I find there are still many people that don't know about or totally misunderstand force-on-force training. The term "force-on-force" doesn't exactly make a clear impression of what the actual training entails.
Before I get into the specifics, a few definitions are in order.
Broadly speaking, "force-on-force" refers to training with live, resisting human beings. So rather than shooting targets made of paper or steel, you are engaging targets that breathe, think, move, and react. Your "force" is therefore being applied against opposing "force". This offers a 2-way approach to training, opposed to the 1-way approach of static range training. In simplistic terms, it's the difference between hitting the heavy bag and sparring with a partner.
There are two broad categories of force-on-force training-- skills/tactic based and scenario based. Both are important.
Skills/tactics based force-on-force are short segmented drills designed to teach a specific skill or tactic. A classic example is in illustrating "getting off the X" by placing two students facing each other, and having each draw and shoot each other on command. By doing this they quickly learn that standing still guarantees getting shot and that explosive movement while drawing is essential. There is no decision-making element here, as the action has already been laid out for the student in advance. But the penalty for not moving is getting shot (which stings with marking rounds).
Scenario based force-on-force adds an important layer-- decision making. Here students are put into play-acted scenarios with the help of roleplayers (good and bad). They not only need to apply the proper skills, but also the proper tactics and sound decision making. The scenarios are very fluid, with roleplayers reacting to students' behavior, and vice versa. While the skills based work can be done in a hotel conference room or empty parking lot, scenario work is often done in real settings (home, restaurant, office, etc) or simulated surroundings (mock outdoor cafe, street corner, etc). The more realism built in the better the experience for the student.
Specialty Gear Used
Blue guns -- inert chunks of solid plastic formed in the same shape as actual firearms. These generally fit in holsters and are great for demonstrations or combative work that doesn't require shooting.
"Sim guns" -- generic term for the guns used to fire marking rounds. These are actual guns (Glocks usually) that are designed to only fire marking rounds. They are exactly like the real thing except for the ammo they fire-- plastic frames, steel reciprocating slides, etc. Some training groups will use some form of airsoft gun that fires hard plastic pellets. While they are less expensive, they aren't as robust or realistic as actual sim guns, and the pain penalty for getting shot isn't as great.
[video=youtube;dAZHO3PKnm4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAZHO3PKnm4[/video]
Simunitions/UTM/marking rounds/paint rounds -- various terminology for the rounds fired in simulation guns. Simunition is actually the company started by Ken Murray that pioneered and designed force-on-force training, marking rounds, and safety gear. There are now several different sources for quality training gear. While they're all a bit different, generally they fire some type of colored lipstick-like substance at rates that aren't lethal, but still painful.
Personal protective equipment -- every training group will be a bit different here, but in general the safety gear present in force-on-force training includes:
Most training groups will provide this for students, but it's best to check before you show up to a class.
Gear you WON'T need:
Safety Protocols
There are some safety protocols for force-on-force training that go above and beyond the typical medical action plan, primary/secondary responders, and med kit that is standard for training courses. These added safety rituals include removal and lockup of live weapons and ammunition, double pat downs, and being wanded with a metal detector. Because force-on-force training includes the rare opportunity to point guns at and shoot people, these rituals are very necessary.
Class Format
Those accustomed to live-fire courses understand that formats are fairly similar from school to school. The format for force-on-force can vary, and generally isn't like live-fire courses.
Because force-on-force is a very personal experience, students often participate in skills drills or scenarios one-at-a-time. This does incorporate more downtime than live-fire courses, but this time can be used to learn from others' experiences. Skills drills may be discussed, then demonstrated, and then each student given an opportunity to try it (either as a group or individually, depending on the particular skill and setup).
Course Walk-through
What follows is a simple example walk-through of a force-on-force class I participated in as a student. I offer it as a peek into the basic format of such classes, so that those who haven't trained in this manner can more clearly see how it differs from the more traditional live-fire courses.
