Training Professionals

In today’s environment the term “Tactical Training Professionals”, is overused and rarely verified until it’s too late. You can use any search engine and find an abundance of “Tactical Training Professionals” on webpages and social media platforms. But what is a “Tactical Training Professional”?

In an article by Charles “Sid” Heal in the National Tactical Officer’s Association’s (NTOA) Spring 2022 issue of The Tactical Edge magazine titled, Tactical Principals and Doctrines, Heal describes how the community holds doctors to a high regard because of their extreme commitment of time, effort, money, training, experience, and continuing education. A tried and true “Tactical Training Professional” shares a lot with the medical professional, in that they have also dedicated most of their lives, effort, money, training, experience, and continuing education to their profession. Heal asks, “What would we think of a doctor who had the latest and most sophisticated MRIs, CAT scans, and X-rays but lacked the knowledge to interpret and understand them? Sadly, that is the state of many tacticians in contemporary law enforcement”.

This is even more pronounced in the civilian tactical training environment. An abundance of so-called “Tactical Training Professionals” and keyboard warriors preach certain tactics and training but “..lack the knowledge of tried-and-true scientific principles..”. Unfortunately, it is fairly easy to become a firearms and tactics instructor. The market is flooded with individuals that have just completed a couple day firearm instructor course and are now offering training services. Why is this important?

Anybody can learn a tactic or skillset by watching a YouTube video, Instagram reel, or attend a basic firearms instructor course, but do they understand the science and principals behind that skill set. This includes both the so-called “Tactical Training Professional” and their audience. They both maybe able to mimic a certain drill or skill set, but can that skill set be used in all situations. These “Tactical Training Professionals” may just practice and teach these “skill set(s)” rather than an intuitive application of doctrinal principles and precepts”. Heal continues with, “Skills are far easier to teach and measure than knowledge and, as long as the situation encountered resembles those for which they were designed, they work just fine.” Understanding and mastering a skill set is important, but understanding and mastering the science of tactics will put a true “Tactical Training Professional” apart from the rest. As Heal states;

The advantage in understanding the science of tactics is in the value of relevant concepts. Unlike skills and procedures, concepts are context-free. This means that while a skill or procedure is designed for a specific set of circumstances, a concept has nearly universal application. Thus, decisions and actions, grounded in reliable concepts, will provide an ability to recognize and adapt to changes. Like all sciences, tactical science is comprised of many concepts and principles that provide insight and understanding far greater than is possible by uninformed observation. Without the clarity and comprehension provided by bonda fide science, even personal experience fails to reveal the insight necessary to identify mistakes, recognize deviations, and anticipate opportunities.

When choosing a “Tactical Training Professional” for firearms or tactical training, vet that person as you would vet your doctor. Make sure they not only are they experts in the skill set, but also experts in the science of the relevant concepts and principles. In a time when the gun and tactical industry is trying to be scrutinized out of existence, “Tactical Training Professionals” need to train and educate in the science as true professionals. This professionalism will save lives and promote the industry in a much better light.

Sources: NTOA The Tactical Edge Spring 2022 pg 34-38.

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