I just did an out of state 2 day NVG gunfighter class. While the class was good I didn't really learn anything new. It was basically the same daytime drills but at night.


Does anyone know of training classes that focus more on scenario based tactics rather than weapons handling and recoil management? I dropped quite a bit of money and time and really didn't get much from that and it's making me hesitant to pay for any more classes. I don't want to spend several hours of class just making sure people know how to zero their shit and understand things like converging vs parallel zero.

A good Force-on-Force class should teach you tactics.  Going up against live opponents on a simulated 2-way range is the best training.

For personal defense tactics, Craig Douglas at https://shivworks.com/

Don't think you'd go wrong with Mosby at https://mountainguerrilla.wordpress.com/courses-offered/

It's older, and perhaps a bit dated, but Tactical Advantage is where I first learned tactics.

Leadership And Training For The Fight discusses tactics and other topics and has some solid material.

If you want to be smart on tactics, the John Boyd thread is a good primer.

Thanks!

It is a good question, that really begs a couple of questions back at you:

What are you looking to specifically learn (vehicle vs dismounted, force on target vs force on force, etc)?

What is your background and experience?

How much time/money/resources do you have for said training?

Everyone has to have a baseline to move up.  "Tactical" courses can go from expanded flat range drills to days, if not weeks, long covered a variety of topics and at increasing complexity.

I think that defining what you would like to train on, being honest with yourself and your instructor(s) about your skills and experience will help you find the right course(s) for you.

I will say that I have learned something from every class that I have taken, and that sometimes a step "backwards" helps refresh and re-ground me in fundamentals that I might have gotten lazy with as I took more application-based courses.

I would be happy to pass along some ideas for good trainers and venues, just need to know what you would like to work on.

I hope that helps.

Max Velocity  Tactical in West VA

https://maxvelocitytactical.com

One of the better courses I've taken and their facility while seem primitive it adds to the experience.

Well worth the money and travel.


I've only taken the 4 day HEAT 1 class

Looking specifically for scenario based training on assaulting and taking down bad dudes. Example- There's an active shooter(s) in position A, you (and possibly others) are in position B. Make it happen in the most effective way possible.


I keep hearing that it's 90% tactics and 10% shooting. But every time I take a class it focuses on shooting and flat range drills. I can do that stuff on my own.


Background is former 11B, MOUT training and your typical grunt stuff. It's been a while. I realize I won't be getting large extended FTXs but I'm tired of flat range drills shooting stationary paper targets.

Money isn't a huge issue. Logistics is probably more limiting.

I would look at things like shoothouse classes and Petty's VCQB course as good starts for what you want to do.

DARC LECTC is the apex of FoF training, but it is not cheap and I am not sure of Rich's pre-reqs regarding open enrollment-style seats.

This model, from McRaven's SPEC OPS book, captures key success factors for small unit actions:



John Boyd shows that predictability is the enemy of success.  H J Poole has a variety of books describing tactics that have worked in the past.

Northernredtraining.com

Look into cbq and sut.  Its incredibly difficult if you don't have a couple hundred hours of training

https://brushbeater.org/

NCScout is an excellent instructor- I took the Scout Course which focuses on small unit tactics in rural environments.

Insights offers tactics classes from time to time.

Certain instructors you can talk with the directly, there are "alumni" or senior students that will set up  a more scenario focused/ private-ish course in a group buy. Also if your confident in the basics meet up with other ARFCOM'ers in your hometown forum. Being in Idaho Id image you'll have a bit of open ground to come up with different scenarios to test your skills.

I'm in Idaho and I go to the Defensive Action Center for force on force. Great facility.

https://defensiveactioncenter.com/shop.html

His blog indicates he's doing open enrollment classes.  Try him at [email protected]