I think this class would be not only fun but a great asseset to your family and communtiy. If my family was involved in a accident of any kind, having the readiness under stress could be a lifesaver
http://www.tacticalresponse.com/courses ... edical.php
I would love to take this course
Moderators: carlson1, Crossfire
I would love to take this course
retired CHL Instructor
Personally, I'm a little suspicious of a course that claims to be targeted at (among others) "shooters...parents" *and* "EMTs and Paramedics..."
There's a world of difference between the skill sets there, and I can't believe that a single course could teach anything materially useful to both groups.
If it were me, I'd save my money and spend it somewhere reputable and become a certified first responder instead. For about the same amount of training, you'll be taking a course that you know has been vetted, is standardized, and widely recognized.
There's a world of difference between the skill sets there, and I can't believe that a single course could teach anything materially useful to both groups.
If it were me, I'd save my money and spend it somewhere reputable and become a certified first responder instead. For about the same amount of training, you'll be taking a course that you know has been vetted, is standardized, and widely recognized.
Xander wrote:Personally, I'm a little suspicious of a course that claims to be targeted at (among others) "shooters...parents" *and* "EMTs and Paramedics..."
I am not sure that those groups are mutually exclusive. I mean there are EMTs, shooters, and Paramedics that are parents.
There may be a wide knowledge gap at the beginning of the course. But it is a 50 hr. course. You might be surprised how much one can learn given the right environment and motivation.Xander wrote: There's a world of difference between the skill sets there, and I can't believe that a single course could teach anything materially useful to both groups.
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa............ Hold up there cowboy. You are way outta your lane.Xander wrote: If it were me, I'd save my money and spend it somewhere reputable....
Are you saying that Tactical Response isn't reputable???????????
Take a look at the Instructor's.
Instructor cadre:
- Dr. Keith Brown "Resqdoc"
- Doug Kimbell "DocGizmo" Flight Paramedic & Tactical EMS Team Leader/Instructor
- Cory Dahmer "RemoteMedic911" Former SF 18D & SERE Instructor
- Dan Kohlstrom "Javahed" Former SF 18D Instructor"
These fellas are widely known, well trained, experienced and reputable.
The certified first responder course is below EMT-B. from Wikipidia...Xander wrote:....... and become a certified first responder instead.
I'd suggest EMT-B.A "certified first responder" is an actual title given to fill the gap between a basic first aider and an EMT-Basic.
The time spent may be similar, but it's not the same amount or quality of training. Vetted how? Widely recognized? By whom?Xander wrote: For about the same amount of training, you'll be taking a course that you know has been vetted, is standardized, and widely recognized.
"All students successfully completing this program will receive certificates of completion and those holding current medical certifications will receive 40 hours of CEU/CME credit."From the Tactical Response website.....
Anyone run through the certified first responder course? What were the scenarios you ran through during training?
Certified first responder" is a term used in construction safety a lot. This is generally a very advanced level of First aid and includes use of things like O2 bottles, air splints, field respirators, AED and the like.
If this is the "Bill" I think it is, he's no fool, I suspect he's already made sure they are legitimate.
If this is the "Bill" I think it is, he's no fool, I suspect he's already made sure they are legitimate.
The closest NSC First Reponder courses are listed as Lake Charles http://www.nsc.org/training/centerdetail.cfm?id=9125 or Austin http://www.nsc.org/training/centerdetail.cfm?id=5024Bill wrote:I have looked for a First Responder course in Houston, Red Cross does not offer this course, wonder who else might??
Check with your local CERT team at https://www.citizencorps.gov/cc/CertInd ... =&state=TX and see if they have any leads. Usually their EMS folks will know.
Regards,
Keith
Texas LTC Instructor, Missouri CCW Instructor, NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun Instructor and RSO, NRA Life Member
Psalm 82:3-4
Texas LTC Instructor, Missouri CCW Instructor, NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun Instructor and RSO, NRA Life Member
Psalm 82:3-4
Looks like these folks offer classes in both Louisiana and Houston. http://occu-safe.com/training-Services- ... id-CPR.htmBill wrote:I have looked for a First Responder course in Houston, Red Cross does not offer this course, wonder who else might??
They also shown the full course of study, so you can see exactly what all is involved, and what you'd learn.
Good link.Keith B wrote:Check with your local CERT team at https://www.citizencorps.gov/cc/CertInd ... =&state=TX and see if they have any leads. Usually their EMS folks will know.
CERT may not cover as much as the Tactical Response course, but it's local(352 programs in Texas) and free:
The CERT training for community groups is usually delivered in 2 1/2 hour sessions, one evening a week over a 7 week period. The training consists of the following:
Session I, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Addresses hazards to which people are vulnerable in their community. Materials cover actions that participants and their families take before, during, and after a disaster. As the session progresses, the instructor begins to explore an expanded response role for civilians in that they should begin to consider themselves disaster workers. Since they will want to help their family members and neighbors, this training can help them operate in a safe and appropriate manner. The CERT concept and organization are discussed as well as applicable laws governing volunteers in that jurisdiction.
Session II, DISASTER FIRE SUPPRESSION: Briefly covers fire chemistry, hazardous materials, fire hazards, and fire suppression strategies. However, the thrust of this session is the safe use of fire extinguishers, sizing up the situation, controlling utilities, and extinguishing a small fire.
Session III, DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS PART I: Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstruction, bleeding, and shock by using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques.
Session IV, DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS, PART II: Covers evaluating patients by doing a head to toe assessment, establishing a medical treatment area, performing basic first aid, and practicing in a safe and sanitary manner.
Session V, LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS: Participants learn about search and rescue planning, size-up, search techniques, rescue techniques, and most important, rescuer safety.
Session VI, DISASTER PSYCHOLOGY AND TEAM ORGANIZATION: Covers signs and symptoms that might be experienced by the disaster victim and worker. It addresses CERT organization and management principles and the need for documentation.