Training Day 1
8:45am -- show up at large warehouse. Walk inside and enter classroom with 7 other students. Make introductions and prepare for class.
9:00am -- class starts. Instructor introduces himself and outlines class, including medical action plan. Given instructions to keep any personal weapons holstered until we're asked to remove them.
9am-lunch -- instruction blocks on several different topics, from mindset to making 9-1-1 calls. Many notes taken.
After lunch -- instructed to remove all live weapons and ammunition and place them in an issued plastic basket. Basket locked in weapons room. Patted down once by fellow student. Pat down another student. Patted down again, this time by a roleplayer. Pat down another student. Wanded with metal detector by roleplayer. Declared weapon-free. Issued personal protective equipment, holster, mag pouch, and blue gun. Work on several different skillsets as a group. Demo each skillset. Perform drill using UTM sim gun, individually, one-at-a-time.
3:00pm -- return to classroom to prepare for putting everything together in one final scenario exercise. When name called, escorted to the edge of an indoor mock town. Given basic instructions and a task and turned loose inside town. Events unfold forcing me to make critical decisions under heightened stress and utilize learned skills. Everything moves so fast. I make mistakes. Scenario ends and I'm debriefed by instructor. I then move to an area where I fill out an after action assessment sheet wherein I'm asked to identify my failures and successes. I then move to an area where I observe another student's scenario via CCTV. Then return to classroom and wait for others to finish.
5:00pm -- class wraps up. We debrief as a group. Personal protective equipment is returned. Live weapons are returned. Last minute notes are recorded. Class dismisses.
Training Day 2
9:00am -- class starts. We cover medical action plan again. Instructions are given for running 6 scenarios throughout the day. Live weapons are quarantined. Safety ritual is performed. Protective equipment is issued. Return to classroom to wait to be called. My name is called. I gear up and head to the mock town. I'm given a task and turned loose inside town. Things still move fast. I don't make old mistakes, but I make new ones. Scenario ends. Debrief. After action. CCTV. Return to room to wait. Repeat two more times.
Noon -- lunch.
1:00pm -- Back in the classroom waiting. Participate in 3 more scenarios. Try to keep poker face in classroom so I don't tip off my fellow students. Realize that stress urges me to urinate, and I have to pee after every single scenario. My mind races with each scenario, playing it over and over again in my head. Kick myself for messing up.
5:00pm -- final group debrief. Protective gear returned. Live weapons returned. Class dismisses.
5:30pm -- arrive home. Have a small emotional breakdown when my kids greet me at the door. Realize that simulated stress affected me more than I wanted to admit. Thankful my lost gunfight wasn't the real deal.
6:00pm -- signed up for the next force-on-force course.
Obviously I'm a fan of Mindset Laboratory's scenario-based force-on-force offerings, but we admittedly aren't the only group offering such training. Whoever you choose for your force-on-force training experience make sure they adhere to strict safety protocols and offer scenarios that are realistic and reasonable. I will caution that there are some groups offering force-on-force training that is ill-designed and in some cases downright dangerous (no one here on INGO thankfully). These groups have unfortunately jumped on the bandwagon without fully understanding the psychology behind it nor the possible dangers that can come with it. Do your homework.
If you would like more information on the specific courses that Mindset Laboratory offers I'd be glad to answer those here or via PM.
For more information on force-on-force training in general, I'd highly recommend these books:
Training at the Speed of Life, Vol. 1: The Definitive Textbook for Police and Military Reality Based Training: Kenneth R. Murray: 9780976199403: Amazon.com: Books
On Combat, The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace: Dave Grossman, Loren W. Christensen: 9780964920545: Amazon.com: Books
From the novice to the high-level shooter, I believe force-on-force is the pinnacle of defensive training. I would encourage you to find out if its right for you. I hope this has helped answer some questions folks have about force-on-force training. I hope that de-mystifying this unique training helps people better understand its application and format. I'd be glad to answer any questions about force-on-force in general, or about my own experience with it.
