Due to the popularity of the previous article in this series, we present you with a real life example recorded during One Shepherd’s Fall 2015 field training exercise (FTX). The video was recorded in an S-250 communications shelter. It houses the radio/telephone operator (RTO) equipment used by the tactical operations…
Read MoreCommunications Breakdown: Part 2
In Part 1 of this series, we framed the SOI as to its use and focused on the portions that do not involve a radio. Building upon that knowledge, we’ll discuss Call Signs, Encryption Code/Authentication Tables, and Brevity Codes. Each of these is a must when communicating over a radio…
Read MoreDoing It All Over Again
“If I had it to do all over again”, or, “If I had only known then what I know now”… how often have you heard those sentiments, or perhaps even expressed them yourself? The lessons we learned in the “school of hard knocks” have become engraved on our brains in…
Read MoreTraining vs Simulation : Authenticity vs Realism
Ever had meaningful small unit tactics training with Nerf guns? I have. Being highly involved in putting together the small unit training that One Shepherd provides and a war gamer, I’ve seen confusion and struggle when putting together something under either of these banners. Gamers often say they want realism…
Read MoreTactical Security Operations: The Screen
As I mentioned in my last article, ”Area and Local Security: Conceptual framing for Tactical Security Operations”, there are three similar, yet separate forms of TSO; Screen, Guard, and Cover. Each entail a progressively higher level of capability and requirements. These three categories employ a variety of tactics, techniques, and…
Read MoreThe Raid: A Virtual Gaming Experience
Click READ ME below to see the video…
Read MoreThe Raid: Media Review
Click READ ME below to watch the video. There is nothing like a good crime movie to demonstrate the basic principals of the raid. The 1995 movie Heat with Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, and Val Kilmer is a pretty good example of that…
Read MoreThe After Action Review (AAR) – A Primer
After Action Reviews – or AAR’s. I see them a lot on blogs and forums. People post their “AAR” of whatever product or experience they came in contact with. You typically see AAR’s on a tactical hard or soft goods and even pistol or rifle courses. This is fairly appropriate…
Read MoreArea and Local Security: Conceptual Framing for Tactical Security Operations for Small Units
This article was submitted to another site around 2014 and was never published. Its almost spring again in Missouri and that means brushing off the cobwebs of winter and getting back in the field to teach leadership at One Shepherds’ Warrior Leader Program. (WLP) One of the students who is…
Read MoreCommunications Breakdown: Part 1
The ability to communicate effectively is arguably the most important asset to any entity seeking to obtain a certain goal. Without communication the ability to relay ideas and goals to coworkers and teammates is nullified. Without properly conveying these ideas and goals to our team we fail to reach enabling…
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