SWAT

5.11 Tactical Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt, SWAT Tested and Approved

The 5.11 Tactical Expedition Shirt is a solid buy. Designed for the tactical professional, 5.11 has a knack for creating attractive clothing with all the bells and whistles. This shirt has them all, dual chest pockets, bartacking at key stress points, shoulder pen pockets, and an overall tough and sturdy construction. All that sounds good, but I put this piece of clothing to the test. Check out the video to see how the Expedition long sleeve shirt performed… and to find out what bartacking means.

Author – Matt Walker is a Texas Law Enforcement Officer of 10 years and serves as a SWAT Officer for his department. He is also the head defensive tactics instructor and holds various instructor certificates such as Krav Maga Force Division Instructor, FBI Defensive Tactics Instructor, Tactical Breaching Instructor and various others. Mr. Walker holds and undefeated Mixed Martial Arts record and is a practitioner of Muay Thai Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Olympic weightlifting.

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 exactly that, an IFAK. No unnecessary bells and whistles. The owner (Shea Stewart) spent some time as a Navy Special Warfare Combatant –Craft Crewman (SWCC) and was selected to attend the Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center in Fort Bragg, N.C. where he received extensive training in combat medicine, earning the distinction of Special Operations Combat Medic. So it’s safe to say he knows how to design an IFAK.

Gray Man’s IFAK is a modified version of the DA Medic Pouch from CRO medical. The two did a little collaboration to bring you a slim and low profile kit that can easily be concealed in a purse, briefcase, EDC backpack, vehicle etc. It can also function as a legitimate IFAK for duty without taking up too much belt space. Gray Man also built the kit with the idea that the person accessing it would need to be able to do everything by feel and that everything would stay in place.

The medical gear inside is laid out in the order that someone would need to grab them according to the MARCH algorithm of TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care) and TECC (Tactical Emergency Combat Care). Tourniquet first, then hemostatic gauze and pressure dressing material for massive hemorrhage, then an NPA (nasopharyngeal airway) with lube (hand glued on to make opening the NPA and lube with gross motor skills possible) for airway management, then a chest seal for holes in the box (chin to navel).

As an ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training) First Responder Medical Instructor this is exactly the way we train police officers to apply treatment before we can get medical personnel on scene. Bleeding and airway comes first, and then tension-pneumothorax and hyperthermia treatment follows. There is no decompression needle in this kit but by the time that is needed, I pray medical professionals are on scene. Not to mention needle decompression is a semi-invasive procedure that needs training signed off on by a doctor and I myself as a police officer am not authorized to use or teach such a technique at my department.

All and all I think Gray Man Training did a jam up job at designing this kit and I would definitely recommend it to others. Jump on his Instagram page @graymantraining or shoot him an email to [email protected] to order. Checkout the video to see the kit in action.

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 get you ready to go to include all the weapons that you are going to be utilizing during your training. The video shows some of the drills I do every time before I start my real training drills.

3-5 rounds of each of the following:

1. Pistol from the holster, single shot on steel
2. Pistol from the holster, double tap on steel
3. Rifle to pistol transition, single rifle shot on paper, run dry, transition, single pistol shot on steel.
4. Rifle to pistol transition, double tap rifle on paper, transition, single pistol shot on steel.

Remember to set your rifle mags up so that you run dry before your transition, that way you correlate the feel of running dry on your rifle with the transitioning to your pistol. Use a shot timer to push yourself. Some other things I like to do is mix some reloads into it too.

2nd Drill

Traffic stops are one of the most dangerous things a law enforcement Officer can do. With that in mind, there are drills that you can do in order to train for that specific situation. In this video, we are running a drill as if we are conducting a real traffic approach. We make our approach and utilize a shot timer to indicate when the “suspect” exhibits a weapon. We also add a little audible recognition by stating out loud, between 1 and 5, how many shots are to be fired. We move off the “X” and engage the threat in the seat. In this case, we put a target in the seat so that we could assess our shots afterward.

