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