Wednesday, March 16, 2011

GTOA

Masada Tactical instructors just returned from the Georgia Tactical Officers Association yearly conference, held in Macon, GA.

I became affiliated with GTOA through my affiliation with NTOA (National Tactical Officers Association).  The two organizations are private entities that promote training and education to tactical officers (SWAT). 

For example, the conference this year had classes in tactical handgun, carbine, tactical medicine, assaulting a Semi-Trailer, and integrating K-9 into SWAT.

Masada Tactical taught two classes during this conference: High Risk Handgun Defenses and Ground Fighting Tactics for SWAT.  The two classes were very well received and feedback was overwhelmingly positive.



In addition to the classes we had the opportunity to meet many of the 150 SWAT operators that came to this conference.  Many of which expressed the need for dedicated training for SWAT.  Many stated that although they train pretty extensively with their weapon systems they receive very little training in hand-to-hand combat, and even less in skills that are applicable to their mission and account to the gear they carry.

I have been back in MD for 3 days now and we have already been contacted by several agencies regarding training.  Some want to host instructor courses, some want to have us come in and train them, and yet others want our advice on several tactical approaches that we developed in-house.

So GA was good.  And it appears as though it'll be getting better.  From Northeast GA to mid-state, officers now know of Masada Tactical, LLC and are eager to have us teach them more. 

Coming up in the next few months are law-enforcement ICS training programs in TN, GA, AL, and MD!

Stay tuned for more information.

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical, LLC
http://www.masadatactical.com/

2 comments:

  1. Sounds awesome!! How did you integrate K-9 with swat?

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  2. Honestly, we haven't worked with K-9s as much. That said, I personally believe they have tremendous value in police work in general and SWAT work in particular.

    During my days with my unit K-9s were an integral part of our operations. They can go places we can't and do things we can't. From tracking, to biting, to SAR, they are some of the most versatile tools available and sadly underutilized.

    That said, there was one individual at the conference that specializes in integrating K9 into SWAT operations. I will find his contact info and post here.

    Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
    Masada Tactical, LLC

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