SOP (Tactics) - Fire Discipline

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SOP (Tactics) - Fire Discipline

What is Fire Discipline?
Fire Discipline in real military units may generally be defined as a set of RoE (rules of engagement), primarily designed to deliver optimal weapons fire on the enemy, while consuming the least amount of ammunition and minimizing any friendly casualties.

Why use Fire Discipline Techniques?
In our virtual world of BF2, one of the most frustrating events is having team members open fire indiscriminately on their own, often without warning. Many times, players fail to think about these actions, as to how they might affect another team member caught out in open ground, or about the possibility of bringing to bear more of the team's firepower simultaneously, in order to maximize enemy casualties.

RoE for Fire Discipline can get quite complex, but for purposes of our virtual BF2 gaming world, we'll keep it very simple. In essence, there are three "Fire Conditions" which may be set by the Squad Leader. They follow the classic stoplight we all see during daily driving.

GREEN (Sometimes called "Engage at Will")
Team members may engage the enemy at will using their own best judgment, as to whether their primary personal weapons, or the addition of other team members' firepower will have the maximum neutralizing effect on the enemy. If they choose to open fire, it's good form to advise other team members that they are about to open fire and engage the enemy, effectively warning them to seek immediate cover.

YELLOW (May be referred to as "Orange")
Team members may engage the enemy at will, ONLY if spotted or fired upon themselves. If they spot enemy forces, they should seek immediate safe cover and send a "Contact Report", then await further instructions. However, if they see an opportunistic situation to engage and maximize enemy casualties without jeopardizing the mission goals, they may exercise their own judgment and go GREEN to engage at will. If they choose to open fire, it's good form to advise other team members that they are about to open fire and engage the enemy, effectively warning them to seek immediate cover. Once friendly fire commences, Fire Condition GREEN automatically takes immediate effect.

RED (Sometimes called "Fire by Command")
Team members are in a "Fire Hold" condition and they DO NOT engage or fire on the enemy without a command order, usually from their Squad Leader. If they spot enemy forces, they should seek immediate safe cover and send a "Contact Report", then await further instructions. If enemy forces fire in their general direction without seeming to know where friendly forces are deployed (often called Spec Fire), team members DO NOT return fire unless ordered. Once friendly fire commences, Fire Condition GREEN automatically takes immediate effect.

Additional Notes
The overriding principle to all of the above conditions is called COMMON SENSE. In other words, if at anytime the personal safety of a team member or themselves is jeopardized due to the enemy spotting or firing directly (no Spec Fire) upon the team, they should immediately engage with aggressive suppressing fire. Once the situation calms down, then they can send the appropriate "Contact Report" or AAR indicating current status. Once reactive friendly fire such as this commences, Fire Condition GREEN automatically takes immediate effect.

After a bit of practice using this technique, it becomes almost second nature and makes it much easier to maintain good fire discipline, which often can make a critical difference to the overall success or failure of the mission. We would encourage all players on any TacticalGamer BF2 public server to understand and utilize this Fire Discipline SOP as much as possible.