AAR, NIGHT FIGHTER 101, ALLIANCE, OH 1 – 2 OCT 22
Team TNVC conducted Nightfighter 101 in the Hawaii of the Midwest (Alliance, Ohio) this past weekend (1-2 OCT 22) that exceeded all expectations. What a great student population…more about that later. In addition to this class, Team TNVC executed a Try Before You Buy event and conducted Nightfighter 201.
The Alliance PD range is considered a second home and our “home field” for many reasons. We cannot thank Joe Weyer and his team enough as they provide facilities and external capability and capacity that is rarely found in the training community. Giant kudos and may thanks to the APD and Joe.
This was another sold out Nightfighter 101 class, and it is great having that many students willing to give of their time and energy to come get a “software upgrade” on the use of technology to gain information, make a decision and solve a problem. We had a healthy mix of local/state/fed LE, Soldiers and average earth people in attendance…a great mix of superb students. We love teaching switched on students and this class was arguably the most switched on or “gelled” student populations we have seen. Students drive tempo and the operations tempo was the best we’ve seen, well done gents!
The angry weather gods that usually brutalize classes in Alliance (want the weather to change? Wait five minutes…) tried to make an appearance from the east coast after playing in The Hurricane Ian Band, but the students mentioned above applied positive mental energy and kept them at bay. Small rain squall during the classroom lecture was it, the rest of the class was clear with good illum, temps in the low 40s to mid-60s with just enough atmospheric effects to make students use/adjust their gear to account for it. Remember this is a night vision/technology class with some shooting associated…not a gun class with goggles associated.
The entire student body had solid night vision an illumination equipment, we did not find any odd or offshore components out there and all equipment functioned as designed/desired. Of not, your illumination tools and goggles require “ammo” in the form of batteries (LITHIUM) not only installed in your equipment but carried as spares much as we carry reloads for our rifles and pistols. Hint hint, sometimes your batteries will just die, carry a spare.
The majority of the class was running the AR platform in various shapes and sizes, the preferred fighting rifle for too many reasons to list here. We did, however, have several non-AR platforms in class this turn (Bren, AKM, Ruger PCC). What we’re looking for and cover in depth is 1) dance with the date your brought and 2) be able to work your soft goods and hardware in any condition. The flow drill will validate your soft goods positioning on your body and the load and make ready ritual (if done in sequence as designed) will ensure that we not only put our equipment in fully operational status but give us a reference point as we have to work malfunctions in the dark when it’s scary and hard to see up close with goggle on our faces.
We run a pretty aggressive tempo to our classes for working between the two relays. A lot of this has to do with working on a semi-reverse schedule, and we have a lot of training objectives we want to cover. Jamming mags prior to class and having readily available food and drinks helps make your breaks more enjoyable, relaxing, and keeps our students alert and receptive to instruction. Small things like that can help you make the most of your breaks. Remember “horse, saddle, man” …take care of your gun (horse), reset kit (saddle), grab chow (man). Having a priority of work during breaks will pay off in spades. As mentioned above, this entire student population was an outstanding group of like-minded individuals that make their firing orders a team and it showed…again, well done gents.
We will be in Alliance several times next year, it is the flagship training facility for not only the things we can do, but the people we can work with. Keep your eyes on the website for course dates to drop soon.
Additionally, several companies stepped up to offer students swag and such for their attendance. We really appreciate their generosity and are proud to have them associated with our classes.
Ops-Core
Unity Tactical
Thyrm
Geissele Automatics
Otte Gear
Phokus Research Group
Blue Force Gear
Cloud Defensive
NOD Pods