Good Training?

Carbine / Subgun Instructor, Kent, WA. March 18-22, 2013
High Risk Warrant Service, Spokane, WA. April 15-17, 2013
SWAT Team Leader, Lakewood, WA. May 6-8, 2013
Hostage Rescue, Spokane, WA. June 18-20, 2013
High Risk Warrant Service, Kent, WA. August 12-14, 2013
Ballistic Shield User, Spokane, WA. August 26 & 27, 2013
Carbine/Subgun User School, Kent, WA. Sept. 16-18, 2013
Tactical Pistol, Kent, WA. Sept. 23 & 24, 2013
SWAT Team Leader, Spokane, WA. Dec. 16-18, 2013

If you’re interested in attending a class or if you want to host one, please contact me for information.

The Kent Carbine/Subgun Instrucotr School went well. The guys in the class were all trying to pick up what I was putting down. The teach backs were all solid and hopefully the dudes self diagnosed and their next class will be better. This one course does NOT make you an instructor! That would be the same as saying one run gets you ready for a marathon or one range session prepares you for a gunfight. Just like shooting, Instrucotrship is a process and a journey. No one is perfect, we keep attending training and refining and improving the craft to the best of our ability.

I was fortunate to attend a one day carbine and one day pistol class last week from Frank Proctor of Way of the Gun. Frank is an easy going dude and he shoots his guns well. I was able to pull down a few tips and drills that I plan to incorporate into my personal training regimen and in my classes. The nice thing about attending as an instructor is to be able to see how other instructors run their game. By and large I dont demo alot at speed, I typically do demos slwo to show what I’m doing. I think I might start even though in the past I have felt like it was show off time. Students didn’t pay to watch me shoot, they paid to shoot and be coached. One man’s thoughts anyway.

Last the DM gun has it’s last part being shipped on Monday. It is a working gun right now and I think I have what I want. I do need to give it alot of reps to see if it will hold up to the pressure. The full break down is on my facebook page with a picture.

As always, I apologize for typos.

Leaders are Readers

Carbine / Subgun Instructor, Kent, WA. March 18-22, 2013
High Risk Warrant Service, Spokane, WA. April 15-17, 2013
SWAT Team Leader, Lakewood, WA. May 6-8, 2013
Hostage Rescue, Spokane, WA. June 18-20, 2013
High Risk Warrant Service, Kent, WA. August 12-14, 2013
Ballistic Shield User, Spokane, WA. August 26 & 27, 2013
Carbine/Subgun User School, Kent, WA. Sept. 16-18, 2013
Tactical Pistol, Kent, WA. Sept. 23 & 24, 2013
SWAT Team Leader, Spokane, WA. Dec. 16-18, 2013

If you are interested in hosting a course or attending any of the courses above, please contact me to get scheduled.

So I got feedback on my blog posts this past week from several people. It’s always interesting to me that some of my close friends read the blog, even though I see them pretty often and have probably said alot of the same stuff to them in person.

One guy told me he thought the posts were insightful, but if he didn’t know me he would think I was an asshole. He also said they were funny. I’m not trying to be a jerk, but sometimes people take me that way. I find humor in almost everything, so I’m glad the comedy is worth the trip. Another dude sent me comments that one particular post was excellent. I’m glad it resonated with someone.

No matter what, I hope that most of the blogs make you think. Even if your thoughts and conclusions are completely opposite of mine. That’s the point, make you think, reconsider and reapply what you know and believe about any of the stuff that comes across these pages.

During the course of my years as an Army dude and a Cop, I have gone back and forth on a variety of topics. Some of that has been driven by the courts, other stuff based on the gaining of new knowledge or insight from other people. My opportunities to learn each day are limitless. Some of these are personal lessons, some are gifts from smarter people than me. It is always amazing that I can hold onto something for a long time, beleive it is gospel, and then have that goblet busted right over my head. I mean, I try to be thoughtful about this shit and then someone will hit me with such common sense change that you have to wonder if you’re not an absolute idiot for not thinking of that sooner. It is true of shooting, gear, tactics, techniques and procedures. That doesn’t mean I am hit by lightning every day, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t frequent enough that it kicks your ego right in the nuts. 