3rd Drill

The final drill we ran, in the video below, revolves around fighting using the most common cover around, vehicles. Vehicles are everywhere and chances are, if you get in a gunfight in the U.S, you will be close enough to a vehicle to use if to your advantage. In the drill below, we set up five steel targets approximately 7-10 yards from the vehicle. One at the 9 O’Clock position, 11 O’Clock, 12 O’Clock, 1 O’Clock, and 3 O, Clock. We started with a short 15-meter sprint to the rear of the car. Once there, your partner yells out one of the target positions, using the clock method, while you move around the vehicle to position yourself with maximum cover and still being able to engage the threat. This can go on for as long as you want. We also ran it with a rifle and pistol transition. Another twist we threw in was randomly loading each other’s magazines so that you have to conduct an unexpected reload at some point during the drill.

Author – Wes Nanny is a former Marine with combat deployments to Afghanistan. He is currently serving in local law enforcement in Texas.

5.11 Pursuit Advance Boots: A tactical boot in a casual profile

Nearly a year ago to the date, I acquired the 5.11 Pursuit Advance Boots. Originally I was drawn to the casual design, but as soon as I put the boots on I was in love. The Pursuit Advance are amongst the topmost comfortable boots I have ever put on, are extremely light, and extremely mobile. I have some hesitations about the durability we’ll cover that.

I have used them during my attendance to many Law Enforcement schools, some of which have required miles of running in full kit and other physical activities such as pivoting, changing direction, squatting, etc. The boots have not let me down and I am honestly impressed with their comfort. I have also worn them out to dinner and on camping trips with my family, which shows their versatility and ads to value.

5.11 went with some solid features to attract the quiet professional. Details like “High-performance tactical boot in a casual profile”, “5.11 RECON® footbed for stability and agility”, and “Supports 5.11® Blood Patch Type Kit” can’t be overlooked. But the good stuff is in the sole. The Pursuit Advance rocks an Ortholite® insole which aids in comfort and performance and moisture control, a full length CMEVA midsole for a high tolerant and sleek design, an 8mm heel-to-toe drop for mobility, and all the lugs you could hope for (forefoot, arch, and climbing lugs) for solid grip and agility.

Some wear and tear is expected considering what I have put these boots through. However, I can’t say that I am pleased with their durability. The sole is cracking on my left boot where my foot bends at the toe; most likely from running, kneeling and getting up and down off the ground. Additionally, the left heel is slightly damaged, but I will take some of the blame for this. I tend to get lazy at times and use my right shoe to peel my left shoe off at the heel. There are also random parts on the boot that are staring (ever slightly) to peel from the sole. They are holding their integrity for the most part, but I can’t see them lasting much longer.

I own several pairs of boots that I can confidently say outperform the Pursuit Advance from a durability standpoint. The Pursuit Advance, however, cost significantly lower than their outperforming competitors and are much more comfortable. I would like to see 5.11 put a little more into the durability if they are going to pitch this boot as a “ready for anything” boot. Even if it raises the price; I personally would pay a little more for a boot that is going to last me longer. There are several brands out there that can go several years with showing less wear and tear than the Pursuit Advance but, to be fair, considering the price point and comfort, the Pursuit Advance makes a solid buy for the right customer.

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Gerber Mini Pry Bar: A Breacher’s Sidekick

I am lead breacher on my SWAT team and am always looking for little hand tools that can be easily carried on our kits. There have been many times I left my ram at the door, only to find there were other breach points throughout the objective. I need look no further than the Gerber Mini Pry Bar.

The first time I got to use this tool I was impressed. There was a suspect who threatened to kill his family and was now barricaded in his room. After a long standoff, it was believed he had attempted to take his own life while locked in the room. I breached the front door with my ram and dropped it there (a ram is too big and clunky to carry through an objective). After clearing the home we came to a locked bedroom with a deadbolt (where the suspect was believed to be). I used my Gerber Remix Tactical Knife to cut away the weather strip (in order to see the deadbolt), and the Gerber Mini Pry Bar to separate the door from the frame. The pry bar made little work of the door and separated it far enough that the deadbolt cleared the frame and we were in. The suspect was taken into custody and another successful mission was complete.

The Gerber Mini Pry Bar is ergonomically designed and fits easily in your hand with a secure grip. It fits perfectly through 3 links of MOLLE and barely ways more than my last protein snack. Built with 4140 Steel and a glass filled nylon handle makes this pry bar virtually indestructible. At an economically priced $51, this purpose-driven tool is perfect for any operator.

Photo of the day: Learning to fight in low light

Team members from SWAT prepare for night training. Training in low light settings is imperative to a successful SWAT team. You can’t expect to be successful in an environment unless you train in it.