Volume 2. Operations. Chapter 3. Execution.

WARNING: It is not the intent of this text to describe the legality of what is expressed on this text. The text in the content should not be considered as legal advice. The reader is responsible for ensuring any action taken in relation to this document's content is legal in the reader's jurisdiction. The document is written for research purpose.

Terms defined -Operator:Operator refers to a person who is engaged in a combat operation. Operators' action is the subject of this text. The term was chosen partly because of lack of better words to describe the subject person of this text. Shooter only means a person who is engaging in a shooting activity. Also, the person had to be distinguished from military definition of combatant.

3. Execution. Start of an operation can be trigged by operator's unanticipated recognition of opposition posing certain level of threat in the area the operator is in. Start of an operation also can be a planned event. If the operation started with no direct contact with opponents, operators may choose to escape from the area. If the escape from the area is not a safer option compared to other alternatives, or if operators have other reason to take the risk of remaining in the area, operators need to take action to make the probable contact with the opponent happen in a manner that will give them advantages. Operators may choose to maneuver to a position of tactical advantage and hold it, or maneuver to make contact with the opponent, or fortify the position they are in. Under contact with opponents, some of the options that were available prior to the contact may no longer be available or lot more restricted, because avoiding opponents' attack takes priority and maneuver path or position may be denied by the opponents.

3.1. Ready state. Operator maintains certain condition to facilitate effective response to a threat, and maintain safety. Terms defined: -Stand by state: A state operators are in while engaging in activities other than combat operations, with the weapon accessible to be brought in to ready position.

3.1.1.

Equipment readiness

3.1.1.1. Firearm ready state There are certain guidelines that should be followed in order to reduce probability of accidents. Basic rules of firearm safety: -Assume all firearms are -Keep the muzzle towards -Keep the finger off the until you have initiated -Be aware of your target loaded, unless it is confirmed unloaded. appropriate direction. trigger, and preferably out of the trigger well, a gunnery process. and its surroundings.

Most people familiar with firearm lessons in U.S. will realize that the above base rules are different from what is commonly taught. The reason why it is different is that the base rules commonly taught is to give easy to teach reference, not to be correct in all circumstances in a literal sense. Quick and easy guide is not the intended purpose of the text, so this text goes by how the rules should read. Here are the rules that are commonly taught, and why the rules suggested in this text is different: - All firearms are always loaded. Problem with this is that it is false. Not all firearms are always loaded. And, it is sometimes necessary to operate an unloaded firearm in a manner which would be dangerous if it was loaded. Most of those situations involve maintenance, but also involves training, etc. - Never point the muzzle at anything you are not willing to destroy The biggest problem with the crudely defined rule of muzzle discipline is that operational use of firearm requires the firearm be in one of three states, which is ready position, firing position, and transit between the two; and the priority of not letting the muzzle point toward a 3 rd party person or property is below pointing the muzzle at a target or maintaining a ready position that most effectively facilitates the pointing of muzzle at a target on demand. Another problem with the rule is that regardless of whether you want to destroy something or not, a gun muzzle will always be pointing at something. Even if its pointed towards open air, the bullet will fall on something if the gun is fired. And, out side of a controlled environment, such as a range, it becomes more of a problem because there are things an operator would not want to destroy in every direction. With modern urban built up environment, people not only exists in all direction on a

horizontal plane, but can exist in any spherical direction. This leads to someone attempting to make unrealistic policy that affects the operation efficiency and safety of operators. One example is people making arguments such as a shoulder holster that positions the gun muzzle horizontal should not be worn because it positions a pistol in such a manner that it would point the muzzle toward a person to the rear direction of the wearer. The solution to that should be using a holster and gun combination that would not fire unless the user pulls the gun out and pull the trigger, not persecute the use of a shoulder holster. If a shoulder holster should not be used for that reason, no other holsters should be used either, because it would point the muzzle toward a certain direction and any innocent person can be present in any direction, even under the wearer if the wearer is in a multi story building with wooden floor. However, the issue with the generalized absolute rule does not end with an argument regarding method of carrying a firearm not in use.

------------------------------------------------------------------------Weapon status: Weapon should be kept closest to ready to fire as possible, to the point where the risk of the weapon being fired by an accident is kept lower than the risk of weapon not being close to ready to fire causing the operator to not be able to respond to a threat. Selection of weapons that do not have a manual firing inhibiting device helps reduce the work load and possibility of unintended activation or deactivation of manual firing inhibiting device which would result in a gun not being ready to fire when the operator using it thinks it is or gun being ready to fire when the operator using it thinks it is not. However, if a weapon with manual firing inhibiting device is used, the device should be disengaged to enable fire no later than when presence of an opponent indicating threat of serious bodily harm or death has been confirmed and the situation justifies display of a firearm, depending on the type of weapon. Some weapons with manual firing inhibit device, such as M1911 type pistol, has control lever in a location that is less inconvenient to manipulate compared to most other weapons with manual firing inhibit device, and that reduces the risk of leaving the weapon in firing inhibit mode relatively low compared to the others. Organizations that use such pistols often have a policy of keeping the inhibitor on until the operator initiates a gunnery process. But, most weapons that have manual firing inhibit devices have control lever or button in a location or form that is impractical to manipulate

with speed. Selector lever on an AK-47 type rifle is a typical example. And, even if it is on a location that is convenient to manipulate, it adds an extra task of making a decision and executing a motion that the operator may fail to perform. Firearms on stand by state for combat use should be kept with a round chambered, unless the firearm used is not cautiously designed with consideration for carry and storage with a chambered round. Operators should reload if they fired a gun and there is an opportunity to do so, instead of waiting until the magazine is empty. Ammunition supply should be monitored. For the purpose of a security operation, if operators decided to maintain contact and attempt to incapacitate opponents, it should be because the risk of retreating is higher. However, as the possibility of depletion of ammunition supply before operation is over rises, the risk of maintaining contact with an opponent may rise beyond the risk of attempting escape. Escape should be considered at that point to avoid ammunition supply depleting, if possible. Type of firearms and ammunition should be checked, every time it is acquired, and ammunition should match the firearm. Specific written descriptions should be checked. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.1.2. Combat ready posture: When combat operation is in progress, operators forming a certain posture that allows quick transition to motions needed for combat operations, such as maneuver, gunnery, will increase efficiency. That is the purpose of ready posture. A weapon should be held in a manner that is quickest to be brought into aiming position without excessively obstructing field of view for observing threat or collecting other information. It should also allow operator to control level of fatigue, so that a weapon in use can be held in position for the duration of the operation. Weapon ready posture also aims to control weapon retention and also adhere to basic rules of gun safety. Posture, whether if the operator chooses to stand, crouch, or sit, should achieve optimum balance between stability, mobility, utilization of shielding, according to which element has priority at the time. Because of the nature of combat, force may be exerted on an operator's body, and abrupt movement may be needed. The posture should be made stable enough so that an operator can resist a force exerted on and maintain the posture, or provide a platform to make necessary movements, such as to counter a force exerted against the operator. In a standing posture, the feet should be placed with certain distance, both front to back and right to left, for lateral stability. Feet placement wise, the operator will have least resistance to force exerted perpendicular to the line drawn between centers of the feet.

