Tactical Tangents: Recent Episodes
Tactical Tangents
Mike is a police SWAT team member, K9 handler, and tactical medic. Jim is an Air Force pilot with a background in close air support and combat search and rescue. Our goal is to elevate the conversation about all things tactical for public safety, military, and concerned citizens. Join us to hear lessons learned about decision making, critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, and teamwork.
You do honorable, important, and dangerous work in your profession, but that work also feeds into your social needs, and you've internalized and reinforced the attributes that make you good at your job to a degree that sets you up for problems down the road. Mike addresses the importance of examining your identity and why you need to expand your roles in life beyond your career, because you might not always be as special as you think you are. Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. Find us on social media @TacTangents and give a follow!
Intro music credit Bensound.com
From hostage rescue to burglary alarm calls, dynamic entries to slow and deliberate clearing, CQB and entry tactics have shifted over time—but the risks haven't gone away. It doesn't matter if you're a high-speed tactical operator or a patrol cop on the front lines, clearing structures with guns has some fundamental challenges, and there's no perfect way to do it. This episode explores the tradeoffs behind how we clear structures, why context matters, and what actually improves survivability when everything is working against you. Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping how information is gathered, analyzed, and acted upon in both policing and military operations, and even the private sector. In this episode, we examine the practical implications of AI tools—especially large language models (LLMs)—and how they are already influencing intelligence analysis, operational planning, and day-to-day decision-making across our professions.
Mike and Jim explore the promise and limitations of human–machine teaming, the risks associated with data security and data poisoning, and how adversaries can exploit AI systems to manipulate information environments, accelerate decision cycles, and disrupt traditional OODA loops. As tacticians, we also have to consider the threats with AI teaming; deepfakes, synthetic media, and automated influence campaigns can distort perception and undermine trust during critical incidents or conflicts.
We focus on practical leadership considerations: when to trust automated tools, how to validate AI-generated information, and how organizations can integrate these technologies without surrendering judgment, sovereignty, or operational advantage. The ultimate goal is to help practitioners understand how AI changes the competitive landscape—and how professionals can adapt without becoming dependent on systems they don't fully control.
Links: Great article from Red Beard Tactical on how to use AI to write better OPORDS: https://www.patreon.com/posts/tactics-ai-opord-150850002
Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
In complex environments, effort alone doesn't equal results. Whether you're in uniform or behind a badge, you face the same reality: limited resources, adaptive adversaries, and problems that refuse to stay solved. The difference between activity and impact often comes down to how you see the fight.
Mike and Jim break down systems thinking for tacticians — a practical way to understand how outcomes actually emerge inside military and law enforcement environments. Using real-world examples, they explore how feedback loops, incentives, and hidden dependencies shape everything from crime trends to operational tempo.
Links:
https://sdm.mit.edu/a-systems-analysis-of-tactical-intelligence-in-the-us-army/
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/warden-five-rings-great-strategists/ - John Warden's "The Enemy as a System"
https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/ASPJ/journals/Volume-09_Issue-1-Se/1995_Vol9_No1.pdf
https://amzn.to/4smTmEM0 - The Air Campaign: Planning For Combat by John Warden
https://amzn.to/3OTgcVQ - Winning in FastTime: Harness the Competitive Advantage of Prometheus in Business and Life - by John Warden
https://media.defense.gov/2017/Dec/27/2001861508/-1/-1/0/T_0029_FADOK_BOYD_AND_WARDEN.PDF - John Boyd and John Warden: Air Power's Quest for Strategic Paralysis
https://warontherocks.com/2015/09/the-five-ring-circus-how-airpower-enthusiasts-forgot-about-interdiction/ - The Five-Ring Circus: How Airpower Enthusiasts Forgot About Interdiction by Mike Pietrucha
Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
We dive into the real-world implications of living in a sensor-saturated society. From ALPR and private-sector camera networks to open-source data and pattern analysis, modern surveillance isn't just a policy debate — it's a tactical environment. We unpack how integrated surveillance systems create unprecedented investigative power while simultaneously introducing new vulnerabilities for police, military professionals, and everyday citizens.
The conversation moves beyond headlines to explore the operational reality: how patterns are built, how they're exploited, and how tacticians can leverage these tools while denying the same advantages to their adversaries. Along the way, we tackle the enduring tension between liberty and security, drawing on insights from history and reminding us that while the technology is new, the dilemma is not. If surveillance is the new terrain, understanding it isn't optional.
The question isn't whether the system exists — it's whether it works for you, or on you.
Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Photo credit: Flock Safety
Police occupy an uneasy space between the government and the governed—simultaneously a symbol of state power and a human presence in people's daily lives. Sometimes we get a little too PUNISHER SHEEPDOG and we need to chill. Mike and Jim break down the archetypes cops often fall into and discuss how to adjust our approach to be a dynamic leaders. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Mike explores a list of pitfalls in law enforcement through the lens of critical thinking and best practices. Among the list are things related to balancing officer safety and legal justification, good tactics and having a perfect plan, communication quirks, arresting and searching people, and ways you might sound like a nerd.
Photo Credit from https://youtu.be/vA0P92ddm2A
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
You don't fight in a vacuum—and neither do police officers, soldiers, or federal agents. In this episode, Jim analyzes the newly released 2025 National Security Strategy ( https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf ) and translates its broad language into practical meaning for people working at the tactical and operational levels. He explains how the NSS communicates priorities across government, how it influences downstream defense and security planning, and how it signals intent to allies, competitors, and adversaries alike.
Check out this episode to gain a clearer understanding of how strategic documents shape budgeting, force posture, and mission design over time. We also explore why the NSS matters differently at different ranks and roles, and how leaders can use it to frame decisions, explain priorities to subordinates, and anticipate where institutions are likely to invest (or divest) next.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Everyone in a fight has their side of the story. That story is a crafted message that can keep someone in the fight, convince them to stop fighting, and convince bystanders you are the good guy worth helping or the bad guy worth piling onto.
Police in America are struggling with an increasingly hostile public narrative that degrades morale, budgets, recruiting, and public cooperation when you need it most. In irregular warfare, the narrative may have more impact than the guided missiles.
The conversation focuses on practical storytelling skills leaders need to operate effectively in contested environments. Check out this episode to learn how tactical actions reverberate at the operational and strategic levels, why "neutrality" is often a false posture, and how to communicate facts through compelling, ethical narratives that build credibility rather than erode it. This episode is essential listening for professionals who operate in public-facing roles where perception directly impacts mission success.
The History of the Marine Corps: https://www.marines.com/about-the-marine-corps/who-are-the-marines/history.html
The History of Special Forces: https://arsof-history.org/history.html#check-sf
Storytelling Tactics https://pipdecks.com/products/storyteller-tactics
Malcom Gladwell's TED Talk about his book The Tipping Point: https://youtu.be/RmXrwKydM9k
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcom Gladwell - https://amzn.to/48X1gg1
Brian Willis TED talk most dangerous weapon in LE https://youtu.be/qwC-RHsC6gw
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Gaps in knowledge and performance happen naturally, even in high-performing teams. In this episode, Mike and Jim explore why blind spots develop despite good training, smart people, and strong intent. They walk through the realities of cognitive load—how much information a practitioner can realistically retain—and how this affects everything from tactical decision-making to compliance with policy and law. Using examples from aviation, policing, and military training, they illustrate how complexity, fatigue, and skill decay shape performance far more than most would acknowledge.
The conversation also addresses how organizations should think about standards, instructor responsibilities, evaluation systems, and the realistic limits of human learning. They highlight tools leaders can use to expose and correct blind spots: independent evaluation, scenario-based application, and deliberate debriefing. Mike and Jim emphasize the importance of professional education, continual reinforcement, and maintaining a baseline that is both realistic and mission-appropriate.
Take a moment and ask yourself: Are you tired of always having to work on the lowest common denominator? Do you know what your own weaknesses are and how they can impact you? This episode helps practitioners understand their own limitations, recognize when they need help, and apply structured thinking to improve safety, efficiency, and organizational credibility.
