Laws of Combat

Republishing this item I wrote years back.


Murphy’s Laws Of Combat

• If the enemy is in range, so are you.
• Incoming fire has the right of way.
• Don’t look conspicuous, it draws fire.
• There is always a way.
• The easy way is always mined.
• Try to look unimportant, they may be low on ammo.
• Professionals are predictable, it’s the amateurs that are dangerous.
• The enemy invariably attacks on two occasions: a. When you’re ready for them. b. When you’re not ready for them.
• Teamwork is essential, it gives them someone else to shoot at.
• If you can’t remember, the claymore is pointed at you.
• The enemy diversion you have been ignoring will be the main attack.
• A “sucking chest wound” is natures way of telling you to slow down.
• If your attack is going well, you have walked into an ambush.
• Never draw fire, it irritates everyone around you.
• Anything you do can get you shot, including nothing.
• Make it tough enough for the enemy to get in and you won’t be able to get out.
• Never share a foxhole with anyone braver than yourself.
• If you are short of everything but the enemy, you are in a combat zone.
• When you have secured an area, don’t forget to tell the enemy.
• Never forget that your weapon is made by the lowest bidder.

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My version (A Tribute to the Philippine Armed Forces/Constabulary):

• If the enemy is in range, you have been attacked.
• If the enemy is in range but you don’t see them, you are being ambushed.
• If incoming fire has the right of way, outgoing fire needs a competent driver.
• Don’t look suspicious, the Philippine Anti-Terror Law (Human Security Act) is already being implemented.
• The easy way is always mined. Be very careful though, the MILF and other secessionists claim Basilan for  their territory (both the easy and hard ways are theirs).
• Professionals are predictable, it’s the amateurs that are dangerous. And there’s only 1% probability you will encounter MILFs, MNLFs, JIs, or Abus who are professionals.
• Enemy attacks are more brutal when there are peace talks.
• It's most probable that you don’t know which is a diversion or which a real attack.
• A “sucking chest wound” means a medal and promotion when you survive, a full honors burial and posthumous promotion when you don’t.
• If your attack is going well, the moles in your ranks had been busy planning a coup.
• Never draw fire, it irritates everyone around you. But you may if you want to be a senator.
• Make it tough enough for the enemy to get in and you won’t be able to get out. Make it easy and you will be in the news – headless, amputated.
• When you have secured an area, don’t forget to tell the enemy. And don’t worry too much about announcing it, the Philippine media already spilled the details.
• Never forget that the weapons you used for practice drills were the ones lent by the yanks during the Balikatan exercises. They already got those back (or stored somewhere for some other purpose). You’re no longer in a practice drill, it’s combat zone for real.