Session VII, COURSE REVIEW AND DISASTER SIMULATION: Participants review their answers from a take home examination. Finally, they practice the skills that they have learned during the previous six sessions in disaster activity.
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LTC/SSC Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, CRSO
The last hope of human liberty in this world rests on us. -Thomas Jefferson
LTC/SSC Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, CRSO
The last hope of human liberty in this world rests on us. -Thomas Jefferson
Tactical Response
Guys,
I am new here and saw this post.
I wanted to let you guys know that this is an advanced class.
I have taken their HRCC Contractor shooting class that is quite the same without all the medical.
I am not a high speed operator, but a normal guy.
I took this class because it was the next logical step in my training.
This class is less about shooting and more about communicating, moving and working with others.
It will make you a better shooter no doubt, but please do not talk down on it unless you have first hand knowledge of the class.
The class changed my mindset and I am much better for it.
Go over to http://www.getoffthex.com and check out the course reviews to see what it is all about.
I know first post and all, but take the class before you shoot it down.
Here is an example of an AAR (after action review) from one of the guys in my class.
By: Freddy Erdman
I recently attended a 5-day High Risk Civilian Contractor (HRCC) Shooting course put on by Tactical Response. The course went from September 10th -14th and was held at the Tactical Response range in Camden, Tennessee.
Over the past year I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to attend 6 Tactical Response courses (Fighting Rifle/Adv Fighting Rifle, Fighting Pistol/Adv Fighting Pistol, Fighting Rifle/Intermediate Range Fighting Rifle) as well as 3 classes taught by Paul Howe at his CSAT range (Tactical Rifle, Tactical Pistol, and a 2-day private lesson). While each class was excellent and offered a high degree of growth and development, there is no way to compare them to the challenge HRCC offered.
BE ADVISED- HRCC is not for the weak of heart or timid of spirit!!! You also don’t just sign up and go. Tactical Response Fighting Rifle is now a pre-requisite and anyone considering attending this class should first possess a high degree of firearms safety and proficiency. Basically, if you are not a person that shows up to classes ready to train and give 110% then you had better think twice about HRCC.
Right from the start my HRCC shooting experience was positive. First, I was with four guys from my unstoppable, undeniable, invincible Central Texas cadre. What could be better? As a matter of fact…who could be better?
Second, James Yeager had afforded us the luxury of staying in his Team Room. The Team Room is a basement area that is offered as accommodations for anyone attending classes in Camden. There is no cost, just simply leave it cleaner than you left it and be respectful while you are there. Cost savings is actually not the real bonus here. The real bonus is being around your team and instructors the entire time. One becomes totally immersed in the class and there is ample opportunity to discuss whatever topic may be relevant at the time. Having the team together under one roof would also prove invaluable as the week progressed.
Lastly, I was selected to be the team leader of Alpha Team, a six man element. At first I had to choke down initial feelings of self-doubt and insecurity. But I immediately realized how valuable the experience would be and manned-up for the challenge. Besides, once the class got going I didn’t have time for stupid thoughts like “Oh golly gee can I do this� or “Will I fail my team�? That’s another good thing about Tactical Response. There is no gray area. You do it….or you don’t. No middle ground.
The daily grind for HRCC shooting started with a lecture at 0900hrs. Subsequent days also included a morning brief conducted by each of the two teams, Alpha and Omega. Lecture ended around 11:00-11:30 and the teams would then form a convoy and head out to the range. Range time would run until roughly 1600 with a short lunch, and short breaks to re-load and re-hydrate. Range time was no joke. It was very involving and demanded all you had physically, as well as mentally. The week’s range activities are as follows:
Day 1: We assembled at the far range and practiced moving to contact, then bounding back to cover. This was our first introduction to counter-ambush tactics. All team members would form a line and walk forward until we heard “fight�- this is the Tactical Response universal command to shoot/engage. We would then dump a mag, move, dump another mag and begin bounding back to a defensible position while slow firing. From there we learned how to consolidate teams individually and then as a whole, while at the same time learning proper radio procedure for communicating during contact as well as calling in support. It was absolutely exhausting and equally dehydrating. I am sure that we all went back to the team room that day thinking “Good God what will the rest of the week be like�?
Day 2: We assembled at the main range that had an open area for drill and a main exercise area that had burned out/shot up vehicles and other obstacles on it. On this day we split our time between immediate action type pistol drills and shooting from a moving vehicle. Yes shooting from a moving vehicle. It was as cool and as fun as it sounds. It was also a priceless learning experience. During our range time we also had a demonstration on breaking window glass. Two students conducted the demo. One with a rifle muzzle-it took my burly buddy Pancho 4 strikes to punch through the rear glass of a Bronco- and the other with a handy dandy $10 tool called ResQMe- it took my buddy Reece one shot with this gadget and the window was GONE! Many glass breaking myths were shattered this day- no pun intended.
We broke a little early on Day 2 to go back and prepare for a low light shoot. That night we met for a very informative low light brief. As always safety was paramount, but it was stressed even more in this brief.
We were back at the range about 19:30. Once assembled we conducted movement to contact and consolidation drills much like we did on Day 1 except at the main range where again there were burned out/shot up vehicles to navigate. This was an awesome experience unlike any low-light I have ever encountered! We all did incredibly well both times and the whole exercise went off without a hitch. Well, except when cease fire was called and we were supposed to maneuver and consolidate. I found this can be a nightmarish scenario for a team leader. Everyone is spread out, they all have loaded weapons that you can only HOPE are pointed the right direction, folks are edgy because the bad guys are still trying to kill them, and you can’t see past the first two or three teammates on your left or right. Not good times. Again, the whole exercise went off without any safety issues or problems in general.
Day 3: This day seemed easy but the complexity of the drills proved to drain us anyway. On Day 3 we split up and began learning to move in formations while the other element conducted various forms of transition drills. At the end of these drills we all gathered together to conduct what became the first of many team movement and communication drills.
