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Guest Post: Assault Pioneer by FormerSapper

We recently had ‘Where do long range shooters fit in FreeFor SUT?‘ by Skittles, about the topic of the ‘Assault Scout’. Today, FormerSapper brings us the ‘Assault Pioneer’. As he says in the article, all these specialties require a grounding in small unit tactics.  You are a soldier first, then your specialty. That being said, I know numerous individuals who come to mind as perfect candidates, with the right background and skills, for such Assault Pioneer work:

Up-armored_excavator_in_Afghanistan

Hello, my name is FormerSapper and I’m here today to write a little about the assault pioneer on the battlefield, their uses, a few training recommendations and why I feel they’re just as important as an infantry soldier. How am I qualified to write this, you ask? Well I’m formerly of the British Army’s Territorial Army (Army Reserves) serving from 01 to 04 where I was a member of the Corp of Royal Engineers, I never deployed operationally. I will be the very first person to tell you that I am not an expert, I know what I know and what I don’t know I’ll never try to bluff my way though.

Now whilst pioneers are NOT combat engineers (they’re principally infantry soldiers) they do have pretty much the same job as combat engineers and are always expected to pull off most of the same miracles Wikipedia defines the assault pioneer as:

An Assault Pioneer is an infantry soldier who is responsible for:

  • The construction of tools for infantry soldiers to cross natural and man-made obstacles as well as breaching of enemy fortifications;
  • Supervising the construction of field defensive works such as bunkers, support weapon firing positions, etc.,;
  • The use of demolitions, land mines and booby traps, as well as their clearance;
  • and performing of all other normal infantry duties as the situation requires

Sounds pretty fucking cool, doesn’t it? Well for now we can forget about the second part, we don’t have legal access to explosives, land mines and last time I checked booby traps are highly illegal. What we can do however is adapt, where an active duty pioneer would use explosives to fall trees, we can use trucks, chains and chainsaws. Where the sapper would use explosives for mouseholing (in MOUT/OBUA/FISCH, mouseholing is creating holes in walls to move between houses) we can use sledge hammers and drills. See how that works? Adapt, improvise and overcome!

assault pioneer
Training programme (I told you this shit is basic common sense):

So for the aspiring pioneer, I will recommend to you that you learn the following:

1. Knots, ropes and lines and the correct usage of ratchet straps and block and tackle. Seriously. You will find a lot of your work is either pulling something down or putting something up and all of which at some point will involve the use of rope (I advice against the use of steel wire rope unless you have specific training for it and experience, it is a fucking killer if too much tension is applied). I’ve been involved in the construction of an improvised crane using logs, rope and block and tackle to lower a pair of RIBs in to a harbour, believe me with enough dudes, logs and ropes anything is possible.

2. How to dig a hole and how to dig it very well. All jokes aside, a lot of your work will involve digging a position in be it for sanitation, mortar emplacements, heavy machine guns. The list is endless. See a little further below for a very brief description of the basic fighting position.

23pioneer_iraq4
3. Forestry work. In lieu of explosives for pulling down trees and holes, a good chainsaw, axes, wedges or demolition hammers and a truck will suffice and may in fact give you a tactical advantage in that they’re significantly quieter than explosives (but you also a disadvantage in that they require prolonged usage to perform the same job)

4. Driving in difficult terrain and operating plant (diggers, fork lifts, pile drivers and correct use of compressors). During my basic training in the TA, plant features heavily in the last few days of the 2 week basic course, I see no reason why every potential pioneer shouldn’t know how at the very least to drive and use a small skid steer excavator. You need to be able to operate your vehicle where you are needed and do so effectively and safely for you and your team’s benefit. We all want to think we’re rally car drivers, the truth of the matter is the vast majority of us aren’t. There is no harm to be had from attending a defensive drivers training course or partnering up up with a cross country or rock crawling club

