Here trainer Brian Bishop wears a ‘Keep Calm and Return Fire’ patch while talking about zeroing the carbine with a student during a recent hosted by Daniel Defense.
Archive for the ‘Training’ Category
You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up
Thursday, April 11th, 2013Tactical Fanboy Presents – HSP Winter Problem Solver AAR – The Equipment
Wednesday, April 10th, 2013I attended the HSP Winter Problem Solver course in Telluride, Colorado from March 31st through April 4th. This was my first time attending a mountaineering/survival course.
Like any course, the Winter Problem Solver had its required equipment list:
-Winter appropriate clothing
-Winter hiking boots
-Cold weather hat, shade hat with brim
-Practical knife or multitool
-Sun screen
-Sun eye pro
-Water hydrating device
-Individual first aid/trauma kit or IFAK
-Quality headlamp + batteries
-Snowshoes
-Retractable ski poles
-Quality lightweight sleeping bag rated to 0*F
-Lightweight durable air mattress
-2 aluminum climbing rated locking carabiners
To meet these requirements, the entire time I wore the Helly Hansen Dry Fly Pant, Arc’teryx LEAF Combat Pants, and an Arc’teryx Envoy SS shirt; the socks I used were the Darn Tough Vermont Extreme Cold Weather/Mountaineering Sock. The weather, surprisingly, wasn’t that cold with some days reaching highs up to the mid 50s. The addition of an extra layer or two, mostly a Crye Precision WindLiner and/or an Arc’teryx Atom SV Hoodie in MultiCam, proved more than enough clothing wise. The boots I wore were the Salewa Pro Guide Insulated Mountaineering boot, which I supplemented with a pair of OR Crocodile gaiters. Throughout the course, I wore an OR Seattle Sombrero because of its waterproof properties in addition to the wide brim which kept the sunlight out of my eyes, although I did have several other options for head covers, including an Outdoor Research Radiant Beanie, Outdoor Research Novo Watch Cap, Under Armor ColdGear Tactical Hood, The North Face Windstopper High Point Hat, and a black neoprene half-face mask. I also carried a pair of OR PS150 gloves and a pair of Arc’teryx Alpha SV gloves.
Each member of the class was issued an HSP-branded Mora knife and Klean Kanteen before going out in the field, so although I brought my own knife, multitool, and hydration bladder, these items were ultimately unused and only added weight to my pack. We were issued, if needed, a climbing harness, helmet, shovel*, and ice axe. Mountain meals, rope and tubular nylon, beacons*, probes*, and other class materials were also provided by HSP. I had my own cooking stove, an MSR Reactor, and helmet, a Team Wendy Exfil Tactical Bump Helmet. My snowshoes and poles were both MSR Denali. The sleeping bag was a The North Face 0 degree Dark Star which I used with an REI Minimalist bivy sack. I paired this with a Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest SOLite; being a closed-cell foam pad, it didn’t suffer from deflation or potential puncture damage like an inflatable pad would. I also brought sunscreen, two carabiners, a Tikka 2 headlamp, an ITS Tallboy trauma kit and pouch, and a pair of Smith Cascade Classic Snow Goggles in addition to my personal sunglasses; I ended up not needing the goggles.
One thing that wasn’t mentioned on the list but ended up being required was a pair of camp shoes, slippers or other lightweight shoes for moving around a cabin. I just used my socks and changed out to a new pair just before sleeping, although this isn’t suggested. Other miscellaneous items I brought that weren’t on the list included a fire starting kit, snacks, a GSI Fairshare Mug, and toilet paper.
All together, my fully-loaded pack, an Arc’teryx Khyber 80 in MultiCam, weighed in at just under 50 lbs, quite a bit heavier than what would be suggested. Unnecessary items included the aforementioned knife, multitool, hydration bladder, and goggles, along with additional hard shell layers, heavyweight base layer, trauma kit w/ pouch, and (arguably) my sleeping pad. Ultimately, given the planned environment, it was better to have these items and not need them than suffer without.
It’s also worth mentioning that I didn’t feel at all under prepared with the equipment I brought with me. I did, however, manage to snap my Light My Fire Spork Extra-Medium in half while I was cleaning it; going in with an extra spork, or possibly one made of metal would have been a solid decision.
*The beacons, probes, and shovels were graciously provided by Backcountry Access.
Stay tuned for more information on the HSP Winter Problem Solver, including a full report on the course proper.
This article was originally posted on Tactical Fanboy.
LBT HIGH GEAR Combatives Training Ensemble
Tuesday, April 9th, 2013The thing about HIGH GEAR suits that is different from other protective suits out there is that it is designed to provide feedback and maximize mobility. You won’t get hurt but you are going to be able to tell that you were struck and, your mobility won’t be as hindered as it is in other ‘Michelin man’ suits. HIGH GEAR is an Impact Reduction combatives training ensemble.
It can be used for all types of combatives training from detainee handling drills and CQB (including Simunition, UTM and airsoft) to more conventional training, such as MMA, grappling and the striking arts.
HIGH GEAR equipment is manufactured in the USA by LBT Inc and available for unit or agency purchase from ADS Inc.
