July 2008
We were going to go to Belmont County and aid in the manhunt for an escapee, but
received word that the search had been called off, so instead we went with our original
plan. We made a couple solar stills, as well as the trigger mechanisms for a few traps
and snares. Afterward, we shot the AQT again. Everyone showed some improvement from
last time.
Afterward we did some work on room entry and clearing, had some hot chow, and went
over prisoner searching. Thank you to the member who provided the hot chow (you know
who you are).
___________________________________________________________
May 2008
This time out we did some review of things we'll be doing at the Statewide training next
month. Map reading, diagnosing and treating heat and cold casualties, treating other kinds
of wounds (like a sucking chest wound). We also took a practice shot at the Army
Qualification Test from FredsM14stocks.com, and several of us shot a practice pistol
qualification using the Marine Corps pistol qual course as our course of fire. The AQT is
harder than you'd think, especially when it's been a few months since you've gotten a
decent amount of trigger time. We did another night patrol, this time going into some
heavier vegetation, then racked out. On Sunday we did a patrol with several members of
1st, this time to recon an area.
___________________________________________________________
April 2008
This month's training was both Saturday and Sunday. And, of course, the weather
cooperated and made sure we had good training weather (rain, and more rain).
Saturday involved some instruction on recon, as well as more practice patrolling and giving
a SALUTE report. We also did a little shooting, then went back out on another patrol.
Toward late afternoon we found a suitable place to sleep and set up an improvised shelter
to keep the rain off us, got some chow and a couple hours rest, then did a night patrol.
Watches were established, and we racked out.
Sunday was the day to actually do the recon, since that was 1st BN's training day. We woke
up early, ate, and moved out. During our movement to a hide spot, we saw a couple
members of 1st walking down the bike trail, and heard them talking, so we hit the deck and
froze. They walked right past us (much to our relief). Later, on that same bike trail (but in a
different location), two kids and a dog walked past us while we were hidden.
Finding a spot that would conceal us while allowing us to keep 1st under surveillance was
harder than anticipated, but we finally managed it. We watched them for around 3 hours,
doing various patrol formations, IA drills, and practice assaults. The original plan was for
them to do search & rescue, but plans change. Eventually we had to end the exercise so
we could do an AAR, then gather our gear and head home. We stuck around longer than
anticipated to do some of the drills.
Everything worked out pretty well, and we're considering doing full weekend training
sessions more often, since that way we're not as pressed for time and trying to cram
everything in to one day.
___________________________________________________________
March 2008
Gotta love Ohio weather. The day started off cool and clear, and worked its way up to heavy
snow before going back to cool and clear again. Large flakes meant limited visibility. But
bad weather makes for good training, and that's what we got.
More work on basic infantry skills. Special attention was paid to the basics of team fire and
movement. We did numerous practice assaults, as well as sand table instruction on the
basics of an attack, such as the different elements and their jobs. We also discussed the
schedule for the upcoming statewide training, as well as future training for 4th. After more
fire and movement practice, the range was opened and people with new weapons,
modifications to existing weapons, or new ammo loads tried their stuff out.
___________________________________________________________
February 2008
Another joint op with NEODF. This time the subjects were survival skills and land
navigation, with some small unit tactics for good measure.
We started out by finding a suitable location for a shelter to protect us from both the
elements and hostile eyes. After working on improving our shelters we had two short
classes, one on edible plants that you can survive off of if foraging becomes necessary, the
other on methods of starting fire. No gasoline and matches here; we were using things like
steel wool, a magnesium firestarter, or a magnifying glass.
Afterwards we went back to our shelters and waited for word to move out and search for the
shelters of the other teams. Before long, the sun had set and the temperature took a pretty
steep drop, but the moonlight on the snow provided enough illumination to see by, and this
had been planned for. The exercise continued. Blue Team not only accomplished all their
goals, they also got back to the CP after doing so with more than an hour to spare before
the end of the exercise. Good job guys!
Aside from a too-close encounter with one of our furry woodland friends, the night was cold
yet uneventful. Until the early morning hours, when we got more of that lovely Ohio weather:
freezing rain. Always fun, that.
After breakfast (and coffee for the zombies among us), we got in some more hand to hand
training, including several excellent disarms for use when confronted by an attacker armed
with a firearm.
