What are your thoughts on MOUT/building clearing?

I like the idea of using tanks and Apaches....much safer that way.

If taught and performed properly by qualified personnel, then the training can be extremely valuable.

I think there are a lot of factors that go into this that are lost. Hollywood can be to blame for this. And you always have that one guy in your unit that thinks he is delta dan and knows it all because he cleared a room once 4 years ago. It can be simple or complex. But slow is smooth and smooth is fast. We got caught up so much on techniques. As long as it works there is nothing really wrong with it. Here are some of my pointers and common errors.

1. Never switch firing sides. I have cleared my share of buildings in the past. This is one of those good idea fairies. To be proficient in this takes far more time than we are afforded. It looks cool but I wouldn't want to be in a gun fight firing from a position I am not comfortable with. I train to fire with my non firing side but that is as a last resort. I will only do that if I absolutely have too.

2. The stack is not that complicated. As long as you can get in the room that is fine. If your TL is the 2 or 3 man it isn't a big deal your unit's SOP should deal with this. Just don't send in a saw in the front. that is a no-no. One trick that I learned from a friend in the Rangers is that the 1 man always goes right. It doesn't matter how the door is set. He does so because the 2 man will go in on his left and you can get two guns in the door at nearly the same time. You can only do this by the 2 man knowing exactly where the 1 man is going. If not the 1 man may cut across and slow down the 2 man. But this is only a techique and not the only way.

3. Point back outside can be stupid. If you have an outer cordon then you really don't need this. Sure you need someone controlling the point of entry of those coming in and out but you automatically always post a man pulling security out the door when you already have guys there.

4. Marking. This gets to me the most. The marking of a building does two things. It shows the front line trace of the soldiers and notifies that the building is secure. What happens is that some make the building and leave the building marked even after they leave. That makes no sense really. Once you leave the building shouldn't be treated as it if clear anymore. It doesn't mean an enemy can't get in there after you cleared it. Also if you leave a marking there there is a chance the enemy can grab it and use it against you. So you show up to a house that you think is cleared thanks to that high speed wolf tale, marking, and you find that it isn't.

5. SOPs. Your unit should have their TACSOP on hand and constantly refine it to improve it and ensure all the new soldiers know it.