Always expect the unexpected. (See above.)
Talk to the Grunts. They always have the best feel for what's going down. (John's Addendum: Before you write, talk to real soldiers. If you are writing an historical, find a historian or someone in the know. They are around. Make the effort.)
Keep operations sledgehammer simple and remember: if it can be fucked up, it will be. (John's Addendum: In the real world, in real combat, things happen usually for the worst. If you want your story to be accurate reflect on how plans can go completely awry.)
Train your force like a good football coach. Teamwork is the key and this is done by relentlessly repeating squad drills over and over until they are executed automatically and flawlessly. Then do them again! (John's Addendum: When writing your story, remember that soldiers are part of a team. They have eaten together, slept together, trained together for a long period. They know each other. Don't write your story as though a half dozen strangers meet for the first time.)
And remember, squads who live by the basics of their trade make great Armies; Armies don't make great squads. And these squads must be perfectly trained in the basic fundamentals of the killing trade. (John's Addendum: Remember what you are writing about. Soldiers are well versed in their trade. They are not amateurs. Don't write them as such.)
One last note to those of you who wish to write war movies. Sun Tzu, an ancient Chinese general/philosopher, wrote THE ART OF WAR more than 2,500 years ago. I strongly urge you to buy it and read it a dozen times.
Now, go write your story.
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