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Author: HeloMaster
Area Targets: A Tango’s Dream
“Point” and “area” targets are military concepts that are directly applicable to active violence and counterterrorism. You should know more than just the difference between them, which is not rocket science. You should know how to avoid having a target on your back, be it the point or area variety. Some of this article was excerpted from a password protected summary of a site security survey I conducted at a high school in Arizona.
Worm was right there with us
This Desert Storm memoir outlines our relationship with our Saudi Amn counterpart, and offers both highlights and lessons learned from that tour.
Tagged with: 1703, 1703 arefw, adrienne mitchell, al husayn, al hussein, beverly clark, christine mayes, desert shield, Desert Storm, dusty mustard, jstars, kc-135, king khalid international airport, kkia, nkawtg, Olympic Arena, patriot missile, saudi amn, Scud, v-2, volant scorpion, war of the cities
Interview with Angela McQueen
Angela McQueen wrestled a gun out of a wannabe killer’s hands in her high school cafeteria, most likely saving many lives. On 04 Nov 2022, I had the honor and privilege of interviewing Ms. McQueen where the incident took place, at Mattoon High School in Mattoon, IL.
Protected: TCDS Vulnerabilities and Assets, 20 Jun 2022
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Protected: Pediatric First Aid, Fall semester 2022
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Protected: Managing School Violence (MSV-B), 22 Aug 2022
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Protected: Managing School Violence (MSV-A), 26 Jul 2022
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John S: Dragonslayer SRO
This homage to one of the most professional warrior protectors I know also elaborates on concepts and controversies of School Resource Officer (SRO) programs.
Tagged with: 101st, 82nd, ABGD, active killer, active shooter training tucson, active shooter workshops, airbase ground defense, andy brown, burnout, community oriented policing, cruiser, dragonslayer, fairchild AFB hospital shooting, females in law enforcement, fleet anti-terrorist security teams, leo burnout, nuclear convoy, PCSD, pima county active shooter workshop, pima county sheriff, radio car, road retired on active duty, robocop, school resource officer, school to prison pipeline, security forces, security police, sro, USMC, Warren AFB
Assaults From Vehicles, Part I: Car vs. Pedestrian
In our Vehicle Fighting courses, we train on what to do if you are attacked IN or AROUND YOUR car, truck, or SUV. This three-part series will mainly focus, instead, on what to do if you are attacked BY someone …
Assaults From Vehicles, Part I: Car vs. Pedestrian Read More »
Pre-Qual Tuneup sessions
If your military or law enforcement qualification is coming up, and you: Don’t always pass on the first try, or Always pass, but want to do better, or You’re always just a few points shy of earning that marksmanship ribbon …
Defensive Pistol Phase II (Range)
This course is geared towards those who already have a basic foundation in operating a handgun, and want to learn more about how to use one in a fight. The main emphasis of this class is the close range fight, …
Protected: Patient Movement at Patagonia Lake
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Tagged with: patient movement
Backing Up Beaker
This article is about the best moment of my law enforcement career. To understand why it was the best, you also have to know a little about the worst day of my career.
Tagged with: Beaker, BPA Ric Salinas, Constable Lunsford, Galveston Bend, ricardo salinas, Susan Lynn Rodriguez
Protected: Force on Force for Instructors, 14 May 2022
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The ABCDEs of Cover
Threats may choose to take you in the open. Here are some field expedient things you can substitute for cover if you are bushwhacked in a “cover deficit.”
Tagged with: ABCs of cover, body armor, Caprarelli, CoTCCC, Kiribati, north hollywood shootout, patient rescue, TCCC
NRA Courses
Our lead instructor is an NRA trained Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, and Law Enforcement Submachine Gun instructor. Several of our adjunct instructors are NRA certified as well. If you request an NRA specific course, such as a Women on Target instructional …
The Byrna HD PepperBall Handgun
A friend recently obtained a Byrna Technologies HD. The Byrna is a less lethal PepperBall launcher. It also launches hard plastic impact munitions similar in concept to bean bag rounds from a shotgun. We shot it a bit at “Robbie” …
Tagged with: beanbag round, brian terry, byrna, daunte wright, less lethal, pepper ball, pepperball, slip and capture
Bayonets
Many people collect bayonets and other militaria. Would they ever have any practical application for armed citizens? This posting, partially from notes I took during the Thunder Ranch Old Rifle course, briefly addresses the development of bayonets, my limited experience with them, and in what contexts you could possibly use one.