UCSD Report: UCSD students can't do basic math: https://senate.ucsd.edu/media/740347/sawg-report-on-admissions-review-docs.pdf
The Johari Window: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johari_window
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Most of us see ourselves as leaders, but a whole lot goes into "Leadership." One of the most vital aspects of persuasion is the credibility and trust people see in you. Credibility can grow over time, and it can also be spent or wasted. In this episode, Mike and Jim will teach us about building cred with your team, how credibility shapes a leader's ability to influence decisions, maintain team cohesion, and drive mission success. Drawing from research, philosophy, and operational experience, they outline the behaviors that strengthen trust and the missteps that erode it. Strong leadership isn't always about rank or position—it's about credibility. In high-performance teams, the credibility you have determines if you are a true influence on those around you or if you merely hold a title. Pretty good research article on this: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9309999/ How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie - https://amzn.to/49llmSO
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Even the best of us get played from time to time. From an Air Force pilot duped into buying thousands in Sephora gift cards, to clever banking and family scams that nearly fooled even the most skeptical of us, we talk about some of the psychology and tactics behind modern frauds: urgency, authority, distraction, and good old-fashioned trust. We'll look at how scams exploit our problem-solving instincts, how technology has supercharged the game, and why protecting your family from fraud might matter more than protecting them from burglars. Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
How do you stop a car that doesn't want to stop? If you see a rabbit should you chase the rabbit? We talk about safety and statistics, what factors to weigh the risk versus reward, how policies play into decision making, what the Brits mean when they say "Red Mist," and alternatives to vehicle pursuits including the role of Air Support, PIT, The Grappler, road spikes, surveillance, and intelligence gathering. Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
How do you prioritize your attention in a world full of distractions and competing priorities? Most people understand triage as a concept, but are you ready to sort wounded people? Both operationally and in our personal lives, we have to choose what we pay attention to. That is true in everything from time management and budgeting to room clearing and in-flight emergencies.
We talk through some models and analogies that might help you find balance in demanding professional settings and time sensitive situations.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
The 1989 invasion of Panama was a quick and violent moment in the drug war. We revisit why we went and how it went down. The hung for Manuel Noriega, the messy Army Ranger airfield seizures, Navy SEAL assaults on escape air and water craft, the Little Bird Hostage Rescue of Kurt Muse, the first combat use of the F-117 (spoiler, it missed), the role AC/DC played at the Vatican Embassy, and like 20 other objectives in a joint US Special Operations and conventional forces endeavor.
Links:
https://aircommando.org/first-fight-special-tactics-in-panama-1989/ Semi-Official AFSOC History
https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/History/Monographs/Just_Cause.pdf Official Military History
https://amzn.to/4pFthAj Six Minutes to Freedom by Kurt Muse
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Thinking about joining the Air Force? In this episode, we dig into the real questions behind the glossy recruiting pitch: commissioning sources, officer vs. enlisted life, active duty vs. Guard and Reserve, and what happens when the service downsizes.
We’ll talk about “up or out,” promotions, cross-training opportunities, and the wide range of jobs that don’t make the brochure. Is the Air Force really the “softer” service? And are you still cool if you don’t fly jets? We share stories, lessons learned, and what you should really know before raising your right hand.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Law Enforcement offers a wide range of career paths—but finding the right fit takes more than just filling out an application. In this episode, Jim interviews Officer Mike about what it’s really like to build a career in law enforcement. Should you be a deputy Sheriff or an FBI agent? Do you need a degree?
They discuss the pros and cons of different agencies, educational requirements, and how personal history—like prior drug use—can affect hiring. The conversation also covers safety risks, the realities of shift work, and how the job can impact relationships and social life.
Whether you’re considering a law enforcement career or advising someone who is, this episode offers a candid look at the opportunities and challenges in the field.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
When is it right to stick to your role—and when do you need to step up and act, even outside your formal job description? Mike and Jim tackle the age-old advice to “stay in your lane” by examining what it truly means in high-stakes environments. From a cop showing up to a burning house to Marines turning wrenches one moment and picking up rifles the next, we break down how flexibility, judgment, and initiative can make the difference between failure and mission success. Drawing on real-world examples like the 2012 Taliban attack on Camp Bastion—where Marine pilots and maintainers dropped tools and returned fire—we ask: Is it always someone else’s job, or do high-performing teams blur the lines when the stakes are high? This episode is about knowing your capabilities, understanding your limits, and recognizing when stepping outside your lane is not only appropriate—but necessary.
Show notes link: https://amzn.to/40CUBnP - Restricted Data: The History of Nuclear Secrecy in the United States by Alex Wellerstein https://bit.ly/ArmyMDMP - Army MDMP (Military Decision Making Process) Lessons and Best Practices Book https://bit.ly/CENTCOM-Investigation - USCENTCOM Camp Bastion Investigation https://bit.ly/450c2zR - Rochester Business Journal Article
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
You train like a pro, shoot like a pro—so why fuel like a rookie? Mike and Jim break down practical, no-BS nutrition tips for high-performance days at the range or on duty for the night shift. Whether you're running drills in full kit, qualifying on a tight schedule, or sneaking in a range session on your day off, what you eat (and drink) matters.
From no-fridge no-microwave hacks to high-protein gas station snacks, we’ll walk you through how to keep your edge when the sun’s beating down and there’s no fridge in sight. If your job demands readiness, your nutrition should match.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Jim and Mike dig into David Kilcullen’s The Dragons and the Snakes to explore how modern adversaries—from rogue states to criminal networks—are adapting faster than ever to Western tactics, tech, and psychology. Drawing from Kilcullen’s insights and a CIA review of the book, they unpack the idea that our enemies are evolving because of us—we’re shaping their strategy, and sometimes not in the way we want.
From guerrilla warfare and liminal conflict to use-of-force doctrine and law enforcement tactics, this episode connects military theory to street-level realities. Are we in a new kind of war without even knowing it? And what are we teaching our opponents every time we act?
The Dragons and the Snakes by David Kilcullen - https://amzn.to/3Td5CrM CIA review of the book - https://bit.ly/TheDragonsAndTheSnakes
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Why do we focus so much on tactics and so little on strategy? In this episode, Mike and Jim tackle the divide between street-level action and big-picture thinking. Drawing on lessons from policing, the military, and community crime prevention, they explore how individual cops, community members, and leaders can influence criminal decision-making—not just react to it.
Topics include resource constraints, the Broken Windows theory, and strategies for shifting offender perceptions to prevent crime before it occurs.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
In this episode, we explore the fine line between hazing and hard training in high-performing teams like law enforcement, the military, and the fire service. Mike and Jim talk about how shared hardship, onboarding rituals, and team standards can strengthen—or sabotage—unit cohesion. When does “paying your dues” cross the line? How do we build tough, resilient people without creating toxic culture?
We tackle the definitions, intent, and impact of hazing, and offer practical insight on setting the tone for new teammates through strong leadership, clear expectations, and purposeful training.
Culture matters—and it starts with how we welcome the next person in.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Have you noticed that the new guys coming in to your program aren’t as good as you remember yourself being? Does it seem like they need a WHOLE LOT of teaching, cajoling, and coaching? Let’s figure out why and figure out what to do about it.
Links:
https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/next-generation-leadership-special-operations-forces
https://www.cna.org/reports/2022/08/next-generation-leadership-and-implications-sof
https://www.cna.org/reports/2022/08/Next%20Gen%20Leadership.pdf
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Photo Courtesy: DVIDS
Mike & Jim discuss the tactical considerations for critical incidents involving fire as a weapon. Should we send fire fighters in with cops? Should we add one more training requirement to overtasked police? If someone is making a threat with fire can you shoot him? Should you?
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Photo Courtesy: DVIDS
Mike & Jim discuss what honor means in the tactical jobs. Is honesty the best policy? What if other people on your team are lying, cheating, or stealing? Does honor still matter in today’s world? Is it okay to cheat on your girlfriend or your workout?
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Mike tells us about recent lessons from training, and Jim tells us about arguments he had on the neighborhood facebook page about CHEMTRAILS and whether birds are real.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Jim tells Mike about some of the emergencies he has faced on the ground. We discuss when to call 911, what to tell them, and what first aid Jim applied as well as whether he got sued for helping someone. Did he thwart a murder plot in a hot air balloon? What exactly is degloving? Tune in and find out.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
The boys talk us through how to achieve work-life balance in full-commitment jobs like aviation, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and other critical roles.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
We delve into the horrifying crimes of a convicted serial predator whose reign of terror culminated in the brutal murders of the Groene family in 2005. We’ll explore Duncan’s dark past and the stalking and execution-style killings that led to the abduction of Shasta and Dylan Groene. We talk about managing our consumption of evil things in the world, the impact that has on our parenting, and we unravel how media efforts helped bring one of the most dangerous offenders in U.S. history to justice.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Title: "Understanding the Use of Force: Rules, Reasonableness, and Critical Thinking" Summary: In this thought-provoking episode, Mike and Jim dive deep into the complexities of use-of-force decision-making, particularly as it applies to law enforcement. They explore the rules, policies, and legal frameworks governing police actions, including key court cases like Graham v. Connor and Tennessee v. Garner. With a focus on understanding the concept of “reasonableness,” they unpack how these principles apply not just to officers, but also to civilians and military personnel navigating related situations. Through this discussion, Mike and Jim examine the challenges of balancing split-second decisions with the need for critical thinking, training, and adherence to policy. They touch on how models like the Critical Decision-Making Model (CDM) and Integrated Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT) are shaping modern law enforcement training, while also addressing the limits of these frameworks. This episode encourages professionals and everyday listeners alike to critically evaluate their understanding of use-of-force dynamics. From self-defense considerations to understanding the role of government and the judiciary in defining boundaries, Mike and Jim aim to elevate the conversation while emphasizing the importance of informed discussion and reflection.
