Volume 2. Operations. Chapter 2. Maneuver and Positioning.

WARNING: This media is not created with the intent to describe the legality of what is expressed in it. The content should not be considered as a legal advice. The reader is responsible for ensuring any action taken in relation to this document's content is legal in the reader's jurisdiction. The document is written for research purpose.

Terms defined -Operator: Operator refers to a person who is engaged in a combat operation. Operators' action is the subject of this text. The term was chosen partly because of lack of better words to describe the subject person of this text. Shooter only means a person who is engaged in a shooting activity. Also, the person had to be distinguished from military definition of combatant.

2. Maneuver and positioning To react to hostile forces in an area, operator will need to do one or more of the following, which is not limited to: -Move to a safer location -Examine an area for safety -Locate opponent -Occupy position of advantage -Take evasive action All of those involve moving or taking a certain position. That will consist most part of the operation, and all tactical factors need to be considered in deciding in what matter maneuvering and positioning are done.

Terms defined: Individual work space: Individual work space is a certain volume of space that needs to be clear of obstructions in order for an operator to be able occupy and perform tasks, such as assuming a good shooting platform, without being hindered. If it the space is not intruded by obstructions, it consists of a volume of space that can contain a single operator in stationary position with that operator being able to form a shooting platform and orient the shooting platform in any direction plus a volume of space around it that would allow enough distance from any surrounding objects that can hinder operator's actions, such as adjusting shooting platform or other posture, manipulation of gear, moving in and out of the position the operator is currently occupying, etc. Size of optimal unrestricted individual work space is not static. It depends on how much unobstructed movement range an operator needs in a given moment. The movement range consideration for individual work space is usually limited to space an operator can immediately occupy without significant maneuver movement and space required for the operator to maneuver in and out of the space currently being occupied. Clear space needed for maneuvering will be covered separately.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Principles of maneuvering and positioning: There are certain principles that needs to be observed for operator's safety. Those include, but not limited to, the following: -Manner of maneuver conducted in a way that operator can properly examine new area the operator is exposed to and react to anything inside it. Operator not exposed to anymore new unexamined area than the operator can properly process. -POEZs, opponents, unexamined area an operator is exposed to should be minimized. If the operator is exposed to it out of necessity, the time of exposure should be limited, and so is the frequency of such exposure. However, an operator may need to position oneself in a way that multiple opponents or POEZs are in view for observation purposes, which may also expose the operator to them. In such case, positioning should be done in a manner that exposed POEZs or opponents are all within field of view and angular dispersion of those POEZs or opponents are low. -A space that an operator intends to enter should be examined before entering as much as feasible. -POEZs or opponents an operator is exposed to should be kept in operator's field of view as much as possible. And, its directional dispersal should be minimized. -Maximized use of terrain, structure, and objects in the environment for protection, including protection from gun fire, protection from detection, etc. -Intrusion of any obstruction into individual work space being minimized as feasible. -Operators think about contingency plan regarding escape or retreat from a path taken or a space entered before taking the path or entering the space.

Human and equipment tasking limitation and characteristics comes into play. Limitations and characteristics such as: -Operator can usually only handle one POEZ or opponent at a time with maximum efficiency. -Most firearms can only be effectively used to attack one target at a

time. -Limit of amount of information a human can process in a given time. Above factors will make it favorable for operators to maneuver slow and handle as smaller area as possible at a given time. It may even be favorable for the operator to occupy a position of advantage and not move at all. However, certain situation poses risk for an operator to remaining in one location. For example, more time the operator remain stationary may allow more time for the opponent to discover or improvise a means to find advantage over the operator's position, or get additional man power, etc. There may also be situation where incapacitating the opponent would be favorable and the risk of doing so can increase as more time elapses. So, the operator needs to control the speed of the movement when maneuvering so that risk moving faster or moving slower would be balanced and overall risk would be minimized. The faster the operator moves, more the probability of information process workload increases, as it may make new elements of significance appear at a faster rate. If too many of those elements has to be processed at the same time or shorter period of time, more workload for the mind, and less information process efficiency. Some of those cannot be controlled, but some can be. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Controlled exposure method: There are times where exposing unexamined area needs to be done while risking the operator being exposed to the new exposed area. In such case, the manner of exposure, both that of the unexamined area and the operator, needs to be controlled. The primary need for such control is related to possible contact with opponents in the new exposed area. It's about the operators ability to process everything within the new revealed area, and ability of the opponents possibly in the area to react to the operator. Exposing unrevealed area takes a big part of combat operations. Action taken to expose unrevealed area needs to be in a manner that keeps the exposure of the operator to the new area the operator is being exposed to to a minimum. In a situation where an operator is exposing an unrevealed area, and operator would be also exposed to the new exposed area while doing so, the

