TNVC recently completed its first complete (due to COVID-19) Nightfighter 101 class in Alliance, Ohio, June 13-14. The was a sold out class, and we really enjoyed having that many students. An interesting note to begin the AAR--the class composition was entirely civilian, with one local LEO in the mix.
The weather was amazing--the best that I can remember for Alliance. Cool, low humidity and no rain. I did get sprinkled on while running Saturday morning, but it is not Alliance if I don't get wet. The weather conditions for this time of year were 1-15 degrees below normal, and this made for a very comfortable learning environment.
Regarding equipment, this class had more than half the students running silencers on their guns. This is nice for a number of reasons--it reduces "wear and tear" on fellow students/instructors, reduces muzzle flash, and obviously looks cool. All joking aside, they do make the training feel easier. Additionally, two students ran 300 Blackout rifles--another first for the class since I have been there.
For night vision devices, most students wore PVS14s. There were a few student-owned binocular setups, and we provided two rental pairs for students. The PVS14 remains a great night vision device. There are lots of opinions on "which is the right night vision device for me", but you cannot go wrong with a PVS14. Yeah, you can do better if you want, but the 14 works well, and you are certainly more capable than 99%+ of the population using that NVG. Do not feel under equipped with this NOD.
We saw some initial difficulties with carbines due to lack of lubrication. We all know that ARs run much better when lubricated and it is a simple PCC to do to ensure the gun runs right. As you head to the range, class or for work, please lubricate that carbine--it will make a difference.
Helmet mounted ear pro is common and here to stay. However, when you load and make ready, make sure to physically touch your eyes and ears. In the last few classes I have taught, there have been students that felt the weight of the ear pro, failed to load and make ready properly, and learned the hard way about that--all it takes is that first round fired to remind you about that. These procedures are taught in a particular way to make sure that we are ready to go--follow them and you will be good to go.
In our low light work in the shoothouse, we saw several instances of not "seeing" what you are "looking" at. The white light is only as effective as the person behind it. Learning to properly scan, and see what you are looking out helps you make the most of the light. The white light gives us the confidence at night to move a little bit quicker, which can affect your ability to completely scan areas you are searching. Take your time and see what you are looking at.
We were able to put the new TOR MINI on a student's carbine. Simple to mount, easy to zero and worked great for him to compare to the Streamlight laser/illuminator combo he was using. Very capable unit for an amazing price. It will be at all future classes for students to check out and try.
Matt from Cloud Defensive swung by and gave a small demo of their products. They are bringing some great products to the community and are worth checking out. There are more quality light options out there now more than ever, and it is a great time to get your light setups complete.
This year, there will be multiple Nightfighter 101 and Armed Professional Classes at the Alliance Facility. The dates and for both classes are on the website and these classes are filling quickly. For those interested in taking a TNVC class, but don't have night vision, we do offer rental gear to get you started. Information is available on the website.
We always thank Joe Weyer and the Alliance Police Department for their generous support for training. If you are looking for a great place to train, on almost any firearms discipline, check them out--they are sure to offer a class that you would be interested in.
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.
Rite in the Rain
Ops-Core
Unity Tactical
Thyrm
Geissele Automatics