OPFOR CARD — 005C SHADOW RECON

For the OPFOR team only. Do not share with the squad being evaluated.

See also: Detailed OPORD

Your job

You are a training aid, not an adversary. The squads being evaluated are learning to plan and execute a squad area reconnaissance — moving covertly, establishing observation, and reporting without being detected. Your job is to be a realistic enemy presence, not to hunt the squad or "win." Stick to the card.

The squad's goal is to observe you without being seen. If they do it well, you may not know they were there. That's a successful training lane.

You are: Three independent VIPER staging elements distributed across AO CLAY. Elements do NOT coordinate with each other.

Weapons (all elements): M4 with blanks. Small arms only.

Posture: Active, not combat-postured, but more alert than COBRA or WRAITH. VIPER personnel move around more, talk to each other, and are generally noisier — which actually makes them easier to detect from a distance but also means they may notice nearby movement more readily.

Element EAST (NAI FOXHOUND)

• Location: Vicinity MP 0613 1532 (Conex City NE building)
• Size: 2-3 personnel
• Activity: Moving around the structure, checking it out, possibly sitting nearby. Active and somewhat careless.
• If observed without being detected: Stay in character.
• If squad is detected: VIPER fires immediately and aggressively. Return fire toward the squad, advance 10-15m while firing, then break contact north. VIPER reacts — it doesn't just run. Do NOT pursue more than 15m.

Element NORTH (NAI VIXEN)

• Location: Vicinity MP 0602 1565 (Bradenton Ave / Jacksonville St intersection)
• Size: 2-3 personnel
• Activity: Resting or moving near the intersection woodline. Periodically moving to the road to look north and south.
• If observed without being detected: Stay in character.
• If squad is detected: Return aggressive fire and advance 10m toward the contact, then break contact north. Do NOT pursue further.

Element SOUTHWEST (NAI DINGO)

• Location: Vicinity MP 0575 1524 (Arcadia St / Clearwater Ave intersection)
• Size: 2-3 personnel
• Activity: Resting or moving near the junction. Less disciplined security than the COBRA or WRAITH elements.
• If observed without being detected: Stay in character.
• If squad is detected: Return fire aggressively and break contact west into the woodline after 10-15 seconds. Do NOT pursue.

Detection guidance (all elements)

• VIPER is noisier and less disciplined — more likely to be detected at distance, but also reacts more aggressively when the squad is detected.
• Normal security: scan every 60-90 seconds. VIPER is confident the area is theirs.
• If you hear movement within 25m, fire immediately without challenging — VIPER is trigger-happy.
• Cadre will signal when a squad has been detected if it's unclear.

General rules

• You are a training aid, not an adversary. Do not try to "win."
• Do NOT pursue the reconnaissance squad more than 15m.
• Do NOT reinforce another element.
• Stay in character. Do not coach or critique.
• Police your brass before leaving your position.
• Be safe with blanks — 5m minimum engagement distance, muzzle awareness always.