About the formation drills: We not only learned the diamond formation but also the box and did both in live fire multi contact drills. I have trained with and used the diamond formation and was amazed at the ease of use and relatively quick manner in which one can learn and employ the box formation. According to our instructors the box was very useful in teaching their Iraqi counterparts a quick and effective way to guard a principle while moving. These formations were effectively taught by instructor Jay Gibson and proven in live fire in approximately 2hrs! Regardless, of what anybody thought, it was another priceless tool to put in the box. Not every solution needs a hammer right?
About the transition drills: These were not your regular transition drills. They included elements of near and far targets as well as multi hit requirements on certain targets. Just like one might encounter in real life dontcha know! To add additional stress shooters were also teamed up for competition on certain drills. An L.E. counterpart was top dog on all of them but I finally bested the bastard after about 3 rounds. We were all honored to go nose to nose with such a top notch shooter.
About the team movement and communication drills: As if things weren’t tough already it really got kicked up a notch here. The drills started with all team members being positioned in a line behind a string of vehicles, 2 shooters to a vehicle. When “fight� was called we were to repulse the ambush and then go to slow fire without moving or bounding. Well, we thought we weren’t moving…doom on us!
Later, at undetermined intervals one of the instructors would tap a man (or woman in our case) wounded. The remaining team member would then have to coordinate with shooters on either side to facilitate a man down drag to a position disclosed by the instructor. On our last run it went down the entire line like dominos….utterly exhausting.
This drill was absolutely eye opening though. It required us to develop the skill and ability needed to shoot, move, and communicate effectively in a combat environment while receiving and returning fire. Developing strong situational awareness skills as well as learning how to communicate under stress was a key element in this drill not to mention the difficulty imposed by having to team up and move a man while more or less on the run. This is where I first started to encounter real difficulty as a team leader and where all of Day 1, 2, and 3’s learning began to come together.
Day 4: Today was bailout day. But again it was not quite that simple. After a lecture that demonstrated and discussed vehicle bailout procedure, it was out to the range for the real deal. I had seen video of my partner Debo doing vehicle bailouts in prior training. I thought it looked real easy. Oops.
Once at the range we again discussed vehicle bailout procedure, but this time did a couple dry runs using cars, people, and rifles. My first impression was that it looked like tactical clowns trying to get out of a damn clown car. After my first run I found out how right I was.
We first took turns loading teams into vehicles and then doing live fire Immediate Action Drills (IAD). Three defunct vehicles were lined up in a row and upon hearing the word “fight� we made our calls and engaged targets. After 1 or 2 runs we added the elements of breaking contact and moving to set security and consolidate all elements. At this point we also began to selectively employ smoke. For many of us this was a first. Oh and did I mention that sometimes vehicles would be tampered with and you would suddenly find yourself having to bail out the window or rear of the vehicle? Fun, fun, fun!!!
But, just when we thought we were having fun the 185lb dummy showed up. He became the 12th team member and the S.O.B. was always getting hit. Suffice it to say that from that point on once we engaged we all had to be aware to: 1) Get him out of the car and 2) Provide cover and assistance in order to get him dragged to a position where we could set up security. Imagine how much fun it is when you are sitting in the front passenger seat about to do a left side bailout and the dummy is the driver. Not good times!!!
Undaunted, we did 4 such runs, 2 of which were conducted after lunch on the heels of a splendid “get your head out of your ass� talk given by former civilian contractor Ben Thomas. As some may recall Ben was one of the “Blackwater Commandos� who successfully defended the Provisional Authority’s regional headquarters in Najaf during several days of assault by the Madhi army and other insurgent elements in March of 2004. Regardless of what you might hear or know about Ben, we could not have been more fortunate to have this man share his gift of fighting spirit. His speech was one of conviction and pure motivation. Ben talked not from a holier than thou platform but instead from one of heart and soul that showed his genuine conviction to share his knowledge and experience with those who might benefit from it. It is no wonder that he and Yeager hang out, and why so many people call Ben a friend.
Our final run on Day 4 was utterly and absolutely grueling. There were no holds barred by the instructors and a cease fire was not called for upwards of 25 minutes. On this last drill we bounded roughly 300 meters from contact and had the pleasure of dragging another teammate who had been deemed wounded. As an added bonus I ended up getting myself declared KIA near the end of the drill and further deepened our team’s crisis. It was totally demoralizing for me. I seriously want to crawl in a hole and cry. That’s how committed I had become. That’s how much it meant to the team.
In the end it was a useful lesson before the FTX on Day 5. We all fought hard, but had made numerous tactical errors. All of us were shooting too much and communicating too little, but selfishness was among the worst. We would all need to work together in order to successfully complete the FTX.
As a team leader I shot too much but I also tried to do too much. Upon completion of that drill I learned the word “delegation� and how to employ it in a combat situation. I also vowed to myself that I would not get “killed� during the FTX.
Day 5: The FTX Despite ending Day 4 somewhat bummed and totally exhausted, we all showed up with energetic, snappy, determined demeanors. We knew what to do, and we were going to get it done! I will admit that I was on the verge of spewing breakfast a few times, but that’s just me, I’m intense…that’s how I roll.
After a totally uplifting and enlightening video lecture by police psychologist Dr. Whitesell, we had a mission briefing and planning period. Upon completion we convoyed to the range and powered through the FTX. It was not perfect. Most things rarely are. But for 11 FNG’s to get 5 days of training and execute advanced land warfare tactics under stress, in a simulated combat environment, with professionalism and confidence is to me quite simply splendid. I think seeing us complete the FTX in such a manner is enough to bring a grown man to tears. As for me I puked, but again that’s just me, I’m intense…that’s how I roll. (Rugue’s wife has it on video for all you doubters.)