operator needs to execute the process in a manner that keeps the amount of new information, such as opponent observed in the new exposed area, would be kept with in the limit of what the operator can properly react to. Controlling the amount of the exposure of unrevealed area and speed of the exposure, and also controlling the amount of operators exposure and speed of exposure to the new revealed area, in that manner is the one method of controlled exposure. For example, an operator may place oneself behind an object large enough to conceal him or her from the unrevealed area. Then the operator would move in a way that the unexamined area behind the object would be exposed in small portion while utilizing that object as concealment and protection from possible incoming fire. The speed of the exposure and the size of the portion controlled so that operator can mentally process and respond to anything in that portion of area properly in a timely manner. That technique is commonly known as "slicing the pie." Another method involved is to limit the time of operator's exposure to the new revealed area shorter than the expected time it takes for any opponent who may be present in the area that observes the operator to make an effective attack. This is usually employed when examining area where the operator must protrude one's body into that has a high risk of getting effective attack from any opponent possibly inside the area. Usually, the method takes form of a technique involving a quick peeking motion. There is also the technique of Exposure Point Movement Technique explained in Volume 2 Chapter 1 Tactics section. These methods can be used in any combination that suits the operators need. So, controlled exposure method is not about being slow. It's about keeping the rate of new revealed area within the limit of what an operator can effectively process while keeping the risk of exposure to a minimum.

The above is one example of controlled exposure technique in use.

The primary reason for employing this technique is to limit the amount of new revealed entities the operator has to process, minimize exposure, and allow slow movement for increased stealth and information process capacity to new information ratio. Keep in mind that interaction with new revealing space is 3 dimentional. Some people state that "slicing the pie" technique is to see to be able to see an opponent before being seen by the opponent. It may have that effect in some cases, but not always so. That depends on the degree of body protrusion exposed to unexamined space before operator's eye gets into position to see the unexamined area. It also depends on relative distance of the operator, opponent, and the object the unexamined space is being revealed from behind. It does not guarantee the operator seeing the opponent before the opponent seeing the operator. However, more important point is that that is not the primary reason the technique is used, as some people suggest. The speed and manner of maneuvering while utilizing Controlled Exposure Method should be adjusted for minimum risk. If movement is too fast or the amount of new area revealed is too much, it increases the risk of operator not being able to recognize a threat or anything of tactical significance

inside that area fast enough for the operator to properly react. If the movement is too slow, then it also increases the risk of an operator being observed by an opponent before the operator can observe any threat, because in many occasions there are certain portion of the operator's body or anything on the operator that is exposed to the area to be revealed that is not yet observed by the operator. Moving slow can increase the time that portion of an operator's body or things on the operator being visible to an opponent before the operator can see the opponent. One way to manage that risk is to divide the angular width of the new area to be revealed into sections with each of that section kept to maximum size the operator can examine with switch movement while limiting the section to a size that the operator is expected to recognize any opponent or thing of tactical significance without taking too much time. Then the operator can examine the section one at a time, making swift movement when each section is revealed. Another way to manage that risk is to maneuver in a constant motion while speeding up or slowing down according to how much time it takes for the operator to mentally process the new revealed area and recognize any opponents or things of tactical significance within that area. This means operators has to control the phase, speed, and manner of maneuver to minimize the time and chance any portion of the operators' body or anything that is on the operators being exposed to the area to be revealed before operator can observe that area, while keeping the speed of maneuver slow enough and amount of new area being revealed small enough for the operators to have control of the maneuver and properly recognize things in the new revealed area fast enough for the operator to properly respond.

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Entering spaces: There are two approaches in regards to entering spaces and examining the space. One can be described as "examine before entering" and the other can be described as "Enter as examining ." What those mean is exactly how it sounds. "Examine before entering" is an approach that operators examine a space and process anything of tactical significance observed prior to entering that space as much as possible. "Enter as examining" is a method of entering a space in order to examine it before all possible examination from outside can be done. As far as operator safety is involved, "examine before entering" approach will have the advantage, unless the operator is in a situation where taking time to do so will result in high probability of receiving effective attack. An example of "examine before entering" approach is illustrated below.

This does not mean "clear and enter" method requires all part of the space is examined, because there may be spots in the area that cannot be examined without entering. It only means the space is examined before entering as much as possible.

Below is an example of "enter as examining" approach.

"Enter as examining" method is usually used for speed. For the sake of operator safety, its utility is very limited because it would involve

protruding into a space that is mostly unexamined, and the operator doing such maneuver would have to deal with a large width of new revealed area that has to be precessed in a very short amount of time. Not all "enter as examining" tactic is the same. There are situations where action and time taken to examine a space before entering is likely to alert the opponent inside, and give the opponents increased opportunity to prepare for the operator's entry. However, situations where that reason justify "enter as examining" tactic is rare. For that justification to be used, an operator has to know that the opponents inside is not prepared for certain, how many opponents are inside, exact location and status of each opponent, and whether if the unprepared opponents inside are within the limit of what the operator can handle once the entry is made. That information is usually not available until examination of the space is done prior to entry. And, that's only if the operator have a specific reason to enter and make contact. Even more of a danger is involved when "enter as examining" method is used with no information about the space the operator is entering. That kind of "blind enter and clear" method approach should not be taken unless an operator is in some rare circumstances where not doing so is likely to result in extreme danger for the operator, especially when opponents are expecting operators to make contact. When the objective of the operation is something other than the operator's security, such as hostage rescue operation, there may be situation where speed is critical and there is not enough time for information collection. Such circumstances may lead to the necessity of "blind enter and clear" method, but handling of those cases should be reserved only for specialized teams with proficiency in highly coordinated techniques and special equipments that members consist of people who is willing to take exceptionally high risk. Even in situations where operators decides to take higher risk by speeding up maneuvering process to rescue others, such as "active shooter" type of situation, "enter as examining" tactics should be avoided. "Examine before entering" method done in increased speed would be a better compromise. "Enter as examining" tactics are high risk tactics even for specialized teams. With opponent in position of advantage expecting operators to make contact, operator who is not acting as a part of a specialized team mimicking SWAT tactics to employ "enter as examining" tactics has unacceptable probability of survival. *****Refer to Volume 3 "The Tactical Critic" section for more details.

