I've been a part of a number of discussions about "tactical" lights over the years. Should they be attached to your weapon? Should they be in your hand? If they're in your hand, how should they be held? I'm going to try to steer clear of the all-too-frequent argument of weapon-mounted lights vs. handheld lights and would appreciate it if those of you who comment would do the same. These principles should apply whether you prefer weapon-mounted or handheld lights.
Many of my opinions about light use were formed about 25 years ago during some advanced Army training in which I took part. I'm going to try to recall some of the basics from that training for the benefit of our membership.
Excuse me while I knock off the rust ....
1. Never wander around a potentially dangerous area with your light constantly lit. Anyone in the AO with an intent to do you harm will have a very nice target at which to aim if you break this rule.
2. Use bursts of light. This is one of the reasons I like lights with momentary switches. You can quickly depress the switch, flash an area with light and simply release the switch to darken the area again. Using bursts of light accomplishes a couple things. First, it helps maintain some of your night vision as your eyes don't have as long to make changes to a brighter condition. Second, it can be more disorienting to someone trying to nail down your location - especially when coupled with #'s 3 & 4. Don't sweep your light around too much.
3. Move. After you've turned off your light from your burst, you should change location. Vary your pattern. Move immediately sometimes. Wait a second other times. Move vertically. Move laterally. Be unpredictable in your movements. Combine this with unpredictable bursts - duration, direction, etc.
4. Move to cover. Identify your next area of cover during your burst but try to avoid moving toward cover that was immediately in line with your last burst. For example, if you direct a burst of light at your 11:00. You may spot cover at 9:00 or 1:00. Do not move to cover at your 11:00 if you can avoid it.
5. If you are working with a partner. Do not silhouette your partner.
6. There's nothing wrong with a burst of light while you're on the move.
7. If you have identified a target, aim your light at the base of the target - as opposed to aiming directly at center of mass (COM) or the place you intend to fire. This will do two things. First, it will provide sufficient illumination of the target to allow you to hit it accurately without damaging your night vision. Second, you will not limit your vision by illuminating the smoke recently released from your weapon and creating unintentional concealment for your target. Admittedly, this is virtually impossible to do with a weapon-mounted light but I promised to avoid that argument.
8. If you know where your target's eyes are there is nothing wrong with a long burst of light aimed at their eyes to damage their night vision and disorient them.
9. These are basics. Your situation may dictate other tactics but they should be in line with these principles.
Many of my opinions about light use were formed about 25 years ago during some advanced Army training in which I took part. I'm going to try to recall some of the basics from that training for the benefit of our membership.
Excuse me while I knock off the rust ....
1. Never wander around a potentially dangerous area with your light constantly lit. Anyone in the AO with an intent to do you harm will have a very nice target at which to aim if you break this rule.
2. Use bursts of light. This is one of the reasons I like lights with momentary switches. You can quickly depress the switch, flash an area with light and simply release the switch to darken the area again. Using bursts of light accomplishes a couple things. First, it helps maintain some of your night vision as your eyes don't have as long to make changes to a brighter condition. Second, it can be more disorienting to someone trying to nail down your location - especially when coupled with #'s 3 & 4. Don't sweep your light around too much.
3. Move. After you've turned off your light from your burst, you should change location. Vary your pattern. Move immediately sometimes. Wait a second other times. Move vertically. Move laterally. Be unpredictable in your movements. Combine this with unpredictable bursts - duration, direction, etc.
4. Move to cover. Identify your next area of cover during your burst but try to avoid moving toward cover that was immediately in line with your last burst. For example, if you direct a burst of light at your 11:00. You may spot cover at 9:00 or 1:00. Do not move to cover at your 11:00 if you can avoid it.
5. If you are working with a partner. Do not silhouette your partner.
6. There's nothing wrong with a burst of light while you're on the move.
7. If you have identified a target, aim your light at the base of the target - as opposed to aiming directly at center of mass (COM) or the place you intend to fire. This will do two things. First, it will provide sufficient illumination of the target to allow you to hit it accurately without damaging your night vision. Second, you will not limit your vision by illuminating the smoke recently released from your weapon and creating unintentional concealment for your target. Admittedly, this is virtually impossible to do with a weapon-mounted light but I promised to avoid that argument.
8. If you know where your target's eyes are there is nothing wrong with a long burst of light aimed at their eyes to damage their night vision and disorient them.
9. These are basics. Your situation may dictate other tactics but they should be in line with these principles.