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FORCE ON FORCE TRAINING
NJLawman.com
Tuesday,
June 8, 2004 12:00 a.m.
The new era in realistic scenario training is
"force on force" training. Simply, officers participating
in the training now have to worry about bad guys that shoot back as
opposed to prior days of red rubber or blank guns. What seriously
lacked from the traditional training was instilling an instinct to seek
cover for the participants. Now, when the risk of pain becomes part of the
equation, this instinct will form. As one source said, "There
is nothing like fear of pain to sharpen concentration."
Agencies are achieving a force
on force training program in three main ways.
 First, FATS machines are coming
equipped with "shoot-back" technology. Operators of the
system can now fire at participants using .68 caliber foam balls.
FATS machines offer numerous, pre-recorded scenarios ranging from high school shootings to motor vehicle stops. The technology and capabilities
of the system are too numerous to list.
Simunition is also becoming more
common in academy and in-service training. Actual service
weapons are converted to be able to use non-lethal Simunition
rounds. (When converted, they will not be able to fire standard
ammunition) The converted weapons can then be used in realistic
scenarios where, if cover is not properly utilized, the participant risks
getting shot with the semi-painful, Simunition round.
Finally, some agencies are
utilizing Airsoft guns.
Airsoft guns are basically BB
guns. They are
full-size 1:1 scale replicas of real firearms. They feature a propulsion
system utilizing a small amount of air to fire a 6 mm plastic BB at
200-450 fps with semi and fully automatic action depending on the weapon.
Airsoft guns are essentially
of three types. There are spring powered guns in which you must pull back
the slide for each shot. Most practical Airsoft pistols run on a gas
driven mechanism. “Green gas” is the most popular gas used. The gas is
usually injected into a reservoir chamber within the gun or magazine. The
latest Airsoft gas guns incorporate a “blowback” effect which causes
the slide of the gun to cycle.
Airsoft guns are the most affordable way of
achieving a force on force training program.
Either way, all agencies should start
looking toward implementing a force on force training program.
Click
here to visit the FATS website.
Click
here to visit the Simunition website.
Click
here to visit the Airsoft website
NJLawman.com
Tuesday,
June 8, 2004 12:00 a.m.
Before beginning any force on force
training program with FATS, Simunition ammunition, or Airsoft guns, prior
approval should first be obtained for the proper legal authority as well as
from the highest levels of chain of command. Both Airsoft and
Simunition training have a potential for injury during realistic scenario
law enforcement training. Only for Military, Police, Corrections,
State Police Sheriffs and other similar law enforcement agencies.
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