Object that hides unexamined area behind also conceals the operators movement from that area. This can be used to maneuver through the area that is blocked from view from the unexamined area. As the operator maneuvers, some portion of the the unexamined area will be exposed and examined. Also, it will create new areas that are blocked from operator's view by surrounding objects that makes the operator also blocked from view from that area. The relationship will keep changing as the operator maneuvers.

As the operator examines new areas, POEZ will be cleared, and more area will become accessible from that new examined area for the operator to maneuver through as the operator utilizes surrounding objects to shield the operator from other unexamined area as much as possible.

Often an operator may be exposed to multiple POEZs at the same time. But, in most cases, in order to completely examine one POEZ an operator may have to maneuver while not being able to properly observe other POEZs. In such case, maneuvering to expose and examine a portion of those other POEZs while they can be kept in view can create some space the operator can maneuver through while only being exposed to those areas of other POEZ portions that is already examined.

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------Managing factors: Here, application of tactical factors and balancing of those factors in in maneuver and positioning will be explained. Operators need to make constant effort to utilize surrounding objects for protection. However, surrounding objects themselves also are POEZs concealing unexamined areas behind. Maneuvering has to be done in such a manner that controlled exposure techniques or other methods to examine unrevealed area while utilizing objects for protection as much as possible. Some times operator needs leave an area where the surroundings provide protection. Operators need a plan of action for situations when they come into contact with opponents in such situations. As far as utilization of surrounding objects for protection goes, an operator in such situation may feel the urge to move quickly to the nearest place where surroundings provide protection from the opponent the operator came in contact with. However, if movement to that nearest place means moving into area that is exposed to areas that are not examined without an opportunity to examine the unexamined areas, there is a substantial risk. The nearest area may not provide protection as operator expected before moving in. And, there is also a possibility of presence additional opponents in the unexamined areas. Attacking the opponent while staying in the open, moving to the nearest area that appears to be protected by surrounding that would expose the operator to unexamined area while attacking the opponent, or moving to the last known area that is protected by surroundings each have its own risks and benefits. Which one would provide most benefit and least risk will vary according to the given situation.

Directional distribution of POEZs or opponents in contact needs to be minimized. This also helps placing group of POEZs or opponents in operators' field of view and minimize response time when a gunnery process is initiated against one of the opponent in contact. That also helps with utilization of objects that provide protection because range of direction an object that provide protection from is usually limited.

In situations where objects available for protection does not provide protection from all direction POEZs or opponents are present, the operator needs to assess the processing priority of each POEZ or opponent and relative threat level of each POEZ or opponent. The operator then needs to position oneself so that the object will provide protection from the direction of POEZ or opponent group of highest threat level while allowing the operator to process highest priority POEZ or opponent to be processed. Which POEZ or opponent group to shield oneself from and which of those the operator needs to process first is not always the same. Opponents, new revealed areas, POEZs are the primary elements of concern for visual information. If more than one of these are present and an operator cannot put all of them in field of view, those elements have to be handled by order of priority. An operator should attempt to put many elements of concern in field of view as possible, and at the same time minimize the

field of direction the operator can be seen from.

Narrowing the angular width of operator exposure helps minimizing number of opponents or POEZ group size. One method is to make surrounding objects that provides protection to block exposure from as much direction as possible with the direction that the objects are not covering forming an aperture the operator can observe through to examine unrevealed areas or observe opponents. More distance from that aperture would make the angular width exposes through the area narrower. Closer distance would mean the opposite. Imagine an operator totally encased in a armored box with a movable port that the operator can observe and shoot through with least amount of exposure as possible. From protection point of view, the operator should

maneuver in a way that the surroundings would work as such.

Minimizing number of POEZs encountered needlessly should be a factor in maneuver path planning.

Combined space management: Final positioning decision would be made with consideration of only a single factor. It's based on combined multiple factors such as distance to

POEZ, individual work space, objects that offer protection, etc. When utilizing an object that provides protection from gun fire, operators would usually get more coverage available when they are positioned closer to the object. However, if an operator is too close to such an object, then it intrudes into operator's individual work space, possibly restricting gunnery process, ability to maneuver in and out of the position, etc. Also, the close positioning can place the operator close to a potential opponent emerging from behind the object if the area behind the object is a POEZ. So, in regards to the problem of utilizing an object for protection, the operator would have to assess the risk and benefits of closer distance making possible POEZ being close, causing individual work space to be intruded, possibly increasing coverage provided by the object for protection, increasing field of view behind the object, etc., then decide the optimal distance to the object. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Light considerations: Maneuvering or positioning in darker areas can be utilized to lower probability of operator being detected.