Cops, military folks, pilots, medical professionals have some things in common. One of the BIG commonalities is a collection of BIG egos. Mike & Jim will walk us through how to navigate those egos to create a tactical advantage in a high performing team.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Photo Credit: DVIDS
Should your sister carry wasp or bear spray if she feels threatened by a human? Should you trust that dude behind the gun counter at your local gun shop because he's got a sweet beard? Mike and Jim explore your options and how to sort good advice from bad advice.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
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Intro music credit Bensound.com
Most leadership and management training has a top-down approach, but real human interaction involves influence in all directions - especially during a negotiation or confrontation. Mike and Jim discuss how to recognize when the other party is trying to influence or manipulate you, and how to lead your way through a tense situation. This is the essence of de-escalation and conflict management.
Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman - https://amzn.to/4gLj8Na
Goleman’s 5 Elements of EQ - https://www.accipio.com/eleadership/personal-effectiveness/golemans-5-elements-of-eq/
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Photo credit: DVIDS
This episode examines the tragic 1998 murder of Deputy Kyle Dinkheller, a young Georgia sheriff's deputy killed during a routine traffic stop. Using dashcam footage, we recount the chilling escalation of the encounter, explore the decision-making and mindset to reconcile deadly force and delve into the lessons this event teaches about officer safety, de-escalation, and situational awareness. Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Mike & Jim explore what the law enforcement use of force continuum is and what it means. They also talk about how to apply lessons from policing toward personal defense and even the military.
Conflict Management, De-Escalation, and Reasonableness are universal.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Mike and Jim discuss how to handle CBRN- Chem, Bio, Rad, Nuke threats and how to set your preparedness to the current threat landscape with synthetic bio-terror weapons on the rise.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
A lot of training exercises and drills can be a waste of time. Mike and Jim explore ways to improve military readiness, disaster preparedness, and school safety by making better training events.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
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Intro music credit Bensound.com
We take it out to the woods with how to build a fire, 7-step Checklist for Land Navigation, knots, PACE planning, forging resilience and a positive mental attitude, and more in this disaster prep, end-of-the-world, stuck-on-a-deserted-island overview of basic field craft and considerations for packing and planning.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
“Help!” “Help!” “Help!” “I don’t want to die. My teacher is dead.” “One of my teachers is still alive but shot.” “Officer!” “Officer!” “Are they [officers] in the building?” “There is a lot of dead bodies.”
These were the words of nine- and ten-year-old children at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022, during a call with 911. We try to take a balanced approach between the real challenges first responders take and the tragic reality of this event. We hope you learn from it.
Show links:
DOJ Report: https://bit.ly/3zDqtOK ALERRT Report: https://bit.ly/4gGGAf9 TX State Report: https://bit.ly/3XJJ7wj
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Car accidents are something that are likely to touch all of us in some way or another, whether we are involved in one or manage them professionally as first responders. Not only are they exceptionally common, sometimes they are also challenging to manage well. We talk about some of the competing priorities and offer some ideas to get the emergency response to a traffic collision off to a good start.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Back in the 1960s a former Marine took the high ground in one of the first and deadliest school shootings in American history. This watershed event was part of the discussion that brought the idea of a SWAT team to the national stage and arguably brought momentum to what some now consider to be the militarization of the police. We talk about counter-ambush tactics, cover or suppressive fire in law enforcement, tactical medicine, and more.
https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/university-of-texas-tower-shooting-1966
https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2016/09/03/ut-tower-shooting-claims-one-more-life/10008498007/
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
No one should die over a false report. Internet gamers, celebrities and public figures, and maybe even one of your neighbors have been the victim of this sort of prank. These hoax emergency calls that can lead to an exaggerated police response are becoming more common, so we discuss strategies to make sure we tailor our response appropriately and keep everyone safe.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Downs v. United States was a benchmark case for domestic law enforcement that establishes our requirement to attempt negotiations for a peaceful resolution. We define a hostage situation and talk about strategies to manage them in contrast to active killer and barricaded criminals.
Downs v US (6th Circuit Court of Appeals) - https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/382/713/2596989/
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
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Intro music credit Bensound.com
Your Recipe for Success looks something like equal parts of three things. Motivation, the spark and desire. Discipline, your habits and structure. And Grit, your capacity to overcome challenges, adjust, and perservere. Mike shares some of the research that’s been done on these topics and ways you can integrate them to get your closer to where ever you want to be.
Links: Randy Pausch "Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" https://youtu.be/ji5_MqicxSo Atomic Habits by James Clear https://amzn.to/3LmLPSD (Excerpt here: https://jamesclear.com/marginal-gainshttps://jamesclear.com/marginal-gains) Carol Dweck TED Talk - https://youtu.be/_X0mgOOSpLU Grit by Angela Duckworth - https://amzn.to/4bHxtY2 Angela Duckworth TED Talk - https://youtu.be/H14bBuluwB8 Mindset by Carol Dweck - https://amzn.to/3LlWZHg The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin - https://amzn.to/466p5Qy Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin - https://amzn.to/4667I2r
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Over 100 people were killed, more than 2,000 structures destroyed, and over $5 billion in damage were left behind after wind and fire tore through the historic Lahaina district and adjacent areas in Maui, Hawaii. We dive into some of the public safety and disaster planning takeaways from this event including evacuations, notifications, misinformation, planning, and risk.
FEMA After Action Report: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/blog/preliminary-after-action-report-2023-maui-wildfire/
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Photo credit: FEMA
Is “strategic” the size of the bomb you drop, the scale of the map you use, or way you play Monopoly? In this episode, Mike and Jim turn Sun Tzu’s fortune cookie sayings into operational reality. We work through how we can win fights all over Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam and still lose. We also cover strategies for winning against Active Shooters and the Chinese Communist Party.
New Rules of War by Sean McFate - https://amzn.to/4bYaGrT Little Book on Big Strategy - https://press.armywarcollege.edu/monographs/723/ Amatuers Study Tactics - https://www.strategynotes.co/p/the-nonsense-of-amateurs-study-tactics How to Win in Anbar by CPT Travis Patriquin - https://abcnews.go.com/images/US/how_to_win_in_anbar_v4.pdf The Strategic Corporal by Gen Krulak - https://www.mca-marines.org/wp-content/uploads/1999-Jan-The-strategic-corporal-Leadership-in-the-three-block-war.pdf On Strategy: A Primer by Nathan Finney - https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/combat-studies-institute/csi-books/on-strategy-a-primer.pdf Strategy: Context and Adaptation from Archidamus to Airpower (Transforming War) - https://amzn.to/3KOdprC
Adaptive Leadership Handbook - Law Enforcement & Security: Innovative Ways to Teach and Develop Your People by Lt Fred Leland - https://amzn.to/3z2vzDx
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Is the American military prepared for the sacrifices that we can expect in a World War? Mike and Jim discuss whether commanders can lead and whether the troops will follow when it comes time to storm the beaches knowing many will not return.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Situational awareness demands focus and selective attention. Sometimes playing on your phone can help, and sometimes it can kill you. Most people can’t multitask as well as they think, but Mike and Jim will give you strategies to outmatch your enemy and avoid becoming a LUMP.
FAA Task Management White Paper: https://www.tc.faa.gov/its/worldpac/techrpt/tc17-16.pdf Aviation Week article on Compartmentalization: https://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/safety-ops-regulation/compartmentalization-focus-flight-part-1 Wiki Page Eastern Flight 401: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Air_Lines_Flight_401 The Invisible Gorilla: How Our Intuitions Deceive Us by Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons: https://amzn.to/3WK6maK The Invisible Gorilla video: https://youtu.be/vJG698U2Mvo
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangent. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Just because it's not aliens doesn't mean we can ignore it. Let's develop a comprehensive air defense and counter drone plan in the wake of Ukraine, Syria, and Gaza. We investigate Unidentified Flying Objects, UAVs, aliens, killer drones, spy satellites, Chinese balloons, and Foo Fighters.