Low ready posture: This is a basic example of posture for readiness. This or some variation of it is the most utilized ready posture. Methods and principles involved is simple. In a standing position, the posture is formed by positioning one's body similar to firing posture with the front end of the gun that is held and arms holding the gun lowered enough for an operator to see where the operator intends to observe without the field of view significantly obstructed by the weapon or the operator's arm. This does not mean the weapon is pointing downward. It just means the front end of the weapon is pointed in a direction that would be lower than the center of operator's field of view when the operator is standing upright. Transition from ready posture to shooting posture is a simple matter of raising the lowered part of the gun and arm to line up the sight reference point to operator's line of sight to the target.

Operation Ready Posture: Description of Low Ready Posture is given earlier as a basic example of a ready posture. However, in actual operation, some variation of it or something different is likely to be used. As a ready posture for firing a gun, the Low Ready Posture is often the most fastest method in getting the gun in use from ready position to firing position. But, there are more things other than speed of getting the gun in firing position in actual operations that would often require operators to use a posture that is modified or different. One problem with low ready posture is that the posture is closest to firing position which can cause fast fatigue, especially with arms extended toward the front. A ready posture has no meaning if it cannot be maintained for readiness for the duration of an operation, and it raises risk if it cause too high of a fatigue to the operator using it. Another problem is the posture with weapon close to firing position often allows weapon to be positioned in a manner that is easier for a near by opponent to grab or push. Also, posture with arms or weapon extending far can be a problem with going through narrow areas. When a pistol is in use, a posture that is modified from Low Ready Posture by placing the pistol closer to the torso can be used. This is achieved by bending arms at the elbow approximately 90 degrees with the forearm almost horizontal and gun muzzle pointed horizontal or downward. This makes protrusion length of the arm shorter, and requires less power to maintain. The shortened protrusion length also gives operators more leverage to counter any force applied by an opponent who was able to grab or push the gun. If an operator takes a such posture with the torso facing some degree to the side so that the shoulder of the arm holding the pistol is more to the rear than the other side, the pistol would protrude even less to the front in relation to the body. This has some benefits. If an operator is trying to manipulate an object with the hand not holding the pistol, it allows the operator to create more distance from the object to the pistol. If an operator is trying to open a door, or control a prisoner, that allows operator to keep the gun as far as possible from whatever that may come out of the doorway or the prisoner. Also, the torso placement makes it harder for an opponent to push the muzzle direction to the side because one side is blocked by the operator's torso and pushing it from the other side would just result in the pistol's side pressed against the operator's body while muzzle is still pointed at the same direction. The muzzle can be kept in downward direction, but can be brought up by making the forearm and wrist straight and making that horizontal to shoot a close range target on the same elevation. The straight forearm and wrist can be better for control when the weapon has to be fired with one hand.

There are also situations where operators want to avoid pointing the muzzle at something very close to them in front. Operation ready posture modified to have a pistol in use close to one's chest with muzzle pointing downward can be used in that kind of situations. That allows an operator to keep a posture that is relatively close to ready postures with pistol held close to the torso with higher retention leverage and low protrusion, which is beneficial if that's what the particular operator prefers. The posture is known as "Sul."

In cases where a rifle is used, it is not good for readiness for an operator to break the stock contact on the shoulder. If a ready posture with rifle stock contact with the shoulder is feasible, an operator has a choice of how much a ready posture would be kept close to a shooting platform. Closer it is, the time it would take to form a shooting platform upon initiation of a gunnery process is likely to decrease. However, that also comes at a risk of the gun and arms blocking field of view and increased fatigue to maintain the posture. If an operator is using a near complete shooting platform as a ready posture, then it also can increase the time it takes for an operator to scan an area for observation because it takes more force and time to rotate a whole shooting platform than to turn eyes or head. However, this risk may be reduced by use of lighter and shorter rifle. With a rifle that is long, this method may cause problems maneuvering through narrow areas or indoor areas because of increased horizontal length of the posture. If a low ready posture involve too much downward angle, the time it takes for an operator to form a shooting platform is likely to increase, but it would give maximum unobstructed field of view. However, once the gun moves into peripheral vision area, more downward angle of of the gun to increase unobstructed field of view is of low benefit compared to risk involved with increased time to form a shooting platform. Although operators should utilize peripheral vision, it should not be relied on as primary means of observation. Some operators may take a median approach and only lower the front of the

rifle a small degree, so that the gun is not in the center of field of view, but not to a degree that it is moved off into peripheral vision area.

But, if operator needs maximum retention strength or have to maneuver through narrow area or unable to maintain Low Ready Posture or some modification of it, it some other postures can help. Postures with the rifle brought close to the torso with the stock between the trigger hand side upper arm and torso can reduce protrusion length and fatigue. And, it gives more retention power. When the rifle needs to be forced to rotate, possibly against a force of an opponent asserting force on the rifle, an operator can utilize the whole upper body and waist power more effectively to control the direction of the rifle. Also, the support hand being moved closer to the front end can be used more effectively to force the muzzle to point on part of an opponent's body

against resistance if need be. The rifle can be pointed low or high for various reasons, such to avoid pointing the muzzle at something on the same horizontal level. With the muzzle pointing downward from an operator's point of view, if can be utilized in a manner similar to low ready posture. With the muzzle pointing upward, if can be used in a manner similar to regular high ready position commonly used. Another situation when a rifle muzzle would need to be pointed downward or upward is when the space is to narrow that even the posture with lower protrusion length of a rifle is not enough unless the horizontal length the rifle occupy is shortened by pointing it up or down.

An operator may have to decide whether to pointed the muzzle upwards or downwards in a ready posture. In regards to countering an opponent getting a grasp on the rifle, abruptly pulling the rifle away can be used to either release the rifle from the opponent's grasp or point the muzzle toward the opponent. It may be easier for the support arm to pull the

rifle toward the torso resulting in the muzzle coming down when the muzzle is initially pointed upwards than pulling a downward pointing muzzle upwards while executing the technique.

Emergency/hasty switching of rifle stock contact side:

There are situations where switch of side of shoulder a rifle stock contacts need to be switched, but there is no time for a complete posture adjustment. The speed in switch may be required because there is an emergency or the switch is only temporary and need very fast transition to and from the temporary switched position, such as when temporarily switch in side is only needed during a momentary exposure technique in cases where momentary exposure period warrants a use of different side of

shoulder. In such cases, a rifle can be switched in position to contact another side of the shoulder by simply shifting its position to the other side while maintaining hand position. There's only a side movement of the rifle with no switch of trigger hand and support hand.

