Capabilities Course Descriptions

Capabilities are sets of procedures intended to be applied to the specific circumstances of a mission or task.  For instance night vision CQB, Instructional Support, Urban Operations and CQB Operations are Capabilities level subjects; and our courses at this level are designed to be “end state” session, which integrate all levels of operational tasks.

Forge Tactical Course Attendance Policies

 Students must be US citizens or have appropriate ITAR clearance before registering.

 All students must present valid law enforcement credentials, military ID, current CCW, or state background check upon in processing the first morning of any course. Failure to have valid proof of these course attendance requirements will result in forfeiture of course participation and class fees.

 Before registering note if courses are closed enrollment (LE or Military only), and do not register if you do not meet the criteria.

 Please check the prerequisites and the course equipment list as described for your course. Failure to demonstrate the basic weapon operator skills required for safety leaves us no choice but to dismiss you from training. Questions regarding whether your training history matches our standards, please contact us as early as possible at chappy@forgetactical.com.

 Electronic hearing protection is mandatory for all courses. It is a safety issue. You must be able to hear the instructor at all times.

 Ammunition counts are estimates. It is an overestimation in most cases. When national shortages occur, we make every effort to adjust training to accommodate.

 At no course is armor piercing or steel core ammunition welcome. No tracer ammunition. We wouldn’t say it if it hadn’t happened.

 No IWB holster is acceptable for training in any shoothouse course or other course where PPE includes the wear of soft armor or a plate carrier.

 No Class 3 full-auto firearms unless it is your issued, agency owned weapon. Full-auto fire is never acceptable in our courses unless specifically called for by the instructor.

 No course refunds will be given for failure to have the proper prerequisites or equipment necessary to participate in training safely.

Instructor Development Course

There are fewer positions in life more important than being entrusted with teaching others to defend their lives and the lives of those they love. Are you an active firearms instructor who wants to update your skills; or an accomplished student who thinks you are ready to begin teaching others? This 40 hour course will cover principals based training, range safety, adult learning, course design, training plans development, training and combat mindset, shooting diagnosis, case law and liability, force on force training concepts, combat shooting principles, cognitive combat skills and low light fighting principals. This course is heavy on the teach-backs, so come prepared to teach.

Prerequisites: US Citizen or ITAR approved person, and graduate of a reputable pistol and carbine operators courses.

Equipment List:

• Common Sense

• Carbine with ZEROED optics and/or iron sights and sling.

• Carbine mounted light

• Handheld light (recommended)

• 4 magazines (carbine)

• Handgun with magazines

• Magazine pouches

• Shotgun with sling

• 200 rounds carbine, 200 rounds pistol

• Electronic hearing protection which fits inside your helmet

• Water and snack food

• Weather appropriate clothing

• Pen and notebook

• Easel pad, self stick

• Digital camera and laptop

Shoothouse Instructor Course

The Shoothouse Instructor Course is designed to give the student the training and certification to conduct safe and effective live fire and marking cartridge training operations for patrol and tactical applications.  Students will learn and demonstrate proficiency in shoothouse safety standards, shoothouse design standards, marking cartridge safety procedures, targetry design and placement, principles based CQB training, instructor positioning and ratios, cat walk use, creating skill and technique development evolutions, low light training and safety considerations, and shoothouse laser eye safety standards. This course is taught through a combination of lecture, practical application and student teachbacks.  Homework is assigned each night.

Prerequisites: This is a law enforcement only course.  Firearms instructors, SWAT Team Leaders, Patrol Team Leaders, SWAT Trainers and Command Staff are encouraged to attend.

