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Cold Weather Survival |
| Chapter
1 - Introduction
1-1. Purpose and Scope
a. This manual is designed to prepare the individual
soldier and small unit commander to conduct military operations for extended periods
of time under the most severe and varying cold weather climatic conditions. The
doctrine and techniques in the manual are applicable in any area that has cold
weather
and snow with their accompanying operational problems. Troops properly
trained in this doctrine and these techniques will be able to fight; live; and
move in any cold weather area of the world.
b. The provisions of SOLOG Agreement
23R, Arctic Doctrine are implemented in this manual.
c. The material contained
herein emphasizes that cold, with its attendant problems affects military operations
but does not prevent them. The proper use of authorized equipment and field expedients
will, to a major degree, overcome any problems encountered as a result of the
cold. It is the commander’s responsibility to train his men so they can make the
environment save military operations, not hinder them. The material presented
herein is applicable, without modification to nuclear and nonnuclear warfare,
employment of, and protection from, chemical, biological, and radiological agents,
and internal defense and development operations.
d. Throughout this manual
reference is made to the additional time required to conduct various tasks in
cold weather operations. This requirement cannot be overemphasized and must be
included in all planning. In addition to the increased amount of time consumed
in actual movement, allowance must be made for other time consuming tasks that
are not present in temperate zone operations. These include, among others, erecting
and striking tents, performing maintenance, constructing roads, starting and warming
engines, movement of supplies, and hundreds of other small tasks that must be
performed while wearing bulky cold weather clothing.
e. Insofar as possible
illustrations used in this manual reflect Standard A items of clothing and equipment.
However, because of nonavailability of some items at time of publication, some
illustrations show Standard B or C items of clothing (para 2-7).
f. Measurements
in this manual to the extent practicable, reflect both the Metric and U.S. systems;
however, in some cases figures will show only the US system. For ease in transposition,
meters have been converted to yards on a one for one basis. For more exact measurements
use the conversions shown in appendix H.
g. Users of this manual are encouraged
to submit recommendations to improve its clarity or accuracy, Comments should
be keyed to the specific page, paragraph, and line of the text in which the change
is recommended. Reasons should be provided for each comment to insure understanding
and complete evaluation. Comments should be forwarded direct to Commanding General,
United States Army, Alaska, APO Seattle 98749. Originators of proposed changes
which would constitute a significant modification of approved Army doctrine may
send an information copy, through command channels, to the Commanding General,
United States Army Combat Developments Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060,
to facilitate review and followup.
1-2. Relation to Other Manuals
This manual is prepared with the assumption that normal individual and basic unit
training have been completed. The manual should be used in conjunction with the
basic field manuals of the arms and services as well as FM 31-71 and FM 3l-72.
Appropriate technical manuals contain detailed information beyond the treatment
given in this manual on the operation and maintenance of equipment during cold
weather operations. Appendix A contains a list of supplementary manuals and references. |
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