UAP Task Force : https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2314065/establishment-of-unidentified-aerial-phenomena-task-force/
Intelligence Community Report : https://www.intelligence.gov/index.php/publics-daily-brief/public-s-daily-brief-articles/1077-unidentified-aerial-phenomena-preliminary-intelligence-assessment
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangent. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Green Berets have to work with a different rule book than the troops guarding nuclear weapons—and for good reasons. We explore the balance between strict adherence to rules and the often necessary flexibility to go off-script in tactical operations and your organization’s culture.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
In October 2002, a 17 and 41 year old carried out a series of serial murders, killing 10 and wounding 3 others in what were described as random attacks against people doing every day tasks like pumping gas and mowing their lawn. We cover lessons from this large scale, multi-agency investigation with takeaways for individual cops and police leaders related to public relations, investigative rigor, and interagency cooperation.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
There are over 18,000 police Chiefs and Sheriffs in the United States, and every one of them has their own version of what right and wrong looks like. But unless they plan on showing up at every traffic stop, they are going to have to trust that their Officers and Deputies on the front lines are doing the best they can.
Empowering law enforcement officers with discretion to use their best judgment is a necessary part of policing, but there are some serious gotchas that we have to watch out for to maintain that responsibility and the trust of the people we serve.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
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Intro music credit Bensound.com
Erica is the founder of TacMobility, a wellness training company and online resource with a ton of free material for public safety. TacMobility is implementing a blend of mobility training and mental health support by working its way past the tough “sheepdog” exterior.
Through eye-opening surveys, TacMobility highlights the not-so-funny truths about depression and the dusty corners where wellness programs sit unused. Advocating for a mix of low-effort, big-impact wellness habits, TacMobility proves you can indeed teach old dogs new tricks and balance the badge with a bit of brain and body harmony.
Check out more from Erica at https://tacmobility.org.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
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Intro music credit Bensound.com
Here’s the thing about plane crashes: We all die at the same time. Inefficient and ambiguous communication has serious tactical implications when managing a crisis as a team. Sometimes, we water down what we need to say because we don’t want to step on toes or piss anyone off, especially when talking to authority figures. This is called mitigated speech, and it is something leaders and team members need to be aware of when it comes to problem solving and decision making in groups.
Episode 48: https://www.tacticaltangents.com/podcast/piloterror/
Outliers by Malcom Gladwell: https://amzn.to/3OGjY20
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
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Intro music credit Bensound.com
For some reason there are a lot of people out there who still feel like putting an optic on your pistol isn’t reliable or practical, and our handsome hand model in the photo John Correia calls those people the Gun Amish. We agree with that title, because it’s 2024 and pistol mounted optics are a game changer. Mike and Jim talk about some of the challenges switching to a red dot sight on a handgun and some tips on how to overcome them.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
There is an art and science to learning a new skill. Whether you are picking up new hobbies and trying to improve performance at essential job tasks, there are some tricks and concepts to understand to break plateaus and keep training fun. We cover crawl walk run, the balance between simple and technical, developing a growth mindset, and embracing the suck.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
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Intro music credit Bensound.com
We say that we should put Service before Self, but it's more than just a mantra. Where the rubber meets the road is all in how we develop implicit trust among teammates so that we know where each other is going to be and what they are going to do when the going gets tough. We can accomplish this with the intentional application of Standards, Contracts, and good Debriefs.
It's one thing that we all get along, but real trust isn't something that can be assumed as a given--we've got to earn it. Building trust in teams has a lot to do with the often unwritten social contracts that help us get on the same page about our roles and responsibilities. We have to know that everyone is going to put the mission before their own personal interests to really build harmony and a combined effort that is greater than than the sum of its individual parts.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Wellness isn’t just a soft and fuzzy term bandied about in the Human Resources department. Healthier, happier employees perform better, and in professions where the rubber meets the road, wellness is tactical. The trite concept of Work/Life balance isn’t so trite when lives are on the line. How do you keep yourself all happy and centered and still put in the grind to do the work? Listen to this episode to hear some ideas.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
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Intro music credit Bensound.com
When drafting players for your fantasy sportsball team, stats provide an easy benchmark. Just pick the ones with the most home runs, passing yards, and the highest free-throw percentage. It’s a little harder selecting people for your real-life tactical team, but having a similar checklist in mind helps. In this episode Jim and Mike talk about what to look for. Having a good selection procedure is important for getting the right members on a team. Mike steals a page from advertising, only where an ad man conceptualizes the ideal customer, he’s looking for the ideal SWAT guy. The process could work for any team selection, though. Just think about what the ideal candidate would say, think, do, or feel, and look for those people. Listen to this episode for ideas on how to do just that.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
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Intro music credit Bensound.com
No team in law enforcement is composed of robotic textbook-following automatons, nor would we want it to be, if we’ve ever found ourselves at 2MPH over the limit. But when a worst-case incident unfolds, we want every first responder to make the right decision at the speed of life, because in those incidents seconds often equal victims. How can we raise the lowest common denominator, so our people make the right decisions quickly without rushing to failure?
In this episode Mike and Jim talk about command and control, and teaching decision-making skills to team members. In this way, when everything hits the fan, the right decisions get made fast, and get made at the right level. There’s a reason for supervisors, commanders, and leaders, but it’s important to know when to let subordinates make decisions. Not every incident is The Big One, but nobody’s ready for The Big One if they haven’t been taught in the small ones.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
The downsides of sleep deprivation are legion: irritability, poor judgment, even lowered testosterone. Yet the duties of the .mil and LE career fields are well known for demanding odd and/or long hours that can make it hard to get good sleep. Mike talks with Dr. Paul Sargent of O2X, a specialist in human performances and sleep factors, in how to get the good shut-eye.
Dr. Sargent retired from a 25 year Navy career that included such exotic postings as being the only psychiatrist in Anbar Province, where he helped stand up the Combat Sleep School. How to maximize healthy sleep hygiene without using drugs that might blunt the tactical edge is his specialty, and in this episode he talks with Mike about the best way we can adapt modern life schedules to bodies that have ancient sleep needs.
Links:
J. Bryan Sexton: 3 Good Things - https://youtu.be/OYMQYhey08w
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
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Intro music credit Bensound.com
In the spring of 2018, the city of Austin, Texas was rocked by a string of package bombs, five in all, that killed two and injured five. The story of how local and federal agencies tracked down the perpetrator is almost all open source and a great illustration of how these investigations proceed. Listen to Jim and Mike tell the tale in this episode!
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Do you know what every great slugger in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown had in common? They all had hitting coaches. Today we have an abundance of riches in the form of internet videos to teach almost any skill, but at some point most everyone will benefit from the feedback of a skilled coach. In this episode Mike and Jim explore the value of coaching in skill building and team leadership. Whether its an athlete of the conventional sports kind or the tactical variety found on a SWAT team or military base, there’s a tremendous value to be gained from a good coach. How can you spot a good coach? More importantly, what are the indicators of a bad one? How can you be a good coach for the people who look up to you? Listen in and find out!
Links:
The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey - https://amzn.to/463pWQZ
The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle - https://amzn.to/46qviWA
The Art of Learning by Joshua Waitzkin - https://amzn.to/3RAEP93
With Winning in Mind by Lanny Bassham - https://amzn.to/3RzwEtC
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
In the world of ugly warrant execution, there are a lot of bad scenarios that have happened with lessons to be learned for people on both sides of the door. In this episode, Mike & Jim break down a notorious recent incident: The 2020 shooting of Breonna Taylor during a narcotics warrant service in Louisville, Kentucky.
While it’s about the Breonna Taylor incident, we’re focusing on the tactical issues surrounding the actual warrant service that night, not the plethora of issues that led to it. Risk is always involved in serving a warrant, so how can it best be mitigated for all involved? Remember that having a warrant doesn’t make you any smarter or tactically proficient. The court just gave you permission; the skill department is all on you.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
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Intro music credit Bensound.com
If you’re a habitual firearms toter, how do you carry to and from places where you can’t carry? Do you? What if it’s someplace where there’s no provision for securing it at your destination? Whether going to and from the neighborhood BJJ gym or visiting a military base, this can be a real dilemma for the carrier. In this episode, Jim and Mike take a hard look at solutions.
One of our favorite topics at Tactical Tangents is realistic risk management, and this applies in the personal world as well as the operational one. While “EDC” has turned into a marketing term for everything from watches to para cord bracelets, what do you really carry every day. Listen to this episode for a deep dive into the topic. Remember, millions of people go unstrapped yet remain unclapped every day.
Photo credit: Tam at "View From The Porch”, Booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
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In the pop-culture tactical world today it’s common to see Col. Boyd’s Decision Cycle, the famed “OODA Loop”, applied to individuals and their actions, but indeed it has its origins as an institutional concept. If you need to solve problems as a team, or even an institution, it’s important to know how it applies to group tactics and operations. In this episode Mike and Jim dive into just that.
Institutional knowledge and memory are what gets used to solve problems, and that’s why it’s important for an organization to select compulsive problem-solvers as members. Everyone is going to bring their own viewpoint based on their specialty, but it’s important for them to know when the problem is outside of their specialty, as well as how they can contribute when it’s time to get…unconventional. Tune in to learn how to teach your team the difference.
