The test site was set up much like a normal training session, deserted, with only a dim light in the middle of the testing area.
Clay glanced up at the elevated walkway before heading straight to the middle of the testing area.
For the past month of S&T training, the elevated walkway, usually occupied by Adam and two other instructors, was now filled with people.
Jason and Ray from Bravo Team stood on the right, while Adam, the special training instructor, stood on the left.In the middle stood Malcolm, who was better known to Long Zhan as “The Smurf”.
Even the chief instructor, who rarely showed up once or twice a month, was present at the assessment today. This highlighted just how crucial the S&T course was for special forces personnel.
As Clay reached his designated position, the instructor gave the command to reset.A familiar black hood slowly descended from above, covering Clay's head and obscuring his vision. Then, the door and a wall "split" in the middle.A dozen instructors entered and quickly began setting up the simulated scenario. Twenty seconds passed.
The first assessment’s scenario was ready, and the setup crew swiftly withdrew.
At the thirty-second mark.
The clicking sound of a store door opening echoed, and several incandescent lights appeared in the training room, not too bright but not too dim, simulating household lighting conditions.
When the 40-second mark hit, the hood over Clay’s head was abruptly lifted.
The lights weren't overly harsh, and the hood hadn't been on for long, so Clay didn't experience any significant light adaptation issues. He squinted briefly and adjusted to the brightness almost immediately.
During this brief adjustment period, Clay demonstrated his solid special operations fundamentals.He seamlessly transitioned into a ready stance with his weapon, turned the safety off, switched to single-fire mode, quickly surveyed the room, showing combat readiness, all in one fluid motion.
The entire process was seamless. Clang!A door-opening sound came from the left.
Clay's gaze followed his muzzle as it swung toward the left side of the training room, just in time to see a hooded figure holding a weapon burst into the room.
There was no one else in the room, but an armed militant had breached the door.
Clay assessed that this was a scenario where his side was holding their position and waiting for reinforcements, while enemy militants were launching an assault. He needed to quickly eliminate the militants entering the room.
The target was armed and showed clear hostile intent, meeting the special operations rules of engagement for lethal force.
Pop! Pop!
The combination of a silencer and paintballs simulating subsonic rounds significantly reduced the sound of the gunfire, making it quieter than a person’s cough.
Clay's shots were dead on, one to the chest, one to the head.
Control first, then neutralize, and finally confirm the kill with a follow-up shot, these are the "Three Principles of SEAL Indoor Operations," applicable to both regular and elite SEALs.
However, there was no specific rule for how many shots should be used to control the target during the initial phase of “controlling the enemy”.It all came down to personal preference, with no mandatory requirements.
Clay didn't use the Mozambique drill, using only one shot to control the enemy before neutralizing them. This differed noticeably from Long Zhan’s approach.It was impossible to definitively say which approach was superior.After all, marksmanship varied from person to person.No sooner had Clay dealt with the armed target on the left than the door straight ahead at the 12 o'clock position was kicked open, revealing another hooded figure armed with an AK.Pop! Pop!Another two shots, done quickly and efficiently.
He didn't give the incoming militant a chance to shoot and kill him.
After neutralizing two armed militants in succession, no more targets appeared. Clay immediately used this free time to deliver follow-up shots to the downed targets.
After waiting about ten seconds to confirm that no more militants were rushing in, Clay raised his right hand and shouted, "Clear!"This was the standard tactical term every trainee had to utter at the end of a normal assessment or training session. It wasn't just for training, it was crucially important in actual combat as well.
Using this term "clear" allows teammates to understand whether you're injured, whether there's any danger in your direction, and so on.This allows the team leader and your teammates to make more effective follow-up decisions based on this feedback.Special operations tactical language typically consisted of just one or two simple words, designed to be communicated as quickly as possible.
That was the hallmark of tactical language!It covered a wide range of scenarios. Even excluding squad-specific terms, the standard ones in the manual numbered in the hundreds.
For instance, during sustained engagements with enemies, a team member providing suppressive fire who runs out of ammo must yell "Reloading" while changing magazines.
This alerts their teammates to take over their position and continue suppressing the enemy.
Or, a team member on "Overwatch" duty must not leave their post or even shift their gaze without new intel from others.
They had to remain focused on that one spot.This ensures that even if a mouse scurried out, it would be spotted immediately.
When the room-clearing team uses the term “Clear!” to signify that the room is safe to enter and they’re about to move on to another room, they have to shout “Move” before moving on.In silent stealth operations, verbal commands aren't feasible.Instead, tactical gestures like "shoulder taps" or "PTT taps" signal safety or advance. This informs the team member on overwatch duty: “We’ve cleared this area and are moving forward. You can follow behind.”If you just walk off without signaling anything, the teammate on overwatch duty will be unaware of the situation, putting both him and the rest of the team in danger.
You lose rear security and could get ambushed from behind, while your teammate, unaware of your departure, remains stuck in position and becomes vulnerable.
Even though Clay was performing alone right now, the scenario itself was part of team-based combat.
Therefore, it had to be held to actual combat standards.
If Clay had forgotten to call out "Clear," at the end, no matter how flawlessly he handled the preparation or shooting part of the assessment, in the end, he would be judged to have completely failed and the assessment score would be zero.
Teamwork is the fundamental basis of special operations. Green Team's training policy in this regard was zero tolerance, so the trainees dared not be careless.Clay performed very well in the first scenario, and will now proceed to the more difficult second scenario.
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