I’m not going to spoil any potential HRCC student with details. Suffice it to say that there were burning cars, things that went crack-crack, things that went BOOM, things that blew up sparkly, things that sparkled and hit you, things that spewed smoke, and various other wonderful added distractions. See the pictures on Get Off the X and you’ll get an idea.
Overall it was a glorious occasion, one that I would be happy to repeat. It was value beyond measure, and accomplishment beyond even our own immediate understanding. Like I said on another post, this class not only made us better fighters, it made us better people.
____________________________________________________________________________
There are five other areas worth further discussion:
Safety: We all knew the risks going into this class and most of us learned long ago that one cannot progress without accepting a relative amount of risk. For each of us there was some sort of formal or informal selection/approval process that allowed us to attend this class. As I mentioned before, HRCC has prerequisites. So it came as no surprise that we were automatically expected to handle our weapon systems and other potentially risky items in the utmost proficient and professional manner possible (On the range and off). Bottom line is that by the time you get to this level you handle yourself well or you don’t shoot. Unsafe shooters have been kicked out of Tactical Response classes before and this was no exception.
Now don’t get me wrong, we had our share of safety briefings and we had plenty of daily reminders from instructors telling us to “Watch your muzzle� or “Hey you almost swept that guy�. But for the most part our class followed what I know to be the Tactical Response safety mantra: The student is thoroughly empowered and trained to be a good steward of his weapon system and not rely solely on the instructors to provide a safe training environment. It was very apparent from day one that proper muzzle control and weapon retention was a grave responsibility, one that each of us was totally and completely hypersensitive to. Yeager told us on more than one occasion, “Treat your guns like a poisonous snake�. That we did and I am happy to say that not once did any of us violate the four primary safety rules, and not once was I worried or concerned about the muzzle of any of my fellow teammates. That’s just Tactical Response…that’s how they roll.
Health and Fitness: While most of us didn’t clue in right away, we were constantly being monitored by instructors and assistants for any signs of physical debilitation that might hinder our performance or cause us to be unsafe. Dehydration was the biggest; fatigue was next on the list. Water and rest breaks were abundant. I can remember 2 times where an instructor or assistant publicly questioned a student about his condition. Each student was subsequently treated and returned to class only after they had adequately recovered. Remember, the insurance commercial, “You’re in good hands with Allstate�? Yup, that’s Tactical Response.
Lecture: Many times lecture, video or otherwise, is just filler. Not in this class. Each and every lecture period included valuable topics that were very appropriate. It may surprise folks to learn that the lectures were not all about “Do this and you will be a civilian contractor�. Lecture material in turn focused on but was not limited to subjects such as: mindset, providing aid using a V.O.K., higher brain functions during combat situations, and included an engrossing brief of the Blackwater/Najaf incident provided by Ben Thomas.
Additionally, Yeager also made good use of down time to keep us tuned in and learning. On two nights after dinner a video was shown and attendance was mandatory. The videos themselves focused on documentaries about PMC’s and civilian contractors. They were not only entertaining, but also enlightening. Overall it was a good use of time that otherwise might have been weaned away watching Team America or Anchorman. (That’s not to say that we didn’t watch those on other nights- Good times’ bro’s!!!)
Team Building: This class took advantage of every opportunity to team build not only on the range, but off the range as well. Each team was issued a medical bag that was to be taken with them everywhere….EVERYWHERE!!! None of us wanted to find out the repercussions of leaving it behind. It became a team thing to care for it and carry it. At night it was accounted for before we went to bed and one of the first things we accounted for in the morning. Special thanks to team Alpha for being vigilant about both. You guys also had the manly share of carrying that thing during drills (Especially Orf and Scott!) I don't feel that I carried my share- apparently I was spending more time trying to get myself declared KIA- and I am indebted to team Alpha for stepping up.
We were also instructed to wear full kit and have rifles handy from morning briefing until the convoy reached it’s RP for the day. We were also expected to have full kit and rifle handy around the team room. Most of us bunked right next to our gear. We all suffered together in a sense and it built unity and cohesion knowing that we were all ready for business from the start of the day and on through the night. The best part of it was wearing our rigs into a local BBQ joint called Kody’s. (Great grub I might add!!!) The owner is a true patriot in every sense and loves everyone wearing their gear, sans rifles, in his place. Talk about staying in character!
The Team Room was also another added element of team building. Here we also bonded by carrying out our daily chores together. This included cleaning rifles at Yeager’s kick ass cleaning station, jamming mags, and prepping gear. It also allowed us a place to air out issues or talk with an instructor about something. Naturally, it was a cool place to simply unwind and chat up the day’s activities. You could read a book, watch a movie, hit the fridge or hit the rack for a cat nap.
Another key part about the team room is that it gave us somewhere to do our homework. Yes homework. I wasn’t kidding. This class was no joke. On Monday and Tuesday nights both Alpha and Omega teams were tasked with preparing a brief on different subjects. These briefs were then presented the following morning before lecture. The neat thing is that the environment allowed for input from everyone present not just the people on Alpha or Omega teams. This brought us even closer together.
Gear: I am a former gear Yoda that relapses frequently so I hate to even bring this up. But, with a class as demanding as this it is important to share what worked and what didn’t. On a side note, it was absolutely priceless to have the Tactical Response Gear store at your disposal in the event you needed new gear or wanted to try something that might work better for you.
What worked:
Rifle- Home built Colt upper with a 14.5� Colt SOCOM barrel (Thanks Skich!), Voltor basic mod-stock, MIAD grip, Knights 10 ¾ “ FF rail, LaRue mounted Pentagon X2, and LaRue mounted Aimpoint M3. I had one minor FTE with this rifle due to under lubrication. That was the only hiccup.
Pistol- Glock 17 w/ Insight TRL-1 and Safariland 6004.
Rig- Eagle Industries Plate Carrier with Cummerbund. I ran 4 Paraclete double M4 mag pouches, a Paraclete smoke pouch, a Paraclete upright large utility, a small HSGI radio pouch, a small Paraclet GPS pouch (for personal items), an Eagle folding knife pouch converted to hold a Pentagon X2, and an HSGI double M4 mag subload. The ensemble was completed by an old school Cold Steel fighter.