Tagged with: AK bayonet, bayonet, bayonet assault course, bayonet technique, bonzai, carcano, cold steel, fuller, george patton, halberd, jose luis galarza, K-2, ka bar, khukuri, kukri, lewis millett, Leyland ambus, loganberry lancer, M1964, M3, M5, M7, machete bayoneta modelo 1964, mustang in korea, OKC 3S, Phrobis M9 bayonet, pike, Saipan, srk, ssgt t j lobraico, vz-24
Protected: “Not My Problem”–Thunder Ranch Old Rifle, 02 – 04 Dec 2021
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Impact vs Edged: Advantages and Disadvantages of Crenelated Flashlights
A small “tactical” flashlight can be a useful force multiplier for personal defense. It’s quicker to use and brighter than a cell phone light. It also hurts more when used for striking. Some flashlights come with crenelated bezels, essentially making them edged weapons. This article explores different use of force options, examining landmark court cases relating to the use of impact tools, and flashlights as impact tools. It also addresses some aspects of race relations as they pertain to the optics of using force.
Tagged with: baton, crenelated bezel, DFWI, edged weapon, EW, flashlight, George Holliday, impact weapon, Malice Green, night stick, pain compliance, PR 24, Rob Pittenridge, Rodney King, SureFire, tonfa, use of force
Max and George’s Excellent Adventure: the Pros and Cons of Night Sights
This article shares lessons I’ve learned about night sights in the field. Do you need them? What are some of your options? Advantages and disadvantages of the different kinds? Read this to learn more.
Tagged with: 2 dot systems, 3 dot systems, night fighting, night sights, reflex pistol sights, RMR, uneasy rider
Protected: Ladies’ Personal Protection, 30 Oct 2021
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Primacy vs Recency of Training
This article explains and gives examples of why it’s vitally important to learn tactical skills right from the git-go, rather than starting with marksmanship-based, square flat range training and then trying to make a slow fire bullseye shooter into a fighter. We also tell you how to unlearn bad habits, if it’s too late for you to start the right way.
Tagged with: 1703, 40mm grenade, Blinder, Desert Storm, grip angle, handcuffing, IALEFI, Jethro, M203, manual transmission, Newhall, patient movement, Primacy, recency, thumb safety, tracer, Tu-22
Protected: Pistol Proficiency training, 16 Oct 2021
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What “fleeing” means–and what it doesn’t
This article clarifies a misleading statement by the media, discusses the Fleeing Felon doctrine, and ends with some advice for responsibly armed citizens.
Kalashnikov Selector Manipulations
This article explains the whys and wherefores of everyone’s favorite part of the Kalashnikov series: the right side mounted mode-of-fire selector lever.
Intermediate Force: OC, Batons, and Improvised Weapons
Not every human problem has a ballistic solution. But some situations, that don’t, still require some level of force application. Heloderm will teach you how to use your pepper spray, walking stick, expandable baton, Taser, bike lock on a chain, …
Intermediate Force: OC, Batons, and Improvised Weapons Read More »
Getting Iron for the Bullhorn God
This tribute to my Olympic Arena coach details lessons learned during three 6-month seasons of daily force on force competition, and beyond. It also explains some lesser understood aspects of nuclear deterrence and security, particularly during the second half of the 1980s, the climax of the Cold War.
Glossary of Gunspeak
Here are definitions of some concepts we teach you about in our classes. Sometimes different trainers use different words to mean the same things; this glossary will hopefully help you clarify some of the “tacticool” words that get bandied about …
In Places They Don’t Talk About at Parties: Lessons from STEM School Highlands Ranch
The tragic shooting of 07 May 2019 has several lessons you should learn, paid for in blood. Here are some of them.