Maneuvering or positioning next to a relatively bright light source may also lower operator's probability of being detected in certain conditions. When that method is used, operator needs to take caution so that the light source will not make the operator more visible. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Cautions for using visual concealment for maneuvering and positioning: Operators should keep in mind that most that such concealment can to is shield operator from opponent's direct view. This does not in any way mean

opponents cannot detect operators by other means, such as indirect view of operator's image reflected on surfaces of objects, detection of ambient light level change by operator's presence, sound emission, etc. So, stealth is required for concealment to be effective. Concealment can be used to hide an operator from being seen until operator gets to a position where contact is made and opponents become aware of the contact. That is the aspect of concealment use that is most discussed. However, operation does not only involve getting to the point of contact. Once opponents become aware of the contact, two things can happen. Operator can succeed in attacking those opponents and concealment becomes a nonissue as long as there is no other opponents. However, if the operator fails to incapacitate all of those opponents, a concealment can now be an obstacle that obstructs an operator's movement and also a visual shielding that would hide the operator's evasive maneuver. So, maneuvering and positioning in regards to concealment has to be planned in a way that it becomes less obstacle and more visual shielding for evasive maneuver in case of contact. In order to achieve that, operators should avoid positioning oneself behind concealment that has no space for evasive maneuver behind it. Such concealments should not be used for guarding an area while remaining stationary.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Avoidance of tactically unfavorable areas: Any area that gives operators a tactical disadvantage should be avoided as much as possible.

Path through areas that offer a narrow path for maneuver poses high risks when it does not have any objects that provide protection from gun fire or observation. The area itself does not have to be narrow for it to pose such risk, it only needs to restrict the area operators can move on to a narrow path. The risk of going through such areas increases if the path is linear and leads to a direction of a POEZ. Even more risk is involved when it is longer. When an opponent emerge from a POEZ the area is exposed to, the operator is exposed to opponents' gun fire until the operators can get out of the zone and the operators cannot make much angular movement from opponent's point of view which means the opponents need little or no adjustment in aim when operator executes evasive maneuver. Simply put, operators is that path is a very easy target until they get out of the area which may take some time. Maneuver through such areas should be avoided as much as possible. Time in maneuvering through those areas or other areas exposed to POEZ without objects that give protection should be minimized. It is beneficial to determine what to do when attacked while in these area before entering. When moving through relatively high risk area, operator should note areas that provide possible protection from POEZ along the path, and develop plans to move to those areas, or integrate it with path selection. Even if there is nothing in the terrain that limits maneuvering, taking a path that is lined toward a POEZ, or positioning oneself along that line if path to get in or out of that position also involves that line, increases risk. If an operator leaves a protected position and takes such path, a shortest path back to protected position would not make significant lateral movement of the operator in opponent's point of view if an opponent emerges from that POEZ. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Hold position or move? It is good to move position if it is likely that the operator's position information is revealed to an opponent, and it is not necessary to hold the position, and the risk involved in the move itself is not greater than that of remaining in position. Position of advantage should be kept unless there is a specific and

justifiable reason to leave the advantage it offers. Following is some of the characteristics an operator should seek in positioning: -Escape route available for operator. -Hard for opponents to observe, approach. -Minimum number of approach path for the opponent to reach the area that allows effective attack against operators. -Approach route for opponents and POEZs exposed to operators attack and concentrated in limited range of direction operator can effectively observe and respond. -Area offers objects and terrain that protects operator from observation and gun fire without obstructing field of view or opening for attack operator wants. -Opponent has to leave protected area in order to approach or attack an operator. An intelligent opponent will not knowingly and willingly approach or attack an operator in an area with the above conditions unless they believe they have some means to nullify the advantage the operator has. If the opponent has the positional advantage, the operator should avoid entering an area that would put oneself in a disadvantage. Either case will result in one party willing to keep the position and the other being reluctant to make contact, which may result in temporary security. If the operator strictly adheres to maintaining or enhancing positional advantage, the possibility of contact with the opponent lies with the opponents aggressiveness, making the opponent enter a position of vulnerability or leave a position of advantage, in order to attack or pursue the operator. Some opponents do leave position of advantage and enter an area where operators have tactical advantage. So, operators need to be aware that a tactical advantage a position offers need to be enough that the risk of keeping the position is low enough even if opponents do attack than seeking another position or leaving the area. Some opponents do not care about casualties, and some opponents fail to assess the advantage or disadvantage they have. Some opponents may belong to a an institution that forces them to act according to certain doctrine or scripted plan. The doctrine or plan may include wrong assumptions, miscalculations, and those institutions may still coerce their members to act according to it when it can endanger the members. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Securing a sector: Positioning in a certain location often involves an operator trying to secure a sector. However, "securing" a sector cannot be done in a sound manner until the following conditions are met: Regarding all POEZs in an operator's sector: -The operator is able to detect any emerging opponents from any POEZ. -The operator is able to effectively attack any opponent emerging from any POEZ. -The operator is able to react to any opponent emerging from from those POEZs faster than the opponent reacts to the operator. It is a critical error to assume a certain fan of area is secured by an operator only because there is an operator looking down that area with a weapon in ready position. If there is a POEZ in that sector, and it is hard for the operator to see an an opponent emerging from it, the operator is nothing more than a good target for an opponent in that POEZ. No area is secure until an operator can detect all relevant activities in the area and effectively react to deny opponent's offensive actions. The amount of workload each operator has to handle must not be overwhelming, and the position needs to be relatively secure one that provides tactical advantages. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Escape, contingency, depth of defense: Positioning or maneuvering route selection should involve consideration for possible escape route. Operators should favor paths or positions that has alternative options, and avoid path that its escape route is easily blocked.

