Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:16 am Post subject: The Marine Gazette on "Close Combat" by Major McBr
Hi guys and gals: For those who haven't clicked on that great link on the CCS splash page, here it is: (the major has been promoted to a light colonel, by-the-way)
Foreword
“Close Combat” and Learning Infantry Tactics
I have learned more about small-unit infantry tactics from the “Close Combat” simulation than I
have from fourteen years of Marine Corps infantry experience.
“Close Combat” is a computer combat simulation published by Atomic Games. The focus of the
simulation is on infantry combat at the small-unit level. The series currently consists of five versions:
Close Combat I: Omaha Beach, II: A Bridge Too Far, III: The Russian Front, IV: Battle of the Bulge, and
V: Invasion Normandy.
I am an infantry major with fourteen years commissioned service, seven years with 5th Marines, three
years in schools, and three years as an infantry training officer with the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab. I
have deployed overseas with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines four times. I have commanded two infantry
platoons and one rifle company. I have served as a battalion operations officer and regimental operations
officer. I am a student of tactics. I have taught NCOs and officers infantry tactics. I have participated and
led tactical decision training.
None of these activities or learning experiences can match the effective and focused tactical learning that
I have experienced through repetitive fighting of the small unit scenarios in “Close Combat.”
“Close Combat” permits a player to fight hundreds of scenarios, make thousands of tactical decisions,
experiment with different tactics, and learn from his mistakes. I would be a far more qualified platoon
commander now than I was twelve years ago. Through fighting the “Close Combat” simulation, I have
internalized significant platoon-level tactical lessons: (plse go to the rest of the article)
Or nichols workbook rather. I remember from our conversations years back that you were involved with it but wasn't aware that it's yours exclusively. Required reading for cc fanatics.
That was my last task on active duty and my first task when I started working on the civilian side of the house.
It is exclusively the Marine Corps.
Maj McBreen produced the initial modules and friendly scenarios for the third section of the workbook. I had to modify the modules and scenarios for multiplayer, create the opfor orders and create sections one and two in order to put it into a distance learning course for SSgts.
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In August of 2004, Zappi, Homba, Bambam887, RedScorpion and MOOXE all pitched
in to create this Close Combat site. I would to thank all the people who have visited
and found this site to thier liking. I hope you had time to check out some
of the great Close Combat mods and our forums. I'd also like to thank
all the members of our volunteer staff that have helped over
the years, and all our users that contributed to this site!