Level III+ Stand Alone Polyethylene Plates: I purchased these from Nick Taylor at BulletProofMe.com. I run these with a small Level IIIA backer (Made by D-R). They are very comfortable and very light- 7.2lbs total. I had no lower back or foot problems and the thickness was not an issue. Keep them out of direct sunlight (or an oven) and you’re alright. Good Lord I am glad I got rid of the 16lb total stand alone ceramics!
Pants- Surplus BDU’s and Old Navy cargo pants. Don’t buy expensive 5.11 stuff or Gucci tactical gear. Most of the time they are not high quality or very tactical….just expensive.
Ammo- I ran about 1000rds each of 55gr FMJ American Eagle and Winchester UMC without any problems. I would swear the additional 2000rds of HSM 62gr FMJ reloaded target ammo ran even better.
What didn’t work:
HSGI Universal Drop Leg Holster with Safariland 6280 holster: I don’t blame this on Gene Higdon at HSGI but the fact is that I and my buddy Pancho both had our pistols fall out using these holster combos. It is my estimation that it is a body type issue. My buddy Reece ran the same thing and didn’t have any problems. I switched to a 6004 and didn’t have any problems. I will be in contact with Gene regarding this issue, but suffice it to say that if you are a stocky 5’11� with husky quads use caution.
Camelback: I took mine off after my first rough bailout. Under these circumstances, there is no need to have anything hindering your ability to exit a vehicle. Not to mention the fact that I spent most of my time drinking out of Nalgenes and gallon containers anyway.
Pentagon push on/off Tailcap: I don’t’ know what it is with flashlight manufacturers lately but almost everybody has a fascination with push on/off tail caps. I love running an X2 as a weapon light. I have learned how bad tape switches are for me and also enjoy the use of a momentary tail cap. Pentagon used to have these but switched. ??? Anyhow, I had a new X2 with the push on/off tail cap on my M4 and it sucked big time. The illumination was great, but I spent more time messing with the button and trying to view an obscured target than I did shooting. Bad, bad, bad! The only thing to do is buy a momentary tail cap. Now I have to spend more money!
________________________________________________________________________________
Earlier in the year I had some preconceived notions about the class, but I tried to go into it open minded and not expecting anything. This is my normal M.O. for any class and it worked well in HRCC. As it turned out the class not only gave me a comprehensive look at the world of high risk civilian contracting, it also gave me priceless survival tools, and skills that are easily employed in other environments. Most of the folks that attended this class were civilians looking for a higher level of training and accomplishment. However, we were honored to have two guys who were veteran L.E. and military attend. I invite you to read the comments of these individuals and others on Get Off the X: GetOfftheX- HRCC Review I am sure you will find them valuable.
In closing I would like to thank the wonderful group of individuals I trained with, the solid group of instructors that nurtured us, and James and Rebecca Yeager for providing an overly hospitable place to stay. You are all outstanding people and you have all touched my life in ways I cannot yet truly comprehend. For that I am eternally grateful.
In strength and honor….
-Freddy Erdman
Blacksheep
I am new here and saw this post.
I wanted to let you guys know that this is an advanced class.
I have taken their HRCC Contractor shooting class that is quite the same without all the medical.
I am not a high speed operator, but a normal guy.
I took this class because it was the next logical step in my training.
This class is less about shooting and more about communicating, moving and working with others.
It will make you a better shooter no doubt, but please do not talk down on it unless you have first hand knowledge of the class.
The class changed my mindset and I am much better for it.
Go over to http://www.getoffthex.com and check out the course reviews to see what it is all about.
I know first post and all, but take the class before you shoot it down.
Here is an example of an AAR (after action review) from one of the guys in my class.
By: Freddy Erdman
I recently attended a 5-day High Risk Civilian Contractor (HRCC) Shooting course put on by Tactical Response. The course went from September 10th -14th and was held at the Tactical Response range in Camden, Tennessee.
Over the past year I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to attend 6 Tactical Response courses (Fighting Rifle/Adv Fighting Rifle, Fighting Pistol/Adv Fighting Pistol, Fighting Rifle/Intermediate Range Fighting Rifle) as well as 3 classes taught by Paul Howe at his CSAT range (Tactical Rifle, Tactical Pistol, and a 2-day private lesson). While each class was excellent and offered a high degree of growth and development, there is no way to compare them to the challenge HRCC offered.
BE ADVISED- HRCC is not for the weak of heart or timid of spirit!!! You also don’t just sign up and go. Tactical Response Fighting Rifle is now a pre-requisite and anyone considering attending this class should first possess a high degree of firearms safety and proficiency. Basically, if you are not a person that shows up to classes ready to train and give 110% then you had better think twice about HRCC.
Right from the start my HRCC shooting experience was positive. First, I was with four guys from my unstoppable, undeniable, invincible Central Texas cadre. What could be better? As a matter of fact…who could be better?
Second, James Yeager had afforded us the luxury of staying in his Team Room. The Team Room is a basement area that is offered as accommodations for anyone attending classes in Camden. There is no cost, just simply leave it cleaner than you left it and be respectful while you are there. Cost savings is actually not the real bonus here. The real bonus is being around your team and instructors the entire time. One becomes totally immersed in the class and there is ample opportunity to discuss whatever topic may be relevant at the time. Having the team together under one roof would also prove invaluable as the week progressed.
Lastly, I was selected to be the team leader of Alpha Team, a six man element. At first I had to choke down initial feelings of self-doubt and insecurity. But I immediately realized how valuable the experience would be and manned-up for the challenge. Besides, once the class got going I didn’t have time for stupid thoughts like “Oh golly gee can I do this� or “Will I fail my team�? That’s another good thing about Tactical Response. There is no gray area. You do it….or you don’t. No middle ground.