My Dad and most leaders talk about keeping your ego in check. Be humble. You dont know everything. If we all preach that crap and believe it, finding opportunities to learn become more frequent. I liove picking up new ideas, new techniques and new ways of doing things. That doesn’t mean I flip-flop what I’m doing at the drop of a hat, but I do consider if the change is worth it. If the change makes me take a step back to allow me to take 3 steps forward, then I have to change and put in the work to get those 3 steps.

I remember a leadership class where the instructor said “Leaders are readers”. In addition to reading relevant, pertinent information about the skills and knowledge you need for the job, I believe she also meant to read opinions that were different than my own. Put thought into it, try to see the authors point, and then develop my own opinions. I think she also meant reading typo laden drivel like this helped exercise the brains, and nobody wants a fat brain. So, thanks for reading AND thinking about what I am saying.

Carbine / Subgun

Rapidly approaching the start of another Carbine/Subgun Instructor Course. I like teaching this class because most of the time the agency sends their better shooters. AS such, ususlaly not much to teach as far as running the guns goes. Little tweaks, a little expanded info on the gun, a few thoughts on running ranges.

Here is the interesting and often forgotten part of this class. The whole thing, start to finish, is meant to be an INSTRUCTOR course. So my expectation and my thought behind the class is that you spend every minute thinking about how YOU will set up your user programs for NEW shooters! I know you can shoot good, I’M NOT IMPRESSED!!!

You should be refining and fine tuning your ability to deliver material so the student gets its. You should be taking notes on what I do well during the class, and what I suck at so you dont do the same. Instead of shooting my standards drills and then clapping your self on the back, recognize that my standard may be too low for you, or maybe too high for your agency. What will you do to change them so they work for your students.

This class is truly more about teaching others to shoot than your shooting ability. ALL of us miss shots during the week. All of us will flub a reload, drop a magazine, or whatever. No big deal. We cannto afford to miss the mark when it comes to the students and the information we are trying to pass on. Their very lives may depend on the information we are trying to relay. Being an “Instructor” is more than a red shirt and a whistle.

As always, sorry for the typos.

Is it worth it?

Carbine / Subgun Instructor, Kent, WA. March 18-22, 2013
High Risk Warrant Service, Spokane, WA. April 15-17, 2013
SWAT Team Leader, Lakewood, WA. May 6-8, 2013
Hostage Rescue, Spokane, WA. June 18-20, 2013
High Risk Warrant Service, Kent, WA. August 12-14, 2013
Ballistic Shield User, Spokane, WA. August 26 & 27, 2013
SWAT Team Leader, Spokane, WA. Dec. 16-18, 2013

If you are interested in hosting a course or attending any of the courses above, please contact me to get scheduled.

So I am approaching the end of my SWAT game. I really dont know how many more days, months or years I have left. I do know that the amount of time I have is less than what I have put in. When you approach the end of anything that has consumed so much of your time and effort, you tend to wonder whether it was worth it. 

I mean SWAT is directly responsible for two knee surgeries. Although I had been dislocating my right shoulder since the Army, SWAT is responsible for the majo reconstruction that I had done to it. My ears ring all the goddamn time, annoying doesnt bebin to explain it. My default response it always, “huh”? I really should come up with something cooler to say than “huh”. Maybe, My damn ears ring like the dickens, so unless you want to speak up a little, assume I can understand a damn thing that is coming out of your mouth! I used to think huh? conveyed that, but probably not. 

In addition to the physical issues, I also wonder about time away from home. I have been on 24-7 callout status for over 17 years. I have never been a big drinker, but I can tell you that I rarely drink because I am on call. I dont want to be intoxicated, or halfway there, if we get called out. I have made a promise to my teammates and I intend to keep it. That promise is that I will be there if the team needs me. I also wonder if my family has paid a price for my commitment? My wife says its quality not quantity, and not just in time mind you.

Even though I suffer physical issues and maybe some internal guilt, I wouldn’t trade it. SWAT has given me more opportunities than it has taken. I have had the pleasure of working with some of the finest people in law enforcement. I have been allowed to stand with quality men who measure you by actions. I have stood on the shoulders of better men than me and I have been fortunate enough to have some of them consider me a friend. Just being on SWAT doesn’t make you honorable, or brave or proficient. Those things require dedication and commitment. I believe that being in that type of environment for a long time helps solidify those traits in my character. It is my opinion that I am a better father and husband because of SWAT. Just like I am a better team member because of my family. They co-exist, each one driving me to be better for the mutual benefit of all.