If there are multiple position of advantage along the escape path where operators can move to and attack the opponents, to deter them from pursuing or cause attrition, etc., it would even be more effective. That may have to be the plan if operators are fighting against numerically superior opposing force. For this reason, area of certain length or "depth" operators can conduct evasive maneuver through is desirable. Operators should avoid holding position in an area where different position to relocate or escape route is not available when the position is overwhelmed.

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------Movement Speed: Slower movement is better for recognition and analysis of surroundings. It is also better for responding to new emerging threats. Faster movement is better for moving through position of tactical disadvantage, moving through or bypassing OAZ, evasive maneuvers to make an opponents' targeting difficult etc. However, operators need to balance the movement speed when the need for slower movement and need for faster movement conflicts with

each other. Operators would want to shorten the time spent maneuvering through areas of disadvantage as possible, which requires faster movement. But, at the same time, operators would not want to be detected by opponents while in areas of disadvantage. Faster movement will increase the likely hood of operators being detected by opponents when operators would want to avoid contact the most. Also, certain degree of speed is necessary, if an operator maneuvering has to maneuver a certain distance within a certain time limit. For example: If an operator is maneuvering to escape from area opponents are expected to gain tactical advantage over before opponents are expected to position themselves for that goal, there would be some degree of speed needed. Another example is if operators need to get in certain position in certain amount of time for that position to be of use. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.1. POEZ and OAZ handling. When operators come in contact with a POEZ, they have a few choices about how it will be handled: -Examine : Operators can examine the area behind the POEZ to check if there is an opponent and process opponents that comes in contact as necessary. -Bypass: Operators can maneuver past the POEZ without examining area concealed behind the POEZ where opponents may emerge from. -Seal: Operators can place barriers so that opponents cannot emerge from the POEZ. -Surveillance: Operators can observe the POEZ, preferably from position of advantage, ready to handle contacts with any opponents that emerge from the POEZ. If an operator needs to maneuver past the area that would be exposed to an opponent who emerges from a POEZ, the operator needs to choose to How much risk is involved in approaching it? How will it be examined? How much risk in involved in examining it? In situation where operators need to move through an area that would be exposed to an opponents who emerges from a POEZ, operators need to evaluate the risk involved in examining, bypassing, and sealing the POEZ then select what involves minimum risk.

If the risk involved with clearing a POEZ is too high, operator can choose to bypass it. However, it may not be possible to know exactly how much of a risk clearing a certain POEZ poses until an operator starts to examining the POEZ, which may result in the operator deciding to abort the examination and bypass a POEZ during its already started examination. The examination starts by moving to where area concealed by objects forming the POEZ to check if there is an opponent in the concealed area. If no opponent is present, the operator examines whether if an opponent has access to the area. If no opponent is in the area, and the opponent has no access to the area behind the POEZ, the POEZ is cleared. It is no longer a POEZ. One such example is a room with a single door as the only access point. The door may be a POEZ. But, once it is confirmed that no one is in the room, and there is no way, other than the single door, to get in the room, it is unlikely that anyone can come out the door.

If no opponent is in the area, but there are access points to the area, other than the POEZ, the operator may continue examining all connected areas until the operator confirms that all combined areas are contained. However, this has its own risks. If there are multiple areas that are connected to the area concealed behind the POEZ, then it may take a long time to process the POEZ. Also, the areas that are connected to the area that was concealed behind the POEZ often are connected by another POEZ. Once example of that is an entrance that leads on to a room which is a POEZ when the room leads to another separate room through another door which is another POEZ. It's even more work and involves more risk if the area concealed by POEZ contains multiple additional POEZs, such as POEZ that leads to a hallway which contains entrances to multiple rooms. For the POEZ that came into initial contact to be examined, all additional POEZs in those scenarios need to be examined. For an operator to choose to examine the POEZ may result in maneuvering through areas of disadvantage in order

to examine those additional POEZs.