The daily grind for HRCC shooting started with a lecture at 0900hrs. Subsequent days also included a morning brief conducted by each of the two teams, Alpha and Omega. Lecture ended around 11:00-11:30 and the teams would then form a convoy and head out to the range. Range time would run until roughly 1600 with a short lunch, and short breaks to re-load and re-hydrate. Range time was no joke. It was very involving and demanded all you had physically, as well as mentally. The week’s range activities are as follows:
Day 1: We assembled at the far range and practiced moving to contact, then bounding back to cover. This was our first introduction to counter-ambush tactics. All team members would form a line and walk forward until we heard “fight�- this is the Tactical Response universal command to shoot/engage. We would then dump a mag, move, dump another mag and begin bounding back to a defensible position while slow firing. From there we learned how to consolidate teams individually and then as a whole, while at the same time learning proper radio procedure for communicating during contact as well as calling in support. It was absolutely exhausting and equally dehydrating. I am sure that we all went back to the team room that day thinking “Good God what will the rest of the week be like�?
Day 2: We assembled at the main range that had an open area for drill and a main exercise area that had burned out/shot up vehicles and other obstacles on it. On this day we split our time between immediate action type pistol drills and shooting from a moving vehicle. Yes shooting from a moving vehicle. It was as cool and as fun as it sounds. It was also a priceless learning experience. During our range time we also had a demonstration on breaking window glass. Two students conducted the demo. One with a rifle muzzle-it took my burly buddy Pancho 4 strikes to punch through the rear glass of a Bronco- and the other with a handy dandy $10 tool called ResQMe- it took my buddy Reece one shot with this gadget and the window was GONE! Many glass breaking myths were shattered this day- no pun intended.
We broke a little early on Day 2 to go back and prepare for a low light shoot. That night we met for a very informative low light brief. As always safety was paramount, but it was stressed even more in this brief.
We were back at the range about 19:30. Once assembled we conducted movement to contact and consolidation drills much like we did on Day 1 except at the main range where again there were burned out/shot up vehicles to navigate. This was an awesome experience unlike any low-light I have ever encountered! We all did incredibly well both times and the whole exercise went off without a hitch. Well, except when cease fire was called and we were supposed to maneuver and consolidate. I found this can be a nightmarish scenario for a team leader. Everyone is spread out, they all have loaded weapons that you can only HOPE are pointed the right direction, folks are edgy because the bad guys are still trying to kill them, and you can’t see past the first two or three teammates on your left or right. Not good times. Again, the whole exercise went off without any safety issues or problems in general.
Day 3: This day seemed easy but the complexity of the drills proved to drain us anyway. On Day 3 we split up and began learning to move in formations while the other element conducted various forms of transition drills. At the end of these drills we all gathered together to conduct what became the first of many team movement and communication drills.
About the formation drills: We not only learned the diamond formation but also the box and did both in live fire multi contact drills. I have trained with and used the diamond formation and was amazed at the ease of use and relatively quick manner in which one can learn and employ the box formation. According to our instructors the box was very useful in teaching their Iraqi counterparts a quick and effective way to guard a principle while moving. These formations were effectively taught by instructor Jay Gibson and proven in live fire in approximately 2hrs! Regardless, of what anybody thought, it was another priceless tool to put in the box. Not every solution needs a hammer right?
About the transition drills: These were not your regular transition drills. They included elements of near and far targets as well as multi hit requirements on certain targets. Just like one might encounter in real life dontcha know! To add additional stress shooters were also teamed up for competition on certain drills. An L.E. counterpart was top dog on all of them but I finally bested the bastard after about 3 rounds. We were all honored to go nose to nose with such a top notch shooter.
About the team movement and communication drills: As if things weren’t tough already it really got kicked up a notch here. The drills started with all team members being positioned in a line behind a string of vehicles, 2 shooters to a vehicle. When “fight� was called we were to repulse the ambush and then go to slow fire without moving or bounding. Well, we thought we weren’t moving…doom on us!
Later, at undetermined intervals one of the instructors would tap a man (or woman in our case) wounded. The remaining team member would then have to coordinate with shooters on either side to facilitate a man down drag to a position disclosed by the instructor. On our last run it went down the entire line like dominos….utterly exhausting.
This drill was absolutely eye opening though. It required us to develop the skill and ability needed to shoot, move, and communicate effectively in a combat environment while receiving and returning fire. Developing strong situational awareness skills as well as learning how to communicate under stress was a key element in this drill not to mention the difficulty imposed by having to team up and move a man while more or less on the run. This is where I first started to encounter real difficulty as a team leader and where all of Day 1, 2, and 3’s learning began to come together.
Day 4: Today was bailout day. But again it was not quite that simple. After a lecture that demonstrated and discussed vehicle bailout procedure, it was out to the range for the real deal. I had seen video of my partner Debo doing vehicle bailouts in prior training. I thought it looked real easy. Oops.
Once at the range we again discussed vehicle bailout procedure, but this time did a couple dry runs using cars, people, and rifles. My first impression was that it looked like tactical clowns trying to get out of a damn clown car. After my first run I found out how right I was.
We first took turns loading teams into vehicles and then doing live fire Immediate Action Drills (IAD). Three defunct vehicles were lined up in a row and upon hearing the word “fight� we made our calls and engaged targets. After 1 or 2 runs we added the elements of breaking contact and moving to set security and consolidate all elements. At this point we also began to selectively employ smoke. For many of us this was a first. Oh and did I mention that sometimes vehicles would be tampered with and you would suddenly find yourself having to bail out the window or rear of the vehicle? Fun, fun, fun!!!
But, just when we thought we were having fun the 185lb dummy showed up. He became the 12th team member and the S.O.B. was always getting hit. Suffice it to say that from that point on once we engaged we all had to be aware to: 1) Get him out of the car and 2) Provide cover and assistance in order to get him dragged to a position where we could set up security. Imagine how much fun it is when you are sitting in the front passenger seat about to do a left side bailout and the dummy is the driver. Not good times!!!
