This has certain advantages and disadvantages. Once we factor in another 20 or so pages for Chapter D, we can begin to appreciate the daunting task faced by the budding squad leader.įor the most part, ASLSK is self-contained. Therefore, until training exercises for ordnance appeared more than a decade later, beginners were left to decipher Chapter C on their own. The Training Manual included with Paratrooper only addresses the salient points of the first two chapters. However, to play any scenario in this module also requires a player to grasp a good deal of Chapter C, which runs to over 20 pages. Admittedly there is a great deal in these chapters that can be ignored when playing the scenarios in Paratrooper. To put this into perspective, the first two chapters of the ASLRB run to over 100 pages. In addition, three scenarios also feature Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFV), thereby necessitating a careful read of Chapter D as well. These weapons use rules found in Chapter C, which are not covered in Jim’s six days of basic training. 9 Let me explain.Įven the most basic scenarios in Paratrooper include ordnance weapons such as light mortars and bazookas. Jim Stahler’s training syllabus is still helpful, if incomplete. The manual nevertheless falls short of the programmed instruction method that Squad Leader employed to great effect.

One board has at least 20 different types of terrain! Subsequent training days used the same “boots-on-the-ground” method to explain lines of sight, fire principles (including the protection afforded by various types of cover), engaging the enemy in close combat, the physical and psychological effects of combat, and the importance of camouflage and concealment. On the first day, trainees were treated to a forced march across several boards, traversing along the way much of the terrain found in Chapter B of the ASLRB. In order to get the most out of the exercise, trainees had to obey the sergeant’s commands and move pieces about on a map. It took the form of an imaginary, military-training syllabus-some 30 pages long-replete with a cartoon-character, American Drill Sergeant.

The manual was broken down into six teaching sessions, or days.

Advanced squad leader scenarios pdf