Techniques for the Conventional Rifle Platoon, in Layman's Terms
by Captain Craig Coppock, Small Wars Journal
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There are many books, manuals, and articles that define strategies and principles for counterinsurgency (COIN) success. No one author is completely right and no one is completely wrong; they all have great information and tools to add to your arsenal. This document is not a complete lesson on counterinsurgency theory and strategy, but is rather a collection of counter-insurgent and counter-guerrilla techniques that the author believes are relevant to the current fight in Iraq. This paper is written with an intended primary audience of Rifleman through Platoon Leader, though the information is applicable to company-level leadership as well. Remember that these are only techniques learned by one Infantry platoon in a specific place (central Iraq) at a specific time (June '06 to Sept '07). The decision to adopt and implement these techniques is entirely yours. However, using techniques specifically aimed at counter-insurgency and counter-guerilla warfare is critical to supporting your Commander's greater strategy. While it is true that every AO is different, the overarching COIN principles will apply anywhere. You just have to figure out the finer tactical means of employing them; and that is where this paper will help you out.
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Great to see company grade leaders can put stuff out on NIPR and even open source without the machine crushing him for deigning to do so. This is the new 'flat' world. Just a few years ago this would have been classified stuff (or at least FOUO) and the vertical chain would have been snuffing this leader out.
Kudos to a great product and a superior leader.
Geopolitics and language. Those are what I think of as the first two steps, and the same sentiment appears in evidence in Capt. C's COIN primer.
Boots on the ground, not in Bradleys or, even more distant, jets or helos.
Could someone in charge please order all U.S. personnel, and all contractors paid for by the U.S., to learn the local language, one hour a day, until such time as everyone is fluent, or no personnel are there? I will not pretend to have favored U.S. intervention in Iraq, but that doesn't mean we have to be so unbelievably thick-headed in its continued operations.
Capt. C isn't the only person who sees the importance of language training. There's <a href="http://abumuqawama.blogspot.com/2008/07/notes-from-anbar.html">this</a&…; and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2008/jun/11/afghanistan.johndmchu…;.
It is harder to see from Washington, D.C., where everyone speaks English, and nothing is blowing up.
Learning the language when you are in the country should be the step after learning where your bedrooms and bathrooms are.
To not bother, or not care, is arrogance. Capt C repeatedly emphasizes the importance of language, but the issue goes a lot further than even he has recognized. I argue it has a lot to do with religious history, modern terrorism, many modern civil wars, and nation-building itself.