So, when you get old like me and look back, realize that the sacrifices you make today will be worth it. It has been in my case.

Giving praise…..

Carbine / Subgun Instructor, Kent, WA. March 18-22, 2013
High Risk Warrant Service, Spokane, WA. April 15-17, 2013
SWAT Team Leader, Lakewood, WA. May 6-8, 2013
Hostage Rescue, Spokane, WA. June 18-20, 2013
High Risk Warrant Service, Kent, WA. August 12-14, 2013
Ballistic Shield User, Spokane, WA. Sept. 3-5, 2013. (This course still pending based on range)
SWAT Team Leader, Spokane, WA. Dec. 16-18, 2013

If you are interested in hosting a course or attending any of the courses above, please contact me to get scheduled.

I think I’ve written about this before, but maybe it’s just rattled around in my head enough that I think I have. I have been to enough police “leadership” training and other leadership based stuff to know that I suck at “encouraging the heart”. I have completed a bunch of self assessment forms and even had a structured 360 evaluation done a few times. In those, subordinates, peers and bosses have evaluated me. Not my performance per se, but traits and characteristics.

In all of those events, I have received low marks on giving praise. In one class, there were leaders from the entire community, business people, cops, professionals in other areas etc. So we get the 360 done and we are supposed to share the finding if we feel comfortable with it. In addition, we are supposed to tell the group about a time when our weakness came to pass in a real incident. My team had just been involved in an OIS, the facts of that call aren’t important. What is important is that the teams performance wasn’t perfect. As a result, I gave the team an honest critique, it was not full of puppies and flowers. So I tell the class I suck at giving praise and bring up this incident. I am not shitting you when I tell you that a lady in the class cracked a tear that rolled down her cheek while I was speaking. I quickly told her that it was OK, the dude that got ventilated deserved it. It dawned on me that she wasn’t crying because a criminal suspect was killed, she was crying because I was so mean to the team.

Now boys, that kinda thing will make you think a little. Here is what I have come up with. SWAT isn’t a game for little girls, that statement isn’t gender specific. It is about attitude. We work in a business where people die if our collective crap isn’t wired tight. To get wired tight requires an intense and honest critique of performance. It requires me to put a shoe in your ass when you aren’t performing. I will not clap you on the back or tell you “Great Job” simply because you did your job, that is expectation. If you want medals, accolades or public acknowledgement of how neat you are, dont expect that from me. It simply isn’t going to happen, primarily because I wasnt raised that way. If I say notthing about your performance, then congratulations, you are meeting standards. If I tell you “Good job” or “well done”, it’s because you have exceeded standards. But you arent going to get much more.

For men who carry guns for a living, who put themselves in harms way, who have a standard of morals and ethics that are not debatable, then a nod from your peers is all you need. Anything more is fluff and is wasting valuable time that could be spent training, improving and refining our craft, or doing finger pushups. Still not satisfied, well then “Good Job!”, please print that shit and refer to it as often as you need.

As always, apologies for typos.

Opportunity, means & mindset….

Carbine / Subgun Instructor, Kent, WA. March 18-22, 2013
High Risk Warrant Service, Spokane, WA. April 15-17, 2013
SWAT Team Leader, Lakewood, WA. May 6-8, 2013
Hostage Rescue, Spokane, WA. June 18-20, 2013
High Risk Warrant Service, Kent, WA. August 12-14, 2013
Ballistic Shield User, Spokane, WA. Sept. 3-5, 2013. (This course still pending based on range)
SWAT Team Leader, Spokane, WA. Dec. 16-18, 2013

If you are interested in hosting a course or attending any of the courses above, please contact me to get scheduled.

I had a bust week last week with SWAT stuff and with prepping/teaching in service for my departments Sergeants. Funny to me that I teach all over the NW, but this is the first time my own agency has leaned on me for tactical training to my peers. Weird.

