As part of pre-deployment training, I had the chance to attend the Stealth Building Entry Course run by George Carey of Carey and Associates International. George Carey has 34 years of law enforcement experience and 25 years of tactical experience. He has worked with a number of government agencies over the years and is widely regarded is the leader in the field of covert entry training.
Covert barrier penetration and stealth entry techniques are taking their place along side mechanical and explosive breaching as essential tools for Special Forces. One of George’s mantras is “Preserving The Element Of Surprise”. Gaining undetected access can make reconnaissance more effective and allow you to prepare the objective for a swift and silent approach.
The applications for escape and evasion are obvious. You must avoid detection. The ability to enter a building silently or start a car without keys can be the difference between a cold beer and a POW interrogation.
I have used these life skills operationally and recreationally. One night recently, I left my pass card and ID in the gym at work after hours. I realized it just as the door shut behind me. Our building has a pass card security system and alarms. This is kind of a big deal in that we are supposed to keep these items secure. Using the techniques from this class, and the tools in my car, I spoofed the door sensor and avoided a long embarrassing wait for someone to come let me in so I could ignore my security breach. I had to report it, but the look on the security officer’s face when he watched the surveillance tapes balanced out the feeling of being a dumbass and locking myself out. They changed a few things around the building after that.
The Stealth Building Entry Course focuses on teaching folks how to get into a target building with little or no noise allowing them to take full advantage of the element of surprise. Skills taught range from picking locks to bypassing alarms systems to facilitate entry into residential, commercial, and government buildings. Students are introduced to commercially available tools as well as improvised tools made from common items you can find in an unfriendly country where customs might not let you import burglary tools
To conduct these entries, you don’t just waltz up to the door and pull out lock picks like they do in the movies. These days, even crack houses have closed circuit TV and alarms. Stealth building entries are complex undertakings requiring pre-entry assessment of the target site for the purpose of identifying locks, alarms, surveillance devices and security vulnerabilities that can be exploited to facilitate rapid and quiet entry. Sometimes the alarm is off and a 2nd story window is open. Cover for status and cover for action are part of every plan.
Practical exercises are conducted day and night using working businesses and government buildings with live alarms and sensors to provide realistic scenarios. Once you get in, your team has specific collection assignments which may require penetration of additional locks or security containers. If you break light or noise discipline, you may have to explain your cover for status to the nice policeman. George won’t let you go to jail, but it is a great way to run your cover story past a profesional BS detector. The practical exercises reinforce the skills taught and put them in an operational context.
When you leave, you get a training CD with great reference material, a list of suggested specialty tools, and your very own entry tool kit you take home. All tools and equipment needed during the course will be provided. Once you are a graduate, CAI is there by phone and email to answer questions and provides regular updates on new locks and techniques via email updates. CAI will accept collect calls from overseas 24/7, if you run into a lock or system you don’t know how to beat. He will not post bail, but has offered to be a character witness in some cases.
The next class is June 26 – 28 (Tues – Thur) in Colorado Springs, CO. Tuition is $825.
Disclaimer: If you are not using your powers for good in the employ of some government entity, or if you are in a different country than the one you work for, all of this is illegal. The police don’t call them entry tools, they call them burglary tools and it is a felony in some places to posses them. Because of these complications, attendance is restricted to:
• LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL
• TECHNICAL SPECIALISTS FROM GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
• MILITARY SPECIAL OPERATIONS PERSONNEL
• MILITARY EOD PERSONNEL
There are some details that Mr. Carey doesn’t want on the internet. If you would like a complete course description or information on specialized training, he asks that you send an e-mail requesting the desired information from a government e-mail server.
Carey & Associates International LLC, [email protected] or 530.300.5778