Before I get into the specifics, a few definitions are in order.
Broadly speaking, "force-on-force" refers to training with live, resisting human beings. So rather than shooting targets made of paper or steel, you are engaging targets that breathe, think, move, and react. Your "force" is therefore being applied against opposing "force". This offers a 2-way approach to training, opposed to the 1-way approach of static range training. In simplistic terms, it's the difference between hitting the heavy bag and sparring with a partner.
There are two broad categories of force-on-force training-- skills/tactic based and scenario based. Both are important.
Skills/tactics based force-on-force are short segmented drills designed to teach a specific skill or tactic. A classic example is in illustrating "getting off the X" by placing two students facing each other, and having each draw and shoot each other on command. By doing this they quickly learn that standing still guarantees getting shot and that explosive movement while drawing is essential. There is no decision-making element here, as the action has already been laid out for the student in advance. But the penalty for not moving is getting shot (which stings with marking rounds).
Scenario based force-on-force adds an important layer-- decision making. Here students are put into play-acted scenarios with the help of roleplayers (good and bad). They not only need to apply the proper skills, but also the proper tactics and sound decision making. The scenarios are very fluid, with roleplayers reacting to students' behavior, and vice versa. While the skills based work can be done in a hotel conference room or empty parking lot, scenario work is often done in real settings (home, restaurant, office, etc) or simulated surroundings (mock outdoor cafe, street corner, etc). The more realism built in the better the experience for the student.
Specialty Gear Used
Blue guns -- inert chunks of solid plastic formed in the same shape as actual firearms. These generally fit in holsters and are great for demonstrations or combative work that doesn't require shooting.
"Sim guns" -- generic term for the guns used to fire marking rounds. These are actual guns (Glocks usually) that are designed to only fire marking rounds. They are exactly like the real thing except for the ammo they fire-- plastic frames, steel reciprocating slides, etc. Some training groups will use some form of airsoft gun that fires hard plastic pellets. While they are less expensive, they aren't as robust or realistic as actual sim guns, and the pain penalty for getting shot isn't as great.
[video=youtube;dAZHO3PKnm4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAZHO3PKnm4[/video]
Simunitions/UTM/marking rounds/paint rounds -- various terminology for the rounds fired in simulation guns. Simunition is actually the company started by Ken Murray that pioneered and designed force-on-force training, marking rounds, and safety gear. There are now several different sources for quality training gear. While they're all a bit different, generally they fire some type of colored lipstick-like substance at rates that aren't lethal, but still painful.
Personal protective equipment -- every training group will be a bit different here, but in general the safety gear present in force-on-force training includes:
- Eye protection
- Full face mask
- Neck protector
- Gloves
- Long-sleeves and/or heavy clothing
Most training groups will provide this for students, but it's best to check before you show up to a class.
Gear you WON'T need:
- live firearms
- live ammunition
- ear protection
- paper targets
Safety Protocols
There are some safety protocols for force-on-force training that go above and beyond the typical medical action plan, primary/secondary responders, and med kit that is standard for training courses. These added safety rituals include removal and lockup of live weapons and ammunition, double pat downs, and being wanded with a metal detector. Because force-on-force training includes the rare opportunity to point guns at and shoot people, these rituals are very necessary.
Class Format
Those accustomed to live-fire courses understand that formats are fairly similar from school to school. The format for force-on-force can vary, and generally isn't like live-fire courses.
Because force-on-force is a very personal experience, students often participate in skills drills or scenarios one-at-a-time. This does incorporate more downtime than live-fire courses, but this time can be used to learn from others' experiences. Skills drills may be discussed, then demonstrated, and then each student given an opportunity to try it (either as a group or individually, depending on the particular skill and setup).
Course Walk-through
What follows is a simple example walk-through of a force-on-force class I participated in as a student. I offer it as a peek into the basic format of such classes, so that those who haven't trained in this manner can more clearly see how it differs from the more traditional live-fire courses.