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In any organization it’s almost a tradition to turn and look at the people coming up through the ranks behind you and bemoan how much better things were in the Good Old Days. Of course, things were better then because the people who had come up through the ranks before you helped mentor you into effective operators. In this episode, Jim and Mike talk about how you can pass that mentoring on.
It’s important to feel responsibility for, not just the organization, but also for the people who make it up. Those people include the newest noobs, and if you want to help the organization be effective, mentoring those recruits is essential. Mike and Jim are here to tell you that mentorship isn’t a thing that can be established in an org chart, but has to grow organically, and in this episode, they’ll tell you how you can foster mentoring in a place where it can’t be foisted.
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Mike reminds us that “Responsibility to the Community” is not just a slogan on a squad car door in this episode, where he and Jim talk about the necessity of keeping the public informed in a manner that is both helpful to the public and not harmful to ongoing investigations. ”Public Affairs” is more than just a job title, and requires keeping in mind the emotions that surround complex situations.
In a job where having to come to terms with the possibility of inflicting lawful violence, it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that most normal people haven’t had those conversations with themselves. Avoiding dehumanizing statements or flippant “FAFO” statements is crucial to effective community relations. In this episode, Jim and Mike discuss the balance between keeping the public informed and protecting information that actually needs protecting for civil or criminal reasons.
Links:
The Elements of Style By William Strunk Jr and E.B. White - https://amzn.to/3rnuWkg
The Five Languages of Apology by Gary Chapman and Jennifer M Thomas - https://amzn.to/3NLqrY1
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents
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In dangerous career fields like the military or law enforcement, there’s an unavoidable tension of priorities between the mission and the safety of the people on the team who need to accomplish it. It’s one thing to say you put your people first, but if it was a safe job, they wouldn’t issue body armor. In today’s episode, Mike and Jim demonstrate the ways this can be a false dichotomy and how to keep everyone on the team on the same page.
It’s important to take care of your people because you can’t do the mission without them, but if the mission doesn’t get done because of an excess of caution, there’s no point in any of y’all being there in the first place. A conundrum, truly! This episode looks at ways to manage the expectations of team members by bringing them up to speed as they come on board, and other considerations to take when (here’s that word again) managing highly motivated people.
Links:
Scouting, For Boys by Rabert Baden Powell - https://amzn.to/43CsVPb
Uncontrolled Spread: Why COVID-19 Crushed Us and How We Can Defeat the Next Pandemic by Scott Gottlieb - https://amzn.to/43yfkIS
The Art of Clear Thinking: A Stealth Fighter Pilot's Timeless Rules for Making Tough Decisions by Hasard Lee - https://amzn.to/45Z2u7Q
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Bombs are scary. You can’t shoot back at an explosion or talk it into surrendering or leaving you alone. But you can learn ways to spot the bad guy’s device before it does its thing. In today’s episode, Jim and Mike delve into some basics of the hows, whys, and wheres of improvised explosive devices to help you develop a risk picture based on likelihood and severity.
Just like there are certain weather conditions that are likely to breed hurricanes or other severe storms, we’re currently experiencing social weather, both globally and at home, that’s creating favorable conditions for bombers. There are enough angry people, with enough information, and ample opportunity to make things explode. Tune in for some info on what to look for. (Hint: It’s not a bundle of red sticks taped to an alarm clock with an “ACME” label.)
Links:
The Bombs, Bombers, and Bombings of Los Angeles by Michael Digby - https://amzn.to/3J7ROKn
Greenwhich Village Townhouse Explosion - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwich_Village_townhouse_explosion
October 2018 United States mail bombing attempts - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_2018_United_States_mail_bombing_attempts
Bath School disaster - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_School_disaster
Harvey's Casino Bombing - https://www.fbi.gov/video-repository/newss-harveys-casino-bomb/view
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents
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High-stress jobs, such as those in the military or law enforcement fields, tend to attract mission-oriented people, dedicated to the team and the public, who thrive on stress. Well, plants thrive on water, too, but you can still wind up drowning them with too much of it. In today’s episode, Jim and Mike look at job-related burnout, its negative effects on the team, and how to mitigate or avoid it.
In any tight-knit organization, attitudes are contagious, and that goes double for lousy ones. It’s common for the word of hard-chargers attracted to “tactical” work to brag about the amount of time they put in, for example, the number of hours worked, and treat it as a benchmark. But the more the workload piles up, the more easily frustrated you get, and that can feed the bad attitude spiral. Listen in as we talk about ways to reduce work-related fatigue and maintain a healthy work/life balance…tactically.
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Part of our mission here at Tactical Tangents is to overcome the “tactical fantasy”, and in this episode, Mike and Jim talk about avoiding one of the most pernicious ones. It’s easy in a world full of tacticool training classes to get focused on the sort of threats to ourselves and loved ones that jump out of the bushes and can be thwarted with kinetic skills when the truth is you probably already know the person you’re most likely to have to pepper spray.
The statistical fact of the matter is that most victimization comes from people who look like us and are already in our social circles. That’s extra true about sex crimes, and super extra true about sex crimes against children. Tune in as we discuss teaching ourselves, loved ones, and especially our kids about understanding social norms, establishing boundaries, and the importance of informing someone in authority.
Links:
The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker Protecting the Gift by Gavin de Becker Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): Grooming: Know the Warning Signs McMartin Pre-School Trial They Must Be Monsters: A Modern-Day Witch Hunt
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The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan may be over (for now) but that doesn’t leave us in a world without conflict. While we were hip-deep in the Global War on Terror, major great power competitors have been nursing grievances and feeling rising ambitions and opportunities. In this episode, Jim takes a detailed look at the state of play with respect to Russia and China, and how that could affect the US as a nation, and us as individual citizens.
While neither of our great power opponents would benefit from a shooting war with the United States at this point in time, Jim points out that they are both conducting war by other means; the struggles are already underway. Whether by economic means, attempts to control raw material sources, or meddling with public opinion via social media channels, it’s important to be aware of these methods. Listen to this episode to have it all laid out.
Links: War Without Rules by Robert Spalding War with Russia by Sr Richard Shirreff US National Security Strategy
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
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In both the military and law enforcement universes, there’s often an understandable amount of friction between the people out where the action is and those who help them get there and support them in their work. In this episode, Jim and Mike discuss ways to smooth cooperation between the people behind the scenes and the officer on the street or the pilot in the seat. When you really think about it, everybody’s supporting somebody and nobody’s completing the mission alone. Learning to distinguish between your “boss” and your “customer” can help you focus on operational success whether you’re the one calling in the air support, flying the plane, or keeping the plane flyable. As the saying goes, the chicken is involved in breakfast while the pig is committed…but breakfast ain’t happening without both doing their jobs.
Links:
Randy Pausch Achieving Childhood Dreams
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
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In a cool tactical podcast, everybody wants to talk about a gunfight and nobody wants to talk about getting t-boned in an intersection on the way to the gunfight. This episode features Mike & Jim, who’ve bent enough fenders between them to have some advice to offer, talking about the realities of driving. Whether you’re driving the government’s vehicle or your own private citizen chariot, realistic Operational Risk Management applies behind the wheel too.
Not only does viewing driving from an Operational Risk Management standpoint apply to doing the high-speed stuff while sawing at the wheel to keep it between the ditches while running code, it entails a lot more aspects. How do you manage your driving to take into account the possibility of road rage from other motorists? Do you stay on top of vehicle maintenance in order to keep from getting stranded in a desert or a blizzard…or stuck on the side of the road and having to deal with whatever sketchy weirdo stops to “help”? Listen in as these topics and more are covered.
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The only thing more frightening than being shot at by your own team is finding out you just shot up your own team. The very idea of fratricide…aka “Blue-on-Blue” incidents…is scary, but being a professional means you can’t just be scared, you have to work on your skills and knowledge to counter the possibility of it happening to you or because of you. In this episode, Jim and Mike discuss just that.
Whether it’s a pair of USAF F-15’s mistaking American Blackhawks for Iraqi Hind gunships, a police officer not briefed to look for the undercover cop at the buy/bust, or a private citizen failing to positively identify an “intruder” and shooting a loved one, these are all preventable failures. We know that fog and friction make it harder to be aware of the environment and cause simple tasks to become more difficult, so how do we mitigate these factors and prevent “own goals”? Listen to this episode to find out.
Links:
Reading: A Chain of Events by Joan Piper
Vignettes: Tarnak Farm Incident Albuquerque undercover officer shot by LT: Police 1 Article - Update on Officer - YouTube Video NYPD Incident Providence Training Fatality Robin Sage Training Fatality
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Offices come in a variety of shapes and guises, from a room with desks and whiteboards to the front seat of a squad car. In this solo episode, Jim sounds off on his favorite topic: Management is not a dirty word, to be shunned in favor of “leadership”. Rather, management is part of leadership. It’s the art & science of allocating and coordinating resources to meet a goal.
