3.1 BOOT CAMP AND TRAINING.. 64
3.4 SPECIAL OPERATIONS. 65
3.4.1 Navy SEALS. 65
3.4.2 Navy UDT. 65
3.4.3 Army Special Forces. 65
3.4.4 Delta Force. 66
3.4.5 Army Rangers. 66
3.4.6 Marine FAST. 66
3.4.7 Marine RaidersMARSOC. 66
3.4.8 Marine Recon. 66
3.4.9 Spetznas. 66
3.4.10 SAS. 66
3.5 CO-ED COMBAT UNITS. 67
3.6 POLITICAL CONTROL. 68
3.6.1 COMMISSAR. 68
3.6.2 COMPETING BRANCHES. 68
3.6.3 ELITE UNITS. 69
3.6.4 SPECIAL GROUPS. 69
3.7 RANKS, BILLETS, MOS AND ORGANIZATIONS. 69
3.7.1 RANKS OVERVIEW.. 69
3.7.2 RANKS – ENLISTED.. 70
3.7.3 RANKS – WARRANT. 74
3.7.4 RANKS – OFFICER. 74
3.7.5 BILLETS. 79
3.7.6 MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY. 81
3.8 UNIT TYPE. 84
3.8.1 Light Infantry. 84
3.8.2 Medium Infantry. 84
3.8.3 Heavy Infantry. 85
3.8.4 Field Artillery. 85
3.8.5 Mechanized. 85
3.8.6 Armored. 85
3.8.7 Cavalry. 85
3.8.8 Special Forces. 85
3.8.9 Air Defense Artillery. 86
3.8.10 Signals. 86
3.8.11 Paramilitary. 86
3.8.12 Unconventional Warfare. 86
3.8.13 Guerrilla. 86
3.8.14 Reconnaissance. 86
3.8.15 Military Police. 87
3.8.16 Pathfinders. 87
3.8.17 Rangers. 87
3.8.18 Scout 87
3.8.19 SWAT. 87
3.8.20 Shock Troops. 87
3.8.21 Grenadiers. 88
3.8.22 Border Guards. 88
3.8.23 Guard. 88
3.8.24 Counter Terrorist 88
3.8.25 Aviation. 88
3.8.26 Quartermaster 88
3.8.27 Engineers. 88
3.8.28 Transportation. 89
3.8.29 Intelligence (Military) 89
3.8.30 Chemical 89
3.8.31 Adjutant General 89
3.8.32 Chaplain. 89
3.8.33 Finance. 89
3.8.34 Medical 89
3.8.35 Ordnance. 89
3.8.36 Commissar Cadre. 90
3.9 LOGISTICS – TOOTH TO TAIL. 90
4 TACTICS. 91
4.1 INFANTRY. 91
4.1.1 THE INVIDUAL. 91
4.1.2 WHY INFANTRY?. 94
4.1.3 FUTURE OF THE INFANTRY. 96
4.1.3.1 Camouflage. 97
4.1.3.2 Sensors. 97
4.1.3.3 NBC Defense. 98
4.1.3.4 Armor. 98
4.1.3.5 Battle Suits. 99
4.1.3.6 Helmets. 100
4.1.3.7 Weapons. 101
4.1.3.8 Power Supply. 101
4.1.3.9 Size. 101
4.1.3.10 Sustainability. 101
4.1.3.11 The Individual 102
4.1.4 MARTIAL ARTS. 103
4.1.5 SPECIAL UNITS. 104
4.1.6 FIREFIGHT DYNAMICS. 106
4.2 INFANTRY TACTICS. 112
4.2.1 INFANTRY TACTICS – OVERVIEW.. 112
4.2.2 TACTICS – INDIVIDUAL. 113
4.2.2.1 -FIREFIGHT. 113
4.2.2.2 NOT GETTING SHOT. 115
4.2.2.3 TACTICS – PATROL. 117
4.2.3 TACTICS – BATTLE TEAM.. 119
4.2.3.1 Firefight. 119
4.2.3.2 On Patrol 120
4.2.3.3 Silent Sentry Take out. 120
4.2.3.4 Defense. 121
4.2.4 TACTICS – FIRETEAM.. 121
4.2.4.1 The Firefight. 122
4.2.4.2 On Patrol 122
4.2.4.3 Formations. 123
