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USMC Summer Survival Manual

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UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Mountain Warfare Training Center

Bridgeport, CA. 93517-5001

SUMMER 2002 SURVIVAL COURSE HANDBOOK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAP. CONTENTS

1. REQUIREMENTS FOR SURVIVAL

2. SURVIVAL KIT

3. WATER PROCUREMENT

4. EXPEDIENT SHELTERS & FIRES

5. CORE VALUES & MOUNTAIN LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES

6. SIGNALING & RECOVERY

7. SURVIVAL NAVIGATION

8. SURVIVAL TRAPS & SNARES

9. SURVIVAL USES OF GAME

10. EXPEDIENT TOOLS, WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT

11. FORAGING FOR PLANTS & INSECTS FOR SURVIVAL USES

12. SURVIVAL FISHING

13. TRACKING

14. SURVIVAL MEDICINE

15. MOUNTAIN WEATHER

16. INTRO TO EVASION

APPENDIXES

A EVASION PLAN OF ACTION (EPA)

B PME VIDEO “THE EDGE”

C SURVIVAL QUICK REFERENCE CHECK LIST

D ANIMAL HABITS

E TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

F GRADING STANDARDS

POSITIVE LEADERSHIP AND THE RIGHT ATTITUDE.

Leadership must be by example. At first, harsh and unfamiliar conditions tend to be frightening. Marines will find themselves up against many challenges they have never met before and the environment will constantly remind them that they can become a casualty if they make mistakes. Aggressive leadership, which consistently meets and overcomes the challenges of the environment, is essential to mission accomplishment. There will be two enemies to contend with: the enemy soldier and the environment itself. The first step towards defeating these enemies is getting your Marines in the right mental attitude. The leader must maintain a positive attitude towards the mission, his Marines, and the equipment they have to carry out the job. You can be defeated psychologically, if you are not aware of the symptoms of a poorly motivated unit.

a. Core Values applied in a survival situation. Core value are very applicable to leadership in a surviv al situation. In the absence of constant adherence to our core values, subordinate Marines may suffer the consequences of injury and in extreme cases, DEATH.

b. Honor. Honor is integrity, responsibility, and accountability. Without honor in this type of environment, decisions are made with inaccurate and/or misleading information. Dishonorable actions or intentions ultimately lead to unethical behavior...trust between Marines will erode, dependability will become unimportant, and the resulting consequences to energy conservation will greatly affect a unit’s cohesion and ability to accomplish its mission.

c. Courage. Courage is doing the right thing for the right reason. Courage in this type of environment for small unit leaders to take charge of their unit. The added stress and pressure induced in mountainous terrain makes the tough decisions even tougher to make: courageous leaders take that extra step. Trust and confidence in leadership is built upon thorough training to ensure their men are capable of overcoming the fear and uncertainty of enemy and the harsh environment.