Jim wants to share with you several of the lessons on management he’s learned the hard way, such as when it’s time to lead less. If you’ve managed your team well, you can take some time you’d otherwise have to spend motivating them and instead spend it removing obstacles preventing your highly-motivated people from solving problems efficiently. After all, getting the right people in the right places with the right equipment and a realistic timeline is essential to leadership.
Links: Maker's Schedule, Manager's Schedule
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Sometimes bad training passes down information that might once have been good, but garbles it. Take “Shooting to Stop the Threat”…please. This episode sees Mike and Jim discuss the nuances of using lethal force to reasonably end the capacity of an assailant to harm you. What exactly is incapacitation? What’s the difference between “shoot to kill” and to “stop”? Is intent magical? Listen to find out.
Incapacitating a threat by means of lethal force requires certain factors to be met in order to be considered reasonable, and it’s not a blank check. In the laws of war, there’s a difference between sailors boarding a small boat from a sinking ship because they’re out of the fight and marines climbing into small landing craft to get into the fight. In civilian self defense, each shot needs to be defensible, and that means reasonably explainable.
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For a person in a first responder line of work, being caught with an inadequate skill toolset in a critical incident can lead to the sort of feelings of helplessness that are a greased rail to PTSD-land. In this short episode, Mike talks through some ways to preemptively head off those bad feelings with good preparation.
Unlike the fixed mindset in which you’re dropped onto the planet as either Someone Who Can or Someone Who Can’t based on some immutable set of skills, a growth mindset is one in which you see yourself as an active participant, learning from each experience to better deal with the next one. Mike explains why one of these is not only better for dealing with the incident, but also dealing with the aftermath.
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In a short episode inspired by a listener question, Mike dives into the art of noticing abnormalities. An EMT instructs his trainees to put every patient on the EKG, whether the complaint is cardiac related or not. Why? So that the trainee will develop a baseline of what normal cardiac activity looks like and will be able to spot the abnormal more easily in the future.
Humans are excellent at pattern recognition…if they’ve gathered enough data to establish a baseline. Whether it’s noticing an abnormal heart rhythm, an unusual response to a squad car parked at an interdiction checkpoint, or the activity leading up to an ambush in some far-off deployment, being aware of what’s normal and what’s not can be a crucial skill.
Link: Left of Bang by Patrick Van Horne
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What is a professional? The dictionary says, at its simplest, that it’s someone paid to perform a task, as opposed to an amateur. But there’s more to it than a paycheck. In this episode, Jim and Mike examine the characteristics of what we know as professionalism, and how they apply in the world of the tactical…well, professions. Professionals don’t choke when the chips are down.
There's a high expectation of professionalism in the military and law enforcement worlds, but what does that mean? It’s easy to mistake the basics of bearing and rule-following as learned in early training for professionalism, but Mike and Jim point out that the professional is trusted to understand the situation well enough to take ownership of it, and the competence and expertise to make the hard decisions.
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Can you weaponize a positive mental outlook? In this short episode, Jim talks about positivity and optimism and how they can be cultivated and employed by leaders. When your job is basically to foresee and plan for worst-case scenarios, this can be a factor that is easy to overlook. Optimism can go beyond simplistic hooah moto slogans!
Positivity isn’t magic. You can’t optimism your way through a situation you aren’t ready for any more than you can mindset your way through a fight. Productive positivity, however, is never allowing yourself to say “this sucks” without adding “…and this is how I’m going to fix it.” Listen in as Jim offers his thoughts on a practical positive attitude.
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In this short episode, Jim talks about the benefits he finds in taking the time to get outdoors. If you’re listening to these podcasts, you’re probably a pretty outdoorsy person, but take the time to think of the benefits of outdoor recreation: Exercise, a chance to unwind the mind from the job, and yes, even just getting into the sunshine and absorbing some of that Vitamin D love from above.
While “self care” is a term with a bit of a woo-woo feel to it, it’s necessary for people in high stress jobs to take time to depressurize, and getting out in nature is a great way to do it. Jim takes the time on deployments to plan his hikes for when he gets home; what’s your outdoor stress release?
Links:
The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter
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While gear is expensive and important, humans are even more so. When you’ve found the people with the right aptitudes and trained them with the right skills, how do you keep them achieving up to their capabilities? Mike and Jim discuss thishugely important part of the leadership role. Talent management is more than just a buzzword, it’s a skill!P
Picking the human talent for your team and carefully developing them once they’re selected is a core element of leadership, and “management” is not a dirty word. Knowing the traits you need and attracting people with those traits is a foundational skill for any team leader. Keeping those people there and motivated is where the management comes in.
Links: Moneyball by Michael Lewis The Signal and the Noise by Nate Silver
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For the first episode of the New Year, Mike and Jim tap one of the podcast’s most important resources: You, the listeners! We asked the members of the Tactical Tangents Facebook Discussion Group for a list of questions, with the promise of podcast swag for the best one. (If you’re not in the group, get in there and join!)
What’s the best training for unsworn personnel to seek out to best enhance their safety on the job? How do you deal, as a leader, with that difficult team member who’s hard to motivate? These topics and many more get bandied about by Jim and Mike, using their experiences in the world outside the PowerPoint presentation.
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The A-Team couldn’t have pulled off a caper with four B.A. Baracuses , U2 never would have been a hit with four Bonos, and nine Legolases couldn’t have gotten the One Ring to Mordor. Putting together a good team is about more than just a mix of skills, though, and in this episode Jim and Mike talk about balancing personality types to build a team of winners.
Some people are daring and some are risk-averse. There are process people and results people. For every rebel, there’s an i-dotting, t-crossing rules follower. All these personality types can bring something to a team; this kind of diversity really is strength! Selecting opposites that compliment each other is a valuable leadership skill. Most important is the self-awareness of what you bring to your team, and who can back you up in your blind spot.
Links: Warnings Unheeded by Andy Brown
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In this episode, Mike sits down for a discussion with Ross Hick. In addition to his career supervising violent felons as a Probation Surveillance Officer, Ross works as a trainer with Citizens Defense Research. One of his specialties is the psychology of critical incidents. There’s a lot of material out there on preparing for the fight, but Ross and Mike go on a deep dive about preparing for the aftermath.
Tactical skills and physical fitness can help survive the fight, but what about emotional fitness after the fight is over? In addition to common symptoms like sleep disruption and reliving the incident, high responders may find themselves in the uncomfortable position of feeling isolated and out of control afterward. In this episode Ross & Mike talk about therapy resources, the importance of finding meaning outside the job, and preventative care ahead of time for mental resilience in the wake of a critical incident.
Links:
Citizen Defense Research
Sources of Power By Gary Klein
The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey
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Nobody wants to put on a show that’s all war stories. It sounds like you’re trying to fluff your resume and can bore others who’ve also been there and done that. Plus you don’t want to talk out of school. At the same time, there’s a lot of hard-won institutional knowledge that can come from those stories, especially the ones where Jim almost died. In this episode, Mike and Jim relax and let Jim share some of the lessons he’s learned from scaring himself half to death.
Hard landings, cockpit equipment malfunctions, fires, and near-miss almost midair collisions while in an inverted spin, these situations that were terrifying at the time can be humorous in retrospect as long as everyone lived. More importantly, they all offer the sort of lessons that can’t be learned from a PowerPoint presentation, only by things going badly wrong in real time. Jim’s here to pass his hard won lessons on to you. And watch out for pterodactyls!
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For all its chaos, the stereotypical active shooter situation is fairly straightforward: There’s a bad guy killing people, and the good guys need to close with him and stop him as quickly as possible. The events of November 2008 in the Indian city of Mumbai, however, showed us another, complex, kind of active shooter event and Mike takes a look at the takeaways from those fateful days.
The Mumbai incident, perpetrated by a squad of ten terrorists who had been through a rigorous selection and training process, introduced multiple novel problems worth considering. What happens when there are multiple shooters at different scenes simultaneously? When they have access to serious arms, including grenades, possibly provided by a foreign actor? When they use structure fires as a weapon? When they have outside command-and-control monitoring the news and communicating with the shooters via cell phone? These and other complications inherent in an attack like this are examined in this episode.
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There are people who believe that inserting the police in a situation makes things worse. Are they right? In this solo episode from Mike, he looks at the perils of the “fear biter” and the negative effects of an unmanaged fight or flight response on decision making skills. Stress management is important, and it can’t be learned in a PowerPoint class.
