Authoritarian Implementation of Battle Drill Six
In a controversial video that went viral earlier this year, soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division were seen conducting live-fire room-clearing training, known as 'Battle Drill 6.' The video sparked outrage due to the poor techniques displayed, with experts condemning the practices shown.
Before delving into the controversy, it's essential to understand the history and purpose of room clearing. This tactic, which involves entering a room or building occupied by the enemy, was not commonly used by infantry soldiers before the 1980s. Its popularity surged after 9/11, with iconic images of Marines and soldiers entering buildings becoming a staple of urban combat.
The practice was popularized by the creation of the 1st Special Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D) in the 1970s, initially intended as a hostage rescue force. Army Ranger units and Army Special Forces began adopting room clearing techniques from the 1st SFOD-D. However, conventional infantry soldiers have only recently been trained in room-clearing exercises to prepare them for urban warfare and close-quarters combat situations.
One of the primary concerns with Battle Drill 6 is the potential for unintended civilian casualties. Unintended civilian casualties may ensue when using high explosives, and everything should be done to avoid them. The discriminate use of high explosives in a room or building is preferable to launching a young soldier through a doorway and into fire.
Another concern is the safety of the soldiers themselves. The four-man stack, a common formation in Battle Drill 6, is not effective for conventional units to enter and clear a room or building safely. In the real world, the first man through the door into a room occupied by the enemy usually gets shot in the face.
Commanders face horrible choices in scenarios where fighting in cities with a civilian population is necessary. Exercising tactical patience and catching the enemy in movement or outside the building is another alternative to room clearing. Surrounding a building and executing a tactical callout is another option. Persistent observation and engagement by drones or attack helicopters is yet another alternative.
Maximizing soldier risk instead of minimizing it is always the wrong choice. Despite the losses incurred during operations like the Second Battle of Fallujah in 2004, where US forces suffered heavy casualties, with 95 killed and 560 wounded, many while entering buildings, the enthusiasm for Battle Drill 6 and room clearing in general has persisted.
The division's command sergeant major promised to 'fix this' in response to the resulting furor. However, it's crucial to note that conventional units are not given the resources to effectively enter and clear a room or building with a modicum of safety.
It's essential to remember that the views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense. Richard D. Hooker, a 1981 graduate of the US Military Academy who served five combat tours, culminating with command of a parachute brigade in Iraq, underscores the importance of prioritizing soldier safety and minimizing civilian casualties in all military operations.
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