9th Brigade 5th Division training is conducted year around to help members understand the call to arms could come at any time of year & to prepare the member(s) for just such an event.
In the winter shelter & heat are a priority shelter building, winter survival skills, winter travel methods, cold weather operations & tactics are practiced to keep this in focus.
Besides shelter & heat to protect against hypothermia there is a need to replenish calories. Ice fishing is a primary source of food, it is asked that every member purchase a MI All Species Fishing License. Most member(s) know fishing licenses are good from April 1 - March 31 every year, buying the fishing license every year in March before the last years fishing license expires on March 31 is encouraged.
In some ways this seasonal training is to our advantage biting infectious insects have gone, the poisonous plants have died away, the trees are bare of leaves increasing visibility, hikers campers are not out, the snow insulates the sounds, there is a peaceful quiet especially during night snowshoe marches.
Two man rifle team four man fire team buddy system is practiced, you are responsible for monitoring yourself & your buddy for hypothermia & dehydration.
It is recommended that member(s) purchase a white gas hiking stove to heat water & food, set of snowshoes, winter sleeping bag, space blanket, sleeping mat, sled such as a JET SLED for pulling your gear & ice fishing supplies.
Your ice auger is used for making holes for ice fishing & gathering water at the same time. Make sure the thermos is only filled with clean clear hot water after it is purified to prevent contamination & cocoa is made in your cup with clean clear hot water from your thermos or from the container the water was purified in. This prevents the thermos from having cocoa particles in it & allows the clear clean hot water to be used with freeze dried rations or making of other hot beverages.
Having a snow shovel & bow or folding saw in the sled helps with making shelter, using a tarp to cover the sled keeps snow out provides waterproof material for use in your shelter. The sled can be use to haul wood after camp is established to provide heat to purify water & cook. Though the use of a small white gase or propane stove is prefered as it provides a constant level of heat when cooking or heating water. Lighting the stove outside away from tents & improvised shelter is important to prevent injury cooking should only be done in a designated cooking area. Use of candle for heat & light inside tents & improvised shelters is only recommended when proper ventilation " supervision is available do not leave a candle or stove burning unattended.
Conduct frequent securty halts, rest periods, all tasks are shared with your team member(s) while performing strenuous tasks to prevent sweating, wet clothes result in rapid cooling leading to hypothermia. Remove layers of clothing when hiking, working or performing strenous tasks & put them back on afterwards, have extra dry layers of clothing & sock with you, bring a second pair of gloves & hat.
Track discipline is to be observed by all members while traveling & in base camp, following in the same trail-tracks as the person in front of you & establishing a set of trails in base camp. Using established trails minimizes the amounts of trails that can be viewed from the air & gives the appearance of a smaller force.
Latrine Procedures A "piss tree" is to be designated & latrine area identified for santitary reasons once fresh snow covers a piss spot or fecal matter it could end up being scooped up by your team member(s) to melt for water.
When arriving at base camp or winter patrol base identify specfic areas, shelter tents area, cooking area, designated latrine area, team positions security positions LP/OP`s.
Establish routine(s) for 24 hour security, patrolling & LP/OPs, emergency procedures, tent set up use shelter building, water purification cooking prodcedures, stove use fire building, eating, foraging hunting fishing, resupply, latrine-trash-waste diposal procedures, weapons cleaning, resting, stand to full alert times, briefs-classes, dismantling & departure of the base camp practicing Leave No Trace principles.
Act responsible for yourself, your cold weather buddy, team member(s) we are out there to train each member, team leader, element leader, & headquarters staff to further our skills as militiamen, enjoying the experience year around.
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The following was copied from
FM 71-31 Basic Cold Weather Operations Chapter 3
3-50. Establishing Bivouac
a. General. Setting up a bivouac is a routine based on SOP which enables the commander to control the bivouac area, have it always protected, camouflaged, and the personnel ready to fight. Only the minimum amount of time should be devoted to pitching and striking the shelters and to general housekeeping. Bivouacking in a routine manner allows more time for daily movement, establishing an effective security system, and defense of the bivouac site. Finally, it allows more time for rest and to make preparations for the continuation of the operation.
b. Responsibilities of Unit Leader. On entering the bivouac site, the unit leader is responsible for--
(1) Posting a security guard.
(2) Checking the bivouac site.
(3) Determining exact tent locations providing the best natural shelter and camouflage.
(4) Designating an area from which construction material and firewood will be obtained.
(5) Selection of a water point, or marking off the snow area to be utilized for water.
(6) Designating latrine and garbage disposal sites.
(7) Designating a site for weapon and ski racks. Temporary placement for weapons and equipment must be arranged until the bivouac has been established.
(8) Breaking a minimum number of trails between the tent site and area assigned for firewood and construction material, water point, and latrine.
(9) Maintaining camouflage and track discipline at all times.
