GORUCK SR FoF, C12, TDM in Mooresville, NC

TRAINING LEAD-UP

Monday, Oct 14:

18A "Upper Body Prep" in 26:59, "Push-up" in 1:08:56 feeling the most difficult yet, but my body craved upper body work after all of the slick hikes last week.

Afterwards, I did an easy 4 miles to move around after all the plane travel, with 30# in the v2 rucker, wearing MACV1s.  Saved a bunch of tires on the way.

Wednesday, Oct 16:

18A "Lower Body Prep" in 20:00, then "Lower Push BW" in 40:13

Friday, Oct 18:

3.5 miles with a 40#WV wearing 8" MACV2s at Iswa Nature Preserve, covered in 1:13:39.

GORUCK SELF-RESPONDER FORCE-ON-FORCE

This is a great class, since you get to practice a full scenario involving a response to an active shooter situation, which deals with handling the threat as well as responding to the casualties.

We started with classroom time, covering safety and security of the scene and of yourself.

We covered the MARCH acronym for Massive Hemorrhaging, Airway, Respiratory, Circulation, Hypothermia & Head Injuries.

For scenarios, we started off with a warmup that only involved casualties who needed TQs.

Next, we dealt with a car crash victim outside, with distractions that you had to deal with.

Next, there was an active shooter fleeing the scene, with 3 people of various injuries that you had to address.

With limited ammo, we didn't do much with the sims and only went "bang" if we felt like it was appropriate to use (which it wasn't in the last scenario).

GORUCK CONSTELLATION 12

This was my second time doing this version of C12, and my 4th time overall.  

Even though it was my second time, the Cadres still have their spin on the event and curriculum based on their own experience and training, which keeps things fresh.

Planning

We discussed disaster readiness extensively in the classroom, talking through different scenarios of situations we might find ourselves in.  We thought about it in terms of mission planning, and what contingencies you'd want to be ready for and what gear you'd want to have in different situations, thinking about what's probable and what's consequential.

Surveillance

Next, we talked about how to do surveillance, which we would try ourselves so that we'd be better at detecting when surveillance may be getting done on us.  The participants split up into 4 pairs with 4 vehicles, and we use encrypted comms as we tried to discretely follow our target around, observing and documenting his actions.

We tried our best not to be noticeable, which meant not necessarily being directly behind the target, not driving erratically or looking suspicious, and not following for more than a couple of turns before swapping out the "eye".  

You can observe effectively from a distance, even across the street.  If you do get close, have a cover story ready, which is easier when you have some real interest in whatever you're pretending to do.

Knots

We practiced the clove hitch and bowline.  As a group, we set up enough pulleys to enable our group to pull a car with flat tires sideways.

We also rappelled down a connex tower using a fire hose, which is something you might find in a tall building.  We just made a giant bowline knot to put our upper bodies into, with a belay as a safety.  I had never rappelled with a fire hose before, so that was new.

Restraint Defeat

We learned how to deal with zip ties, duct tape, handcuffs, and locks.

The handcuffs weren't that bad this time.  Some are easier than others.  I tried a couple of the ones that GORUCK had... you have more space for your bobby pin with some.

Culex

We built gas masks with air filters and carbon powder.  The CS gas scenario was extra spicy this time, since Cadre Burl not only restrained our limbs but also tied us to each other and to furniture in the room.  

We had to start with masks off.  I wasn't able to get mine onto my head, but others helped me once they were all set, and then they helped me get out of my restraints.

Some of the masks worked better than others.

GORUCK TACTICAL DECISION-MAKING

We learned about the laws for when deadly force is vs isn't allowed.

Handheld lights allow you to PID without brandishing.

We learned about the different forms that deadly threats could come in, depending on a variety of circumstances.

We learned about how to increase safety simply based on how we effectively use space and stay situationally aware.  Even words are powerful, whether you're using them to de-escalate or address a situation without having to resort to violence.  What you choose to do may very well change depending on whether you have people to keep safe at the same time.  Your choice of rounds will be dependent on the environment and situation, too, since overpenetration is a potential issue in dwellings.

We also learned about what to do after the threat is eliminated, so that when law enforcement arrives, you don't put yourself in a bad or misunderstood situation.  

There's a lot to consider... way more than most probably realize, which is why this class is so valuable.

Before starting scenarios, we did shot inoculation drills, with threats coming in at varying distances.

Scenario 1:

Stopped at a red light, when someone comes to your car and starts aggressively knocking on your window.

Scenario 2:

A school admin building that you come across has people streaming out, screaming, and then you see a hostage taker with a knife, taking a hostage into the building.  When it's a knife, that changes the situation vs if they had a gun, since distance and time are more on your side than usual.  You can have the upper hand and be prepped for the opportunity if it comes.

Scenario 3:

You're in your house when a drunk guy starts trying to force his way in.

Scenario 4:

Come across a gang shootout.  Unclear who's good or bad.  I was part of the opposing gang from the start, using sim bolts in my ARs.

Scenario 5:

Narrow Connex Cafe situation, first with 1 bad guy, then 2, as more role players join in.  I was a role player from the start.