Anyway, one of the missions we did was a large compound, multiple houses and multiple bad guys. My team, another large team and a portion of a third team were required to handle this job. All told we used 7 armored vehicles and had roughly 65 SWAT men on the job. Everything went smooth as silk. None of the five pit bulls had to killed, all of the 27 weapons were recovered and some career criminals are in the jailhouse.

My wife says that shit went smoothly because I’m the best damn team leader on the planet and my plan and execution of that plan was flawless. (She’s my wife fer chrissakes, shes supposed to think like that!) I think the plan was good and I owe thanks to another T/L who helped plan and ultimately convinced me the 7th piece of armor was needed. The guys did well in executing the plan, by and large it went as I thought it would.

On to the title though. These guys certainly had enough guns on scene to qualify as means. The guns were there, they had bullets and were in good working condition. So the means to shoot at us was there. We used S&C tactics, so they certainly had ample opportunity to pick up the guns, clean-lube-load, and either pre-emptively assault us or wait until we were vulnerable in some fashion. Last they probably have the mindset to kill cops, we’ll never know since they eleceted not to.

So, means, opportunity and mindset were all present. I cant effect the means; if guns are there I cant control them until I control the target. I can kinda control opportunity by way of tactics, a faster tactic might let me bounce a guy before he can acquire the means to assault. It might also send me dashing into a hornets nest. S&C gives bad guys opportunities that Dynamic does not, it’s a fact. The reverse is also true sometimes. I dont really think we can control mindset, a predisposition to violence does not simply go away.
 
So how come we were not engaged with gunfire? I think that an overwhelming show of force, an aggressive posture, might cause someone to rethink their plan. Although many bad guys might want to harm us, the futility of starting that fight might stay their hand. For the guys that would be inclined to read this blog, that was a big “Duh!” moment for you. Our detractors would say that 7 armored cars and 3+ score of SWAT men is overkill. It is too much, it is excessive. Well, we do know that no gunfight erupted, none of the officers were injured or killed and none of the suspects were harmed.

Whats the point? The point is choose the tactics that gives you the highest chance of controlling Means, Opportunity and Mindset. And bring alot of men with guns.

As always, apologies for typos.

Opportunity, means & mindset….

Carbine / Subgun Instructor, Kent, WA. March 18-22, 2013
High Risk Warrant Service, Spokane, WA. April 15-17, 2013
SWAT Team Leader, Lakewood, WA. May 6-8, 2013
Hostage Rescue, Spokane, WA. June 18-20, 2013
High Risk Warrant Service, Kent, WA. August 12-14, 2013
Ballistic Shield User, Spokane, WA. Sept. 3-5, 2013. (This course still pending based on range)
SWAT Team Leader, Spokane, WA. Dec. 16-18, 2013

If you are interested in hosting a course or attending any of the courses above, please contact me to get scheduled.

I had a bust week last week with SWAT stuff and with prepping/teaching in service for my departments Sergeants. Funny to me that I teach all over the NW, but this is the first time my own agency has leaned on me for tactical training to my peers. Weird.

Anyway, one of the missions we did was a large compound, multiple houses and multiple bad guys. My team, another large team and a portion of a third team were required to handle this job. All told we used 7 armored vehicles and had roughly 65 SWAT men on the job. Everything went smooth as silk. None of the five pit bulls had to killed, all of the 27 weapons were recovered and some career criminals are in the jailhouse.

My wife says that shit went smoothly because I’m the best damn team leader on the planet and my plan and execution of that plan was flawless. (She’s my wife fer chrissakes, shes supposed to think like that!) I think the plan was good and I owe thanks to another T/L who helped plan and ultimately convinced me the 7th piece of armor was needed. The guys did well in executing the plan, by and large it went as I thought it would.

On to the title though. These guys certainly had enough guns on scene to qualify as means. The guns were there, they had bullets and were in good working condition. So the means to shoot at us was there. We used S&C tactics, so they certainly had ample opportunity to pick up the guns, clean-lube-load, and either pre-emptively assault us or wait until we were vulnerable in some fashion. Last they probably have the mindset to kill cops, we’ll never know since they eleceted not to.

