Close Quarter Training for LEO's and Military

Hey guys just wanted to touch on something that I haven't written about in a while and that is: the importance of keeping our skills sharp.  I have written a few articles on a few similar topics including one about understanding our how our sympathetic nervous system works.  This is important to law enforcement, military, MMA and competitive athletes.  Unfortunately, those skills that require a degree of fine motor skills and coordination are those that diminish quickly.  This simply means that we need to make sure we practice them.  

In our department, we are pretty fortunate.  Not only do we have instructor led fitness classes for officers but we also have a group of folks and instructors that get together and practice from time to time.  Additionally, we put on some top-notch close quarter control tactics schools for officers.  I have been to many control/defensive tactics schools...some bad and some, really good.  Its important to see both ends of the spectrum, especially as an instructor.  I have found that some of the best schools not only teach applicable and effective techniques but they also take the time to teach the students how to instruct.  This is critical especially if you plan on attending a course and taking some of the material back to your department or team.  

I do understand the struggle to get approval from your department to pay for the expenses but have learned that with persistence and creative writing, approval is not that hard.  The focus of the argument is simple:  the bad guys know this stuff, so we need too also and, learning this, will save lives.   Not much else.  Another thing to consider is also by learning and applying effective control tactics we reduce injuries for everyone involved, reduce medical expenses and the likelihood of escalating to higher levels of force.  

For those who are interested in finding some of the best close quarter/control tactics courses for law enforcement or military, here are the top three that I would recommend:

• Krav Maga Worldwide -they offer outstanding instructor courses that include standing, ground, edge weapon defense,  and weapon retention/disarmament...both hand gun and long gun.  Outstanding instructors who give great teaching tools and methods.  One of my favorite schools. The techniques rely on basic physiology and are effective under stress.  Be ready though...be in good shape beforehand...it will help with the recovery! :)
• Gracie Survival Tactics -this is put on by the Gracie family who have taken Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and tailored it to applications in law enforcement and military.  Hands down, best ground control/survival course out there.  Excellent instructors who pass along some excellent teaching methods.  This class is a lot of fun and is packed full of great info and techniques.
• FBI Defensive Tactics -this is a two week course.  The link will take you to their site where they talk about their student program  but at the bottom of the page it has the contact info at Quantico, Va.  This course is free if your agency can host it or if you can make it to Quantico.  Excellent course.  Covers close quarters, weapon retention, tactical shooting, edge weapon and use of force philosophies.  Our agency usually hosts one every couple of years.  Be in shape for this one too....there is a PT test first thing on day one and if ya fail, your out.

Those of you who are instructors, these schools are a must but I highly recommend them to anyone in law enforcement or military.  At our agency, we put on some of our own schools that are top notch and utilize much of the systems in the schools listed above.  Our schools also require passing a PT test before attending.  It is free to officers on our department and other agencies.  If you would like to be notified of the next one, send me an email and I will add ya to the list if you are outside my agency.   As passionate as I am about fitness and nutrition, I am equally passionate about control tactics, I just don't write as much about it since, in my opinion, it is a no-brainer...or should be for what we do. I included a picture below from the last Gracie Survival Tactics school I attended in August 2012.  It was the third time I went and they improve each time.  And yes, I am in the picture.  Rener Gracie and a couple of his instructors are in the front.

Ok guys, I will leave ya with this.  I actually have some of the video footage from my last Health and Nutrition seminar.  I just put a 24 min video, which talks mostly about fats, on youtube.com.  I will put the link out in my next post.  For those who are resourceful, I am sure you can find it if ya wanted.  Until then, make sure to pick up something heavy (with correct form of course :) ) and get some sprints in.