In situations where complete examination operator may check only a limited amount to maneuver away from the POEZ before an the POEZ from an access point other than POEZ.

of a POEZ is not desirable, an of areas beyond the POEZ, and try opponent enters the area beyond the POEZ then emerge from the

In many situations, for operators to completely examine a POEZ that conceals an area containing multiple POEZ of the same characteristics is not feasible. If an operator is in a structure with all rooms connected with each other, with more than one access points, no area in the structure is contained without enough number of operators to secure all additional

access points all combined area has or have those access points sealed. And, even when there are enough operators for that, there may be problems with placing some operators to secure some access points when there is no position of advantage to secure it from. If the operator only examines a limited area beyond the POEZ that has an access points other than the POEZ, the operator will only be able to know if there is an opponent who can immediately emerge from behind the POEZ. The zone will remain a POEZ, and the operator may need to keep observing the POEZ while maneuvering away from it, which may not always be possible. The purpose of starting an examination of a POEZ while knowing that only a limited area beyond a POEZ would be examined is to lower the probability of opponent emerging from that POEZ after the examination for a limited amount of time. That time would depend on the time it is expected to take for an opponent to traverse the distance of the space examined beyond that POEZ. In other cases, an operator may have intended to clear the POEZ, but discovered that it would take too much time or the risk is too high.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Contact concealable POEZ: This is a type of POEZ that can conceal an opponent that have contact with an operator. That means an opponent in that POEZ can observe or attack the operator while being concealed. Any partial optical barrier, such as a plant life that a person hiding behind can easily see through that an observer far from it has low probability of detecting the person hiding behind, is also a POEZ. In addition to partial optical barrier problem mentioned in Signature Control section, this also presents a problem that opponent may still be concealed even when a contact is made and opponent is attacking the operator. It's a POEZ that can conceal a contact, which will from now on be referred to as contact concealable POEZ. Being exposed to an object that may be concealing an opponent when that opponent is capable of attacking the operator while being concealed is a losing proposition. Using objects or terrain features that provides protection to shield the operator from contact concealable POEZ point of view as much as possible is a way to deal with the problem, and this is the most used method. Another method to deal with such POEZ is to attack with enough firepower to ensure that any opponent that may be concealed behind it would be incapacitated or contact concealable POEZ itself is destroyed. That is not a likely method to be used to deal with every contact concealable POEZ because of limited firepower operators can carry, danger of exposing the operator using that method, and legality issues. However, it can be a viable method in dealing with one or limited number of contact

concealable POEZ when operator has a reason to think there is a probability beyond a mere potential that there is an opponent concealed by the particular POEZ object, and the probability is acceptable enough to risk exposure by attacking it, in situation where such action would be justifiable. That approach was adopted in counter ambush techniques. In wilderness area, it is likely that operators may have low probability of detecting attacking opponents well concealed behind plants. Operators can assess the features of the area and determine which spot is likely that an opponent may be hiding and saturate the area with gun fire. However, in most situation, such approach and methods should only be used when there are no better options. Ammunition attrition is very high, it increases the probability of operators being detected, and its effect is harder to assess. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

OAZ differs from POEZ in that an opponents reaction is expected to be faster and more effective when the operator comes in contact with the opponent through that zone, because the opponent is expecting to come in contact with the operator through the zone. Any attempt to go through an OAZ should be avoided as long as there are better alternatives. An example of an OAZ single doorway of a room with the single door as the only access point when contains an opponents who knows your presence.

Maneuver through or near POEZs or OAZs should be avoided as much as possible. The path selection should be designed to include less POEZ or OAZ involvement as possible and plans on how to deal with the in cases where it cannot be avoided. When maneuvering through or near OAZs cannot be avoided, an operator needs to assess the risk involved with handling each OAZ and select the OAZ that poses less risk to handle to maneuver through or maneuver near by. Same principles are involved with POEZ. It is very unlikely situation that an operator has a good reason to go through what is certain to be an OAZ to an opponent occupied space. However, there can be situations where an operator may have to go near or pass in front of an OAZ, such as escaping from a more dangerous area. If the exposure time to opponents behind the OAZ can be made short enough, then operator can prevent giving an opponent the

opportunity to attack. Another possible situation is an operator partially exposing oneself to an opponent through the OAZ in order to see the opponent and attack. (More details in Chapter 3 Contact Management.)

2.2. Common obstacles.

2.2.1. Closed Doors. Opening a closed door in order to go through the doorway or examine a space behind it poses following risk on top of regular maneuvering problems: -It places operators in predictable location while a door is being manipulated. -Opening and other manipulation, forced breaching of a door can expose operator's location. -It conceals what is in the space, usually unexamined area, behind it. -Limited maneuver and positioning options for controlled exposure techniques. Dealing with closed doors would involve minimizing the risk presented by above and apply the principles of maneuvering and positioning to gain tactical advantage as much as possible. Just like any other maneuver path decision, operators should think about whether if the risk of going through or examining a space behind a particular closed door is favorable compared to other possible options. Some times, are other doorways that gives access to area an operator is interested in that can be processed at lower risk. There can be different openings that an operator can use to examine the space behind the door the operator is interested in. First thing an operator can do to examine space behind a closed door is to use any opening, gap, or transparent part on or between the parts that surrounds the space behind the door. There can be a gap between a door an its door frame. A door may have opening made by faulty door lock that is loose or fallen out of place. There can be a window on the door or a wall next to the door. However, an operator needs to be cautious not to be detected while observing thorough such things. The risk increases when the ambient light level of the operator's area is high and that of the area behind the door is low. In certain situations, opening a door quietly only a small amount and examining space behind the door way through the small opening as much as possible before opening it further can be a feasible method. The feasibility depends on opponents' expected alertness level, and the likeliness and expected response time of opponents' attack on the operator in the doorway area if the door movement is detected. It may be a feasible option when opponents are not alert or aware of the operator's presence. It

is also an alternative when flinging doors fully open creates more risk, usually because fully opening doors in one motion is more conspicuous. However, it can be very conspicuous from some door to be open even if it's a very small degree, making use of the method less feasible. In this document this method will be called "limited stealth opening" from now on.