Maintaining ready posture during maneuvers: Movement during operations in ready posture may require incorporation of some techniques. The goal is to maintain the effective ready posture while on the move. Front or back direction movement is not much different from regular walking. However, the stabilization technique used to stabilize upper body shooting platform while walking(***** more details

in Volume 1 Combat Gunnery section) would be incorporated to some degree. However, in this case, it would be done in order to maintain balance. With the leg that is moving forward, an operator would make contact with the ground with the heel first followed by the ball of the foot then the toes. This is not much different from regular walking, however the difference is that the contact with the ground would be made in a controlled manner and the heel, ball of foot, toe contact would be controlled so that it occur in a smooth succession. This also serves a purpose of noise control while walking, and allow the operator to feel the ground for object that might induce tripping or uneven surface conditions that may cause injury when operator steps on it without taking caution. An operator needs the ability to move back and forth, left and right while the ready posture is kept oriented toward a certain point such as a POEZ an operator is concerned about, etc. In that condition the operator would not be turning the whole body toward the direction the operator is moving. Front to back movement is done as described above. However, right or left movement would be done by side stepping. Also, the side stepping may need to be combined with forward and backward movement, so that operators can move in a diagonal direction in relation to the direction the operator involved is facing. In such case a foot being moved to one side would also be moved forward or backward at the same time. Operators need to be cautions about maintaining balance while loving laterally at a fast phase. In order to maintain balance while moving fast laterally on a flat surface, moving the leg on the side the closer to where operator intend to move first, toward the intended direction, then moving the other leg would be better. If both feed are about shoulder width apart initially, the feed placement gets wider as the operator steps out with the side of the leg close to the destination and the feet placement would narrow down to the original shoulder width as the other foot is moved to form the original posture, although it might get narrower at times. The feet placement does not get narrower as the operator moves. This however would result in the operator's weight being shifted left and right as the operator makes each step. Moving the leading foot so that it will bring the operator's body's center of mass almost directly over it as the other foot is moved toward the intended direction and doing the same in succession would cause less lateral shift in operator's weight. However, that would cause the feet placement distance to be narrow. And it brings the feet almost directly under the operator's body as the center of mass of operator's body moves over the feet. The legs may be laterally crossed at that point, causing additional vulnerability. That has low resistance to losing balance. Although that type of leg movement can be adequate some times, the risk of losing balance or tripping is significantly higher when fast lateral movement is required.

3.2. Pre-Contact Management. With similar force level and capabilities, what determines the outcome of a contact is in what manner the contact occurred and how proper the response was. Proper response can be conducted only if proper information is had in a timely manner. This means that not only operators have to detect opponents, they have to detect opponents first. Every detection device from human eyes to sophisticated detection equipments has its limitations. Also, the situations and rules operators have to work with put further limitations observation efficiency. This opponent detection effort alone may not be enough. There must also be an effort to minimize and delay detection by opponents, and this effort must be equally emphasized. Placing oneself where they are clearly visible and identifiable to opponents who can blend in with environment and hard to distinguish from surrounding entities, and just relying on "keeping a keen eye" to react to an attack should not be an approach that should be voluntarily taken. In too many cases, opponents will not be detected or not be identifiable even if they are detected to forces that openly display their presense and identity until the opponents choose to expose themselves. That will most likely facilitate opponents' ambush. This is the reason why U.S. forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom are taking heavy casualties consdering the fact that they are fighting against relatively poorly trained and equipped opponents. There should not be any expectation that opponents in area will be reliably detected. When opponents in operators' area are not detected, what protects the operator will be not being detected themselves. Effort must be taken to make oneself as hard for opponents to distinguish from other entities in the area as possible. Route planning should also be done with low observability in mind. Actions should be less predictable as possible.

3.3. Contact Management. 3.3.1. Indirect or uncertain contact Situation where operators are detected by means other than direct observation, such as remote sensor, where operators are not under direct threat would fall in such category. There are also situations where an operator emits signature such as noise or light and it is uncertain if any opponent is alerted to the operators' presence by it, and the operator may be under direct threat by opponents who possibly detected them.

------------------------------------------------------------------------Negated concealment: Utilization of objects that does not provide protection from gun fire may have to be used to conceal oneself from opponents. But, when the operators location is revealed to opponents, the object may only serve as an obstacle. There needs to be a plan of action for situation when an operator's position is revealed, or possibly revealed, while using such objects for concealment. When an operator's position is discovered while being concealed from direct observation, but if operators are in an area that can receive opponents' gun fire, the operator should move away from last discovered position. The distance has to be enough to be hard for opponents to estimate the operator's new location.

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3.3.2. Direct Contact. Contact handling decision flow model: The following is one of many examples of decision flow models provided for reference. (1) Contact is a threat? If yes, proceed to (2). (2) Is immediate attack by deadly force necessary? If yes, go to (4). If not, proceed to (3). (3) Examine opposing force in contact. Will commencing attack enhance security? If yes, proceed to (4). If no, observe and/or evade. (4) Initiate gunnery process when shooting justified.

3.3.2.1. Threat assessment. If a contact is made with a potential threat there are many possibilities what it can be. It can be a 3rd party non-threat, unknown non-threat, unknown threat, opponents, etc. Operators should keep in mind the possibility of coming in contact with opposing force unrelated to opposition they were aware of. Operator should also be aware that it may become necessary to attack parties that belong to unknown or 3rd party depending on their actions. Display of false identity by any party is also a possibility. Threat assessment must be made with any party that an operator comes into contact. Plan for contact with opponents is not enough. There must be a plan for contact with 3rd party non-threat, and party whose identity is unknown. This is one of many reasons why "rush rush" tactics is dangerous, because it severely limits time and opportunity to identify contacts and think of options. There must also be a plan regarding any party, hostile or not, operators decided not to attack. Handling contacts in regards to unknown party is difficult. With no other indicators, the recognition may be possible when a hostile action initiated by the contact is observed. Under the assumption that if a certain hostile action taken by the contact itself justifies use of deadly force, it can nullify the need for further effort for identification. Otherwise, an extra process may be needed to recognize the opponents action. In any case, threat level of opponents' action has to be examined to determine proper level of force the operator can use within legal limit.

That takes time, and the operator should minimize exposure to the potential opponents attack while doing so. The operator should execute evasive actions, such as moving behind protective object, immediately upon recognizing an opponent or potential opponent, if the maneuver itself does not increase danger level. This may also open an option for the operator to retreat from the area, if the operator chooses not to pursue further contact with an unknown party when attacking them is not an option. Both processes should be executed at the same time. If a determination of whether if the person is an opponent or not cannot be made, escape from the position may be the best course of action. If it is determined that a person who came in contact is an opponent, an operator can take action to incapacitate the opponent according to degree of threat, unless to use of force is not appropriate in the situation. If deadly force is justified, gunnery can be used to incapacitate the opponent.

3.3.2.2. Decision to attack. Justification of attack: Once a party that came in contact is determined to be an opponent, an operator needs to decide whether to attack or not. The operator needs to clearly make up ones mind about what justifies an attack and type of force used. There must be a forethought about what will be considered an acceptable indication that justifies use of deadly force. Without that forethought it will increase the likeliness of operator spending more time to think about whether to use deadly force or not and delaying the operators necessary response. There should be a clear guideline which an operator can deviate within reason regarding what level of force use, or display of force or weapon, is acceptable for what kind of perceived threat indication. In many situations imminent threat of serious bodily harm or death is used as standards for justification of shooting. It is not sound to define threat of serious bodily harm or death in connection to specific type of weapons an opponent is using because many objects that are not purposely designed as a weapon can be used in a deadly manner, or in a way that may cause serious injury. Also, there are situations where opportunity to stop an opponents action that will cause serous injury, death, or other unacceptable damages will be lost if the opponent is not stopped immediately, even if the injury, death, or other unacceptable damages is not imminent.