Tagged with: armed security, blue on blue, brendan bialy, claire davis, hoplophobia, john hurley, joshua jones, kendrick castillo, line of fire, marjorie stoneman douglas high school, officer gordon beesley, school security, shamson sundara, STEM school highlands ranch, target discrimination, unarmed security
Protected: Pool Safety and Rescue, 28 July 2021
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Protected: Instructor Development: Basic Defensive Pistol, 15 Jul 2021
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Protected: Personal Protection for Girls, 09 Jun 2021
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The Under-Practiced Art of Issuing a Challenge
Something like 16 out of 17 times, when an armed citizen draws a gun in self defense, NO shots are fired. But the mere presence of a firearm, without relevant, practical, realistic training, will not ward off evil spirits like some magic talisman. Here are some dos and don’ts of how to tell a crook to go assault someone else.
Protected: Defensive Pistol Skill Builder, 16 May 2021
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Baron von Steuben and Well Regulated American Volley Fire
Most Americans believe we won the Revolutionary war by sniping at the Redcoats from behind trees and boulders. Not true. We did a lot of that, especially in the opening days of the war, when we were losing. Such so-called …
Baron von Steuben and Well Regulated American Volley Fire Read More »
Tagged with: Baron von Steuben, close order battle drill, freidrich von steuben, LGBTQIA, volley fire, well regulated, Zulu
MSgt Marion L. “Butch” Rupert Jr.
Butch Rupert was a an expert marksman, an exemplary shooting coach, and a wise mentor. Here are some things I learned from him.
Lt John Fox
John Fox was ALL IN. He gave what little he had, and everything he was ever going to have, to save the lives of his fellow American GIs, and to liberate not only his own people, but all of Europe and the entire world, from the yoke of Nazi fascism.
Tagged with: 1Lt John R. Fox, fire direction center, forward observer, gun line, John Fox, Lt John Fox, medal of honor
Firing the Stockless Shortie
Call it what you want. Some call them PDWs, personal defense weapons, after a unique brand of firearms initially considered for downed aircrew survival. Some call them “AR pistols” and “AK pistols.” Those are legal terms for getting around silly …
Tagged with: AK pistol, AR pistol, brace, isometric tension, MP5K, OSI, pull push, push pull, SBR, stockless, stretch technique, wrist brace
The So-called “Krinks”
They Used to be Hard to Get. In the Soviet section of my library, an old wind-up Russian alarm clock and Red Army belt with 5-sided star buckle gather dust on a shelf in front of the books. Both were …
Tagged with: Afghanistan, AK-47, AK-74, AKM, AKS-74U, cigarette butt, Draco, expansion chamber, gas operation, gas piston, krinkov, micro-caliber, OKYPOC, SAM-7, SKS, SMLE, SVD
ASR Rifles and ASR Med Kits
Most people get guns for “GPs,” general purposes. But, like golf clubs, different guns have different niches in your battle plan. Before you get a gun (or another gun), you should have some idea what you plan to accomplish …
Private In-home Sessions
These were a good idea long before ammunition became scarce. For those new to defensive pistolcraft, we give you a sound foundation on what goes on in fights, and what the limitations and advantages of firearms are, in solving human …
Burst Fire Misconceptions
Ever been issued a rifle or SMG that had a 3-round burst? You were probably told it was there to keep you from spraying and praying. Poppycock. Three-round burst was created to disburse bullets, not to improve accuracy or controllability. …
Protected: Tal & Scott’s House of IED Horrors, 02 Mar 21
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Tunnel Rat: The Shooting Experience
Nogales, Sonora, Mexico and Nogales, Arizona, USA are connected underground by a series of clandestine tunnels that link with the existing, legitimate stormwater drainage system. Select DEA, HSI, and CBP agents stationed along the Southern borders of California, Arizona, and …
In Praise of Law Enforcement Spouses
“Is George home yet?” It was our friend Ronnie, who was married to one of my fellow agents. It was mid morning. I had gone to work at ten the previous evening, and had not yet come back. But that …
Melissa Brown Eyes
The Patrol Agent in Charge (PAIC) of my old station had two admin assistants, both named Melissa. To avoid confusion, we got in the habit of referring to one as “Melissa Green Eyes,” and the other as “Melissa Brown Eyes.” …
IEDs: A Different Approach
Traditionally, training on improvised explosive devices (IEDs) has focused on how to recognize one, or how to differentiate a “suspicious” package from any other object in your environment. We might discuss how different IEDs are constructed, or what they are …
Ray and the Jungle Carbine
One of the most profound turning points in my education as a rifleman occurred with an Enfield Jungle Carbine, under the tutelage of a Marine I’ll call Ray. Ray is one of my oldest and closest friends. We’d been team …
The Evolution of Police Long Guns
This article outlines the history of long guns in police service during the past century or so, especially the last 50 years, comparing and contrasting the different types. Although there are some important lessons for the long gun armed citizen throughout, the article concludes with information specifically for rifle armed citizens (or those who are wondering if they ought to be). Originally published in February, 2021, this article was significantly revised in September 2021.