The most notorious manifestation of this phenomenon is the “’Oh Sh*t!’ Bang”, where a scared or startled cop results in a lawful-but-awful shooting that might have been avoided by better stress management and more confidence in the officer’s physical skills. However, Mike also explains the many other places that the poorly managed limbic response can rear its ugly head: Bad communication in stressful situations, indecision or half-decisions that allow a developing situation to get much worse, and more.
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America's largest mass killer attack revisited by retired LVMPD Lt. Will Huddler and Sgt. Ashton Packe, who share their accounts of the Route 91 Country Music Festival shooting with audio and video from the event. Lessons learned for first responders, patrol officers, tactical operators, and public safety commanders and leadership.
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/mVfirxD7XYY
This bonus episode is brought to you exclusively by BRINC Drones www.brincdrones.com
Whether it’s a former significant other who just won’t accept the end of a relationship, or a semi-stranger from the internet who imagines a relationship where there never was one, dealing with a stalker can be a complex, stressful, and even dangerous problem. In this episode Jim and Mike take a deep dive into recognizing, countering, and ultimately prevailing against a problem stalker.
Stalking is a problem that often isn’t recognized until it’s well out of hand, and advice from friends and relatives is often limited to platitudes about restraining orders or buying a gun. Our hosts take a look at the nuts and bolts of the problem with an eye to strategy and the recognition that legal solutions can be frustratingly time consuming.
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Whether it’s a former significant other who just won’t accept the end of a relationship, or a semi-stranger from the internet who imagines a relationship where there never was one, dealing with a stalker can be a complex, stressful, and even dangerous problem. In this episode Jim and Mike take a deep dive into recognizing, countering, and ultimately prevailing against a problem stalker.
Stalking is a problem that often isn’t recognized until it’s well out of hand, and advice from friends and relatives is often limited to platitudes about restraining orders or buying a gun. Our hosts take a look at the nuts and bolts of the problem with an eye to strategy and the recognition that legal solutions can be frustratingly time consuming.
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In a crossover episode of Tactical Tangents, Mike sits down with Danimal of The Thin Brewed Line to talk about setting up a training program to keep officers alive on the streets…and in the training environment. In a dangerous profession, the danger shouldn’t be coming from inside the program!
Inspired by a tragic story of another preventable training fatality, Mike and Dan go over what’s needed to build a training program that resists complacency and challenges officers with pressure tested scenarios while avoiding the dreaded mindset of “It can never happen here!” Training to be adaptable, getting buy-in for quality training from superiors, and building a sustainable program that can be passed on to the next generation are all covered in this wide-ranging discussion.
Links:
Thin Brewed Line Podcast
Filthy Pirate Coffee
Training at the Speed of Life by Kenneth Murray
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What are we doing here and why are we doing it? With an assist from Mike, Jim lays out the secret; the keys to the whole mission of Tactical Tangents. These are the key concepts to helping the Doers do things better in the tactical world, whether military, law enforcement, or general personal defense.
There are recurring concepts here at Tactical Tangents that are core to our mission, and this episode serves as a sort of Cliff’s Notes to lay them out for you, the listener. Understanding how innovation drives ideas, the importance of good decision-making, practicing and testing tactics and soft skills under pressure and the importance of repetition in building proficiency are covered, as well as the applicability of Boyd’s decision cycle from the strategic level down to that of personal tactics.
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It’s easy to find yourself thrust into a position where others regard you as an ”expert”, but what really constitutes expertise? Do you have it? Can it be acquired? When will you feel like you have it? (And why feeling like an expert should be a warning sign…)
What makes an expert? Are you one? Do your friends or your employer consider you one? How does one go about seeking expertise? Relatedly, it’s a big and confusing internet out there and every day you are confronted with people who claim to be experts. Jim and Mike have some tips for separating the expert wheat from the poser chaff, especially when that purported expert is in the mirror.
Links:
Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin
The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle
The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle
The Art of Learning: An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance by Josh Waitzkin
Research study
How We Decide by Jonah Lehrer
The Invisible Gorilla: How our Intuitions Deceive Us by Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simmons
From Beginner to Expert by Patricia Benner
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Intro music credit Bensound.com
A lone gunman killed 5 Dallas police officers and wounded several others in this 2016 attack following a series of contested officer involved shootings throughout the country. Lessons include ambush and counter-ambush tactics, the militarization of law enforcement, and a use of a bomb robot rigged with explosives to subdue the attacker.
Link: Fire and movement among the pillars YouTube video
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In this short episode, Jim introduces the idea of layering safety and security to “trap errors” and mitigate the risk of human error. We want to help you do dangerous jobs safely.
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Photo Credit : BenAveling
School Shootings seem to be on the rise, is gun control the answer? How many red flags does someone have to show before you intervene? Let’s look at the evidence and learn from the recent cases like Parkland and Uvalde.
Links:
A Study of the Pre-Attack Behaviors of Active Shooters in the US
ALERRT Active Attack Data
Why Meadow Died by Andrew Pollack and Max Eden
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Mike & Jim work through the considerations a tactical commander has to account for to accelerate the decision making process, navigate risk, and ultimately encourage initiative and violence of action.
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Mike has a quick rant about when someone says "Be safe tonight!" What does that even mean?
Link:
The "X" defined
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People who have worked together long enough can almost read each other’s minds, and that sense of shared consciousness and implicit communication is the secret sauce to taking a team dynamic to the next level. Mike and Jim discuss group dynamics and ways to develop the bonds to take teamwork to the next level.
Links:
Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War By Robert Coram
The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations by Ori Brafman
Shared Consciousness and High Performing Teams by Khe Hy:
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An ex-police officer went off the deep end and committed a series of ambushes as he sought revenge for alleged injustices that lead to his firing. Christopher Dorner declared "unconventional, asymmetric warfare" against LAPD and targeted police officers and their families, resulting in 4 murders and several other attempts. Dorner's story ended when Deputies cornered him in a cabin and set the place on fire with burning chemical munitions. Mike tells the story with some editorial on tactics and mis-steps of law enforcement along the way.
Warnings Unheeded by Andy Brown
Dorner Wikipedia Article
LA Times Series
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Four refugees entered a “Good Guy” electronics store and took over 40 employees hostage. After hours of deteriorating crisis negotiations, a SWAT team conducted a dynamic hostage rescue. We cover the “doomed captives” concept, tactical considerations, and what went right and wrong.
YouTube Clip
Wikipedia page
Heads or Tails: A True Hostage Story of Terror, Torture and Ultimate Survival
A Clear Shot - Movie
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Jim gives us a quick review of the key tactical and strategic lessons coming out of Ukraine, including things like the role of tanks in modern conflict, drones and air power, and information warfare. Russia has been learning lots of lessons like: stay out of Ukraine!
Bayraktar Video
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Whether you are trying to deliver consistent training to thousands of people or manage a major critical incident one thing is for certain: More is not always better. But a lot of tasks at major events are manpower intensive and we need to make the most of the available resources. This is a thought exercise especially for people who work in either really big or really small organizations who want to be able to scale up or down according to their needs, and who need to develop expertise in their front line troops and supervisors.
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Mike is a retired Special Agent from Homeland Security Investigations who also worked as a local cop back in the day. Now Mike hosts the ASP Podcast where he deep-dives critical self-defense encounters from both the civilian and public safety worlds. We compare and contrast federal and local law enforcement, and then we talk about some of the aggregate trends and lessons from the interviews he’s done since he started the podcast for Active Self Protection.
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There is more to leadership than rank or titles—and before you know it, you’re the guy or gal with just a few years on when you realize you’re not the rookie any more. We talk about capitalizing on good mentoring and working within your sphere of influence to build a foundation of resourcefulness that will keep you happy, your bosses happy, and set you up for success down the road and avoid toxic or cancerous working environments. This discussion builds on an earlier talk, available here: Volume 1
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A pet peeve of ours is when people talk about deadly force and say, “Do what you gotta do.” As instructors, using explicit language when teaching about lethal force is vital when there is a threshold that cannot be crossed. We have to help our students mentally prepare and morally reconcile lethal force so that they can be decisive when lives are at stake.
Check out our episode with Dr Blumberg here
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The medical treatment for trauma patients doesn’t change just because there are a lot of them. Managing large scenes is fundamentally a logistics problem and requires leadership, teamwork, and communication. We discuss ways you can learn to deal with triage, incident command, and scene management that doesn’t involve fancy medicine or bigger kits.
SALT Mass Casualty Triage
Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital by Sherry Fink
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In between a harsh word and hollow points we need a stepping stone of some kind; training or a tool for situations which lethal force isn't called for. Mike and Jim talk advantages and disadvantages of OC Spray, Taser, and other less lethal tools.
