U.S. Soldiers from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team conduct a night live-fire iteration of a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise during Exercise Decisive Strike 2019 at the Training Support Centre, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 11, 2019. Combined training enables allies and partners to respond more effectively to regional crises […]
law enforcement
Gear in the Wild: Every party needs a smoke machine
U.S. Marines with 3rd Platoon, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, run during a simulated chemical, biological, radioactive, and nuclear attack for the Command Sponsored Corporals Course (CSCC), at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 19, 2019. The CSCC was hosted by 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, to provide students with basic knowledge […]
Happy Birthday to the greatest nation on Earth
An A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 25th Fighter Squadron sits on display during the 4th of July Liberty Festival at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 4, 2018. More than 4,500 service members and their families attended the festival to enjoy food, entertainment and a fireworks show hosted by the 51st Force Support Squadron […]
Surviving a gunshot: SWAT officer’s review of the Gray Man Training IFAK
I got linked up with Gray Man Training through a mutual friend and was sent this IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) to see what I thought. The short answer is, “I’m a fan.” But for those who want some more details, keep reading. What I like most about the Gray Man IFAK is it is […]
Gear in the Wild: The Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle is one mean piece of kit
U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, rehearse firing a Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle during the blank iteration of a combined arms live fire excercise in support of Swift Response 19 in Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, June 24, 2019. Swift Response 19 is a U.S. Army Europe multinational […]
Gear in the Wild: Getting all dressed up to go for a ride
A U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) rescue swimmer hangs of the side of an MH-65 Dolphin off the coast of Tybee Island Coast Guard Station, Georgia, June 21. 2019. The rescue swimmer aided pilots from Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, during a search-and-recovery exercise with the USCG. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman […]
Pepper Spray and Defense: Why I’d rather be shot than sprayed with OC again
During my tenure on the Anti-Terrorism Force Protection Team for Southern California, I had the opportunity to participate in a number of interesting and exciting training revolutions. I got to learn knife techniques alongside the L.A. SWAT team, vehicle searches with military police units, and to gain proficiency with a number of weapon systems not […]
Gear in the Wild: Spanish soldier inspecting a Brit’s SA80A2 rifle
A Spanish soldier, assigned to Task Force Besmaya, inspects a British SA80A2 rifle before a rifle range at the Besmaya Range Complex, Iraq, Nov. 28, 2018. The soldiers learned to use other Coalition partners’ weapons to build camaraderie and build a positive working relationship. The 74 nations and five international organizations that make up the […]
Live Fire Drills for Law Enforcement Training
In the following video are three different training scenarios that Loadout Room writer, Wes Nanny goes through during his firearms training sessions at the local Law Enforcement agency he works for. 1st Drill Just like running and lifting weights, it’s important to warm up before you shoot too. You should run some simple drills to […]
Shoot to Wound and other Misinformed Ideas
WHY DIDN’T THE PERSON JUST SHOOT THE BAD GUY IN THE LEG? Law enforcement and those carrying a firearm for self defense are poised with the same question every year; Why didn’t they just shoot to wound or shoot them in the leg? Sometimes those asking the question sincerely don’t know and want to understand. […]