Then it was time to kill and clean chickens. I'm certain that our instructor made it look a lot
easier than it really is. The chickens were roasted on the fire and, combined with food that
members brought, made a good lunch. Definitely a good skill to have. Being able to skin a
bird, as well as clean a fish, could turn a desperate food situation into a comfortable one in
some kind of emergency.
___________________________________________________________
January 2008
This month we went over infantry skills and tactics. First off came patrol formations and
hand signals. We worked on that for a while, then some immediate action drills. After lunch
we put these skills to use and went on a short patrol so that everyone could practice the
signals and formations, as well as gain an appreciation for walking point. After the patrol
we did more work on immediate action drills, running a few of them several times.
___________________________________________________________
October 2007:
Another joint session with 3rd BN (NEODF). This month we got in some time on the rifle
range, then did some convoy operations. Since we could only run so many people through
the shooting portion of this training session at a time, we divided into two groups. While the
first group was doing a 2 mile hike, the other group was doing the shooting portion of the
day's training, which was practice for next month's rifle qualification. Some people shot
better than they had expected, some worse, but we all got some idea of how much practice
we need. After the shooters were finished, the two groups switched.
After a break for lunch, we started on Convoy Operations. Our mission was laid out, the
route was shown, and we got our equipment squared away. Luckily there were a few extra
paintball guns to be had, since not everyone had one (this is another thing that everyone
should work on getting). *Please note, we USE paintball as a training aid, we DO NOT
'play paintball'.* The OpFor ('Opposition Force' for those who didn't already know) moved
out while the rest of the group was getting ready, and we gave them about 15 or 20 minutes
to get into position. Then we mounted up and headed out.
Our scout vehicle did a good job of passing word back to the other vehicles about possible
ambush sites, turns in the road, depressions, hill tops, approaching vehicles, and
generally anything suspicious or that we should pay attention to.
When we got to the spot the OpFor had picked for the ambush, two vehicles pushed on
through, while the other two were supposed to stop and drop off their gunners. We ended
up just pushing on through with all vehicles when it looked like the OpFor was moving in
toward the stopped rear vehicles (though it was probably just gunners from the first
vehicles, mistaken as OpFor). As it turned out, this worked well for us, as only two hits were
achieved on the convoy, both of which were taken on the same vehicle, and neither of which
were serious. But if the OpFor had estimated the lead necessary to hit a moving vehicle
with the weapons they were using just a little bit better, they would have gotten a kill on the
vehicle they hit. Good job OpFor! And everyone else, too. This was a good training session.
___________________________________________________________
September 2007: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the training with both 3rd and 1st did
not go as planned. However, we did manage to get a few things done, including working
out the planning on some improvements to the training areas. 1st also got some tasks
done around their area that needed done, and got prepped for the White Cottage festival.
Regular training resumes next month, come Hell or high water.
___________________________________________________________
August 2007: We trained with one of the other ODF battalions, NEODF (3rd Battalion).
Members who were at the last training session teamed up with those who weren't to
construct an improvised ghillie. Then those who were there last month went into the bush
and set up an ambush, while those who weren't went looking for them. They got to within a
few meters, and still hadn't seen us, when one of the ambushers, figuring they'd seen him
for sure, opened up on them. Even after the ambush was halted and the ambushers stood
up to reveal their locations, the ambushees had trouble spotting them when they got back
into position. Pretty good for something that uses natural materials and a bit of twine, and
takes maybe 15 to 30 minutes to construct, huh?
We also got on some hand to hand training before breaking for lunch. After lunch, we did
some drills on exiting a vehicle and engaging bad guys, and evacuating a wounded person
into a vehicle.
____________________________________________________________
July 2007: We learned how to make an improvised ghillie suit, how to use natural
materials (plants, mud) to camouflage our bodies and clothing, how to make and set
snares, and how to stalk on a variety of surfaces, including in water. We also learned the
hard way to pay constant attention to what we were doing, since
our instructor was kind enough to set boobytraps around the area where he was
instructing, which we dutifully found, often by accident ('the hard way'), whenever we
returned from practicing the skills we were learning.
____________________________________________________________
We were going to go to Belmont County and aid in the manhunt for an escapee, but
received word that the search had been called off, so instead we went with our original
plan. We made a couple solar stills, as well as the trigger mechanisms for a few traps
and snares. Afterward, we shot the AQT again. Everyone showed some improvement from
last time.