Rule 3: You’ve come a long way, baby
Tagged with: dry practice, FAMAS, manual safety, negligent discharges, NRA rules, PSL, Rule 3, safety rules, trigger finger
Carbines vs Rifles
We often hear those in the know referring to ARs as “carbines.” But doesn’t AR stand for Armalite Rifle? What’s the difference? Carbines were originally short rifles issued to cavalry troopers. Troopers generally fought from the saddle with a …
Protected: RSO Instructor Development, 19 Dec 2020
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Industry Day, 28 Nov 2020
On Saturday, 28 Nov 2020, Warlizard Tactical and Heloderm LLC hosted an “industry day” at our favorite firing range. We try to do that periodically, to give our wonderful volunteer range safety officers (RSOs), adjunct instructors, their friends, and family …
Tagged with: Jennifer Fulford, NSWE, one handed, primacy of training, purge, skorpion, stoppage reduction, training scar, workspace
Mind the Gas Port
“Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect.” I grew up on Air Force fighter bases. During my first Thunderbirds airshow, …
Tagged with: advanced primer ignition, AUG, BFA, blank, blast injury, blowback operation, contact wound, DGI, direct gas impingement, disarms, forcing cone, gas operation, gas piston, gas retarded blowback, gast vent, impeded slide movement, inverse bell curve, killing the dragon, operating systems, ported barrel, revolver, riding the dragon, roller delayed blowback, safety through competence, short recoil, squib
Protected: In-Home Defensive Pistol, 13 Dec 2020
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Grip, Hold, and Stance
What’s the difference, when they matter, when they don’t, and why you must have several in your repertoire. Some of this was written for the training summary of our 10 Oct 2020 Pistol fundamentals class, specifically addressing aspects of grip, …
Ground Pistol Fighting
On 26 Jan 2008, Officer Jared Reston chased a shoplifting suspect out of the Regency Square Mall in Jacksonville, Florida. The suspect shot him in the chin with a .45, knocking him down. Reston said he kept trying to …
Protected: Intro to Ground Fighting & other NBG Fundamentals, 22 Aug 2020
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Alert Carry Conditions
Choosing a “carry condition” that fits your lifestyle and risk assessment well requires a thorough understanding of your options. What carry condition you chose will affect your safety and level of readiness, as well as how you should train for …
Protected: Violence Avoidance and Survival, 17 / 18 Oct 2020
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RMR Cold Weather Test
A travelogue of a very cold trip to Colorado, and some limited testing we did with the Trijicon Ruggedized Miniature Reflex pistol sight under semi-arctic conditions.
Protected: Pistol Fundamentals NBGs, 10 Oct 2020
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Protected: Phase II Defensive Pistol (DP1B), 29 Aug 2020
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Vehicle Incidents
Not too long ago, in the Walmart parking lot at Speedway and Kolb in Tucson, three gang bangers attempted a carjacking. That being in Arizona, not Massachusetts or California, the owner of the car shot the one who threatened …
Women Only Pistol Fundamentals clinics
When I was growing up in the 1960s and ’70s, women were mostly part of the scenery in movies and TV shows. During a violent confrontation, her job was to stand behind the hero and scream. Men were expected to …
Protected: Night Fighting, 19 Sep 2020
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