GROUP SURVIVAL The best chance for survival belongs to the group that works TOGETHER and has a leader who accepts responsibility for the group. When you are the senior person, accept responsibility for your group by taking steps to lead members to work together. Organize group survival activities. Group sur- vival depends largely upon the organization of its manpower. Organized action by group members who know what to do and when to do it, during ordinary circumstances and during a crisis, prevents panic. Keeping the group informed, devising a plan, and sticking to the plan helps achieve organization. Assign each person a task that fits his or her personal qualifications. If one person can catch fish but cannot cook, let that person provide the fish. Always learn each member’s special skills so that you can use each person to the greatest benefit of the group. Assume command and establish a chain of command that includes all members of the group. Good leadership lessens panic, confusion, and disorganization. Make certain each person knows his or her position in the chain of command and is familiar with the duties of every other person, especially your duties as the senior member. Under no circumstances leave leadership of the group to chance acceptance by some member after a situation arises. Maintain respect for your leadership by using it wisely; be the leader and set the example. Group survival is a test of effective leadership. Watch out for problems that could turn into serious arguments. Keep troublemakers from attracting undue attention, and keep those who may “crack up” from disrupting the group. Prevent care- lessness caused by fatigue, hunger, and cold. Know yourself and the members of your group; take responsibility for each person’s welfare. Develop a feeling of mutual dependence within the group by stressing that each person depends on the others for survival. Emphasize that the group will not leave the wounded or injured behind—that each member’s responsibility is to make sure the group returns intact. A feeling of mutual dependence fosters high morale and unity. Each member receives support and strength from the others. Make the decisions no matter what the situa- tion. However, base your decisions on the infor- mation and advice of other members of the group—much as admirals make decisions based on input from their staff. Above all else, never appear indecisive. If situations require you to act immediately, consider the facts and make decisions rapidly. The ability to think on your feet usually determines successful survival. BASIC ELEMENTS OF SURVIVAL You can reduce, or even avoid, the shock of finding yourself isolated behind enemy lines, in enemy hands,    or in a desolated area. Just remember the basic elements of sur- vival represented by each letter in the word S-U-R-V-I-V-A-L shown in figure 6-7. S—Size up the situation by consider- ing yourself, the country, and the enemy. When you think about yourself and your group, hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst. Recall what you have read about survival and expect it to work. That will give you con- fidence that you and your group can survive, which will increase your chances for success. Get to a safe, comfortable place as quickly as possi- ble. Once you find a safe place, look at your situa- tion, think, and form a plan. Your fear will lessen while your confidence will increase. Be calm and cautious until you know where you are and where you are going. Being in a strange country may cause part of your fear. Therefore, try to determine where you are by landmarks, by compass directions, or by recalling intelligence information passed onto you by your leaders. Think about what moves the enemy might make by putting yourself in the enemy’s shoes. What would you do? Watch the enemy’s habits and routines. Base your plans on your observa- tions. Remember, you know where the enemy is, but the enemy does not know where you are. U—Undue haste makes waste. Don’t be too eager to move. Acting hastily makes you careless and impatient, causing you to take unnecessary risks. Don’t end up like the man who rushed ahead without any plan. He tried to travel at night but only injured himself by bump- ing into trees and fences. Instead of lying low and trying to evade the enemy, he fired at them with his rifle and was caught. Don’t lose your temper. Loss of self-control may cause wrong thinking and poor judgment. When something irritating 6-20