Tactical Counter Ambush for Wooden Terrain - Jones County Sheriff - TCAWT2025-01
until February 20, 2025 16:00
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About this course
“Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby, you can be the director of the opponent's fate.” - Sun Tzu
Course Overview
Ambush assaults on Law Enforcement have risen drastically in the last several years. Ambush assaults are also related to Active Shooter incidents statistics, which show an even more significant increase in recorded incidents in the previous several years. These stats are even more alarming when we consider the degree of injury and the total number of victims when the assailant has the advantage of choosing the location, terrain, timing, and weapon of choice for their attack. (Insert actual stats if we have them).
In our search for continuous development of the most advanced and cutting-edge training in law enforcement, we encountered this increased area of assault on officers. As we do with all of our training, we went directly to the officers involved, studied their incidents, and saw a need to develop a new course focusing on how to counter ambush-style assaults on law enforcement. Tactical Counter Ambush for Wooden Terrian (8hr) is the first course derived from our findings.
This course covers paramilitary and law enforcement tactics for identifying, reacting to, countering, engaging, and defeating threats. All the modules will enhance the officer's ability to perceive threats, evaluate vulnerabilities before they are exploited, and act as individuals or ad hoc teams under fire.
Low-light training, both with visible light and night vision, is available with prior coordination.
What will the student learn?
- Introduction to terrain evaluation related to possible ambush.
- Threat assessment based on environmental concerns
- Movement and movement techniques in and through rough terrain.
- Communication skills based on the environment.
- React to Contact & Counter- Ambush drills.
- Tactical threat engagement techniques.
- Introduction to Patrolling techniques for ambush mindset.
- Employment of Patrol Rifle for Applied Marksmanship (Dry Fire).
- Report writing & courtroom testimony for ambush incidents .
What will the student be required to do?
- Demonstrate an understanding of maneuver principles (classroom and practicals on terrain).
- Assess risks and threat cues by both persons and natural terrain.
- Demonstrate proficiency in coordinating movements with assigned communications equipment.
- Physically move using tactical individual movement techniques situations.
- Display proficiency in dry fire rifle shooting from field positions while standing, supported, kneeling, and prone.
Course Breakdown
Train Hard * Train to Win
Course Intensity
The content and pace of this course will be challenging for most students. Some content may shock those with a more sensitive conscience.
Physically Demanding
This course combines lectures, tabletop drills, and outdoor practical applications. The outdoor practicals require physical exertion while making fast movements across natural terrain. Students are required to run to their chosen cover/concealment location while being pushed mentally and physically. Outdoor training will take place even in inclement weather.
Mentally Challenging
The student will be challenged mentally to conduct rapid assessments of the environment and people while being required to move and remain physically tactical. This will be very challenging for some students who lack shooting skills while moving.
Core Building
They will leave with a superior skill set to identify potential threat indicators, react to the threat, and take back the tactical initiative to stop the threat and protect the public and each other! This revised mental and physical skill set gives the officer a tactical approach to their call responses. If the officer applies his newly learned tactics to his tour of duty, he will be a better lead for his shift and agency.
Student Take Away
- A tactical skill set needed for warrant service and unknown risk calls in rural terrain.
- Tactics, if implemented, will position officers for less risk of ambush when responding to calls in rural settings.
- Proven techniques to tactically counter ambush attempts and techniques to engage active shooter incidents with a defeat-the-threat mindset.
- Mastery of basic drills for individuals & teams necessary for mental and physical survival in an intermediate-range engagement.
Course Accreditation/Certification/Completion
- The student will receive a certificate of course completion and proficiency upon request.
Course Hours
- (1 day) 8-hour course.
- No Re-certification is required.
Required Course Equipment
Attending students will need to be enrolled individually and online. The student must provide proof of employment by credentials, work-verified email, or authorization from their agency’s training coordinator. All students must be on duty and not forced to attend the training course. Students will be required to complete several liability waivers.
Students are required to bring the following equipment with them to class.
- Duty Weapon. Duty positioning of their weapon, either full belt or side holster, must be what they wear daily. This training is for how they encounter assailants daily, so uniform of the day (weapon placement only) is required.
- Patrol carbine/ rifles
- Individual First Aid Kit/tourniquet.
- Dress for outdoor tactical training in comfortable clothing that will get dirty and possibly damaged
- OSHA-approved Eye and ear protection,if Simms is being used during this course of instruction.
**No live weapons, chemical agents, or intermediate weapons are allowed in the training area before inspection and clearance by the range safety instructor**
Instructors
-
Elias Donker
Law Enforcement Background:
Active Law Enforcement Professional, 2017-Present
US Army Major,
Career Milestones:
ISA Deputy of the Year, 2020, Medal of Valor recipient
Stops Instructor 2024 - Present
Pro Train Instructor Trainer - 2019 - Present
Tactical Counter Ambush for Wooded Terrain - course content development and Instructor - Present
ILEA Instructor – 2024– Present
Physical Tactics Instructor – 2023 - Present
VCCAT member- 2019-2023
Three tours in Iraq
Modern Army Combatives Senior Instructor
Close Quarters Battle instructor
Observer/Controller /Trainer
Purple Heart & Bronze Star Medals
Combat Lifesaver
Pro Train Administrative advisor
Coppershield USA Director and Consultant - 501c3
-
Certifications
- Master Instructor Trainer for the Strategies & Tactics of Patrol Stops Officer Survival Program. (1 of 3 promoted to this status, out of nearly 4500 S.T.O.P.S Instructors in the United States).
- DPS Close Quarter Combat Instructor (certification through Black Belt Dr. Paul Whitesell)
- Taser International Instructor- for Taser Electronic Control Devices
- Def Tech Distraction Devices-Instructor
- Pressure Point Control Tactics (PPCT) - Instructor
- Defensive Tactics -Straight baton -Weapon Retention / Disarming techniques
- Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) - Instructor
- IACP Drug Recognition Expert
- Safe and Legal Traffic Stops (SALTS) - Instructor
- Less than Lethal Deployment Instructor Def-Tech - Instructor
- Def Tech Chemical Agent Aerosol (CN/CS/OC) - Instructor
- Def Tech Chemical Munitions - Instructor
- MarTac Tactical Physical Tactics Instructor
- Use of Force Expert Witness (utilized in Federal and State Courts, and Department Discipline Hearings)
- Police Tactics and Traffic Stops Expert Witness
- NRA Pistol Instructor
- Vice President of Mishawaka Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 96