PMCI December 2015 | Page 8

pmcimagazine.com THE COMBAT LEADERS FIELD GUIDE The Combat Leaders Field Guide is one of those books that really should be in anyone’s library as it really is the “one stop shop” for topics ranging from equipment and techniques to communication and commands. It’s essentially a guide to the basic skills which must be understood and mastered by anyone in a military occupation and id updated regularly to take into account the very latest changes in tactical doctrine. It covers all the “skills and drills” that are needed for the combatant to prevail in small-unit dismounted combat operations, including planning, battle drills for offensive and defensive operations, patrols, construction and emplacement of fighting positions, use of weapons and calls for fire, land navigation and map reading, communications, close quarter battle, and tactical combat casualty care. It basically takes into account all the equipment, operational and individual security skills essential to anyone who is essentially acting in an infantry role, and this 14th Edition has been extensively updated to include the very latest lessons learned during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Although written as a true military reference guide the inclusions are equally as valuable and insightful for anyone acting in a Private Military capacity, as often this will include working alongside regular military forces; having a thorough understanding of their operational doctrines is something that will prove ultimately useful, and could just be life-saving! With 416 pages of text and 238 black and white illustrations this is a lot of book for the money that really should be required reading for anyone deploying overseas in a military security role. Author: Jeff Kirkham Publisher: Stackpole Books ISBN: 978-0811714448 Price: £12.99 8 pmcimagazine.com