Equipment List:

• Handgun and magazines

• Holster and magazine pouches

• Carbine and 4 magazines

• UTM kits will be available for carbines

• Up to 200 rounds of UTM carbine ammunition will be required.  It is available for purchase at the course

• Body armor and ballistic helmet

• Weather appropriate clothing and boots

• Weapons maintenance gear

• Water

• Eye, ear and joint PPE (ensure ear pro fit with helmet)

• Pen and waterproof notepad

• Camera and laptop (optional)

CQB Instructor Course

The CQB Instructor Course is designed to give the student the training and certification to conduct safe and effective live fire and marking cartridge Close Quarters Battle training operations for law enforcement tactical applications.  Students will learn and demonstrate proficiency in safety standards, mission based course development, principles based CQB training, creating technique and procedural training evolutions, low light CQB training and safety considerations, and training documentation. This course is taught through a combination of lecture, practical application and student teachbacks.  Homework is assigned each night.

Students must be familiar with the Mission Analysis Training Development method as taught in the Forge Tactical / EAG / APD Instructor Development and Shoothouse Instructor courses.  

Prerequisites: This is a law enforcement only course.  Firearms instructors, SWAT Team Leaders, Patrol Team Leaders, SWAT Trainers and Command Staff are encouraged to attend.

Equipment List:

• Handgun and magazines

• Holster and magazine pouches

• Carbine and 4 magazines

• UTM kits will be available for carbines

• Up to 400 rounds of UTM carbine ammunition will be required.  It is available for purchase at the course

• Body armor and ballistic helmet

• Weather appropriate clothing and boots

• Weapons maintenance gear

• Water

• Eye, ear and joint PPE (ensure ear pro fit with helmet)

• Pen and waterproof notepad

• Camera and laptop

NVG Instructor Course

This course is intended to serve as an instructor certification and qualification for tactical officers, instructors and leaders. Successful candidates will be able to perform the following to an instructor standard: Laser Eye Safety procedures, Night vision and Laser system theory, night vision and Laser system application, operational use assessment and considerations, liability reduction, physical agility under night vision, weapons use skills under night vision, exterior high risk search, observation post / overwatch operations, breach point operations, deliberate stealth interior searches and stealth movement to crisis sites. Students will gain experience and demonstrate performance to standards through the use of interactive lecture, live fire drills, team movement and student teach back assignments.

This is a reverse schedule course, so please prepare your sleep schedule accordingly.  

Prerequisites: Law Enforcement officer, CAC card holder or ITAR approved FFM/P AND Basic SWAT School, EAG SH/CQB Package, or another combination of verifiable training and experience.

Equipment List:

• Basic SWAT load out PLUS:

• NVG with mount

• MFAL (IR Laser and Illuminator / vis laser)

• Live Ammo: 200 (rifle), 100 (pistol)

• UTM, SIMS or Force on Force Bolt and 300 rds of ammo (available for rental)

• SIMS PPE

• Gas Mask

• Laptop

• Note pad and pen, recommend a full size note pad

Tactical Team Leader Course

The Tactical Team Leader Course is a 40-hour program of instruction designed for SWAT and Patrol commanders, team leaders, assistant team leaders, and senior assaulters.  Topics taught and tested to standard via didactic and kinesthetic learning methodologies include Tactical Team organization and composition, Tactical Taxonomy, administrative and tactical leadership, legal issues and case law, team positions and responsibilities, SWAT Training Officer (STO) programs, proper use of threat metaxies, tactical planning, reconnaissance management, effective briefing methodologies, Drone / UAV integration, ICS integration, DHS / FEMA Standards, containment / delivery / emergency action / assault / sniper / support teams integration, medical / TEMS management, ICS command post operations, assault team operational leadership, special venue management, and mutual aid calls coordination.  This course has been submitted for Tennessee POST approval.

Prerequisites: US Law Enforcement and military personnel only.  Graduation from a state accredited Basic SWAT course.  Completion of the following FEMA courses is strongly recommended prior to attendance:  ICS 100, ICS 200, ICS 300, ICS 700, ICS 800. 

Equipment List:

• Common Sense

• Basic SWAT gear including long gun and handgun

• Department SWAT policy (or Tactical Deployment/ active shooter policy if patrol)

• Department threat or deployment matrix

• Laptop with Word and Power Point loaded

• Notebook and pen

• Weather appropriate clothing

• Water, snacks, and bring lunch every day