5. Learn how to work with intrusion (razor, barbed etc) wire safely. It’s pretty simple stuff to handle once you know how (the trick is not to over tension the line and this is the biggest reason I’m a PPE nazi) and I’m sure there is courses available to teach you the basics, if not if you have a rancher buddy I’m sure he’d be more than glad for the free help. Without going in to too much detail in this basic of posts there are type of fortifications that call for its use (although these fortifications will just get bangalored, hellfired from an Apache or MICLIC’d) and it’s something you’d benefit from knowing as opposed to not knowing (especially if your SHTF plan is to bug out to the forest). Having some available stores of some kind of wire, posts and the correct tools to assemble will not hurt in the long term either way.

5. Learn to use a zodiac and a canoe. A fair portion of combat engineering takes place on the water and having personal experience of this will not hurt you in the long term at all also means that you get to train and keep your family happy at the same time (win/win, 1 happy kid(s) and wife and you learn how zodiacs move, don’t forget PPE!) if you have access to a bigger vessel such as a RIB or even an inshore cruiser then you’re pretty much set. If you’re working on the water, get yourself a life preserver, you can get low profile green or black ones. Avail yourself of the use of them, keep a couple in with your zodiac kit and make sure the air bottle is in date.

On the basic level:

On the most basic level of your role as the pioneer will involve the digging and the supervision of the digging of basic defensive trenches and pits. As a rule of thumb, the very most basic and temporary fighting position you’re looking to dig is a rectangle shaped pit, as long as the tallest person in your buddy pair and as usually as deep as waist height if you have the time to dig it down that low but enough so that you’re flat to the ground is acceptable. If there’s a massive height parity between you and your buddy you will dig as to an agreeable compromise depth.

At the end on the front towards the enemy you will build a small berm for use as a rest for your weapon, if you’re going to be in place for a while, you may in addition want to dig a grenade sump which is exactly what it sounds like, it’s a small hole used to kick any thrown grenades in to.

When you’ve completed this, and you know you will be in position for more than hour or 2 you will then cover it with a poncho of some kind (such as the MVT thermal poncho!) this provides you a basic element of camouflage, keeps your equipment and weapons and most importantly yourself, dry.

This is accomplished either by using plant (in the case of a pre-determined location and provided you can get the plant in unnoticed) or by shovel, spade or e-tool (in the case of the impromptu fighting position).

Conclusion:

Sounds like fun stuff, right? Well it can suck and it can be fun. I do however want to impart something on you that I wish I had listened to whilst I was in… USE YOUR FUCKING PPE. You, the FreeFor minuteman are a finite resource, I hate to seem like a whiney little bitch but its true. Helmets, glasses, gloves and knee pads are all replaceable, you, your eyes, fingers and legs are not.

I recommend that you must have at the very minimum a helmet, (MICH, ACH, K-pot and I hear the Brit Mk7 helmet is nice), clear oakley glasses in case of branch and rope ping backs and for running through the forest at night time if you lack NODs and a good set of gloves.

Remember that this role is SECONDARY to your infantry work, you are first and foremost a rifleman. You must be well versed in the tactics, skills and mindset that come from having had light infantry training, when you know this, the pioneer stuff will follow. You will know where to place a heavy weapons pit to slow down an advance on a bridge, you will see exactly where an abatis would be advantageous or where an enemy is likely to attempt to bridge across a river. So remember: rifleman first, pioneering second.

FS.

Things to watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJz_fOgjLKM 5 knots and hitches for the engineer (this is a fun one to practice with your kids)

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBA2D9F8DFAD05563 Sapper Lessons by the HossUSMC (This playlist contains everything a Pioneer would learn in the military pretty much bar the other skills that I mentioned such as boat work, knots and driving which you can do in your own time)

44 responses to “Guest Post: Assault Pioneer by FormerSapper”

  1. “All jokes aside, a lot of your work will involve digging a position in be it for sanitation…”

    A post on field sanitation would be most helpful. Where there is no doctor or medicine, field sanitation would be imperative, would it not? Not merely waste elimination but cleaning mess gear and the like.

