A combat multiplier is anything that makes you more effective, efficient, and lethal. Tactics during the American Reformation will certainly include combat multipliers for the individual as well as groups of people. Many of us have combat multipliers and do not even realize it. While some examples may appear to be commonsense others may be less obvious.
Combat multipliers can be looked at within three categories – Early Detection, Early Distraction, and then Destruction. The titles are fairly self-explanatory.
Early detection… As much advanced notice as p[ossible to be aware of potential threats is a HUGE combat multiplier. Alarms, cameras, patrols, and anything else that can provide needed minutes or hours for preparation is important.
Early distraction… This is where your imagination can run wild. Consider things that can distract potential threats to take their attention from you – to something else. Lights, sounds, and movement can create distractions which can then provide a “cushion” which to act in a safer manner. Think about three men navigating through trees that run along your driveway. You flip a switch and cause fireworks to start going off BEHIND them. Get it?
Destruction… eliminate the threat. Period.
Here is a list of combat multipliers.
barbwire
night vision/thermal
suppressors
fireworks
communication devices – walkie-talkies, ham radio, etc.
obstacles – trash cans, rocks, tires, etc.
superior, more effective armament
larger capacity magazines
explosives
training
body armor
dogs
leadership
drones
motion lights
tripwires
caltrops
perimeter alarms
fake cover
greater numbers of group members
traps
patience
These are just a few possibilities and of course, more can be added to the list. One I left off that most of us probably remember from childhood cartoons is the venerable “banana peel”. Although in those early cartoons the banana peel could be thrown in the path of almost any threat and they would inevitably step on it to their demise – the banana peel is not a recommended combat multiplier. You have been warned.
What combat multiplier is best for you and yours cannot be determined by an article on the internet. Planning defenses and looking at how threats would view your location can lead to determining how best combat multipliers can fit.
Keep your powder dry.