4.2.4.4 The Defense. 125
4.2.4.5 Urban Combat. 126
4.2.5 TACTICS – SQUADSECTION. 126
4.2.5.1 Firefight. 127
4.2.5.2 Patrol 128
4.2.5.3 The Defense. 128
4.2.5.4 Formations. 129
4.2.5.5 Urban Combat. 129
4.2.5.6 The Future. 130
4.2.6 TACTICS – SQUAD REINFORCED.. 130
4.2.7 TACTICS – SQUAD MECHANIZED.. 131
4.2.8 TACTICS – PLATOON. 132
4.2.8.1 The Firefight. 132
4.2.8.2 Platoon Basics. 133
4.2.9 TACTICS – COMPANY. 135
4.2.10 TACTICS – OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS. 136
4.2.11 TACTICS – DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS. 140
4.2.12 TACTICS – SNIPERS. 142
4.2.12.1 The Future. 144
4.2.13 TACTICS – PATROLLING.. 145
4.2.13.1 RECON.. 146
4.2.13.2 AMBUSH PATROL. 146
4.2.13.3 CONTACT. 148
4.2.13.4 ECONOMY OF FORCE. 149
4.2.13.5 SECURITY. 149
4.2.13.6 SEARCH AND ATTACK. 149
4.2.13.7 PLANNING.. 149
4.2.13.8 ORGANIZATION.. 150
4.2.13.9 The Future of Patrolling. 152
4.2.14 TACTICS -URBAN COMBAT. 154
4.2.15 SPECIAL OPERATIONS. 156
4.2.16 SPACE ASSAULT. 160
4.2.17 TACTICS – RATES OF FIRE. 163
4.2.18 RULES OF ENGAGEMENT. 166
4.2.19 FORCE MULTIPLIERS. 166
4.3 DRILL AND CEREMONY. 168
4.4 FORMATIONS. 169
5 THE WARRIOR. 171
5.1 PSYCHOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 171
5.1.1 ON KILLING.. 171
5.1.2 FIGHT, FLIGHT, POSTURE OR SUBMIT. 172
5.1.3 TO KILL OR NOT TO KILL. 173
5.1.4 BATTLE FATIGUE. 174
5.1.5 MANIFESTATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC CASUALTIES. 175
5.1.6 COMBAT STRESS. 176
5.1.7 PTSD.. 177
5.1.8 THE CONDITIONS. 178
5.1.9 ARROGANCE. 178
5.1.10 TECHNOLOGICAL PSYCHOSIS. 179
5.1.11 ADRENALINE. 179
5.2 DRUGS. 180
5.2.1 Drug Types. 180
5.2.2 PSYCHIC Drugs. 181
5.2.3 Side effects. 182
5.3 SLANG.. 183
5.4 DAY TO DAY. 184
5.5 MARCHING.. 186
5.6 LIMITS OF THE HUMAN BODY. 187
5.7 PHYSICAL EXERCISE, MARCHING and CADENCES. 188
5.7.1 PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST (PFT) 188
5.7.1.1 USMC FITNESS TEST. 188
5.7.1.2 US ARMY FITNESS TEST. 189
5.7.1.3 FRENCH FITNESS TEST. 189
5.7.1.4 BRITISH ROYAL MARINES FITNESS TEST. 189
5.7.1.5 NAVY SEAL PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST. 189
5.7.2 CADENCES. 190
5.8 DISCIPLINE. 190
5.9 PERSONALITIES. 191
5.9.1 PETTY TYRANTS. 191
5.9.2 LEADER TYPES. 191
5.9.3 TRAITS OF A LEADER. 192
5.9.4 OTHER PERSONALITY TRAITS. 193
5.10 MILITARY ETIQUETTE. 193
5.10.1 ARRIVING AT A UNIT. 194
5.10.2 CHANGE OF COMMAND.. 194
5.10.3 BOARDING/DEPARTING A SHIP. 195
