Posted: 2/12/2009 10:38:24 PM EDT
|
I passed our Dept. SRT test on Wednesday morning and am now waiting.
I am waiting to be notified of my appointment for the psych eval. It is not so much that I am nervous about any of it, just thinking VERY differently about a LOT of things since the test. I realize that there will be many new expectations on me both IN my actual duties on SRT, but also in how people might look to me during my everyday duties as well. Not saying that I expect myself to instantly become some sort of super cop, but I realize that there are people who will look to me and my teammates to be exactly that, and then others who will be all to happy to take out the "fine toothed comb". I have definitely thought about the months, and years of hard work ahead of me to both attain, maintain, and improve on the skills that will be necessary. I welcome that. I have always been one to push myself. I get my workouts in, I drive 45 minutes to the Dept. range to shoot even when it is cold, wet, hot, whatever. I love my job, and I love the expectations it places on me, the challenges it lays before me, and the opportunities to improve myself on an almost daily basis. So MOSTLY this is just me clearing my head, partly bragging (cause I am proud), and partly seeking whatever advice you guys might have to offer. |
|
Hey, congrats man. You should be proud as that is a big step up. And you are right, it can be alot more fun, but the expectations are higher. Kinda like going from the 5 dollar Black Jack table over to the 20 Dollar Table.
I am not sure what duties are expected of you in your SRT squad. I know I do some special detial stuff and the most fun, and risky, is being part of a Arrest Warrant team. Biggest thing for us is teamwork. When you are clearing a building or sneekin' around in the dark, knowing how your teamate smell makes all the difference.  Ok, so smell, not so much, but strong teamwork is critical. So, I suppose the only advice I can give is related to that, keep an open mind and make freinds.
Oh, not sure if you get issued gear or select your own, but get the best. Dont fuck around when it comes to that. Keep us posted. Stay safe. |
|
I already know a lot of the guys on the team, and the ones I didn't know before seem ready to welcome the FNG,
so I don't think I will have any trouble getting a feel for the team. Time will tell. Gear is provided, and most of what I have seen is top notch. Some things are left to personal preference, gloves, boots, etc. Recommendations??? |
|
Some tips...
Join the NTOA if haven't already done so. Poke around on their website and read everything you can. I see you placing alot of emphasis on the physical skills and attributes that are present in a good SRT candidate, which is good. But understand that the very best guys in the field are the intelligent and tactically saavy guys. I can teach anyone how to shoot better, or how to enter a room correctly, or how to plan a warrant properly. What I can't do is teach you tactical presence. You get that on your own, and you're not going to get it by just going to scheduled training. Read every tactical debrief you can get your hands on. Read every news article that you can find that pertains to the field. Network outside of your team and your area. Sometimes trends don't start where you're at. Go to training and conferences whenever you can, even if it's on your own dime. Stay ahead of the game. SRT is as much or maybe even more of a mental challenge than it is a physical one. |
|
Great (and not overlooked) point about the mental aspects. Part of the reason for my current emphasis
on the physical is that if I can take the thought out of the physical part of the job, that frees my mind for other tasks. Trying to remove obstacles from my path if you will. Any gear suggestions as far as boots, gloves, & knives. Those are about the only things the Dept. doesn't provide from my understanding. |
|
Quoted:
Any gear suggestions as far as boots, gloves, & knives. Those are about the only things the Dept. doesn't provide from my understanding. Boots and gloves depend on what you're looking for...I've had good luck with the 5.11 HRT boot, but my current pair is worn out and I'm gonna try the Oakley boots. Several guys I work with have spoken very highly about their comfort. Gloves...I've been sporting a pair of Under Armour gloves lately that fit and feel like batting gloves. I love them. And as far as knives go, just about anything will do. In over 10 years on SWAT, I've never needed to use a knife on a call. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to give a different opinion though. You'll get as many gear opinions as we have members here. |
|
Boots? Got Bates Ultra Lights. Fairly happy. I think boots are a truly personal thing. Likewise with gloves. I have been wearing some duty style, pat down gloves, thin enough to shoot and feel, but thick enough to take a beating on rough stuff. All though, once the funds get a loittle better, I am really thinking about getting a good pair of gloves. Guess I will be doing my homework on that.
Plus one tactics. I know guys in few different groups with my department, all seem to do things a bit different. Our TOU team, works in pairs.. while we seem to work with 3 or 4. Who knows which is truly best as I think you can make pro's and con's all day long. But the more you learn, thebetter you can adapt as I dont belive one type of drill will work for everything. Studying different schools can be great if you have to change up tactics if the scenario doesnt play by your rules... which seems to happen more often that not. I carry 2 knives.... Paranoid? No, not really. The first one is my good one. Between cutting a pant leg, opeing a MRsE, tape, packages... etc. never know when you need a good blade for utlity type things.... then there is the "icky" knife. That's the loaner knide and I wont cry if if it walks off.... and the icky part? Well, ever been in a house or some shit hole.. and you seem something but dont know what it is? Kinda goes like this.... "Oh man, WTF is that?" "here, use this...." Hence, the 'Icky Knife'
|
|
Figured opinions would be varried, just looking for "stay away from these" mostly. For example, I have had two pairs of Damascus
gloves, both of which began coming apart (generally at seams) within a couple of weeks of going into service. Won't be buying their priducts any longer. Seems the really hard part is finding someplace to try on various options. Anybody know of a good store in DFW? I will be there Mon. and Tue. visiting family, so a side trip would be possible. Thanks again for the feedback. It seems most of my thoughts since the test revolve around the "new job". |
| +1 on the Oakley boots. I'm going to try a pair of their gloves as well. Mil, Police, Fire, and EMS can register to get Oakely products for a substantial discount. I'm not too happy with my current 5.11 boots. The eyelets for the laces are plastic, and have started breaking off after a few weeks of light use. My previous boots were Original SWAT, and I liked them a lot. |