Spartan Tactical Patrol Rifle AAR (June 09)

**CAPT KIRK** · 06-22-09, 00:59

Spartan Tactical

http://www.spartantactical.com/index.html

Course Description: Open Tactical Patrol Rifle Course 16-18 Jun 09
San Diego County, Pala CA

Tactical Patrol Rifle Course- This three-day course (27 Hrs) is designed to teach the shooter safe, fast and efficient operation of
the modern carbine rifle. Training will highlight the principles and demonstrate various techniques of basic carbine shooting from distances of 25 to 300 yds. The latest equipment will be highlighted during the course.

We will cover the following subjects: Safety, Proper rigging of the patrol rifle, fundamentals of marksmanship, loading and
unloading, clearing stoppages, ballistics, correcting for environmental factors, Standard firing positions, angle shooting and
cleaning, maintenance and through inspection of the carbine.

We will also thoroughly cover alternate shooting positions, shooting while turning, shooting on the move, proper use of cover,
urban positions and many other techniques. We will shoot several challenging courses of fire to include the 4 Position Shoot, The 3,2,1 Shoot, Rifle Team Match, The Scrambler and many others.

Jim Smith is a highly skilled instructor with 25 plus years of Tactical Firearms Instruction experience. He is a well-respected
member of the Special Operations community and has a wealth of real world tactical and instructional experience. Jim’s laser direct and intuitive style of teaching will quickly elevate any agency’s tactical ability

Having been an Airborne Ranger, Special Forces Engineer and a Delta Force Operator, Jim has a lengthy operational background
with real world combat experience. His past experience includes participating in several combat raids and high threat security
details in hostile overseas locations.

Jim is a recent former member of the AWG and only teaches what is tactically relevant and in current use. Spartan Tactical offers courses in Pistol, Carbine, Urban Operations and Precision Rifle.

**CAPT KIRK** · 06-22-09, 01:00

AFTER ACTION REPORT
By R. KIRK

PREFACE

Ever since I first became aware of Jim Smith and the training he offers, I have considered taking one of his classes to be one of those must do in this lifetime kind of things. The timing of opportunity, money and a stock of ammo was finally right and I signed up for this class in the beginning of the year (2009).

For those not familiar with Jim he is the real deal and well on par with many of the better known instructors out there, several of whom he served with. Many may not be as aware of him because he does a lot of training for our military, which is why this class had to be re-scheduled the first time, but no worries mate because getting our boys trained up for the sand box is first priority. The class unfortunately had to be rescheduled twice, but the wait and rescheduling efforts proved worth it.

THE STUDENTS
The class consisted of an even mix of civilians, ex-military and LEO’s

THE “KIT”
Jim led the way with a Larue Tactical Rifle with a Leupold MRT scope, backed up by his Glock pistol.

My personal kit consisted of a Noveske N4 Light Lo-Profile with an EoTech 516, backed up by a Glock 21, both of which had lights and night sights to boot.

Others Long guns included all M4 type rifles with the exception of one “old school” M-16 A1 brought by a S.W.A.T. officer who shot the whole course with its iron sights (very cool!!!, even if Jim refered to it as the "musket" LOL), backed up by various handguns. Fielded optics included, Leupold scopes, ACOG’s, EoTech and Aimpoints.

THE RANGE
The shooting range is located on the Pala Indian reservation in San Diego County Calif. This is the same range used for the class which was written about in the summer 2008 Combat Tactics article where Jim was training some tier one U.S. Marines. NCSA does not run a public range; the range is for club members and invited guests. Matches which are NRA, CRPA or SASS approved matches are open to the public who are members of these organizations. The range has multiple shooting bays of varying configurations and distances. I was able to bring my trailer and dry camp there, saving a few bucks and adding to onsite amenities in doing so.

This range facility was very impressive and offered Jim a great place to really push us beyond the abilities we came with.

http://www.ncsapala.com/index.html

ARRIVAL
My son and I arrived on Monday the 15th at about 1330 hrs. We were imediatately greeted by John Fish who is Jim’s assistant instructor. After getting the trailer etc sorted out we got to talking with John and helped him get some targets put together. Having done this we waited for Jim to arrive after his long drive from Texas. During the wait, John got my son (14yoa) on his Remington 700PSS sniper rifle and within about an hour and 30+ rnds had him hitting targets at almost 900 yds.

Jim arrived and after niceties and dropping off gear we all headed our separate ways to get some rest before the next day.

**CAPT KIRK** · 06-22-09, 01:00

TRAINING DAY ONE
Tuesday 06/16/2009
Weather:• Cool with a slight overcast.

Morning Evolutions:
• After signing releases etc Jim went into some discussion about equipment rigging, weapons maintenance and basic shooting fundamentals review (because these skills would be taxed).
• Safety was addressed and stressed with a clear understanding that mistakes would be unacceptable. This included the requirement that the safety must always be utilized whenever the weapon was not on target.
• We rolled into getting zeroed in, starting at 100 yds. Having completed that we moved on to establishing a final zero at 200 yds.
• Then…. We rolled out to shooting at 300 yds. Jim teaches to shoot at distance, which is great because it really focuses the fundamentals.

Afternoon Evolutions:• We continued shooting at distance to include 3/2/1 competitions which involved scored shooting from prone @300yds., Kneeling @200yds. and finally Standing Off Hand at 100 yds. The kicker of this drill is you have three magazines with 5/10/15 rnds loaded which you can use at which ever ranges you choose. This required on to really self evaluate ones skills, saving the 15 rnds for that stage which you would shoot the best.
• The day was ended out with Jims apparent favorite, the "Walk Back" competition. This involved all shooting Standing Off Hand, starting at closer ranges with the target being a steel “E” target. Shooters would be eliminated, or as Jim liked to say, “become a spectator” based on two misses at one distance or two total misses. This would continue as the group progressively moved farther away and shooters were weeded down to the final winner. This first one finished up at around 200 yds. Jim and John both shot along with us clearly demonstrating they are capable shooters.
•
End of Day Reflections:
• Today was definitely an eye opener, and I for one realized how much I didn’t know and transversely how much I stood to learn.
End of Day Round Count:
• We fire approximately 300 rounds of rifle ammo this day.