  3. Should have posted with a warning; Warning this is hard physical work, not freaking fantasy play on the net!

    Lizard Farmer an occasional poster on his blog and WSRA had the tac app for these skills as defense of place. Basically slow em and channel them and then drub them in the beaten zone.

    • Very well said. Lizard Farmer’s post should be considered the go to post for making a position defensible and you’re right, it is back breaking, ball busting, thankless work but someone has to do it.

      Pioneers especially need to have be physically tough to not only cope with the rigours of fighting their way in to a position but making it defensible or clearing it of traps, explosives and mines and then joining the defence of the taken position. It’s a shitty job but just as necessary as any other member of a fighting unit in my opinion.

      • Good points.

        In some ways, lads and lasses in Afghan out on patrols can to a degree be classed as doing tasks that would have otherwise been an assault pioneers task years before. Every man jack was given a particular role wioth the multiple – dedicated lads tasked with ground clearance and safe lane marking, lads carrying scaling equipment for use amongst compounds etc, other lads carrying Ye Olde Heavy Hammer Smasher in lieu of mouse hole charges etc when a new “door” was needed in a compound wall.

        Like you say – it’s all back breaking and bollock bursting work!

        • Exactly, as well as the infantry having pioneers integrated, the RLC has dedicated regiments of them who for the most part have to meet infantry basics in fitness and shooting.

          It would be an excellent idea in my opinion to have a few riflemen trained to do individual tasks that the pioneers do but a pioneer section attached to a company who can get on with the jobs that the riflemen are not trained to do (and should not be distracted by cross training too many jobs) is also important, that way should the need arise, there’s no loss of a rifle from the company to go and dig or operate a piece of machinery. You could even stick 1 per every 2 squads and have them form up as a section as necessary.

          If all goes according to plan I’ll do some more writing about the basics including Submariner’s request. Fingers crossed we’ll get some military engineering SMEs poking their head in and contributing too.

  4. This system of “Guest Post” and relevant comments is a massively superior teaching/learning system to the “Internet-Forum” system. At least it is for me. I thank all who contribute to the quality of this Blog. I truly learn useful/relevant information here.

    Sourdough

  5. Texas is a bit of a hike from Max’s facility. Currently trying to figure a way to get to a week long course. Until then I attend courses at this school in Central Texas run by a retired Green Beret medic. Currently not a lot of firearm carrying tactical courses, but outdoor skills courses are well worth a look.
    http://thehumanpath.com/index.htm

  7. Any recommendations on where to get more detailed theory, design, and application of wire obstacles?

      • Oh, also in addition, google “en0065” which is the army correspondence course program manual for field fortifications. Last I looked it was available on Amazon for a hard copy.

        • Thanks for the introduction FormerSapper!

          PDF version of US Army Course EN0065 Edition B is available here:

          http://modern-prepper.com/download/fmsandtms/us_army_cc_en0065_field_fortifications.pdf

          Also there are two useful FMs to have in the library:

          FM 5-15 Field Fortifications (various pdf versions from 1940 to 1968 at https://archive.org/search.php?query=fm%205-15)

          FM 5-34 Engineer Field Data (It seems the last version for public release was more than a decade ago but there is a 2003 version that can be found online. Be aware that it was recently revised as TM 3-34.85/MCRP 6.3-17A – a joint US Army- Marine Corp technical manual/reference plubliction.

          A more comprehensive list of US Engineer Doctrinal Publications as at Sep-Dec 2013 is here http://engineer.epubxp.com/i/210900/28. Look to the Survivability ones for protection measures and the Countermobility ones for obstacles, canalisation, freedom of movement and maneuver.

          Be aware of the tendency over the last decade to restrict and classify FMs and TMs that were once, in a more free and open democratic and transparent society and time, “unlimited public release” in the 1980s and 1990s.