5.10.4 SALUTING.. 195
5.10.5 COLORS. 196
5.10.6 FORMS OF ADDRESS. 196
5.10.7 MILITARY ATTITUDE AND CUSTOMS. 197
5.10.8 MILITARY COURTESIES. 198
5.11 HURRY UP AND WAIT. 199
6 WEAPONS AND TECHNOLOGY. 200
6.1 TECHNOLOGIES. 200
6.1.1 COMMUNICATION TYPES. 200
6.1.1.1 ELECTRONICS – EMP AND HERF. 201
6.1.1.2 RADAR. 203
6.1.1.3 JAMMING.. 203
6.1.1.4 BATTLEFIELD COMPUTERS. 204
6.1.2 DRONES AND ROBOTS. 205
6.1.3 NANOTECHNOLOGY. 207
6.1.4 WEAPONRY OVERVIEW.. 207
6.1.4.1 SMALL ARM CLASSIFICATIONS. 209
6.1.4.2 WEAPON TYPES. 211
6.1.4.3 WEAPON MUNITIONS. 213
6.1.4.4 WEAPON SETTINGS. 216
6.1.4.5 WEAPON ENGAGEMENT RANGES. 217
6.1.4.5.1 Standard Infantry Ranges. 217
6.1.4.5.2 Sniper Engagement Ranges. 217
6.1.4.6 WEAPON RANGES. 217
6.1.4.7 WEAPON TRICKS. 219
6.1.5 SENSORS. 220
6.1.6 ARMOR. 222
5.1.6.1 ARMOR TYPES. 222
6.1.6.1 FORCE FIELDS. 223
6.1.6.2 ARMOR ADD ONS. 223
6.1.7 CYBERWARFARE. 224
6.1.7.1 TEMPEST. 225
6.1.7.2 ADMIN HACKING TARGETS. 226
6.1.7.3 COMBAT HACKING TARGETS. 227
6.1.8 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. 228
6.1.9 PSIONICS. 228
6.1.10 CYBERNETICS. 229
6.1.11 BIOTECH. 231
6.2 WEAPON SYSTEMS. 233
6.2.1 WEAPONS. 233
6.2.2 COMBINED ARMS. 233
6.2.3 SUPPORTING ARMS. 234
6.2.4 DANGER CLOSE. 236
6.2.5 MORTARS. 237
6.2.5.1 Basic Tactics. 238
6.2.5.2 Direct Fire Tactics. 239
6.2.5.3 Example Fire Mission: 239
6.2.5.4 The Future of Mortars. 241
6.2.6 ROCKET LAUNCHERS. 241
6.2.6.1 Armor Kill Teams. 242
6.2.6.2 Bunker Busting. 243
6.2.7 MACHINE GUNS. 244
6.2.7.1 MACHINE GUN TYPES. 245
6.2.7.1.1 Submachine Guns and Machine Pistols. 245
6.2.7.1.2 Light Machine Guns. 246
6.2.7.1.3 Medium Machine Gun. 246
6.2.7.1.4 Heavy Machine Guns. 247
6.2.7.2 MACHINE GUN TACTICS AND TECHNIQUES. 247
6.2.7.2.1 COVERING FIRE. 247
6.2.7.2.2 Patrol 247
6.2.7.2.3 Defense. 248
6.2.7.2.4 Effects. 248
6.2.7.2.5 Night Fire. 248
6.2.7.2.6 Manning. 249
6.2.7.2.7 Anti-tank. 249
6.2.7.2.8 Machine Gun Squads. 249
6.2.7.3 MACHINE GUN TERMINOLOGY. 249
6.2.8 HAND GRENADES. 250
6.2.9 GRENADE LAUNCHERS. 252
6.2.9.1 RPG.. 253
6.2.9.2 Rifle Grenades. 254
6.2.9.3 Rifle Grenades type 2. 254
6.2.9.4 Rate of Fire. 255
6.2.10 MISSILE LAUNCHERS. 255
6.3 LISTS. 255
6.3.1 MISSION COMPLICATIONS. 256
6.3.2 INSERTION/EXTRACTION. 257
6.3.3 MISSION TYPES. 259
6.3.4 MISSION TARGETS. 261
6.3.5 TYPES OF TERRAIN. 264
6.3.6 PLANNING THE WAR THEATER. 265
6.3.7 STANDARD GEAR. 267
7 RECOMMENDED BOOKS 269