Gunfighter Moment – Larry Vickers 
Saturday, April 6th, 2013
‘One thing that I want to stress is that the K.I.S.S. principle is alive and well – complexity is the enemy in a life or death situation. Complexity can be overcome with quality training and repetition implanting the complex task into the subconscious mind. If that is not feasible for you in your given situation then fall back to the tried and true method of keeping things simple; meaning adhering to the K.I.S.S. principle religiously. It has worked for many years and it can work for you.’
-Larry Vickers
Vickers Tactical Inc.
Host of TacTV
Larry Vickers of Vickers Tactical in a retired US Army 1st SFOD-Delta combat veteran with years of experience in the firearms industry as a combat marksmanship instructor and industry consultant. In recent years he has hosted tactical firearms related TV shows on the Sportsman Channel with the latest being TacTV of which Bravo Company is a presenting sponsor.Larry Vickers special operations background is one of the most unique in the industry today; he has been directly or indirectly involved in the some of the most significant special operations missions of the last quarter century. During Operation Just Cause he participated in Operation Acid Gambit – the rescue of Kurt Muse from Modelo Prison in Panama City, Panama. As a tactics and marksmanship instructor on active duty he helped train special operations personnel that later captured Saddam Hussein and eliminated his sons Uday and Qusay Hussein. In addition he was directly involved in the design and development of the HK416 for Tier One SOF use which was used by Naval Special Warfare personnel to kill Osama Bin Laden. Larry Vickers has developed various small arms accessories with the most notable being his signature sling manufactured by Blue Force Gear and Glock accessories made by Tangodown. In addition he has maintained strong relationships with premium companies within the tactical firearms industry such as BCM, Aimpoint, Black Hills Ammunition, Wilson Combat, Schmidt & Bender and Daniel Defense.
Larry Vickers travels the country conducting combat marksmanship classes for law abiding civilians, law enforcement and military and has partnered with Alias Training to coordinate classes to best meet the needs of the students attending the class.
Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn they offer some words of wisdom.
Exum Mountain Guides
Friday, April 5th, 2013We mentioned Exum Mountain Guides several years ago when we first met them at OR in SLC. At the time there wasn’t much to say as we hadn’t heard anything about them.
Exum Mountain Guides was walking the show and discussing their XMS3 (Exum Mountain Systems Safety Survival) course offerings. They provide several standard courses including multi-day mountain movement and avalanche training. Visit www.exumguides.com for more information.
Here is a video that will show you a little more about the company’s guide programs.
Train With ‘Dual Survival’s’ Joe Teti at Legion OTG
Sunday, March 31st, 2013Legion Operator Training Group has announced that Joe Teti, co-host of the Discovery Channel hit TV series “Dual Survival”, will be a guest instructor at the Legion Weekend Warrior Survival Course in May.
Invictus Alliance Group LLC
Sunday, March 31st, 2013Come train with Real Gunfighters (defined as those who have actually been in multiple gunfights and won).
APRIL 20-21 Trigger Time, NC – LEVEL II Pistol & Carbine Gunfighter $575
Contact reservations@the-invictus.com
Gunfighter Moment – Kyle Defoor
Saturday, March 30th, 2013
Prove yourself to me
Your xx years carrying a gun means nothing as far as your experience level. Especially when that gun rarely came out to train. I’d take a guy who’s trained with me for two weeks the right way over a guy who is big behind the job title and never trained the right way for 20 years.
Show your skills to me
Display your speed and accuracy with a pro timer and a small target. That FBI Q bullshit is for people with their head in the clouds looking for rainbows and unicorns.
Kill and bury your pride and ego
None of us can get all the answers all the time and being arrogant because of the unit you’re from or because of the gun you carry will only hurt you. At any given time, there’s a 20 year old from the 101st that has way more combat time, more kills, and more sack than you….pretty soon there’ll be women too.
Use your skills
If you’re going to talk the talk, then walk the walk. Training like mad, talking shit, and pretending to be a warrior means dick when you aren’t or haven’t put it to use. If that’s the case, there’s a housewife in Indiana who shot a burglar who has more gun fighting time than you, and she can actually talk about it with cred. Show others what you’ve learned if it will help them.
“The truth belongs to everyone, only lies belong to the individual”
(Kier,Potynsky 2009)
-Kyle Defoor
(SEAL Assaulter & Sniper)
Kyle Defoor is one of the world’s most committed and passionate shooting instructors. Literally growing up with a gun in hand he took his talents into the military where he was combat decorated as a SEAL assaulter and sniper. Kyle helped to create and define modern training while along the way personally teaching thousands of military personal and civilians from around the globe. His shooting prowess led to appearances on multiple TV shows including Shooting Gallery, Tactical Arms, and Tactical Impact, and guest appearances on History Channel. Kyle’s outdoor athletic lifestyle includes shooting, ultra running, stand-up paddle surfing and climbing. He now serves as the brand ambassador for Mission Ready Equipment and runs his own company which offers tactical training, wilderness navigation, TV and film consulting, and motivational speaking.
Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn they offer some words of wisdom.
