Close Combat Lessons from the Video Game Doom

William Pehush, Staff Writer

Back in 1993 a new computer game called Doom came out that would change the industry and soon would have millions of dedicated fans.  The concept was pretty simple it was a first person shooter where you guided a nameless space marine through various facilities like a military base and a power plant on the Martian moons of Phobos, Deimos, and eventually hell in an effort to prevent demons from invading earth.  You start off only with a pistol, but eventually get to use a wide range of weapons including a chainsaw, a shotgun, and chain gun along with other weapons.  Your enemies include possessed humans, fire ball throwing imps, and other demonic monsters. The game features graphic combat, demonic themes, and so much violence that Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman called the game a "mass murder simulator," and said it would harden children to violence.

Though the game was simplistic it does teach the fundamentals of close combat even if the setting is Sci-Fi horror.  In 1996 the United States Marine Corps were the first to see the game as a training tool and created Marine Doom, which allowed soldiers to work together in four man teams to accomplish a variety of missions. While there is no replacement for classroom work and actually going through training exercises with a weapon in hand Doom does mange to teach us some good lessons.

Always be observant. Sounds simple, but whether you’re kicking down a door with SWAT or walking down and empty street look around.  There is always a place for a bad guy to hide, and they only need half a second to kill you, so watch out.  People can hide just about anywhere and will do whatever is necessary to have an advantage.

If you’re attacked at a long distance flank, but if your attacked close charge. Now this is part of the real Marines doctrine and is a good policy for self defense also.  If your enemy is a long distance away maneuver to get the advantage, and if running is the best option do it.  If your attacker is close now is the time to charge and fight, because nothing is scarier than taking the fight to them, and when you finally commit to attack don’t stop until you’ve won.

Don’t play their game. If your enemy is strong straight up than attack them from the side.  If they have numbers on their side put them in a situation where they can’t use them to their advantage. Play on your strengths not theirs so that you can win the day, and remember to end the fight quickly.

Always carry a backup weapon. If you carry a weapon there is always a chance that something can go wrong with it, so always have a backup ready.  If you carry a rifle also have a pistol.  If you have a pistol carry a knife or brass knuckles as well. Do whatever works for you in a given situation, but make sure you always have another option.

While a lot of other simulators have been produced since Doom first appeared on the scene it was among the first close combat games out there.  Sure you won’t be facing demons, but people are dangerous enough so keep training, so you’re better prepared to deal with them when you have too.  So keep training and learning.

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