Snow Dog 2009, February 6th, 7th, and 8th
Our annual winter survival training extravaganza will begin Friday, February 6th, with an advance deployment at 2000hrs (that's 8:00PM, Matt...). Advance team will secure the perimeter, build a fire, post guards, post guides, and maintain radio watch. We will monitor FRS Channel 2, ALT Channel 5, and if you have a CB, bring it, and we will monitor channel 2 and/or 22. Amateur radio operators, we will be on 146.420, if we have operators present.
List of equipment to bring:
Level One Gear
Snow camo for yourself AND your gear
Snow boots (NO jungle boots, and NO NO NO steel toes)
Winter jacket
Pants 2 Pair
Gloves 2 Pair
One of your sets of gloves MUST be waterproof
Balaclava or ski-mask
Thermal underwear/long johns/polypropylene
Wool socks 2 pair AT LEAST
Towel (see: Hitchhikers' Guide to The Galaxy by Doug Adams...)
Winter sleeping bag (yes, there IS a difference)
Personal shelter. tarp or poncho
Gear sled (not that cute little tyke ammo sled that Tom had...)
Ski poles or walking sticks
Winter or metal canteen
Snowglasses, Sunglasses or tinted goggles
Food for 3 days, in your gear, NOT in your car
One gallon of water, MINIMUM. At least one quart in a canteen carried on your person.
Roll of toilet paper. Bring one.
Optional equipment:
E-tool or small shovel
Snow shoes
Skis
Small propane or other stove. Butane might not work.
Chemical hand and/or toe warmer packs
Tent
Extra food, water, and toilet paper
Flashlight with blue and/or red lens
Note: The Support team will prepare one hot meal per day. The rest is on you. This is a test of our support function, but primarily a test of individual survival and tactical ability.
Winter skills you will perform:
Note: Skills may be demonstrated individually, or as part of a two-person buddy team
Construct a winter shelter for yourself.
Build a fire
Gather firewood
Dry your boots and clothing
Thaw drinking water
Prepare a hot meal for yourself
Winterize your rifle
Transport your gear with your sled
Camouflage yourself and your gear for winter
Winter first aid skills to demonstrate:
Transport a casualty with your sled
Treat a casualty for hypothermia
Treat a casualty for dehydration
Treat a casualty for frostbite
Treat a casualty for snow blindness
Winter shooting skills:
Shoot ten shots from a prone position at a 9" plate at 100 yards (have you ever shot while laying in the snow, sinking in, getting all cozy with the frozen ground???)
You will shoot from a standing position using ski poles or sticks.
Stress fire drill. You will move one mile, and then quickly engage a target at 100 yards using either your ski poles, or using your pack and sled as cover.
Four-pin shoot. In the snow. Boo-Yah.
Low light shooting. In winter conditions.
Tactical Team Skill:
Your team will set up a winter ambush. Use good camouflage and concealment.
Support Skills:
Provide support for a militia unit during winter operations
Provide photographic and videographic support for a militia unit
Everyone is welcome to participate in this support function.
Schedule of Events:
Friday, February 6th:
2000- Advance team deploys to camp, secure perimeter, build fire, post guards, and establish radio watch, if personnel are available.
2300- Midrats, hot food and drink
2400- Change of watch
Saturday, February 7th
0400- Guard duty as needed
0600- Stand to procedures, medical check, breakfast, hydration, hygiene. Persons may perform some winter skills, such as fire building, during this time.
0800- Gear up, camo, gear check. 1st squad: two team bounding in woods. 2nd squad: conduct road march.
1000- Survival skills check. Fire, shelter, water, etc.
1200- Construct shelters and first aid skills check. One squad eats, other squad trains. Lunch by YOU.
1400- 10 shots from the prone. Hydration check.
1500- Continue shooting. 10 shots from ski poles or sticks, or from behind your sled. Or both.
1600- Stress shooting. Move one mile, then quickly engage from tactical position.
@1700 Stand down procedures as determined by EENT.
1800- Low light shooting, and other winter skills.
2000- Hot meal by support staff.
2100- Night movement, patrols.
2300- Guard duty, unit retires for evening.
Sunday, February 8th:
0800- Wake up call, hot meal by support team
0900- Transport victim by sled, other first aid skills.
Persons may complete any unfinished winter skills at this time.
1100- Four pin shoot
1200- Lunch. Provided by YOU.
1300- Open range and cold weather pistol shoot. Snowshoe and ski practice for those interested.
1500- End of exercise.
Note: If you DO NOT wish to have your face seen on this web page, cover it up. It will be cold, anyway.
Note: Instructors, evaluators, training persons, support persons, AND photographers are needed for this event.
Feel free to contact webmaster@michiganmilitia.com to volunteer.
Stay ready, stay warm.
-Weapon M