If door and the wall does not provide protection from gun fire, operator opening a door would have to minimize the time manipulating the door, usually by quickly pushing or pulling the door so that it would move by inertia all the way without the operator moving with the door. This would minimize the time the operator is in a position where an opponent can predict where a person opening the door would need to be, and prevent in operator from following an inward opening door into an unexamined space. However, the operator remaining near the doorway covered by wall that does

not offer protection from gun fire can make the operator vulnerable to a potential opponent who detected the door opening shooting at area near the doorway through the walls. If there is a position where operator can be in or move in to immediately after manipulating the door that provides protection and other tactical advantages, the operator can use that position. Otherwise, the operator may have to execute a negated concealment counter action by moving away from the door way. After that, the operator can re-approach the door way to examine the space behind the doorway, when there was no attack and it appears that any potential opponents on the other side of the doorway is unlikely to have an idea of the exact location of the operator. If the walls surrounding the doorway offers protection from gun fire, negated concealment counter action may not be necessary. The force applied in pushing or pulling a door should not exceed the level that is estimated to make the door move to the end of its motion range or other desired level. If the force is excessive, the door is likely to hit the edge of its motion range and bounce back, closing itself to varying degrees. Operators should avoid being exposed to unexamined area behind a doorway in an uncontrolled manner, as a closed door opens. If too much space is revealed to an operator at a very short time frame, the operator may not recognize things that the operator need to react to in a timely manner. It may be better for an operator to position oneself in a way that would minimize the amount of area the operator would be exposed to that was behind a closed door, after that door is opened. Then the operator can use controlled exposure techniques to examine the the area that is not examined. However, if an operator has information about the situation behind a closed door, and is able to react to everything inside it fast enough for operator's safety, the operator can choose to position oneself where maximum amount of space that was behind the closed door would be revealed, as the door is opened. However, the priority is to have a positioning that would give an operator maximum advantage over any potential contact rather than how much increase in volume of space an operator choose to be exposed to in order to examine it.

However, it is not always possible to keep the amount of space behind a close door the operator would be exposed to after the door is open low. There are other methods to increase operators tactical advantage in potential contact with an opponent who was behind a closed door, when they both become exposed to each other as the door opens. Use of available protection object, even moving such object near operator's side of doorway, and keeping distance from the doorway would lower the probability of hit of opponent's gun fire. Making the operator's side of the area dark may hinder opponent's ability to react to the operator.

Most doors would have a space concealed behind it even when it is opened to its fullest degree. Those unexamined areas should not be ignored. With hinged doors, there usually is a gap between the door and the door frame on the hinged side that allows operators to examine those spaces. When positioning oneself next to the door, hinge side position would make an operator get exposed to area behind the doorway as the door open sooner compared to the door knob side, if the door opens by swinging away from the operator, as the operator would face the door knob side that gets revealed first. Placing oneself on the door knob side when the door opens by swinging toward the operator has the same effect. This can reduce time available for an operator to execute a negated concealment maneuver or get

a gun back in ready position if the gun was taken out of ready position in order to open the door. Auto closing door: This increases the difficulty of operators dealing with closed doors. A door need to be open in order for an operator to examine maximum volume of a space through a door way without special observation tools. If a door automatically close from full open position, an operator may not have enough time to maneuver in order to execute a controlled exposure technique to observe all the space that would be examinable through the door frame if the door was kept open. For an operator to avoid entering maneuvering into area that is not properly examined, the operator would either have to examine the space behind the door frame quickly while the door is open or use some method to keep the door from closing. One way to keep a auto closing door that swings away from an operator as it opens is to lean an object on the door so that the object would fall toward the space behind the door as the door opens. That can prevent the door from closing. An object used can be something like a chair. Even if a door is not open to its max motion range, a hinged door open even about 45 degree may give enough opening to examine as much space as when it is fully open if there is a gap between the door and the door frame on the hinged side that allows operators to examine space behind the door.

For auto closing door that swings toward an operator as it opens, a cord looped around a door knob can be used to open the door and get some distance from the doorway after the door is open. The door can then be held open by the cord being tied to an anchor point or objects placed to block the door from closing. Such method may not be necessary if the walls around the doorway provides protection from gun fire. If there are no tools or objects that can be improvised to keep an auto closing door open, an operator can push or pull the door open then use momentary exposure technique to examine the space that was concealed behind the door before the door closes. This has a risk of delaying negated concealment maneuver if it needs to follow immediately after the door is opened. Also, the hasty observation can resulting an operator failing to see things of tactical significance.

