02-06-2016, 09:40 PM
Just a couple of ideas I'd like to throw around here (based on both AmrA experience, and real life)
The first is that ideally, the leader shouldn't be the point man. Even with like only 5 other guys, you have far too many things to think about to be the first guy. Again, ideally you should have a preplanned route at the beginning of the mission the pointman (who should be a semi-expendable scrub ;D ) can follow, and if not, then waypoints that you make up as you go along, either on the map or using the features of the ground in front of you. It also gives someone else some responsibility, and hopefully you can trust them to choose the exact route.
Another thing is firefights. Ideally, unless the situation is dire, the leader should try and avoid shooting. You're worth more stood back in cover where you can get a bit more of an overview of both the enemy and your own troops (even 5 or 10m back can help get this over being right in the thick of the fight). A few times the other night I had to spread people out and make them cover the arcs I needed them too. People have an annoying tendency to clump.
The final thing I'd like to put out there is that it might be a good idea to nominate a 2nd in command once the number of your subordinates gets above 5 or 6. Then you can split into 2 smaller fireteams, such that you only have to directly manage a handful of guys, and can leave the nitty gritty of the other team to its fireteam leader, just giving them aims rather than orders (ie "take that positions while we cover", rather than "move into the ditch, follow it along to x, flank the position and clear it."). If the squad is big enough, you could even do it the US Marines way, and assign s or more fireteam leaders and act as a separate element yourself, easing the burden of commanding 12 or more guys.
The first is that ideally, the leader shouldn't be the point man. Even with like only 5 other guys, you have far too many things to think about to be the first guy. Again, ideally you should have a preplanned route at the beginning of the mission the pointman (who should be a semi-expendable scrub ;D ) can follow, and if not, then waypoints that you make up as you go along, either on the map or using the features of the ground in front of you. It also gives someone else some responsibility, and hopefully you can trust them to choose the exact route.
Another thing is firefights. Ideally, unless the situation is dire, the leader should try and avoid shooting. You're worth more stood back in cover where you can get a bit more of an overview of both the enemy and your own troops (even 5 or 10m back can help get this over being right in the thick of the fight). A few times the other night I had to spread people out and make them cover the arcs I needed them too. People have an annoying tendency to clump.
The final thing I'd like to put out there is that it might be a good idea to nominate a 2nd in command once the number of your subordinates gets above 5 or 6. Then you can split into 2 smaller fireteams, such that you only have to directly manage a handful of guys, and can leave the nitty gritty of the other team to its fireteam leader, just giving them aims rather than orders (ie "take that positions while we cover", rather than "move into the ditch, follow it along to x, flank the position and clear it."). If the squad is big enough, you could even do it the US Marines way, and assign s or more fireteam leaders and act as a separate element yourself, easing the burden of commanding 12 or more guys.
Lead me, Follow me, or Get out of my way.