Undaunted, we did 4 such runs, 2 of which were conducted after lunch on the heels of a splendid “get your head out of your ass� talk given by former civilian contractor Ben Thomas. As some may recall Ben was one of the “Blackwater Commandos� who successfully defended the Provisional Authority’s regional headquarters in Najaf during several days of assault by the Madhi army and other insurgent elements in March of 2004. Regardless of what you might hear or know about Ben, we could not have been more fortunate to have this man share his gift of fighting spirit. His speech was one of conviction and pure motivation. Ben talked not from a holier than thou platform but instead from one of heart and soul that showed his genuine conviction to share his knowledge and experience with those who might benefit from it. It is no wonder that he and Yeager hang out, and why so many people call Ben a friend.
Our final run on Day 4 was utterly and absolutely grueling. There were no holds barred by the instructors and a cease fire was not called for upwards of 25 minutes. On this last drill we bounded roughly 300 meters from contact and had the pleasure of dragging another teammate who had been deemed wounded. As an added bonus I ended up getting myself declared KIA near the end of the drill and further deepened our team’s crisis. It was totally demoralizing for me. I seriously want to crawl in a hole and cry. That’s how committed I had become. That’s how much it meant to the team.
In the end it was a useful lesson before the FTX on Day 5. We all fought hard, but had made numerous tactical errors. All of us were shooting too much and communicating too little, but selfishness was among the worst. We would all need to work together in order to successfully complete the FTX.
As a team leader I shot too much but I also tried to do too much. Upon completion of that drill I learned the word “delegation� and how to employ it in a combat situation. I also vowed to myself that I would not get “killed� during the FTX.
Day 5: The FTX Despite ending Day 4 somewhat bummed and totally exhausted, we all showed up with energetic, snappy, determined demeanors. We knew what to do, and we were going to get it done! I will admit that I was on the verge of spewing breakfast a few times, but that’s just me, I’m intense…that’s how I roll.
After a totally uplifting and enlightening video lecture by police psychologist Dr. Whitesell, we had a mission briefing and planning period. Upon completion we convoyed to the range and powered through the FTX. It was not perfect. Most things rarely are. But for 11 FNG’s to get 5 days of training and execute advanced land warfare tactics under stress, in a simulated combat environment, with professionalism and confidence is to me quite simply splendid. I think seeing us complete the FTX in such a manner is enough to bring a grown man to tears. As for me I puked, but again that’s just me, I’m intense…that’s how I roll. (Rugue’s wife has it on video for all you doubters.)
I’m not going to spoil any potential HRCC student with details. Suffice it to say that there were burning cars, things that went crack-crack, things that went BOOM, things that blew up sparkly, things that sparkled and hit you, things that spewed smoke, and various other wonderful added distractions. See the pictures on Get Off the X and you’ll get an idea.
Overall it was a glorious occasion, one that I would be happy to repeat. It was value beyond measure, and accomplishment beyond even our own immediate understanding. Like I said on another post, this class not only made us better fighters, it made us better people.
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There are five other areas worth further discussion:
Safety: We all knew the risks going into this class and most of us learned long ago that one cannot progress without accepting a relative amount of risk. For each of us there was some sort of formal or informal selection/approval process that allowed us to attend this class. As I mentioned before, HRCC has prerequisites. So it came as no surprise that we were automatically expected to handle our weapon systems and other potentially risky items in the utmost proficient and professional manner possible (On the range and off). Bottom line is that by the time you get to this level you handle yourself well or you don’t shoot. Unsafe shooters have been kicked out of Tactical Response classes before and this was no exception.
Now don’t get me wrong, we had our share of safety briefings and we had plenty of daily reminders from instructors telling us to “Watch your muzzle� or “Hey you almost swept that guy�. But for the most part our class followed what I know to be the Tactical Response safety mantra: The student is thoroughly empowered and trained to be a good steward of his weapon system and not rely solely on the instructors to provide a safe training environment. It was very apparent from day one that proper muzzle control and weapon retention was a grave responsibility, one that each of us was totally and completely hypersensitive to. Yeager told us on more than one occasion, “Treat your guns like a poisonous snake�. That we did and I am happy to say that not once did any of us violate the four primary safety rules, and not once was I worried or concerned about the muzzle of any of my fellow teammates. That’s just Tactical Response…that’s how they roll.
Health and Fitness: While most of us didn’t clue in right away, we were constantly being monitored by instructors and assistants for any signs of physical debilitation that might hinder our performance or cause us to be unsafe. Dehydration was the biggest; fatigue was next on the list. Water and rest breaks were abundant. I can remember 2 times where an instructor or assistant publicly questioned a student about his condition. Each student was subsequently treated and returned to class only after they had adequately recovered. Remember, the insurance commercial, “You’re in good hands with Allstate�? Yup, that’s Tactical Response.
Lecture: Many times lecture, video or otherwise, is just filler. Not in this class. Each and every lecture period included valuable topics that were very appropriate. It may surprise folks to learn that the lectures were not all about “Do this and you will be a civilian contractor�. Lecture material in turn focused on but was not limited to subjects such as: mindset, providing aid using a V.O.K., higher brain functions during combat situations, and included an engrossing brief of the Blackwater/Najaf incident provided by Ben Thomas.
Additionally, Yeager also made good use of down time to keep us tuned in and learning. On two nights after dinner a video was shown and attendance was mandatory. The videos themselves focused on documentaries about PMC’s and civilian contractors. They were not only entertaining, but also enlightening. Overall it was a good use of time that otherwise might have been weaned away watching Team America or Anchorman. (That’s not to say that we didn’t watch those on other nights- Good times’ bro’s!!!)