So, opponent engaged in action causing high risk of serious bodily injury, death, or other unacceptable damages, and high risk of losing opportunity to stop the opponent if action is not taken immediately would be a more reasonable standard than opponent posing imminent threat of serious bodily harm or death. A force necessary for incapacitating an opponents threat may be higher in level or magnitude than the force the opponent is using. Therefore, any policy or law that is reasonable would not, and should not, mandate anyone to limit the use of force to equal level to that of the opponent.

------------------------------------------------------------------------Feasibility of an attack: If a threat is confirmed but use of force is not appropriate, or estimated outcome of maintaining position with the opponent in the area is not favorable to breaking contact with the opponent, escaping the area may be the best course of action. However, the operator can still use any proper level of force to incapacitate or decrease opponent's attack efficiency as needed during the escape, because evasive maneuver and use of force is not mutually exclusive with a firearm. Attempt to escape the area may increase risk in certain circumstances, especially when the attempt exposes the operator to an opponent's attack, and decrease the operator's attack opportunity and efficiency. Operator may also choose to remain and observe the unidentified contact or an opponent if the operator chose not to shoot for some reason. Contact with an opponent alone does not mean the operator in contact would be forced to take any action. Unless an operator is in a situation where opponents' also became aware of the contact with the operator or the opponents' are doing something that warrants an immediate action by the operator, the operator usually would have more time to make an assessment of the opponents. After such assessment, attack should only be made when the operator is in favorable tactical situation or situation would get worse if no immediate action is taken. Operator's gunnery process should be effective in that situation, and risk posed by opponents' possible reaction to operator's attack should be within acceptable level. Operators need to have an idea of their shooting ability in a given situation. Operator's maximum effective range with a certain gun system would be where an individual operator can maintain the size of probable impact area to a degree that an acceptable probability per each shot is expected. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.3.2.3. On-going contact assessment. Assessment of successful response probability and course of action adjustment: When a gunnery process is initiated, it may limit evasive maneuver, and it will decrease the utilization of cover. So, a judgment has to be made to determine if the benefit of initiating the gunnery process out weighs the risk. Success means an operator's gunnery process incapacitated an opponent without the operator being harmed. Even if an opponent has engaged in an action to locate and harm an operator first, if the opponent is not aware of an operators appearing and attacking, the operator has a significantly high probability of success. If the opponent is aware of the operators location, it will be a dangerous situation for the operator when both parties initiate gunnery process upon seeing each other. The following principles apply: -Party that initiates action, rather than reacting to the other partys action, gains probability of success, assuming same action is taken. -Party that has less number or motions or sub tasks required to achieve the same result has higher probability of success. -Party that has more information, or less time required to get the information required for the task has higher probability of success. Applying these principles, response effectiveness of parties responding to each other with gun fire can be assessed. For the purpose of calculating hit probability, target area will refer to the area of a target where a shooter wants the projectile to hit, not the whole area of the object a shooter intends to hit. Assuming shooter skill is constant, hit probability depends on angular width of target areas, angular movement of the target areas, and distance to target areas. A constant size object will have larger angular width at close range, and smaller at longer range. Between two different objects moving in same direction at same speed, the one that is further will have smaller angular movement. In contact situation where opponents are not aware of the contact, an operator in contact likely has a freedom of choice of when to attack. In that case, operator may have an opportunity to get to a position of advantage. But, when contact is made and both the operator and opponents became aware of it, the operator will be forced to take action within very short time frame. When area or objects that provide protection is not immediately available, the operator will likely have to respond by

attacking the opponents even if the operator's gunnery attack is not expected to be effective as that of the opponents'. However, if there is an area or objects that provide protection from opponent's attack, an operator has a choice in whether to evasively move to where operator would be protected, or to attack, or both. If an operator is already utilizing an object that provides protection from opponents' possible gun fire at the moment of contact, the operator needs to make an assessment to decide whether if the operator will expose part of oneself from the object to continue to observe or attack an opponent or move any exposed part of the operator behind the object providing protection. The choice will be affected by assessment of which party is likely to make effective gun fire first. The probability of which party would make effective gun fire first depends on following factors: -Length of time between when one party recognize the other party and when the other party also recognizes the contact. -Amount of each party's exposure to gun fire from the other party. If one party's body is less exposed to gun fire compared to opponents, by use of body armor, utilization of objects that provides protection from gun fire, or other means; it will generally take more time for the opponents to get effective his on the party. -Amount of movement each party needs to make and what is the amount of time it takes in order to get in aiming position: For example, the party that has one's body oriented toward a target when the target is detected will get hits faster than parties with their bodies facing away from the target when the target is detected. Parties that has their gun closer to aiming position of a detected target will likely get hits faster than parties that need more motion to get the gun in aiming position. -Weapon hit potential of each party: Each type of weapon has a different gunnery efficiency depending on the situation. For example, a party with a long gun will be more likely to get hits on target faster compared to another party with a pistol when engaging targets beyond contact distance. However, weapons significantly heavier than a rifle may take more time for shooter operating the weapon to get the weapon in aiming position. Through examination of situation including the above factors, an operator may be able to assess the probability of executing an effective attack before opponents' effective reaction. If the probability is favorable, then attack can be made. If the probability is not favorable, then operator needs to seek different options or different opportunity to attack, if it is available.

The above also indicates that when operators and opponents came into contact where both parties are exposed to each other's gun fire, security is greatly affected by relative speed of effective response. The more there is a gap in that speed, more favorable for one party over the other. Also, the factors examined above affects reaction speed and tactical approaches, which should be controlled in a manner that will create the most gap in favor of the operator when contact is made. Simply hitting an opponent before opponent can make effective gun fire will not be sufficient to ensure safety. Gunnery process has to produce enough damage of the targeted opponent to stop the opponent from attacking before the opponent can harm the operator. Otherwise, there still is a significant risk of operator receiving return fire with high hit potential, even after the operator's hitting the opponent first. This risk may not be always avoidable, because in some situations, the best course of action may be to attack the opponent with gun fire, even if it means exposure to the opponents gun fire. However, operator should consider actions that may need to be taken when when it appears that incapacitation of opponent does not occur when operator made one or more hits on target area and opponent's effective gun fire is imminent. That can mean targeting a part of the body such as brain, which may be more harder to hit, or aborting the gunnery process and moving any exposed part of the operator behind objects that can protect the operator. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------Opponent's response time: Operator needs to assess how much time it would take for an opponent who detected an operator in weapon range to deliver effective hits. This will depend various factors such as the opponent's skill level and weapon which operator is not likely to know. If the progress of opponent's gunnery process is ahead of that of the operator, the operator should assume the opponent will deliver effective hits before the operator can in most cases. For example, if an operator detected an opponent and the opponent is already in the process of aiming weapon while operator is still in ready position, the operator can assume the opponent will be able to get an effective fire first. Even when operator initiated a gunnery process before an opponent, if the operator's efficiency is not high enough to keep the progress of the gunnery process ahead of that of the opponent, the operator may observe the opponent's gunnery process progress catching up or passing that of the operator's. However, operators should also be aware that opponent's gunnery process against the operator does not have to be precise to pose a threat. Opponents may speed of the gunnery process and shoot at the operator even

