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DISCUSSION: The jungle bounding technique was developed at the Jungle Operations Training Battalion. It is a technique that maintains a steady pace without tiring the soldiers. At any given time, two thirds of the troops are stationary while the other one third is moving. Using 550 cord will allow units to move at night without losing control.

LESSON(S):

• The lead squad in the order of march moves forward 100-200 meters and halts. It will become the new trail squad for the next bound. While moving, it laid out a line of 550 cord to the middle squad in the order of march.
• Once signalled that the lead squad has halted, the middle squad hands the 550 cord "handrail" to the trail squad. The middle squad then moves forward to become the new lead squad.
• Once the trail squad is signalled that the middle squad has halted, the trail squad moves forward, rolling up the 550 cord. It now assumes the position of middle squad for the next bound, handing the 550 cord to the lead squad.
• Each squad should rest in a cigar-shaped perimeter.
• Place M60s and SAWs at the 12 and 6 o'clock position.

TOPIC: Individual Soldier Skills.

DISCUSSION: The jungle makes extraordinary demands of every soldier. In particular, it tests the fire team, squad, and platoon leaders. Certain skills must be acquired or honed prior to operating in the jungle.

LESSON(S):

• Exercising initiative is a must in the jungle. The limited visibility and difficulties in communication require that the fire team and squad leaders act quickly without waiting for orders.
• Quick fire techniques must be second nature to every soldier. Engagement distances are usually so short that known distance firing techniques are not effective. In short, he who shoots first "wins."
• Every soldier must be proficient in the treatment of heat injuries, use of bee sting kits, and in giving IVs. The easiest method is what the British call the "bum stick." Although it is not the most efficient method of getting intravenous fluids into a casualty, it is extremely successful when nearly all other veins have collapsed.
• Limited visibility firing techniques must be practiced to proficiency. The use of aiming stakes and firing at sound must be impressed on the soldier. One of the worst things that can happen in a firefight is for a soldier to hit the dirt and cease firing because he cannot see a target clearly.
• The number of water obstacles requires that you drown-proof your soldiers. Every weak swimmer should be identified.
• Practice waterproofing equipment, especially radios.
• Practice land navigation without using the GPS. Learn to rely on azimuth and pace count. Most maps of the jungle haven't been field checked in 20 years. In addition, visibility is generally poor. As a result, terrain association can be tricky.
• Every soldier must practice using water purification tablets. This sounds ridiculous, but experience shows that soldiers will botch this task unless they have done it correctly at least once.
• Reinforce lessons about camouflage. In particular, remind the soldier to change his personal camouflage to match the surrounding vegetation. Nothing sticks out like swamp vegetation on a hillside.
• Follow simple rules of personal hygiene. Do not wear underdrawers, wash daily if you can with nonscented soap, and take care of your feet.
• Cross-train your soldiers in all squad and platoon weapons systems. The slowness of the replacement system in the jungle requires it.
• Brush up on tracking skills. Find out who the experienced hunters are in your unit, and use them to train others.

  SKILL LEVEL 2 and 3

• Know your nine-line MEDEVAC format from memory. Know the capabilities and how to use a jungle penetrator and a rigid litter.
• Understand the technique of adjusting indirect fire by sound.
• Inspect your soldiers physical condition and particularly their feet at least once a day. Roadbound forces have gotten away from this habit. However, the jungle requires you to depend on "leather" personnel carriers.
• As a fire team and squad leader, you must be mentally prepared to seize the initiative. Know the commander's intent, and carry it out. Don't sit like a bump on a log awaiting orders.
• Enforce the use of field-expedient antennas. They work!

TOPIC: Logistics.

DISCUSSION: The key word in jungle logistics is improvise.

LESSON(S):

• Use available water resources whenever possible.
• If there are no reliable water sources, priority should go to:
  • Water
  • Ammunition
  • Batteries
  • Food
  • Personal Hygiene Items
• Load planning must take into account the jungle environment. Soldiers are not mules. They should carry a maximum of 50 pounds in their rucksacks. Do not weigh them down with Dragon missiles and extra food.
• Consider hiring indigenous porters or animals to transport heavy items.
• Consider eating indigenous rations, depending upon the time of year and state of the economy.
• Caches sound like a great idea, but in practice they are difficult to recover.
• Use aerial and water resupply techniques to the maximum extent possible. Learn how to rig poncho parachutes. Also use duffel bags attached to rappelling ropes by a snap link to land supplies where there is no LZ.
• Deliver MREs without the cardboard cases. It eliminates a lot of trash that would otherwise have to be buried or burned.
• Plan on resupplying units frequently with radio handsets, batteries (in small quantities), and antennas.
• Know how to handle friendly remains. Develop a quick evacuation SOP as well as an accurate tagging and locating SOP.

TOPIC: Medical.

DISCUSSION: The jungle is full of things that bite, sting, and stick you. Heat casualties are also an ever-present danger to units that fail to follow simple precautions.

LESSON(S):

• All leaders must make sure their troops drink plenty of water. Each soldier should be forced to hydrate. Leaders should make their troops drink at least a canteen of water per hour.
• Do not allow soldiers to drink alcoholic beverages. It will dehydrate them rapidly.
• Combat Life Savers (CLSs) should practice the techniques necessary for dealing with jungle hazards such as snake bite, heat casualties, bee stings, and other allergic reactions.
• The platoon medic should ensure that each soldier has an IV kit. Each soldier should also have a set of tweezers for removing thorns.
• Tailor your aid bags for the jungle environment. Do not carry cold weather medicines and equipment through the jungle.
• All medical personnel (the platoon medic and all CLS) should practice the use of the jungle penetrator and the rigid litter. They should be expert in constructing field expedient litters as well.
• All medical personnel should aid the platoon leader and squad leaders in foot inspections.
• The platoon medic should know the endemic diseases of the area. He should know what medical supplies are necessary for their treatment. He should also know when treatment is beyond his capability.
• The platoon leader, platoon sergeant, and squad leaders must know the medical history of their troops. They should know of any prior snake bites, prior heat injuries, and allergic reactions.

TOPIC: Command and Control.

DISCUSSION: The jungle makes command and control extremely difficult. The dense vegetation and rugged terrain cause communications to break down frequently. They also severely limit the leader's ability to see the battlefield. As a result, the fire team and squad leaders are the keys to success in the jungle.

LESSON(S):

• Make sure the commander's intent portion of your OPORD is completely clear. State it to your most junior private before issuing the OPORD. If he can restate it to you with reasonable accuracy, then it is ready to issue. If not, repeat the process.
• Every OPORD must contain contingencies for the following situations:
  • Loss of radio communications
  • Break in contact
  • Emergency resupply
  • Actions on enemy contact
• Rehearse your internal platoon communications and those with higher headquarters whenever possible. Bench-test your radios. They may work fine in the open, but not be pushing sufficient wattage to talk in the jungle.
• As a minimum, rehearse the hasty attack/react to contact battle drill in jungle terrain. Then rehearse as many of your SOPs as possible. It will reduce your communications requirements.
• Remember, a briefback does not equal a rehearsal.
• Remember, the maximum speed that you can normally sustain in the jungle is 500 meters per hour.
• The platoon leader should travel behind the lead element. When contact occurs, he should get forward quickly. Once he assesses the situation, he should report the situation. In nine out of ten situations, he should attack.

Section II, Part I

Section III: Tips of the Trade