Afterward we did some work on room entry and clearing, had some hot chow, and went
over prisoner searching. Thank you to the member who provided the hot chow (you know
who you are).
___________________________________________________________
May 2008
This time out we did some review of things we'll be doing at the Statewide training next
month. Map reading, diagnosing and treating heat and cold casualties, treating other kinds
of wounds (like a sucking chest wound). We also took a practice shot at the Army
Qualification Test from FredsM14stocks.com, and several of us shot a practice pistol
qualification using the Marine Corps pistol qual course as our course of fire. The AQT is
harder than you'd think, especially when it's been a few months since you've gotten a
decent amount of trigger time. We did another night patrol, this time going into some
heavier vegetation, then racked out. On Sunday we did a patrol with several members of
1st, this time to recon an area.
___________________________________________________________
April 2008
This month's training was both Saturday and Sunday. And, of course, the weather
cooperated and made sure we had good training weather (rain, and more rain).
Saturday involved some instruction on recon, as well as more practice patrolling and giving
a SALUTE report. We also did a little shooting, then went back out on another patrol.
Toward late afternoon we found a suitable place to sleep and set up an improvised shelter
to keep the rain off us, got some chow and a couple hours rest, then did a night patrol.
Watches were established, and we racked out.
Sunday was the day to actually do the recon, since that was 1st BN's training day. We woke
up early, ate, and moved out. During our movement to a hide spot, we saw a couple
members of 1st walking down the bike trail, and heard them talking, so we hit the deck and
froze. They walked right past us (much to our relief). Later, on that same bike trail (but in a
different location), two kids and a dog walked past us while we were hidden.
Finding a spot that would conceal us while allowing us to keep 1st under surveillance was
harder than anticipated, but we finally managed it. We watched them for around 3 hours,
doing various patrol formations, IA drills, and practice assaults. The original plan was for
them to do search & rescue, but plans change. Eventually we had to end the exercise so
we could do an AAR, then gather our gear and head home. We stuck around longer than
anticipated to do some of the drills.
Everything worked out pretty well, and we're considering doing full weekend training
sessions more often, since that way we're not as pressed for time and trying to cram
everything in to one day.
___________________________________________________________
March 2008
Gotta love Ohio weather. The day started off cool and clear, and worked its way up to heavy
snow before going back to cool and clear again. Large flakes meant limited visibility. But
bad weather makes for good training, and that's what we got.
More work on basic infantry skills. Special attention was paid to the basics of team fire and
movement. We did numerous practice assaults, as well as sand table instruction on the
basics of an attack, such as the different elements and their jobs. We also discussed the
schedule for the upcoming statewide training, as well as future training for 4th. After more
fire and movement practice, the range was opened and people with new weapons,
modifications to existing weapons, or new ammo loads tried their stuff out.
___________________________________________________________
February 2008
Another joint op with NEODF. This time the subjects were survival skills and land
navigation, with some small unit tactics for good measure.
We started out by finding a suitable location for a shelter to protect us from both the
elements and hostile eyes. After working on improving our shelters we had two short
classes, one on edible plants that you can survive off of if foraging becomes necessary, the
other on methods of starting fire. No gasoline and matches here; we were using things like
steel wool, a magnesium firestarter, or a magnifying glass.
Afterwards we went back to our shelters and waited for word to move out and search for the
shelters of the other teams. Before long, the sun had set and the temperature took a pretty
steep drop, but the moonlight on the snow provided enough illumination to see by, and this
had been planned for. The exercise continued. Blue Team not only accomplished all their
goals, they also got back to the CP after doing so with more than an hour to spare before
the end of the exercise. Good job guys!
Aside from a too-close encounter with one of our furry woodland friends, the night was cold
yet uneventful. Until the early morning hours, when we got more of that lovely Ohio weather:
freezing rain. Always fun, that.
After breakfast (and coffee for the zombies among us), we got in some more hand to hand
training, including several excellent disarms for use when confronted by an attacker armed
with a firearm.
Then it was time to kill and clean chickens. I'm certain that our instructor made it look a lot
easier than it really is. The chickens were roasted on the fire and, combined with food that
members brought, made a good lunch. Definitely a good skill to have. Being able to skin a
bird, as well as clean a fish, could turn a desperate food situation into a comfortable one in
some kind of emergency.