if the sped up process has low expectancy of effective hits. So, even if an operator is in contact with a equal or lower skilled opponent where opponent does not have a particular advantage in starting a gunnery process or getting hits first, an operator may still risk opponent being able to fire toward the operator before the operator does. There is a possibility of getting hit by the gun fire, even though the expectancy if hit is low, and it also accompanies danger of bullets from the inefficient gun fire landing near the operator creating secondary projectiles or being hit by ricochet. Factors mentioned here makes it difficult to make an accurate estimation of how long the operator can expose oneself to an opponent before getting hit. So, the process may have to involve estimation based on operator's knowledge on how long a gunnery process takes to get effective hits corresponding to how much training is given, how much training opponent is expected to have, etc. Over estimation of opponent's skill level will be generally safer than trying to guess the exact degree and risk underestimation. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------Evasive maneuvers in response to direct exposure to opponents' attack and use of protection: In such circumstances, evasive maneuvers are mostly done to lower the opponent's gun fire effectiveness by forcing opponent to respond to target's angular movement and angular size change, or moving to a protected area or area of tactical advantage, or both. When evasive maneuver is done to make an opponent's aim difficult, operators need to be cautious to make angular movement or change in angular area of the target large enough to have a significant impact on opponents' aiming difficulty. Moving away will reduce angular size of the operator, making it a harder target for opponents. When the distance from the opponent is increased, the angular area of the operator will decrease by a factor of 1/(ratio of distance increase)^2 from opponent's point of view. For example, if operator increases the distance 2 times that of the original distance, the angular area of the operator would reduce to 1/4. This makes gaining distance helpful to avoid getting hit. Moving away in a diagonal angle in relation to line between an operator and the opponent targeting the operator can gain distance and lateral angular movement at the same time. However, moving away from an opponent means the operator would be moving at less than maximum angular speed, which is only possible if the operator is moving at a direction perpendicular to the line between the operator and the opponent. Maximum angular speed would be possible when an operator is moving lateral from the opponent's point

of view. More the angle is less perpendicular, the lower the potential angular speed. An operator needs to decide how much vector of the total movement would be lateral or moving away or closing in toward the opponent. Although, sudden acceleration of the target in lateral direction speed would likely make an opponent's aim difficult initially, the opponent soon may not have much of a problem with aim tracking if the operator is moving at a constant rate even if the operator is moving at maximum lateral speed. There is a limit to human running speed, and the potential speed is reduced if the operator is side stepping for gunnery process, etc. However, rapidly varying angular speed is harder to adjust to. This could mean maintaining only the maximum speed lateral movement long enough for an opponent to get effective aim tracking may not be the best course of action when evasive maneuver is executed to disrupt an opponent's aim. If the maneuver is going to exceed certain distance or time, it may be better to be combined with increasing distance or gunnery process. When an evasive maneuver is executed in order to get to where it is protected from opponent's gun fire, operators need to make a choice about whether if the movement is going to be done without interruption or if the operator will combine it with actions to attack opponents at the risk of the maneuver being interrupted. In certain situations, attacking opponents needs to be combined with evasive maneuvers in order to the maneuver possible while it may increase risk in some other situations. If uninterrupted evasive maneuver to protected area can be done before opponents can produce effective gun fire, slowing down or stopping evasive maneuver for attacks against opponents may create an unnecessary risk. For example, an operator may get shot and killed when the operator stops an evasive maneuver to a protected area to shoot opponents when the operator could complete the maneuver and attack from the protected area with higher probability of success if the operator does not stop. If the maneuver is unlikely to be completed before receiving effective fire from opponents, then operator may need to combine actions to attack, maneuver to reduce opponents' aim effectiveness, etc., in order to produce opportunity to complete the maneuver to protected area or incapacitate opponents. Important point is that whatever action operator choses, gunnery process to attack, evasive maneuver to utilize protection objects, evasive maneuver to make disrupt opponent's gunnery effectiveness, each action taken has to be effective. There are some common errors observed in training within some organizations. One of them is combining two or more response actions in a manner that none of them are effective. For example, some organizations train operators to shoot while taking evasive maneuvers in a manner that the maneuver is not fast enough for operator to utilize protection object or make opponent's aim difficult and the gunnery process during maneuver is also not effective. That results in an operator being a easy to hit

slow moving target producing ineffective gunnery that does not affect opponents. Another error observed is failure of properly apply the basic principles to decision making. For example, some organization teaches operators to automatically return fire before doing any evasive maneuvers upon receiving fire. Considering that an operator receiving fire means opponents are already executing effective gunnery, it takes a very long time for an operator to recognize the attack, determine a target, then start a gunnery process and start getting effective hits, that is if the operator is still alive at that point. From opponents' point of view, assuming equal skills, an operator in stationary position trying to start a gunnery process from a state of being unaware of the opponent is a far easier target than an operator that starts moving immediately upon receiving fire. If those type of trainers thought of the basic principles regarding response time and execution time for corresponding actions and properly applied it, their method would be different. Combining a gunnery process with evasive maneuver should not be done unless it can be done without significantly slowing down the maneuver or evasive maneuver alone is unlikely to prevent the operator from receiving effective fire until a protected position is reached. If the shooting is to be done while the operator is moving at speed fast enough for evasive maneuver, the distance has to be short enough or the target has to be large enough for the operator to get effective hits. Otherwise, the maneuver may have to be interrupted for a brief moment in order for the operator to execute an effective gunnery process and resumed in order for both the evasive maneuver and the gunnery to be effective. Operator not getting harmed takes priority over effective attack on opponents. Operators need to keep in mind that operator safety is the primary objective, and incapacitating opponents is merely one of many means to achieve that objective. Tactical decision should reflect that objective. There is no change in mechanics of how objects that provide protection is utilized. However, an operator in contact may have to maneuver to keep utilizing a protection object according to opponents maneuver. Any party utilizing objects for protection may use momentary exposure technique to attack another. Although that may severely reduce gunnery effectiveness, it would also make it very difficult for the other party to effectively attack them. And, it still is a danger to the other party. Also, in certain circumstances, gunnery executed in that manner can still be effective. Such circumstances include when the distance involved is very close, or the operator using the momentary exposure technique for attack has a good idea where to aim and how to position one's shooting platform for immediate firing immediately after exposure. If the target is stationary, it helps an operator to use that approach even more. However, that technique has a problem of operator losing situation

