Dig the Corners

“Again,” Jason commanded.Our team of four lined up and prepared to breach the center entry room. Outside the door, Matt, the number one, stood poised. Marty, in the number two position, gave Matt’s shoulder a squeeze, signaling action. Matt pushed into the room, moving to the closest corner, sweeping around, rifle trained in front, and clearing the two right corners. Marty moved in behind Matt and swept the opposite corners. Fighting to control my breath, I entered, focused on the center of the room, while our number four, Dan, covered our rear and entered last. Deafening sounds reverberated in the small room. Simulated rounds struck role playing trainers. They caught one hiding under an old desk in the corner and another behind a couch.“Good!” Jason affirmed. “Dig those corners! Don’t give the enemy any place to hide. Secure the points of domination!”Our tendency as newbies during close quarters combat CQB training was to focus too much on what was in front of us or in the center of…