Arrived at Base HQ around 21:00 with my assignment as PL, my first crack at platoon leader in the
ArmA theatre. Had considerable assistance from Beta, without whom I would have been quite lost. Beta took the role of SL for Alpha section 1, around 8 men. Beta organized his men and loaded the 5 ton with ammo while I plotted our attack of Gaula and Bajo Valor, East of Corazol. My notes are incomplete, but my best regards to the many men who joined in the action.
By the time we secured Gaula I had under my command Beta's Section one and a Jav team lead by the very capable Vector. The key to any battle is the squad leaders, and I knew enough to delegate and let them do their jobs.
After the men secured Gaula I moved the command post forward from the outskirts of Corazol and sent the Jav team North and Alpha team East, to secure Bajo Valor.
Foolishly, I remained in the open (and alone) at Command (Gaula), which made me an easy target for a lone enemy infantry. As soon as I was wounded and incapacitated Beta took the initiative and properly took command of the operation (a very astute move). Alpha resecured Gaula and I returned in a 5 ton, with Barnacle of Doom at the wheel.
Meanwhile, Beta was knocked offline, so I put Barnacle in charge of Alpha (Section one). Fortunately, Beta had his men well organized and guarding the perimeter of Gaula, so Barnacle had no trouble taking over and reacquiring Bajo Valor.
By 21:00 we had cleared the Bajo valley of enemy and I was recalled by central command.
A few notes
Beta was excellent at providing concise Sit Reps.
Vector's mic tends to clip out making comm difficult, but not impossible.
I need a better methodology for using air transport. Still green on the role and availability of paradrop. Sector_15554 did provide a solution to the issue but I need it repeated for my notes.
Use of comm gets awkward when individuals speak to me BUT do not identify themsleves. We must always be clear on whom we are speaking to, as voice and face recognition in the field are very weak (and by me).
SOP for comms require identfying oneself AND the individual to whom you are requesting comms.
Perhaps the solution to getting people into the field from Base is to delegate the entire matter of transportation to the available pilot.
All in all, an interesting challange and one I look forward to meeting and eventually mastering.
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