T R A I N to P R O T E C

Tactics Exercise

This is a hands on tactics exercise. It normally takes an hour or more to complete. With regular practice, your tactics will become instinctive, quick and life saving. Practice the exercise or individual tasks of it, as often as possible, at different locations and times. This can also be done at home or work. Use a separate sheet of paper to document the tasks. Have paper to draw a field sketch (a hand drawn map) of the location you are working. Work individually or in a group.

Select the location (a restaurant as an example) and travel there. Act, dress and arm yourself as you normally would. If you are moving to the area to be studied in a vehicle, take your vehicle as you normally would. Remember that this is a notional exercise do not cause alarm for others.

Task #1 - AREA CHARACTERISTIC EVALUATION TASK

1. Evaluate observation and territoriality cues moving into, at and away from your location.

2. Evaluate the potential for tactical movement:

A. Ability to move to an unpredictable location- position of advantage (POA)

B. To move in a serpentine or zig-zag pattern-not in a strait line

C. To move at an unpredictable speed.

D. To keep 360 degree awareness and defense.

3. Locate three hiding places or cover within easy reach of your location.

4. Evaluate the protective effects of your hiding places.

5. Locate all exit possibilities from the building or area.

6. Evaluate the exits practicality; route safety and time it would take to escape.

7. Locate and identify all field expedient weapons within easy reach of your current position.

Task #2 – SUBJECT- OPPONENT DANGER AWARENESS

1. Study a person (subject) inconspicuously at a distance. Quickly visually inspect three to five subject’s permanent characteristics. Write these three to five points down as a tactical description.

2. Give possible locations of concealed weapons carried by the suspect. Note field expedient weapons near by they could use.

3. Describe the subject’s background, age, health, culture, occupation and education.

4. Evaluate that subject’s level of potential threat from one to ten (ten being the highest).

5. You may do this to others at your area, if you feel it is necessary.

Task #3 - SELF AND ASSOCIATE READINESS EVALUATION TASK

1. List the weapons you have on your person.

2. List the weapons and resources in your vehicle.

3. List the most effective tactics you are ready to use to protect yourself and others.

4. Evaluate yourself and your associates on a scale of one to ten.

5. Evaluate potential friendly bystanders ability for confrontation on a scale of one to ten.

6. Evaluate potential hostile bystanders ability for confrontation on a scale of one to ten.

Task #4 – TACTICS DEVELOPMENT TASK

Use two imagined scenario threats at this location:

A. Aggravated assault against you,
B. Robbery against another person.

Evaluate both for: distance positioning, timing and techniques used. (DPTT)

1 Time line the criminal course of action with decisive points in the two crimes.

2.Time line your own actions in reaction to the above two crimes. Determine important decision points

3. Convert your time-lined actions from these decision points into a tactics laundry list of 3-5 priority actions to facilitate speed of action and flexibility when faced with these two situations in the future.

4. List your options and possible consequences to respond to the two threats.

5. Choose the best course of action for the two situations (A and B) above.

Task #5 – SUPPORTING FIELD SKETCH TASK

Draw a supporting field sketch of the area. In order to have a useable level of detail in the field sketch, you will have to conduct a walking tour of the area. Make notes as you conduct the walk through. Ask questions to people located in the area about information you need. Orient the map in relationship to north and south. Use a look down perspective similar to a blue print. Draw the sketch size and details in relationship to important information. Draw in all the details that relate to your two situations evaluated in Task #4.

Map features: Name of location, major street intersections, time drawn, maker of the sketch, List of important features and resources in relationship to safety. Movement routes, lines of observation, cover, your physical location, bystanders, and your car location must be included.

Task #6 – TACTICAL MOVEMENT BACK TO THE STARTING LOCATION

Return to the classroom location, starting location or home using the principals of tactical movement.

Maintain an unpredictable location the position of advantage, Do not move in a strait direction- vary your route, do not move at a predictable speed, keep 360 degree awareness.

Use a map or written route directions to document your tactical movement.

Move safely, legally and without alarming others or bringing attention to your self.

ASSIGNMENT FOLLOW THROUGH

Brief what you did and learned on your assignment. Conduct a brain storming session with the other participants. Accept and give criticism.
Return to the same location at a different time and redo the assignment to check the effect and changes.
Develop tactics for new threats on follow up training with the tactics exercise.
Make necessary improvements in your tactics to improve your safety.
Focus on just one task on this sheet as an alternative training method to increase your focus on details and concentration.

Train a family member or friend and learn more.