So, means, opportunity and mindset were all present. I cant effect the means; if guns are there I cant control them until I control the target. I can kinda control opportunity by way of tactics, a faster tactic might let me bounce a guy before he can acquire the means to assault. It might also send me dashing into a hornets nest. S&C gives bad guys opportunities that Dynamic does not, it’s a fact. The reverse is also true sometimes. I dont really think we can control mindset, a predisposition to violence does not simply go away.
 
So how come we were not engaged with gunfire? I think that an overwhelming show of force, an aggressive posture, might cause someone to rethink their plan. Although many bad guys might want to harm us, the futility of starting that fight might stay their hand. For the guys that would be inclined to read this blog, that was a big “Duh!” moment for you. Our detractors would say that 7 armored cars and 3+ score of SWAT men is overkill. It is too much, it is excessive. Well, we do know that no gunfight erupted, none of the officers were injured or killed and none of the suspects were harmed.

Whats the point? The point is choose the tactics that gives you the highest chance of controlling Means, Opportunity and Mindset. And bring alot of men with guns.

As always, apologies for typos.

SWAT expectations

Carbine / Subgun Instructor, Kent, WA.           March 18-22, 2013
High Risk Warrant Service, Spokane, WA.      April 15-17, 2013
SWAT Team Leader, Lakewood, WA.             May 6-8, 2013
Hostage Rescue, Spokane, WA.                     June 18-20, 2013
High Risk Warrant Service, Kent, WA.            August 12-14, 2013
Ballistic Shield User, Spokane, WA.                Sept. 3-5, 2013. (This course still pending based on range)
SWAT Team Leader, Spokane, WA.               Dec. 16-18, 2013

If you are interested in hosting a course or attending any of the courses above, please contact me to get scheduled.

I was recently having a discussion with some members of my team. It was about where the team is, where we want to go, what needs to be fixed and so forth. Always a good discussion and for me, indicative of young dudes who recognize that they old the future of the team in their hands.

The conversation went in a lot of directions, these kinds of discussions typically do. At on point team leadership came up. I ran a drill with the guys that I do with T/L Classes. I had them tell me traits of a good leader. They started to fire off words, Integrity, Honor, Discipline, Dedication, Character, Courage, Communicator, Diplomat, Fair, and so forth. The list is always the same and I use this to illustrate that the concept of a good leader is universal. Be that guy, and you will be considered a good leader. Deviate in any one category and you may not be.

Here is a news flash for some of you young(er) studs. The list applies equally to you. If I was to name off traits of a good team member, the list is the same. Instead of pointing up, look in the mirror and ask yourself whether or not you are meeting the stringent requirements you demand of others. If you are not, fix yourself. Self reflection is required of everyone who takes up arms, who has the responsibility of defending others from harm, who have the sacred trust of others.
 
I am not perfect, I have made alot of mistakes over the years from the time I was a Sergeant in the Army until now. I have tried to learn from my mistakes. I have tried to be a model for others in the SWAT world. I have tried to remain self disciplined, forthright, and honest with team members, T/L’s and team command. I am not perfect, but goddamnit, the mistakes I have made are not from a lack of trying.

Run your own list, and then regardless of position, try to live up to your own high standard.

Sheepdogs, guardian angels & all that crap.

Carbine / Subgun Instructor, Kent, WA.           March 18-22, 2013
High Risk Warrant Service, Spokane, WA.      April 15-17, 2013
SWAT Team Leader, Lakewood, WA.             May 6-8, 2013
Hostage Rescue, Spokane, WA.                     June 18-20, 2013
High Risk Warrant Service, Kent, WA.            August 12-14, 2013
Ballistic Shield User, Spokane, WA.                Sept. 3-5, 2013. (This course still pending based on range)
SWAT Team Leader, Spokane, WA.               Dec. 16-18, 2013

If you are interested in hosting a course or attending any of the courses above, please contact me to get scheduled.

For some time a well known knucklehead has been going around categorizing cops as sheepdogs protecting the sheep. I have also seen a popular picture of a cop in uniform with the wings of an angel as he reaches out to hug and help a small child.

What a bunch of horseshit. Stuff like that makes cops start to think they are something special. We aren’t. We’re just citizens doing a job for our communities. The sheepdog analogy in particular is so damn stupid that it makes me throw up in my mouth a little. I dont have any feelings of grandeur, nor do I believe that the citizens we serve are sheep. Some are more capable, prepared and ready to defend themselves than a lot of cops. The image of the sheepdog defending the herd is too grandiose, it leaves an image that as the police we are in charge of the community. The opposite is true. As cops we should be working toward making that image be the norm. Not going around espousing that crap because it makes us feel good.