awareness of the area the operator intends to expose oneself to when the operator moves back the exposed portion of one's body behind the protection object used. That can allow in opponent to advance too close to the operator unobserved when the distance to the opponent is close. However, maintaining exposure to observe the area can be if higher risk, depending on the circumstances. When an operator totally shield oneself behind a protection object the operator would not be able to observe opponents and not be able to know their action or change of location, etc. However, exposing a part of oneself to observe opponents would mean risking getting shot. Either is a risk. Momentary exposure technique can be used to balance those risk and benefits. In most cases when an operator exposes a part of oneself from protected area for such observation, the operator must be able to respond to any opponent observed with gun fire or the exposure must be momentary, unless the operator observed opponents and none of them are taking any action that is immediately a threat to the operator. Operators should not continuously expose oneself for such observation and risk getting shot when the operator cannot respond to opponents with gun fire. ***** More information in Volume 3 Tactical Critic section. Operators should not be limit themselves to gunnery process or evasive maneuver. If there are any other means to disrupt an opponent's attack that can be used without hindering effective response, it should be taken. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------Equipment manipulation and weapon unable to fire situations. Operator's attention on equipment manipulation may negatively impact situation awareness. Equipments should be configured in a way that operator can operate it with minimal attention as possible. Training should also be configured in a way that makes operator be able to manipulate equipments with minimum interruption in collecting situation information. However, operator should give enough attention to effectively operate critical equipments. That means operators have to balance how much time and effort is given to be aware of the surroundings and operating critical equipments. One example is gun manipulations such as reloading. Reloading is faster when operator concentrates solely on reloading the gun in use. However, it is a risk for an operator to not observe the surroundings and not see an exposed opponent's action such as approaching or maneuvering to a position of advantage, etc. A risk that can be avoided if the operator keeps observing the surrounding. It would be beneficial to train to be capable of reloading without looking at the reloading action. But, if the

reloading can be done faster with taking a short time to observe the reloading action, and the operator decides not observe the reloading action to keep observe the surroundings, reloading would take longer time than the time it could have been. Any time an operator spends while not being able to immediately fire a weapon is a risk, and the risk increases as the time gets longer. Even if an operator observes an opponent charging toward an operator while reloading, there is nothing much an operator can do with a gun that is not loaded. If that time can be shortened by taking a small amount of time to observe the equipment manipulation, the benefit may far exceed the risk of looking at the manipulation action instead of the surroundings. However, the above does not men either the manipulation efficiency or observing the surrounding for situational awareness have top priority. In most cases, observation often requires operators to expose at least some part of oneself to anyone in the area being observed. When an operator is exposed to an opponent capable of executing effective gunnery on the operator, the operator needs to be able to execute effective gunnery on the opponent or take evasive action. One of the reason observation for situation awareness is important is to allow the operator to take those actions to avoid getting shot. When an operator is exposed to imminent or in progress gun fire from opponents, and not able to respond by gun fire, the operator should take evasive action. Observation effort to see the surroundings or equipment manipulation effort is a lower priority, and should not hinder an operator to execute evasive maneuver to get shielded by protection object or disrupt opponent's aiming. While the ability to do actions such as reloading a gun or clearing a gun malfunction while observing the surroundings is important, the reason why it is important is to allow operators to take evasive actions to keep them safe during the reloading or malfunction clearing process. It can also serve a purpose of getting situation information for continuous tactical assessments. However, its purpose is not to stay constantly exposed to an opponent's gun fire to observe an opponent while being unable to shoot back, and operators should not act in that manner. If an operator needs to reload or clear a malfunction while exposed to imminent effective gun fire from opponents, the top priority should be to take whatever action that would prevent the operator from getting hit by gun fire while the operator reloads or clear the malfunction. That would mean taking actions such as immediate evasive maneuver to an area the operator would be shielded by protection objects if such area is available. If an operator and an opponent with equal skills and equipments are fighting in the open, there is zero probability of the operator standing still clearing a malfunction and executing a gunnery process on the opponent faster than the opponent can execute a gunnery process. ***** More information in Volume 3 Tactical Critic section.

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------------------------------------------------------------------------Opponent's reaction characteristics: Some people may exhibit hyperactive tendency under stress. Many people would execute gunnery process at a speed higher than their skill allows them to keep effectiveness in combat. Some opponents or operators may choose to consciously do so when their gunnery process is not likely to complete before their opponents do. In many such cases, they might try to compensate reduced accuracy with increased volume of fire. This presents a probability of operators who has an advantage executing a proper gunnery process receive high volume of inaccurate fire first by alerted opponents. Operators should be aware of this probability, and not let it disrupt the best course of action planned. If operators are not properly prepared for this, a large volume of return fire with low accuracy by aggressive opponents can disrupt the operator's operation and put them at risk. This was exhibited a number of times by low skilled soldiers that ambushed soldiers with higher degree of skills and failed even when they initially had tactical advantage. Operators should not make any assumptions about how much risk opponents are willing to take. Some opponents may be willing to sacrifice their life or sustain any degree of injury to harm the operators. Opponent taking measures to protect themselves from injury, death, or other harms should be viewed as a means to get opportunity to harm the operator than reluctance to harm operators at the risk of getting harmed. Denial of opponent's taking certain course of action should be based on physical impossibility or certain incapacitation by operator's attack. Some opponents may decide to advance toward an operator or approach an operator while maneuvering around an object the operator is using for shielding to expose the operator as a target, even if it means being exposed. This is more likely when the opponent is using body armor, there by having similar shielding and reduced target area as the operator does, without mobility restrictions, especially if the opponent has weapons with higher rate of fire and more capacity to sustain fire. Without those tools, that course of action against an operator in a good defensive position may be a suicidal move, but some opponents may still chose that course of action, sometimes with multiple opponents willing to take some casualties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------Continuous contact risk assessment: Even when decision to attack an opponent is made, an operator should constantly reassess the situation with every opportunity as to whether to maintain contact with the opponents or not. For example, ammunition supply may get low, increasing the risk of maintaining contact; even though maintaining contact to attack was favorable for an operator's security when the operator started the attack. An operator may recognize that opponent's force size was larger than what the operator initially observed as the contact continues. Operators should have a planned course of action regarding situation when ammunition supply is getting low. The risk of maintaining contact with opponents versus the risk of attempting to break contact with opponents in a given situation changes according to ammunition supply. Maintaining contact with opponents and fighting may have lower risk than attempting to escape when ammunition supply was not significantly reduced or low at the start of the contact. But, operators getting low on ammunition supply and probability of depleting ammunition supply would most likely make risk of maintaining contact with opponents unacceptable even when that was not the case when the contact started. Keep track of: -Ammunition supply. -Opponent and friendly force size change from casualties and r einforcements. -Positioning and maneuver of forces. Even in situations operator made a decision to discontinue a contact with opponents, or execute evasive maneuvers, firearms' capability to attack targets at a distance still gives operators an option to attack opponents because attack and evasive maneuver are not always mutually exclusive and may help escaping from a position. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------Multiple opponent problems: Usually when responding to an opponents threat by firearm, an operator can only effectively attack one opponent at a time. So, probability of

successful response to multiple opponents would be increased by making a situation where an operator only contacts one opponent at a time or making a situation where series of gunnery process is made more effective. Methods include the following: -Isolation: In this context, this means an operator and individuals the operator intend to work on are separated from any other individuals by space, distance, obstacle, etc., in a manner that operators would have enough time and space to accomplish intended task regarding the individuals without being intervened. For example: If an operator attacks an opponent, and another opponent cannot intervene until operator completes an effective attack, the opponent attacked by the operator is isolated. However, this is regarding an operator working on any individual, not limited to an operator attacking opponents. The individual being worked on can be an unknown 3rd party and work may involve observing them or making verbal contact to identify them.

