(updated July 2023)

Can your mindset be developed?  Absolutely!  However, as a law enforcement firearms and defensive tactics instructor I sometimes wonder.  I expect those who are called into the law enforcement field to actively embrace and strive to develop a "tactical" mindset.  Conversely, I don’t expect civilians to easily embrace a tactical mindset.  Neither preconception is exclusively true.  How much does this mindset matter to you?  This series of posts will address developing a mindset and its relationship to firearms training..

What is a mindset?  A set of attitudes focused on planning & thinking about techniques and strategies to achieve specific goals and/or outcomes.

If you are willing to invest the time, have a desire to learn and improve, this is the first step.  We’re not talking about skill-building here.  Whatever skills or skill level you bring to the table when you need to act, that’s what you got.  

It’s a thinking man’s game…

Back in the early 2000s a Los Angeles Police Department Special Weapons & Tactics (LAPD SWAT) instructor stated, “Room clearing and close quarters combat is a ‘thinking man’s game’.”  Building entry and room clearing tactics were shifting during that time from dynamic to deliberate.  It’s similar to a sports team where you run certain plays for certain situations, but for mortal stakes.  You have to quickly assess, decide, and act all working with a team and with a partner.  You have to be adaptable and interchangeable because your partners are counting on you to cover their vulnerable areas as you rely on them to cover yours.  Rarely do things happen according to plan so everyone needs to be nimble.  Close quarters clearing and arrest techniques for search warrants and vehicle extractions are all problems which require thinking to solve.  There are concepts and strategies which have to be understood and mastered.  

When it comes down to it, if you want to improve a skill you have to put in thought and effort.  Sure, some people may be naturally better tacticians, but do you ever ask why?  Don’t be someone who just wants the answer without the thought behind the answer.  How can you learn to solve a math problem if someone just gives you the answer?  Take the time to consider if it matters enough to ask, “Why?”

(posted July 2023)

For the strategist this is a fundamental question.  There are numerous things to keep in mind:  What is going to be best for me and the team?  Are there immediate threats?  Where is a better position?  What is my weapon status?  Am I prepared to move on?  Do I have my weapon optimally positioned to efficiently engage the enemy?  It’s being able to process what has happened and what is the next best course of action.  We would say, “What’s important Now?” or WIN.  

When you are involved in a dynamic critical incident consider your security; immediate action(s); communications; medical concerns (SICM).  Security:  are there any other threats?  Immediate action:  what is your plan, what is your next move?  Communications: check on your partners, announce yourself, issue commands or orders, call for help (911).  Medical concerns:  check yourself for injuries, check on your partners, call EMS (911).

Before returning to the holster do you feel that you are safe?  We try to emphasize the importance of specific post-shooting tasks as procedures.  Those things which are good to do before returning your weapon to the holster.  Scan, breathe (give commands, identify yourself- as appropriate, call for cover, 911, etc.), check around yourself, check weapon status, top off weapon, holster weapon when you believe you are safe.  This awareness of yourself, your partners, your surroundings, and the ability to have your weapon topped off is basic to mindset.