          UK, Canadian and Australia doctrinal and tactical manuals and pamphlets have always been more restricted and classified than US ones. If one looks hard enough online one can certainly find some, albeit older editions from the 1970s through to the early 2000s in PDF format.

          • Right on, good resources. Yes, the UK manuals (they’re referred to as TAMs and PAMs in the British Mil) are pretty hard to come by on the internet. It’s almost like they actively seek out and remove any such leaks ;)

          • A bit dated but there is a range of UK pams/tams that have entered the public domain covering UK ISTAR Intelligence, Op Telic TAM, UK COIN Ops, UK Media Ops, Stability Ops and UAV Ops from 2003 to 2007 at http://www.operationtelic.co.uk – look at right side menu list.

            Older UK Tactical Aide Memoire (TAM) Parts 1, 2 and 3 and RA (Royal Artillery)and RE (Royal Engineers)can be found fairly easily via search engine. Put in a search for “Tactical Aide Memoire Part pdf” (without the quote marks).

            On the second search results page there was a Canadian Aide Memoire on “Road to Mental Readiness” and a 2004 UK police “Public Order Standards, Tactics and Training Manual”

            Knowledge, and it’s correct application, is both a weapon and valuable force multiplier.

  8. I find myself thinking that it may enhance your quality of life, and surely your survival as Freefor Infantry Men & Women, if you stopped trashing those who can’t be Freefor Infantry trained.

    If you could find a way to empower others to support your efforts. By them having already established sanctuaries for your R&R, resupply, etc..

    It has long pissed me off that there is so much dissing of those who have established retreats, and can’t or will not attend Infantry training.

    You will NOT prevail without support. The land owners will have to choose sides. They will choose based on many factors, and their future and their families future will require them choosing as if their life depends on their allegiance.

    With all respect, I most strongly suggest that you figure a way to get others enrolled on behalf of your forward efforts. The life you save may be yours or your Infantry Brothers.

    I can’t be Infantry……..but I can offer sanctuary, food, clothing, first aid.

    Sorry, but I needed to get this said.
    Sourdough

    • Did you miss the discussion on the auxiliary? Or the parts in Patriot Dawn where the support network is described? Can’t find previous posts or go into too much detail – typing on my phone at site prior to the patrol class.
      One thing though. Unless you have an injury or disability that prevents it, there is no excuse why you can’t do pt and at least get basic tactical training, even though you may be in the auxiliary come the day. Ask the 67 year olds and others that have done my CRCD class.
      Its OK to classify yourself as ‘support only’ but you still owe it to those at your retreat to get the training and be competent. The ‘retreat sniper’ approach will never cut it.

      • I have not read Patriot Dawn. I am about 1/3 way through Contact. And I am NOT of the “retreat sniper” approach.

        I will look for the Auxiliary Discussion.

        • I can’t recall if I did a specific post on the blog. It’s everywhere in comments. The ‘network’ as I term it is a vital background to what the fighters do in PD.

    • I don’t see anything in what I wrote other than pure facts from a military engineering point of view… I haven’t said anything about shooters, mortarmen, pioneers, scouts or AA gunners being more important in the grand scheme of things? This post is purely about military engineering and nothing else, wind your neck in.

  9. This is a serious question, though it may sound snide.

    When you take away the truly specialized skills (e.g. explosives, heavy machinery operation, booby traps, mine clearance, etc.), how is the Assault Pioneer different than every other infantryman? It seems like those WERE the fundamental differences, and now they are gone.

    I could see if some other specialty, like a medic, would have better things to do than digging a hole (e.g. checking peoples’ feet), but what would the infantry be doing differently than this Assault Pioneer? Wouldn’t they all be digging holes? Is it just that the Assault Pioneer is the one carrying the “tools of his trade” (e.g. wire, gloves, pick)?