**CAPT KIRK** · 06-22-09, 01:01

TRAINING DAY TWO
Wednesday 06/17/2009
Weather:
• Mild temps with clear sky’s.
Morning Evolutions:
• Back to 200 yds prone to verify zero, which would be used from here on out.
• A couple more of the 3/2/1 competitions
• Jim went into alternate shooting positions, as well as shooting from and around cover.

Jim Smith (standing) above.

John Fish (standing) above.

• Jim covered communications ("moving"," reloading"," covering","standing", etc) which would be used, and be mandatory parts of later competitions.
• Reloads were covered, with Jim teaching the simplest, most reliable and efficient battle proven techniques.

Afternoon Evolutions:• We then rolled into a new competition, appropriately called the “Scrambler”. This required shooting around the barricades from different positions with reloads and movement included. Utilization of weapon safety, verbalizing communications and never moving between cover with an empty weapon were NOT negotiable and would result in a “DQ”.
• We of course rounded out this day portion with the “Walk Back” competition, which ended in a duel between the few remaining shooters from the 300 yard line (reminder, this was shot Standing Off Hand,) I was a "Spectator" by the 150 yd mark this day.
• We cleared for the day portion at about 1630 and most of us met at the PALA Casino for dinner at the buffet.

Night Evolutions:• Most of us showed up for the “optional” night shoot and after a detailed discussion about night shooting as well as equipment, to include various “starlight” and “thermal” NODS we got into it.
• White light shooting techniques were practiced at about 30 yds. This included shooting and moving. Shooting from basic positions as well as turns to shooting.
• We then moved back to the line, and the various NODS Jim brought with him were mounted on various student guns and the fun began. For those who have not had the opportunity, shooting steel targets at long range in the pitch black with night optical devices rocks!!! My favorite was a Thermal intensifier (CQBS by Insight Tech.) mounted in front of a Leupold CQT scope, which clearly showed why our guys “Own the night”.

End of Day Reflections:
• This was a full day, with so much learned and I for one was “pooped” but extremely fulfilled and greatfull for the opportunity to attend this class. The last thing I heard that night was the air escaping my pillow as my head crashed into it.

End of Day Round Count:
• Probably somewhere in the vicinity of 400 rnds expended today.

**CAPT KIRK** · 06-22-09, 01:01

TRAINING DAY THREE
Thursday 06/18/2009
Weather:
• A little warmer today but still pleasant and clear.

Morning Evolutions:
• We started the day with a couple more of the 3/2/1 competitions. Thankfully, due in part to a good night sleep in conjunction with some excellent instruction over the past two days, I won one earning a much appreciated Spartan Tactical hat (very nice, custom embroidered).
• Next came firing techniques such as “Controlled Pairs”, “Double Taps” and multiple shot strings.
• We also did some transition to pistol work, however with so many experienced shooters and LEO’s on the line it was not covered extensively and most were fairly proficient in this area.
• This rolled us into shooting on the move, both forward and diagonally, which included shooting various combos of shot strings at different targets upon command.

Afternoon Evolutions:
• More alternate shooting position work from and around cover.

• Jim felt it was time to get in some physical workout and we began an exercise wherein the shooter had to move through various shooting stations (always kneeling) and movement between barricades. We could not progress to the next “station” until the target was hit from the current one. The kicker was, this exercise progressed along a series of about 8 barricades and if the guy behind you caught up to you, you went back to the end of the line to start all over again.

• We did a new competition involving shooting through various orifices in the barricades on command from the shooting position of the shooters choice.
• Of course, the days shooting had to be wrapped up with a “Walk Back” competition. I finally made it back to the 300 yd line, dueling it out and losing to another “older” LEO. I in no way consider this as a loss though, as up until this class I would have not seriously considered shooting from the Standing Off Hand position past 50 yds. My success in making it back to 300yds was the best testament to Jim and John’s instruction and guidance I can muster.
• We all sat down for a final debrief and discussion about lessons learned, things wanted for future classes and final awards for competitions. Jim also gave a very nice certificate to each student and concluded with some very inspirational parting comments and a sincere “Thank you” to the LEO’s for the job we do.
• CLEAN UP. Policing brass, breaking down barricades and picking up targets.

End of Day Reflections:• What an awesome class and can’t wait for the opportunity to do it again. The biggest thing I learned, how much I did not know in the first place. Thanx so much to Jim and John for bringing us so far.

End of Day Round Count:• Probably another 400 rnds of rifle and maybe 100 pistol.

**CAPT KIRK** · 06-22-09, 01:02

FINAL THOUGHTS

Although I am a military veteran and have over 19 years in the Law Enforcement field, I consider my training time spent with Jim and John not only informative and worthwhile, but truly an honor and privilege. There is a saying that “Those who can do and those that can’t teach” Jim and John are both awesome teachers and shooters, not to mention very nice guys. A great time had by all and I cant help but wonder how many wives are already rolling their eyes over talk about attendance of the next class.

Additional Thank You to Jim, John and all the Guys for taking the time and effort to make a positive impression on my son, and making every effort to include him in having a good time.

Next Optic on my list…… LEUPOLD
http://www.leupold.com/tactical

Next Purchase..... Viking Tactics Sling.
http://store.vikingtactics.com/merch...Category_Code=