-Concentration:Maneuvering or use of environment to restrict opponent's positioning concentrated in areas operators can respond more effectively. One example is an operator executing escape maneuver through an area where multiple opponents would have to move through only one path in order to pursue the operator.

Use of objects or features in the environment that provides protection to cover an operator from opponents view or gun fire so that operator would be exposed to only the opponent the operator is attacking is one form of creating the situation. For that purpose, certain degree of directional and spacial dispersal of opponents are desirable. If directional dispersal of opponents is too large, an operator involved may have more concerns with coming in contact from multiple direction which increases the operator's work load and necessity for objects that provides protection that covers the operator from larger fan of direction. If the dispersal is small, then it is harder for operator to use shielding in a manner that exposes oneself to lowest number of opponent at a given time. To counter multiple opponents' maneuver to nullify an operator's position advantage, an operator in contact with opponents may have to repeat maneuvering to different locations. This makes knowing advantage points and open maneuver and escape routes important. Maneuvering into unexamined area has higher risk.

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------------------------------------------------------------------------Prioritizing target: Remember that the top priority is not getting killed of injured, not killing or injuring an opponent. There may be an opponent member who an operator can attack with the greatest probability of hit upon contact, but that does not mean the operator has lowest probability of being killed or injured, especially if it exposes the operator to high probability of hit by other opponents. Top priority goes to attacking the opponent that can be incapacitated with minimum risk. And, when there are multiple opponents that meet that criteria, priority goes to the opponent that poses the greatest threat to

the operator at the given moment. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------Alerted opponents: Operators should assume there may be opponents other than the ones observed or observed opponents who are not incapacitated maneuvering to where it would have tactical advantage on the operator's current position and where they expect to be your likely ingress or egress route as soon as you are detected. Expect alerted opponents to rush out of any POEZ the operator is exposed to at the moment. An operator should maneuver or position oneself as soon as possible to position where it would help the operator not to be overwhelmed by alerted opponents rushing out of those POEZs if the operator is not already in such position of advantage. If the operator was in a position of advantage, operator should still reduce the number of POEZ the operator is handling low enough for the operator to manage emerging threats. Unless an operator was already located in a position that gives advantage in responding to the above, operator should consider maneuvering to counter the above mentioned possible opponent efforts. In the operation described in this context, operators need to abandon the concept of advance or retreat in terms of gaining ground. There is only maneuvering to position of tactical advantage, and the direction of maneuver can be toward opponents or away from opponents. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------Attacking or observing opponents through OAZ: If opponents discovered a presence of an operator hiding behind an object that provides protection between the operator and the opponents, a space where an operator can emerge from the protection object would be an OAZ. Opponents are expecting that an operator may emerge in that space and likely be ready do attack if the operator emerges. Emerging and appearing in that space should be avoided if there is an alternative, unless the operator has an advantage in doing so. But, in some cases that is the only space an operator can appear in order to

observe or attack the opponents and such observation or attack is necessary. In addition to the principles of using protection objects, operator can utilize momentary exposure technique principles to observe or attack the opponents. Also, the operator can make the exact point of emergence within that area random, so that it would be difficult for the opponents to predict the exact point of emergence in that area, even if opponents are aware that the operator would appear in that area ------------------------------------------------------------------------Post incapacitation actions: After an opponent is incapacitated, operators should observe surroundings for additional threats and examine the status of the incapacitated opponent as required. If additional threat is detected, or if operator already had knowledge that there are more opponent present, operators should resume contact handling process. If not, operators resume operations until objective, gaining security, is achieved. Incapacitation does not equal death. Also, an incapacitation of an opponent should not be assumed to be a permanent state. Proper attention to incapacitated opponent is required. Incapacitated opponent should be treated as POEZ until there is a reason for the operator to believe the opponent cannot be active again. Operators should check ammunition supply and reload weapon as necessary. They should also be alert for possible other opponents who are likely alerted. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.3.2.4. Operations initiated in upon contact. Operators in this situation would not have been doing some of the actions required to make tactical factors in operators' favor, mostly because they are either occupied with tasks other than combat operations or situation they are in does not allow them to take all actions that would normally be taken during combat operations with firearms, until the contact involving deadly force allows them to initiate operations with firearms. This adds another problem to operators in that situation. The main problem is the issue getting the level of security level at the moment of the contact to be as close to what it would be if the operators were performing all actions to make tactical factors in operators' favor in combat operations prior to the contact as possible. Also, there is an

issue of denying the opponent from doing the same. A measure that should be incorporated is operators being in constant state of performing actions to make tactical factors in their favor even in a non-operation state, to a degree that is feasible in a given nonoperation situation. Such action would include tactical examination of a given situation, observation of the environment to detect possible hostiles, maneuvering and positioning in a manner that places them in a position of advantage, etc. Without opponents being detected, information to take best course of action would be limited in situation out side of operations, but it still increases the probability of better situational awareness upon initiation of operations. Simple example of an operation with firearms initiated upon contact would be a civilian with a concealed firearm getting threatened by a criminal with deadly force in a street, but there are more complicated cases. Much of the tactical factors and actions to put those in operator's favor in order to give operators advantage upon contact can become irrelevant if operators were not doing those actions prior to contact. And, without consideration to tactics, the handling of the contact can easily become only a matter of which side shoots better. That is one reason why some self defense weapons class have contents that mostly consists of combat marksmanship, gun handling, and very rudimentary use of protection offered by environment. However, planning of operators' security by relying solely on gunnery skills is not a sound approach. Even in situations where an operation was initiated by a surprise contact, there can be, and likely are, many course of actions that would make tactical factors in favor of the operator in contact.