Team Building: This class took advantage of every opportunity to team build not only on the range, but off the range as well. Each team was issued a medical bag that was to be taken with them everywhere….EVERYWHERE!!! None of us wanted to find out the repercussions of leaving it behind. It became a team thing to care for it and carry it. At night it was accounted for before we went to bed and one of the first things we accounted for in the morning. Special thanks to team Alpha for being vigilant about both. You guys also had the manly share of carrying that thing during drills (Especially Orf and Scott!) I don't feel that I carried my share- apparently I was spending more time trying to get myself declared KIA- and I am indebted to team Alpha for stepping up.
We were also instructed to wear full kit and have rifles handy from morning briefing until the convoy reached it’s RP for the day. We were also expected to have full kit and rifle handy around the team room. Most of us bunked right next to our gear. We all suffered together in a sense and it built unity and cohesion knowing that we were all ready for business from the start of the day and on through the night. The best part of it was wearing our rigs into a local BBQ joint called Kody’s. (Great grub I might add!!!) The owner is a true patriot in every sense and loves everyone wearing their gear, sans rifles, in his place. Talk about staying in character!
The Team Room was also another added element of team building. Here we also bonded by carrying out our daily chores together. This included cleaning rifles at Yeager’s kick ass cleaning station, jamming mags, and prepping gear. It also allowed us a place to air out issues or talk with an instructor about something. Naturally, it was a cool place to simply unwind and chat up the day’s activities. You could read a book, watch a movie, hit the fridge or hit the rack for a cat nap.
Another key part about the team room is that it gave us somewhere to do our homework. Yes homework. I wasn’t kidding. This class was no joke. On Monday and Tuesday nights both Alpha and Omega teams were tasked with preparing a brief on different subjects. These briefs were then presented the following morning before lecture. The neat thing is that the environment allowed for input from everyone present not just the people on Alpha or Omega teams. This brought us even closer together.
Gear: I am a former gear Yoda that relapses frequently so I hate to even bring this up. But, with a class as demanding as this it is important to share what worked and what didn’t. On a side note, it was absolutely priceless to have the Tactical Response Gear store at your disposal in the event you needed new gear or wanted to try something that might work better for you.
What worked:
Rifle- Home built Colt upper with a 14.5� Colt SOCOM barrel (Thanks Skich!), Voltor basic mod-stock, MIAD grip, Knights 10 ¾ “ FF rail, LaRue mounted Pentagon X2, and LaRue mounted Aimpoint M3. I had one minor FTE with this rifle due to under lubrication. That was the only hiccup.
Pistol- Glock 17 w/ Insight TRL-1 and Safariland 6004.
Rig- Eagle Industries Plate Carrier with Cummerbund. I ran 4 Paraclete double M4 mag pouches, a Paraclete smoke pouch, a Paraclete upright large utility, a small HSGI radio pouch, a small Paraclet GPS pouch (for personal items), an Eagle folding knife pouch converted to hold a Pentagon X2, and an HSGI double M4 mag subload. The ensemble was completed by an old school Cold Steel fighter.
Level III+ Stand Alone Polyethylene Plates: I purchased these from Nick Taylor at BulletProofMe.com. I run these with a small Level IIIA backer (Made by D-R). They are very comfortable and very light- 7.2lbs total. I had no lower back or foot problems and the thickness was not an issue. Keep them out of direct sunlight (or an oven) and you’re alright. Good Lord I am glad I got rid of the 16lb total stand alone ceramics!
Pants- Surplus BDU’s and Old Navy cargo pants. Don’t buy expensive 5.11 stuff or Gucci tactical gear. Most of the time they are not high quality or very tactical….just expensive.
Ammo- I ran about 1000rds each of 55gr FMJ American Eagle and Winchester UMC without any problems. I would swear the additional 2000rds of HSM 62gr FMJ reloaded target ammo ran even better.
What didn’t work:
HSGI Universal Drop Leg Holster with Safariland 6280 holster: I don’t blame this on Gene Higdon at HSGI but the fact is that I and my buddy Pancho both had our pistols fall out using these holster combos. It is my estimation that it is a body type issue. My buddy Reece ran the same thing and didn’t have any problems. I switched to a 6004 and didn’t have any problems. I will be in contact with Gene regarding this issue, but suffice it to say that if you are a stocky 5’11� with husky quads use caution.
Camelback: I took mine off after my first rough bailout. Under these circumstances, there is no need to have anything hindering your ability to exit a vehicle. Not to mention the fact that I spent most of my time drinking out of Nalgenes and gallon containers anyway.
Pentagon push on/off Tailcap: I don’t’ know what it is with flashlight manufacturers lately but almost everybody has a fascination with push on/off tail caps. I love running an X2 as a weapon light. I have learned how bad tape switches are for me and also enjoy the use of a momentary tail cap. Pentagon used to have these but switched. ??? Anyhow, I had a new X2 with the push on/off tail cap on my M4 and it sucked big time. The illumination was great, but I spent more time messing with the button and trying to view an obscured target than I did shooting. Bad, bad, bad! The only thing to do is buy a momentary tail cap. Now I have to spend more money!
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Earlier in the year I had some preconceived notions about the class, but I tried to go into it open minded and not expecting anything. This is my normal M.O. for any class and it worked well in HRCC. As it turned out the class not only gave me a comprehensive look at the world of high risk civilian contracting, it also gave me priceless survival tools, and skills that are easily employed in other environments. Most of the folks that attended this class were civilians looking for a higher level of training and accomplishment. However, we were honored to have two guys who were veteran L.E. and military attend. I invite you to read the comments of these individuals and others on Get Off the X: GetOfftheX- HRCC Review I am sure you will find them valuable.
In closing I would like to thank the wonderful group of individuals I trained with, the solid group of instructors that nurtured us, and James and Rebecca Yeager for providing an overly hospitable place to stay. You are all outstanding people and you have all touched my life in ways I cannot yet truly comprehend. For that I am eternally grateful.
In strength and honor….
-Freddy Erdman
Blacksheep