Previously in...

HOW TO AIRSOFT: TEAM LEADER (Part I): Mentality

A TEAM LEADER MUST...

- A TL must constantly be mentally reviewing the position of the team.
- A TL must always be on the second line in order to be safe and able to manage the team.
- A TL must continuously analyse the terrain to be able to react faster and move the team better.

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DECISIONS

And this is not done by intuition or chance. He does this based on his knowledge of everything he has been able to gather, with good recon work or by ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance)

And often times the decisions are not simple. The success of the objective will depend on these decisions or they may decide the fate of your companions. There lies the importance of keeping a cold and analytical mind.

A TL has to weigh the fire power available to him, make an estimated calculation to determine if the enemy outnumbers you, if it is beneficial to separate the team or not, the risks of attacking a defensive position, or to move forward depending on the type of terrain, etc..

Sometimes the best decision will be to fall back, because engaging in combat would mean losing many of the comrades and a significant delay in the main mission. Or maybe you can try to fight, but if there are no chances of success, you do not try again on the same place, but look for alternatives to not stagnate.

It is very important to consider everyone’s opinion. Because, even if you are the TL and you are the one who has the last word, your colleagues may often have ideas that you had not thought of. But this is a double-edged sword.

These opinions or suggestions should not be asked in times of stress or action, because they would create confusion. But rather during calm moments where you can talk and discuss without reaction time being a priority.

It is clear that after having made a decision and seeing its results, both the TL and the rest of the team members can think "what if we had done this instead of that" or "what about this instead of that other thing". But one thing is very clear:

There are no good or bad decisions, only those which all team mates follow and those they don’t.

And this is true, the success of a decision, whether it is the most appropriate or not, will greatly depend on whether everyone does it to support it instead of questioning it. A chain is as fragile as its weakest link.

Take my advice, when you are the TL, at the end of each game, milsim or mission, carry out a small meeting with the team, listen to the opinions and what they have to say. At what point, in their opinion, you made mistakes or you were right. It will help you improve day by day and also help them to see that their opinions matters. And it will have an impact on you and your future decisions.

So, as TL, always try to take care of the mission, the survival of the team and especially the fun of your colleagues, who have placed their trust in you to play this role and make decisions for all.

Coming soon....

HOW TO AIRSOFT: TEAM LEADER (Part II): LOADOUT

WHAT DOES A TEAM LEADER CARRY DURING A  GAME?

-          Notebook and pen, to write everything down
-          Drop-down pouch or wrist straps
-          Roles more compatible with a TL role: rifleman, support, grenadier, breacher, etc.
-          Roles less compatible with a TL role: sniper, DMR, etc.