------------------------------------------------------------------------Avoidance: Operations being initiated when operator recognized a contact when the contact is initiated by the opponents would mean the opponents likely have the advantage. The operator should manage the situation with whatever resources available at the moment. However, primary security strategy regarding this type of situation is to avoid a contact to become a one that is controlled by opponents. Most common method used and taught is observation to detect opponents as soon as possible. However, opponents will not always be detectable or identifiable. When group of people are present with no opponents immediately identifiable, observing them to see if their behavior and appearances match a profile complied from opponent behaviors or appearances. Simple example of that is measuring a probability of an unidentified person being a robber by comparing the appearance and

behavior of that subject to behavior or appearance exhibited by known robbers or M.O. However, this is never certain. And, the kind of actions being taken based on such estimation is limited, usually evade or escape. One method to avoid the situation is to be undetected. If detection is not avoidable, then next plan would be to be not identifiable as a target. That may also force opponents to take more actions to detect or identify their target, and those actions may expose them to operators. Another method to create a situation where opponents have to take action that expose their identity in order to make an attack. Adding a physical barrier opponents have to breach in order to harm an operator can force opponents to be exposed when the breach attempt is made, but that method would not be feasible in situations where operators do not authority to exclusively control the area. If an unknown party who potentially can an opponent is detected, maneuvering see if the subject pursue the operators or attempt to take position of tactical advantage can reveal the subject's identity or intentions. Maneuvering or positioning for tactical advantage over them may help, but that has a risk of the subjects determining operators to be a threat which can trigger a counter action when the subject were not in fact hostile. If the subjects takes actions such attempting to surround an operator or blocking a path that restricts operator's freedom to escape, the actions can be interpret as hostile intent and corresponding actions can be taken. A proactive action on the operator's part to avoid the situation controlled by opponents can make the opponents use more number or more aggressive actions which may justify operators' display or use of force before opponents decide to use or display or use their weapons. A subject being observed making an overt action that can be interpret as a threat gives operators wider range of options. Use of corresponding level of force, getting weapons from stand-by to ready status that displays weapons in view, or use of deadly force can be justified depending on the level of hostile action exhibited. If a contact cannot be avoided, design of situations in a manner that opponents have to exhibit actions that justifies operator's readiness to use force or use of force to a necessary level for operator's security, which usually means level higher than that of the opponents', would be desirable. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------Information / Situation awareness: Information and examination regarding the situation would be needed to decide a proper course of action. Even if tactical examination of a

situation that started upon contact would not give a situational awareness as good as that given by tactical examination that started prior to the contact, efficient information collection speed and efficient examination of the information upon initiation of the contact can raise the probability of finding proper course of action and recognize options that operators may not have known about if no attempts of tactical examination were made. However, how much of the work can be done would be limited by time and opportunity a given situation allows. Such efficiency can come from preparation and planning for such operations initiated by contact. Such information processing efficiency can be increased by knowing what kind of information that is critical and how to prioritize it. Operators should avoid taking action without sufficient info about the situation as much as feasible. Situational awareness wise, operators are more likely to have an incomplete information about the situation compared to when operation was initiated prior to the contact. Operators should examine the situation as much as time and operator's capability allows. If an operator decides to make a deadly force response overt to anyone who can observe the operator, the operator should consider if the fight is isolated from 3rd party or other undetected party's intervention. An overt deadly force action has a possibility of triggering an attack against an operator by 3rd party or even operator's own party who perceives the operator as a threat when the operator is not in fact hostile to them. Example of cases relevant to this cases where a plain clothed police officer in a gun fight against criminals being shot by other police officer arriving at the scene with no information about the plain clothed officer. A person justifiably using a gun to defending oneself from a criminal can be perceived as a person wrongfully threatening another person with a gun to a 3rd party or police arriving at the area. If there is time for examination, thinking about whether if the area operators are in is isolated from such intervention and formulating a plan according to it would be beneficial. There is also a need to think about how to respond to such intervention when such intervention occurs. Operators should also be aware of intervention from possible other opponents they did not initially detect. Although, it may not to be possible for an operator to always detect every opponent in the area operator is in, it may be possible to note people in the area who may be an opponent, and form a plan to counter possible threat presented by them if they manifest such threat. Operator taking action against a robber robbing a store clerk may not see the robber's team mate near by, and that team mate may even be posing as an innocent by-stander. If an operator in contact does not immediately have to overtly react, the operator may have an option to choose a time or or maneuver to a certain place to make an overt action , so that the operator and operator's target opponent is isolated from any other opponents or 3rd party.

This is also illustrates the need for operators to examine the situation, as feasible, to identify all parties involved and their relationship. Although all of those information is not available in many circumstances, operators have a possibility of doing a wrongful intervention without such information. Doing information collection and examination of surroundings as nonoperation situation allows prior to contact would decrease the amount of workload that would be required upon initiation of operation trigged by such contact. Information processed would involve things related to tactical factors, such as parties present, area examination for maneuver and positioning, objects that provide protection, etc. This also means, unless there is an immediate need to act otherwise, operators should remove oneself from situation where they can get into situation where they might be forced to make use of force decision without having opportunity to form an informed decision when they recognize a potential danger in their area. For the above mentioned reasons, operators need to take caution regarding incidents involving 3rd parties. Even when operators are trying to help a 3rd party, how operators will be perceived by a 3rd party is unpredictable. Even if operators are not attacked by 3rd party, the 3rd party can still make false accusations based on what they perceive. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------Maneuvering and Positioning considerations: If there was a continuous environmental examination being done prior to contact, that information would be used to execute an evasive maneuver or positioning in point of advantage with protection objects. But, without such examination being done prior to contact, or if the information is insufficient even if there was an examination, an operator in contact would have to execute an evasive maneuver if the operator is in the open. If there are objects that can protect the operator, operator may have to maneuver to use the one that's immediately available for protection for fastest response. That may give the operator the opportunity to respond to the initial attack, and opportunity to further examine the situation to decide next course of action. If taking time to examine the situation is feasible, operator can further evaluate which area that has protection objects would be a better choice. Some of those area would have more access to escape route, and some of those area would provide more protection from wider range of direction while being a dead end.

If an operator is in an open area with opponents in close proximity, it may be feasible for the operator maneuver in a manner that one opponent is obstructing another opponent's line of sight, blocking gun fire. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------Weapon in standby or ready position: When operators deal with operations not initiated prior to a contact with an opponent, they will likely have weapons in conditions that would take longer to bring it into firing position. Standby state, such as pistol inside a holster, would be what weapons would be in prior to initiation of operations. If operators make an assessment that they can get their weapons in firing position and able to respond effectively, even with the lengthened time, then there is not much to change from other operation conditions. However, this does not change the need for operators to take other actions, such as evasive maneuver or utilizing objects that provides protection to make opponent's action less effective or take longer time to accomplish. The issue is how much effort should be focused on getting the weapon in firing position. If an operator cannot get one's weapon in firing position fast enough to stop an opponent's effective attack by focusing in gunnery attack alone, the operator may have to think of some other options. In certain circumstances, an operator can hinder an opponent from getting a gun into firing position faster then the operator can bring one's weapon to firing position. And, that may get the operator additional time to get a weapon in firing position. Operators may have to use physical means other than guns to disrupt the opponent's attack attempt in order to get an opportunity to get a gun in firing position, or use the other means of attack to incapacitate the opponent if it is a more effective option. Time and distance may allow an operator to use evasive maneuver and gunnery to respond, even with a delayed response. But, if the opponent is in very close proximity, physically blocking an opponent's attempt to get a weapon in firing position or pointing at the operator may be done more quickly than trying to get the operator's weapon in firing position, and that may also create an opportunity for operator to get one's weapon in position to fire. If there are any means that would disrupt an opponent's attack that can be used without hindering effective response, it should be taken. That may include throwing useless objects already in hand at an opponent, knocking objects over, etc.

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