Getting Beyond Door Kicking: Four Tasks for Urban Warriors - Modern War Institute

This is training that really needs emphasis. I still don't understand why with all the lessons learned why we shy away from it when we're not about to be in an urban fight.

When I received urban warfare training in West Berlin, we practiced most of what is preached here. We moved from open spaces to buildings using smoke, cover, and concealment. We moved from building to building using sewer systems and other unusual routes.

We built up defensive positions using hundreds and hundreds of sandbags. We were taught which buildings and floors were ideal to defend and how to set up squad, platoon, and company defensive perimeters.

Demolition training is paramount to clearing obstacles, and most infantry units should practice this diligently.

I would say that the most important part of the article is how to survive in cities. There is not enough training in scavenging food and water, orienting and mapping suburban settings including potential ambush sites, and determining the differences between water lines, gas lines, and electrical lines.

Thanks for a great article on TRADOC.