Training Day 1
8:45am -- show up at large warehouse. Walk inside and enter classroom with 7 other students. Make introductions and prepare for class.
9:00am -- class starts. Instructor introduces himself and outlines class, including medical action plan. Given instructions to keep any personal weapons holstered until we're asked to remove them.
9am-lunch -- instruction blocks on several different topics, from mindset to making 9-1-1 calls. Many notes taken.
After lunch -- instructed to remove all live weapons and ammunition and place them in an issued plastic basket. Basket locked in weapons room. Patted down once by fellow student. Pat down another student. Patted down again, this time by a roleplayer. Pat down another student. Wanded with metal detector by roleplayer. Declared weapon-free. Issued personal protective equipment, holster, mag pouch, and blue gun. Work on several different skillsets as a group. Demo each skillset. Perform drill using UTM sim gun, individually, one-at-a-time.
3:00pm -- return to classroom to prepare for putting everything together in one final scenario exercise. When name called, escorted to the edge of an indoor mock town. Given basic instructions and a task and turned loose inside town. Events unfold forcing me to make critical decisions under heightened stress and utilize learned skills. Everything moves so fast. I make mistakes. Scenario ends and I'm debriefed by instructor. I then move to an area where I fill out an after action assessment sheet wherein I'm asked to identify my failures and successes. I then move to an area where I observe another student's scenario via CCTV. Then return to classroom and wait for others to finish.
5:00pm -- class wraps up. We debrief as a group. Personal protective equipment is returned. Live weapons are returned. Last minute notes are recorded. Class dismisses.
Training Day 2
9:00am -- class starts. We cover medical action plan again. Instructions are given for running 6 scenarios throughout the day. Live weapons are quarantined. Safety ritual is performed. Protective equipment is issued. Return to classroom to wait to be called. My name is called. I gear up and head to the mock town. I'm given a task and turned loose inside town. Things still move fast. I don't make old mistakes, but I make new ones. Scenario ends. Debrief. After action. CCTV. Return to room to wait. Repeat two more times.
Noon -- lunch.
1:00pm -- Back in the classroom waiting. Participate in 3 more scenarios. Try to keep poker face in classroom so I don't tip off my fellow students. Realize that stress urges me to urinate, and I have to pee after every single scenario. My mind races with each scenario, playing it over and over again in my head. Kick myself for messing up.
5:00pm -- final group debrief. Protective gear returned. Live weapons returned. Class dismisses.
5:30pm -- arrive home. Have a small emotional breakdown when my kids greet me at the door. Realize that simulated stress affected me more than I wanted to admit. Thankful my lost gunfight wasn't the real deal.
6:00pm -- signed up for the next force-on-force course.
Obviously I'm a fan of Mindset Laboratory's scenario-based force-on-force offerings, but we admittedly aren't the only group offering such training. Whoever you choose for your force-on-force training experience make sure they adhere to strict safety protocols and offer scenarios that are realistic and reasonable. I will caution that there are some groups offering force-on-force training that is ill-designed and in some cases downright dangerous (no one here on INGO thankfully). These groups have unfortunately jumped on the bandwagon without fully understanding the psychology behind it nor the possible dangers that can come with it. Do your homework.
If you would like more information on the specific courses that Mindset Laboratory offers I'd be glad to answer those here or via PM.
For more information on force-on-force training in general, I'd highly recommend these books:
Training at the Speed of Life, Vol. 1: The Definitive Textbook for Police and Military Reality Based Training: Kenneth R. Murray: 9780976199403: Amazon.com: Books
On Combat, The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace: Dave Grossman, Loren W. Christensen: 9780964920545: Amazon.com: Books
From the novice to the high-level shooter, I believe force-on-force is the pinnacle of defensive training. I would encourage you to find out if its right for you. I hope this has helped answer some questions folks have about force-on-force training. I hope that de-mystifying this unique training helps people better understand its application and format. I'd be glad to answer any questions about force-on-force in general, or about my own experience with it.
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