As an example, if I had never become a cop. I got out of the Army and became a garbage man. Great job, great hours, great benefits and pay. I would still carry a gun and as my budget allowed I would attend some training. If I happened to be at safeway and a guy came in shooting, I would pull my pistol and face shoot that bad guy. Does the garbage man have a picture of himself with angel wings? I doubt it. I remember telling a class during a team leader school that your level of proficiency, your attitude, your mindset have absolutely nothing to do with your assignment. It is always about the individual, regardless of assignment or job. Now, some assignments lend themselves to being better trained. SWAT typically gets more training in building clearing and shooting than patrol cops. The sense that what you are given is more than enough is nonsense. I know people from all kinds of jobs that can absolutely out shoot 98% of the guys on my team. I dont know how they would do on a building clear, or how their mindset would hold up if they had to fight something more than paper. But the physical skill of shooting far surpasses the “sheepdog” who should be the best.

So please, if you’re a cop with angel wing pictures or sheepdog fantasies, quit being so damn corny. You are not special because you have a badge. You might be special if you have dedicated yourself to a life of discipline, self improvement, self assessment and a mindset that will carry you through the day. Just recognize that there might me a garbage man, or a dentist or a teacher that is better than you at protecting the sheep. Once you do, what will you do about that? I hope it’s more dry firing and finger pushups, instead of drawing a picture that has a superhero cape flowing behind a cop. Earn it, or continue to be a nerd, it really is your choice. 

As always, please forgive the typos.  

Tomahawk – Not just for patriots….

Carbine / Subgun Instructor, Kent, WA.           March 18-22, 2013
High Risk Warrant Service, Spokane, WA.      April 15-17, 2013
SWAT Team Leader, Lakewood, WA.             May 6-8, 2013
Hostage Rescue, Spokane, WA.                     June 18-20, 2013
High Risk Warrant Service, Kent, WA.            August 12-14, 2013
Ballistic Shield User, Spokane, WA.                Sept. 3-5, 2013. (This course still pending based on range)
SWAT Team Leader, Spokane, WA.               Dec. 16-18, 2013

If you are interested in hosting a course or attending any of the courses above, please contact me to get scheduled.

One of the easiest and maybe most effective and versatile personal breaching tools that you can own is a Tomahawk. I see and hear alot of discussion about small halligans, sledges, Fubars and so forth as a means to make emergency entry into a structure for LE. Discussions about using 5.56 as a breaching round in the worst of scenarios, driving cop cars through doors, and full size tools work but may be impractical for the given situation.

A quality Tomahawk that is built first as a TOOL, will take the place of many other options. I am fortunate to possess an RMJ Shrike Tactical Tomahawk http://www.rmjtactical.com/. The good folks at RMJ make a top quality product that is buit to take abuse. I have tried other tomahawks of lesser price and lesser quality. In most cases the steel is dinged up quickly, the handles break under pressure or the design is better suited for throwing than real world applications.

The RMJ ‘hawk can and will breach padlocks, light doors, windows, sliders and trailers in short order. With a little more effort, you can defeat solid core residential doors to make your entry. The sheath system is secure and quick to deploy. The shoulder sling allows you to carry it in the back out of the way and deploy it with a single tug. It is very quick to put it away as well. You can tell the moment you touch it that it is built to last.

The stigma of carrying one is the biggest hurdle for LE. It is “aggressive” and I dont advocate carrying it for normal patrol calls. It is a great thing to have behind the patrol bag and quickly slings up in case you need it. It would be really nice to hanve a tactical wheelbarrow full of every breaching tool known to man for the emergency call. I could just roll it up and select the best tool for the job. However, that is not efficient or practical. The RMJ Shrike is a great all around tool, it is not cheap, but you will only have to buy one. Save your pennies and pick one up.

I will be including a Tomahawk block of instruction during the breaching courses from this point forward. I am sure you will be surprised at what a quality Tomahawk can accomplish in trained hands.

Happy New Year and thanks for checking in.