How to 'clear' under objects like a bed ?

[TFOGGER]

LA Sheriff Dept answer: Exit the building, set it on fire, shoot whoever comes out.

[Joe_K]

going prone is situationally dependant and usually avoided (it limits your mobility). There are many senarios I can come up with where that would be disastrous for you. I would also disagree with your "rules" listed above. Those are more considerations when making a decision. Warfare has gone from rules to concept based fighting as we cannot plan let alone create a definitive plan for every possible situation.

I didn't invent these "rules".
These are the 3 foundational rules to Individual based-tactics as applied to Close Quarters Battle. And taught to the students of the United States Marine Corps CQB School in Chesapeake VA. The alternative to IBT is Team Based Tactics which has its advantages and disadvantages. While I never was specifically trained or came up with SOP for clearing underneath beds, the going prone thing was something that was SOP for clearing a very similar obstacle albeit on a much larger scale.
Name in what way you would be remiss at all in following these 3 rules when clearing a multi story structure with numerous possible layouts, multiple entrances and exits and more square footage than the capital building with 8 shooters tasked with clearing every square inch looking for anything out of place. And potentially facing numerous highly skilled, prepared, equipped, and organized special operators... At 2am, in the dark, with no comms, no NVGS, no thermals, no support, and with an 8 minute time limit.
If we were to enter a room and the whole world went to shit, yet we eliminated all the threats in that room, covered all danger areas, and watched each others backs, and continued to advance and progress to the remaining rooms until the entire structure had been cleared, how would we be wrong?

Its not about knowing every possible contingency, scenario, what if game you can possibly come up with. Its how you process information , multi task, and handle ANY given situation that leads to success. If you have already decided you are walking into hell and the enemy is Spetznaz trained North Korean midget,super soldier, monkey-human hybrid invisible flying ninjas. Then fuck everything else. Follow those 3 rules and you will be ok.

[cstone]

If you have already decided you are walking into hell and the enemy is Spetznaz trained North Korean midget,super soldier, monkey-human hybrid invisible flying ninjas. Then fuck everything else. Follow those 3 rules and you will be ok.

Depends on whether you are carrying a 9mm or .45 ACP

[TFOGGER]

I didn't invent these "rules".
If you have already decided you are walking into hell and the enemy is Spetznaz trained North Korean midget,super soldier, monkey-human hybrid invisible flying ninjas. Then fuck everything else. Follow those 3 rules and you will be ok.

Move back and call in an air strike in this case. Fuck the building.

[275RLTW]

OK. I'll bite. Your "rules" are a bit antiquated and not following current philosophies in this subject. While I don't disagree with following those ideas, they are not, by any means, inclusive of individual or team entry concepts nor a guideline for "you'll be OK." I know the school you refer to and it's teachings...No where has those "rules" been mentioned in any formal writings nor DoD publication. I know, I'm currently a Subject Matter Expert & Instructor for the DoD on this and helped write some of the currently taught courseware. That was probably a brief, albeit incomplete summarization of one instructor after a run in the house. It is not a guideline to effectively, efficiently, or safely clear a structure/zone/etc... (single or multi room/entrance/whatever). As I mentioned earlier, current philosophies utilize Initiative Based Tactics (not Individual or Team) and understanding basic concepts, or tenets, that must be considered and applied by all all to be efficient. All of the 4 "rules" you mentioned could be broken and yet the mission completed safely and efficiently. It's not ideally optimal, but you know the saying about plans not surviving 1st contact with the enemy. I'm not going to elaborate any further on tactics on an online forum as that is inappropriate. However, i will urge you to consider that entries, whether with 2 people or 20, requires constant thought which football style pre-determined plays cannot accomplish as efficiently.

Structure/Building/Room clearing is a team sport.
Best way to clear under is to get into prone, eyeball under then flip the mattress.
That being said the 3 rules of Individual Based Tactics are;
1. Eliminate all threats
2. Cover all danger areas
3. Protect your buddy
And the unofficial 4th rule is don't fuck up.

I didn't invent these "rules".
These are the 3 foundational rules to Individual based-tactics as applied to Close Quarters Battle. And taught to the students of the United States Marine Corps CQB School in Chesapeake VA. The alternative to IBT is Team Based Tactics which has its advantages and disadvantages. While I never was specifically trained or came up with SOP for clearing underneath beds, the going prone thing was something that was SOP for clearing a very similar obstacle albeit on a much larger scale.
Name in what way you would be remiss at all in following these 3 rules when clearing a multi story structure with numerous possible layouts, multiple entrances and exits and more square footage than the capital building with 8 shooters tasked with clearing every square inch looking for anything out of place. And potentially facing numerous highly skilled, prepared, equipped, and organized special operators... At 2am, in the dark, with no comms, no NVGS, no thermals, no support, and with an 8 minute time limit.
If we were to enter a room and the whole world went to shit, yet we eliminated all the threats in that room, covered all danger areas, and watched each others backs, and continued to advance and progress to the remaining rooms until the entire structure had been cleared, how would we be wrong?

Its not about knowing every possible contingency, scenario, what if game you can possibly come up with. Its how you process information , multi task, and handle ANY given situation that leads to success. If you have already decided you are walking into hell and the enemy is Spetznaz trained North Korean midget,super soldier, monkey-human hybrid invisible flying ninjas. Then fuck everything else. Follow those 3 rules and you will be ok.

[Joe_K]

@ coloccw
I graduated from said schoolhouse in 2009. I did not get the 3 rules of IBT from an instructor but from the issued blue book handed out at the school. You are right on one thing, I went back and looked at my notes and the correct verbiage is Initiative Based Tactics. I also understand that there is no set of rules that will ensure success and that all plans go to hell at first contact. As far as current SOP's and doctrine I couldn't tell you one way or another. I know that tactics change and are constantly updated as a matter of course. I will take it at face value that you are a SME on the current stuff. However I still don't think there has been any other serious ideas put forth so far to help answer the OP's original question. So how does one clear under low obstacles at floor to high ankle level without dropping into prone?

[TheGrey]

Caveat: I am not an expert. I'm barely on the page.

But I have learned this much from this forum- if you see a potential problem area, try and make it into something that isn't. Now, a dust ruffle not only LOOKS nice, but it covers a multitude of sins. If you have a king size bed, you can slide several under-the-bed boxes beneath the frame, and they can hold lots of items: out-of-season clothes, linens, boots/shoes, books...etc. They take up the room under a bed, and an intruder or an alligator or whatever can't fit under there without displacing objects.

If there's no under-the-bed boxes, or you're in a situation where you are alone and just don't know if there's a bad guy hiding under a piece of furniture and there happens to be carpeting...would this idea be feasible? Most houses have framed pictures on the wall. Or, even better, a mirror with beveled edges. Or if you have kids- a skateboard. Anything that you can send under that bed, and listen for the 'thunk' of it smacking into someone, or the sound of it sliding all the way out the other side, or the sight and sound of hasty evasion. Do you think that would work?

[Jamnanc]

Anyone said use a mirror or camera yet?

[OctopusHighball]

Looks like I just found a "solution" to my cat problem!

[hurley842002]

I say loud verbal commands and a dummy grenade rolled under the bed could get someone flushed out.