___________________________________________________________
January 2008
This month we went over infantry skills and tactics. First off came patrol formations and
hand signals. We worked on that for a while, then some immediate action drills. After lunch
we put these skills to use and went on a short patrol so that everyone could practice the
signals and formations, as well as gain an appreciation for walking point. After the patrol
we did more work on immediate action drills, running a few of them several times.
___________________________________________________________
October 2007:
Another joint session with 3rd BN (NEODF). This month we got in some time on the rifle
range, then did some convoy operations. Since we could only run so many people through
the shooting portion of this training session at a time, we divided into two groups. While the
first group was doing a 2 mile hike, the other group was doing the shooting portion of the
day's training, which was practice for next month's rifle qualification. Some people shot
better than they had expected, some worse, but we all got some idea of how much practice
we need. After the shooters were finished, the two groups switched.
After a break for lunch, we started on Convoy Operations. Our mission was laid out, the
route was shown, and we got our equipment squared away. Luckily there were a few extra
paintball guns to be had, since not everyone had one (this is another thing that everyone
should work on getting). *Please note, we USE paintball as a training aid, we DO NOT
'play paintball'.* The OpFor ('Opposition Force' for those who didn't already know) moved
out while the rest of the group was getting ready, and we gave them about 15 or 20 minutes
to get into position. Then we mounted up and headed out.
Our scout vehicle did a good job of passing word back to the other vehicles about possible
ambush sites, turns in the road, depressions, hill tops, approaching vehicles, and
generally anything suspicious or that we should pay attention to.
When we got to the spot the OpFor had picked for the ambush, two vehicles pushed on
through, while the other two were supposed to stop and drop off their gunners. We ended
up just pushing on through with all vehicles when it looked like the OpFor was moving in
toward the stopped rear vehicles (though it was probably just gunners from the first
vehicles, mistaken as OpFor). As it turned out, this worked well for us, as only two hits were
achieved on the convoy, both of which were taken on the same vehicle, and neither of which
were serious. But if the OpFor had estimated the lead necessary to hit a moving vehicle
with the weapons they were using just a little bit better, they would have gotten a kill on the
vehicle they hit. Good job OpFor! And everyone else, too. This was a good training session.
___________________________________________________________
September 2007: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the training with both 3rd and 1st did
not go as planned. However, we did manage to get a few things done, including working
out the planning on some improvements to the training areas. 1st also got some tasks
done around their area that needed done, and got prepped for the White Cottage festival.
Regular training resumes next month, come Hell or high water.
___________________________________________________________
August 2007: We trained with one of the other ODF battalions, NEODF (3rd Battalion).
Members who were at the last training session teamed up with those who weren't to
construct an improvised ghillie. Then those who were there last month went into the bush
and set up an ambush, while those who weren't went looking for them. They got to within a
few meters, and still hadn't seen us, when one of the ambushers, figuring they'd seen him
for sure, opened up on them. Even after the ambush was halted and the ambushers stood
up to reveal their locations, the ambushees had trouble spotting them when they got back
into position. Pretty good for something that uses natural materials and a bit of twine, and
takes maybe 15 to 30 minutes to construct, huh?
We also got on some hand to hand training before breaking for lunch. After lunch, we did
some drills on exiting a vehicle and engaging bad guys, and evacuating a wounded person
into a vehicle.
____________________________________________________________
July 2007: We learned how to make an improvised ghillie suit, how to use natural
materials (plants, mud) to camouflage our bodies and clothing, how to make and set
snares, and how to stalk on a variety of surfaces, including in water. We also learned the
hard way to pay constant attention to what we were doing, since
our instructor was kind enough to set boobytraps around the area where he was
instructing, which we dutifully found, often by accident ('the hard way'), whenever we
returned from practicing the skills we were learning.
____________________________________________________________
| Training AAR's (After Action Reports) |
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| Northwest Ohio Defense Force |
| ODF 4th Battalion |
| Amendment IX The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Amendment X The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. |
| Above: A couple of pics taken while on patrol. (Nov 2007) Below: During the attack. The size of the picture makes it rather hard to see, but you can just barely make out a target on the far left. (Nov 2007) |