    • This was NOT about you, or your guest post, which I enjoyed, learned from and thank you for.
      Sourdough

    • I’m not saying that those things are not important only that we can’t really discuss them at this stage. Sure we can talk application and theory I guess but actual construction? If we was to leave the explosives out we could get a mighty fine discussion going on. I don’t like or agree with terrorism laws but really, you guys are a higher caliber type person by virtue of being interested in bettering yourself.

      I think from the few links I’ve dropped there’s more than enough for you to get pointed in that direction (for theoretical study of course…)

      Cliff notes:

      Explosives, mines and demolitions are an extremely important part of being a pioneer but this early in the game, it’s too early for us to discuss them publicly.

    • In addition, in the article I recommend that you become familiar with a few different types of plant including: skid steers, pile drivers, fork lifts and compressors (the big diesel powered ones for running compactors, hydraulic hammers and so on…). These are pretty much the things that are used regularly (at least in my case) but at the very least 1 of those small skid steer excavators would suffice knowledge wise.

      For example the Unimog Small Emplacement Excavator would be a very good thing to have available (although highly unrealistic that someone will buy one ahead of time, that’s 1 heck of an investment) or even an improvised version of it would be good.

      • Personally, I don’t think running plant, at a basic level, is much of a skill. I’ve rented skidsteers and backhoes before. With no training, I was able to get in, look at the pictures on the handles, and dig holes and move earth. It’s not rocket science.

        The same is true of laying wire, digging holes, using a chainsaw or axe, etc. None of these are specialized skills that require overly complex “training”. They are things most farm boys already know, or you can generally pick up by “doing it once or twice”.

        They also aren’t skills that are so difficult they must be highly maintained. If you’ve used a chainsaw before, you can probably use it again.

        So in our context, my impression is that these skills do not make a specialized type of personnel. If anything, these are skills that would become a natural part of the Patriot infantryman’s standard skillset, instead of making them the specialty of a unique type of unit. I can’t imagine putting the unit on “50% watch” in a patrol base, so that just the Pioneers can go cut down some trees and dig some holes. You’d need everyone in the rotation, and these aren’t complicated skills that can only be held by a “highly-trained few”.

        Am I way off base? If so, what am I assuming incorrectly?

        • I see what you’re getting at and you’re choosing to fixate on plant operation as an argument against the training of pioneers, which of course is well within your rights. You see, in the regular military, the reason these people are kept and trained is that the burden falls off of the main unit to perform the light military engineering tasks that the pioneer undertakes.

          We can spend weeks back and forthing about what is and isn’t necessary, I’ve put forth my opinion on why and if anyone should choose to avail themselves of the few pointers I’ve made then great. We’ll have to agree to disagree. Good to see healthy debate happening though!

          • In the conventional military I think the specialization of these troops rides on the advanced skills and associated equipment that must be carried (e.g. demolitions, running complex plant, etc.). Guerrilla Patriots would not likely have access to these advanced tools to practice the advanced skills.

            What is a Spaceshuttle pilot when you take away the Spaceshuttle? Just a pilot. Similarly, a demolition-trained infantryman without the demolitions is just an infantryman.

            What I’m suggesting is that instead of focussing on how Assault Pioneers are a unique type of troop, maybe we should be investigating how these solid basic skills should be incorporated into the standard Individual Task List of the Patriot, as it differs from that of a standard infantryman.

  10. If you are going to run a chain saw make sure your PPE includes all the normal plus chain saw chaps. These are not an option. The average chain saw accident takes 135 stitches. The problem is most are bright orange. I suppose you could go to a fabric shop and get some cammo clothe and sew a layer over them to make them more discreet. If you don’t wear them you need plenty of quik clot and medical training, chain saw accidents are bad.

    • Agreed. I get called all sorts for being a PPE nazi but I give 0 fucks, that is why I always recommend a good training course (no matter what it is you’re studying) and investment in the correct tools and PPE the very first time. Chaps are cheap, surgery is not, it’s exactly the same rationale as having a plate carrier, helmet and glasses.