(10) Organization and assignments for the work details as follows:
(a) Clearing and leveling the shelter sites. In winter the snow is dug to the ground level or in an emergency, packed down by trampling with skis, snowshoes, or tracked vehicles.
(b) Pitching tents (when used).
(c) Cutting, trimming, and hauling trees and boughs for construction of improvised shelters and bough beds (when tents are not available).
(d) Construction of improvised shelters best suited to the area concerned.
(e) Construction of windbreaks, if necessary.
(f) Building necessary weapon and ski racks. Special care must be given to the protection of the weapons from the elements.
(g) Construction of field latrines and garbage disposal sites.
(h) Preparing a water point.
(i) Gathering and cutting a supply of firewood.
(j) During cold weather, situation permitting, starting fires and preparing hot drinks for all individuals.
(k) Upon completion of shelter construction, starting a warm meal.
(11) Maintaining and emphasizing cleanliness, tidiness, and teamwork.
(12) Upon completion of the bivouac, arranging equipment within the outside of shelters.
(13) Preparing defensive positions and breaking and marking a trail from the shelters to the positions.
(14) Maintaining a duty roster for exterior guards, fire guards, and similar assignments.
(15) Rotating individuals on all jobs on a daily basis.
(16) Assigning specific sleeping areas for all individuals in accordance with the duty roster.
(17) Upon establishing the bivouac, removing the exterior guard in case the parent unit has taken over the security of the area.
(18) Inspecting the area, examining the security, camouflage, cover, weapons, skis, sleds, vehicles (if applicable), and the conditions of the men and their equipment.
(19) Outlining and rehearsing the action to be taken in the event of attack.
(20) Assuring that necessary safety precautions are taken to eliminate or control any hazards that could result in unnecessary accidental loss of men and their equipment.
3-51. Shelter Discipline
a. When a shelter is finished, the first man entering it will arrange all equipment in the proper place. The stove, water can, firewood, tools, and rations are placed in the most convenient place by the door of the tent. In a snow shelter, a special storeroom may be dug for these items.
* b. In low temperatures, weapons should be left outside on improvised weapon racks in order to avoid condensation. However, as a word of caution commanders must insure that weapons left outside are properly secured, e.g., providing security guards or securing the weapons in an unheated shelter. When cold weapons are taken into heated shelters, condensation will form as the warm air comes in contact with cold metal. This "sweating" will continue for about one hour. If weapons are brought into a warm shelter they should be placed at floor level away from direct heat to minimize condensation. To avoid freezing of moving parts, moisture must be removed and Lubrication Oil, Weapon (LAW or Lubricant, Semi-Fluid, MIL-L-46000A(LSA)) applied to the weapon before it is taken outside. If the situation requires that weapons be taken inside and later outside before they can be dried, the working parts must be hand operated until the moisture is frozen and there is no danger of parts freezing together.
c. Before entering the shelter, hoarfrost and snow must be brushed off clothing and equipment. This keeps the clothing dry and the shelter clean.
d. To live comfortably in a shelter is not an easy art. Individuals usually are crowded and must keep their equipment orderly and out of the way of other occupants of the shelter. Unnecessary running in and out of the shelter should be avoided whenever possible.
e. The use of fire and lights in the shelter must be carefully supervised. Security, fuel economy, and the prevention of fire and asphyxiation are essential. When wood is available, it is burned in the stoves in place of gasoline. Lamps must be extinguished before retiring for the night. All lamps and cooking stoves must be filled and lighted outdoors. A stand or bracket should be made for the lamps or candles and they should be placed where they are least likely to be knocked over. Sparks on the tent or lean-to must be extinguished at once. Smoking while in the sleeping bag is not permitted.
f. As many tasks as possible should be accomplished before retiring in order to conserve time in the morning. All eating utensils should be cleaned, snow melted, canteens or thermos bottles filled, and all weapons should be checked.
g. Upon breaking the bivouac in the morning all personal equipment should be rolled, warm drinks and breakfast should be consumed, and last-minute details accomplished prior to resuming the march.
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Headquarters Mecosta County MI
9th Brigade 5th Division is responsible for the organizing, training & supervision of the Brigade.
MILITIA Mecosta County MI
9th Brigade 5th Division consists of the brigade headquarters, service support sections, sniper school, sniper section, & rifle company.
Mecosta County MI 9th Brigade
5th Division is compromised of able bodied citizens 18 - 60 years of age from Mecosta County MI.
All members are required to purchase & maintain their own rifles, ammo, uniforms & equipment. Members attend one 4 hour meeting & one 24 hour meeting a month at Level 1 & 2
The purpose of the unorganized militia is to protect life, liberty, community, local, state, & national infrastructure & to assist the lawful authorities of the state & nation in time of crisis.
If you are interested in joining or have a question contact militia5thdivisionmichigan@yahoo.com mecostacountymichigan@yahoo.com
This is NOT an official website nor is it endorsed or maintained by the US GOV, State of MI, or local government(s) in MI.