If the door opens by swinging towards an operator the operator has an option to execute a controlled exposure technique to examine the space that was behind the door either as the operator is opening the door by pulling it slightly open then pushing it with operator's body while moving side ways or after the door is held in full open position. This can be done because the operator does not have to enter the space that was concealed behind the door when the door opens. However, this requires the operator to remain near the doorway right after the door is opened, which is a problem if the walls around the doorway does not protect the operator from gun fire. It may be feasible for an operator to remain near the doorway an hold the door open while executing a limited stealth opening, regardless of which way the door opens.

2.3. Examples of application These examples are hypothetical, and the intent is to show how principles of tactics can be applied. Methods shown are not meant to be presented as the definitive way to handle all similar situations.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Terms defined: Individual space occupation: This will refer to the space large enough for an operator with desirable ready posture to occupy, and have some distance from the objects surrounding the operator to freely maneuver. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Example scenario: In this scenario, an operator and the operators opponent are located with a hallway in between them, and both are located at the opposing end of the hallway with a corner of a wall as a cover. If both sides expose themselves to look down the hallway to control the entire hallway area, both will be exposed to same degree, and will have equal probability of incapacitating their opponent and being shot themselves. If the objective is to control much of the hallway area as possible, exposure to a degree that will allow the observation of the POEZ corner at the other end may be necessary. However, if the objective is to deny the opponent from closing in using the hallway, the operator can position oneself in a manner that will force the opponent to leave cover if the opponent intends to attack. For example, the operator can position oneself in a manner that the POEZ corner at the other end, the one the opponent is using as cover, will not be visible. This will also make the operator invisible to the opponent looking down the hallway from the other end using that corner as a cover.

If the opponent intends view the operator for attack, the opponent has to move out from behind the corner to get more field of view into the room at the other end of the hallway. The opponent may also have to move in the hallway to do so. Depending on the exact shape, size, and length of the structure, the opponent may be standing in the open when the operator still has cover.

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Example scenario: Problem with maneuvering into a part of a hallway when the entry point is not at an end of the hallway is that once an operator starts to approach the hallway, the operator would be exposed to at least two different direction the hallway extends from the entry point at the same time with the hallway often extending in opposite directions. The directional dispersion is too high for an operator to examine hallway that extends both direction at the same time. So, one side has to be examined first, then the other. When the operator exposes oneself to unexamined area of one side, the operator will also be exposed to the opposite side. One way to manage this problem is to first use momentary exposure technique to examine a portion of one side, then use controlled exposure technique to examine a portion of the other side. When momentary exposure technique is used to examine the first side, that will create an area where the operator can maneuver into while examining the second side without exposing oneself to unexamined area of the first side. The operator will maneuver through the space that is exposed to the area that is already examined by momentary exposure technique. A good example of this is entering a "T" shaped intersection of hallways. Example procedure is as follows:

An operator will approach a "T" shaped intersection. As the operator get closer to the intersection more and more area of both sides of the intersecting hallway will be revealed. At some point the directional dispersion of area of the two sides of the hallway will become too wide for the operator to see at the same time. Operator will have to stop straight in approach at that point.

The operator will then use momentary exposure technique to examine a portion of unexamined area of one side of the intersecting hallway. That will make the operator be exposed to unexamined area of the other side of the hallway without the operator being able to see, but the risk is controlled by short exposure time. Then the operator can examine the other side using controlled exposure method. This time, the examination can be done without exposing oneself to an unexamined area because the portion of the first examined side area the operator is exposed to while examining the second examined side area is already examined by momentary exposure technique.

By using this method, the operator maneuvers to use controlled exposure technique to systematically reveal the side of the intersecting hallway the operator intends to move in while using the momentary exposure technique prior to each of that controlled exposure movement to examine the other side and gain space the operator can maneuver into without being exposed to portion of the other side that is not examined by the momentary exposure technique. This action is repeated as many times as necessary, but it may only need to be repeated as low as a single time, depending on the operator's exposure characteristics to each side. Side of the body a rifle or pistol is positioned may have to be changed in order to minimize exposure and maximize the utilization of protection. This may be harder with a rifle or other type of long guns, but there is a technique to change the side of shoulder a long gun is positioned

quickly(*****More details in Ready Posture section and Volume 1 Combat Gunnery Section.)

More simplified examples is presented below. In the following, operator is using a pistol that allows less protrusion into unseen areas.

As the operator above approaches the intersection, more area inside the hallway that the operator intends to enter becomes visible. Both corners that make two POEZs are still in operators field of view.

As the operator get more closer to the intersection, the directional dispersal of two POEZs gets too wide for operator to process both at the same time. Now, the operator above decides to examine the unexamined area behind the two corners by fractions of it one side at a time. Operator gets closer to one corner to get better field of view of area that was behind the other corner. To prevent protruding part of one's body or part of any equipment into space exposed to unexamined area, operator takes a posture that is more compressed and less protruding. Although this is easier with a pistol, it can also be done with rifle.

As the operator is about to enter the hallway intersecting with the one the operator is in, the operator will be in a zone where more examination cannot be done without being significantly exposed to both POEZs while not being able to observe both at the same time. The operator decides to use Momentary exposure technique to examine the space behind the corner that is closer, making it hard for any opponent that may be in the other POEZ to have enough time to make effective fire on the operator.

Now the rest of the unexamined area is processed. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------