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Mike and Jim condense a 40 hour week of crisis intervention training into an hour discussion about tactics, dos, and don’ts related to talking to and otherwise dealing with someone who is suicidal or in crisis.
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Fundamentals are final and the mission always drives the gear train, but the role of creativity still plays a huge role in the future of our industry and tactics. Imagine how much the game changed when night vision came out, or police officers got computers in their cars. It's easy to get distracted by the solutions out there that lack a problem to fix, but it's important to approach new ideas with an open mind because they might be one step closer to game changing technology.
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Mike talks about the role of proficiency and stress management in prevent bad outcomes if we miss when we get in a shooting. We briefly touch on using deliberate practice and discipline to make sure we get it right, because you never know when that day will come.
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"It depends"
We explore the risks and benefits of a hasty transport instead of waiting for the medical professionals trained for this sort of thing. There are risks and benefits to this practice but it can be a life saving decision. Learn key considerations and other ways you can compress the timeline to definitive trauma care.
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McKenna Geer is a US Paralympic competitive shooter who brought home a bronze medal in the 2016 Rio games and also competed in Tokyo in 2020. McKenna talks about her upbringing and how her parents helped her become a national level competitor in spite of the disability she was born with, and talks us through coaching, training, and mindset.
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In 2019 there was a big shootout between cops and some armed robbery suspects who carjacked and kidnapped a UPS driver in Florida. Both suspects were killed, as well as the UPS driver and another motorist. Mike and Jim talk about gunfighting principles for cops, and how important it is to have discipline, team cohesion, and a plan when bullets start flying.
Links:
Wikipedia article
YouTube Link 1
YouTube Link 2
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Mike and Jim work through some fundamentals on buying gear in a thoughtful way from a new pocket knife to a new stealth fighter. How to build a requirement, get funding, find a vendor, test a prototype, and manage the widget through its lifecycle.
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Jim and Mike talk about what it means to work with a service dog, what distinguishes them from pets, how to select them, train them, and employ them. Mike also talks about different training methods and how some of them work in different ways.
The principles of dog training go outside of just employing a dog in a working environment. A dog who follows simple commands will help keep your dog, and your family, safe and happy.
Links:
The Power of Training Dogs with Markers (Clickers)
The Groundwork to Establishing Pack Structure with Adult Dogs
The Problem with All-Positive Dog Training
Learning Concepts by R.S. Eden
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Mike and Jim explain how to capture lessons-learned from each mission and train from those lessons. We take a few ideas from the Blue Angels and address some factors in organizational behavior, culture, and operational planning as well.
Links:
Glad To Be Here: Lessons in High Performance from the Blue Angels
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Major League Baseball, Stanford University, 10th Special Forces, and Los Angeles County Fire are just a few of the organizations Fernando Montes has served as an exercise physiologist and sports performance coach in some capacity. He currently works with firefighters, especially wildland crews and academy recruits. Mr. Montes talks to us about the mental side of training, heat acclimatization, hydration, supplementation, and more based on four decades of experience working with a broad range of tactical and professional athletes.
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A watershed event in the history of US Special Operations was the 1979 hostage rescue attempt at the embassy in Tehran, Iran. Known as Operations Eagle Claw, this failed mission and the tragedy at the Desert One landing site led to the formation of US SOCOM and pushed special operations into the next generation. The best way we can honor the hostages who remained in captivity and the service members who lost their lives is to draw some lessons learned and acknowledge their sacrifice for having "The Guts To Try."
Links:
The Holloway Commission Report
The Guts to Try by James H. Kyle
No Room for Error by John T. Carney Jr
Delta Force by Charlie A. Beckwith
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The best instructors know that fun and effective training takes careful planning and a lot of effort to get the details right. If you want to get buy in from your bosses to take all your innovative ideas and put them into practice, you need to make those events as safe as possible. That doesn’t mean eliminating every hazard, but it does mean being thoughtful and deliberate about which risks you are willing to accept. Mike talks us through the risk management process and some ideas to help you identify and address those hazards so that you can take your training to the next level.
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The founder of FastingWell.com talks about the differences between intermittent fasting and ketogenic diets and the health benefits of both. These dieting strategies are popular because they work and have a number of long term health benefits. Ben is a PA in Emergency Medicine and shares some hacks to show us how they are also compatible for the busy lifestyles of military and public safety crowds
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There are several approaches to leadership in the workplace, but it is important to remember that we are shaping the decision making of the people we lead. If we do all the work for them, we are setting them up to be paralyzed when help isn’t available. Here are some tips to avoid micromanaging your troops, and how to handle a boss who is a little too involved in your daily decision making.
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Allan Phillips, AKA The Kettlebell Doc, is an author, Army Officer, and Physical Therapist. He also puts his money where his mouth is as a triathlete and marathon runner and he’s going to help us build on fitness without unnecessary time off. He shares his insight on injury prevention and rehab, running shoe selection, mobility, and more.
@TheKettleBellDoc on Instagram ; Website
Yoga poses for Runners E-Book
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Jim Interviews Caroline Reynolds, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in domestic violence intervention. Caroline shares expert advice for police response, helping a victim, encouraging cooperation, and cooling down an argument before it escalates. We also discuss special messages for police and military families and leaders facing a domestic abuse case.
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De-escalation shouldn’t mean accepting more risk. Here are some ways to extend an olive branch and give people a peaceful way out without sacrificing anyone’s safety. With adequate skill proficiency and good tactics to mitigate danger, we can create the physical and emotional space needed to think through these difficult problems. We have to be able to get past our egos and defense mechanisms to a place where we can safely engage community members with respect, and earn respect in return.
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The Mantis is a family of firearms training tools that work for live and dry fire. Learn how the Mantis gives feedback to shooters and instructors at all levels in this interview with Austin Allgaier. Mantis is a product that we really believe in and we encourage novice and advanced shooters alike to use the Mantis to take their firearms proficiency to the next level. Hear about ways it can help you in this bonus episode.
Find out more at MantisX.Com
Special thanks to Mantis for being a sponsor of the podcast!
Two High School students carried out one of the most well-known but least understood rampage murders in 1999 that led to a paradigm shift in Active Shooter response in American Law Enforcement and public safety. One of the lesser known facts of this politically charged event was that the attackers carried 99 explosive devices into the school with them at the outset of this attack, and the ripple effect of lessons learned related to rampage murder tactics and doctrine are still being tweaked with today. There are critical messages to hear about this event for everyone to include teachers, parents, public safety personnel, and anyone serious about survival or self-defense.
Links:
Sue Klebold TED Talk and Book
Columbine By Dave Cullen
The Unthinkable by Amanda Ripley
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The value of air support in law enforcement, EMS, and America's fighting forces cannot be understated. Hear about Jeff's journey in police and EMS aviation and ways you can prepare if you are aspiring to a career as a pilot in one of these demanding careers. We talk about ways the balcony-view in the sky can affect the outcome of critical incidents on the ground, some pursuit and medevac stories, and things senior leaders need to understand about commanding a specialized unit.
Links:
Hangar Z Podcast
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FBI Agents Grogan and Dove tragically lost their lives in the infamous shootout in Miami between multiple FBI Agents and 2 bank robbers. The lessons learned, and technology that arose in the aftermath are still felt to this day 30+ years later. Jim and Mike are joined again by Vince and they discuss some of the incident and what changes law enforcement experienced as a result of this tragic shootout.
Links:
Retired FBI Agent Ed Mirales book
FBI Freedom of Information Act Release
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If you get in a gun fight in your bedroom, you're doing it wrong. Keeping bad guys out of your home and away from your family is a core task for anyone serious about defense. Mike and Jim talk us through how to layer your security to make sure you have the unfair advantage.
Our article on Home Security
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Sometimes the skills you need to be a professional have less to do with your actual job and more to do with, well, everything else. Put money away for retirement. Have a backup plan. Have a healthy marriage and life at home. Get a hobby. Taking care of your own wellness and the people around you are what help you be a high-performer at work. All the knife hands and shooting drills in the world won’t help you be successful if you don’t show up to work in a state of mind that let’s you focus on all the cool stuff.
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Ryan Wyatt is a flight paramedic who has worked on air and ground ambulances, in a trauma center, and overseas. After time spent as a Navy Corpsman, Ryan also deployed to Iraq as a private military contractor flying on Littlebird helicopters doing medevac work. Hear about the time his Littlebird went down behind enemy lines and more.
Links:
Talon Tactical Medicine
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Countries, terrorist groups, and various shady actors have developed their information warfare capabilities into an effective weapon. They are counting on you to be a sucker - Jim & Mike will help calibrate your BS detector to keep them from wielding active influence measures against you.
Links:
Active Measures by Thomas Rid
Why People Believe Weird Things by Michael Shermer
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Admit it, people like us tend to be "tactical" hoarders. But if you want your gear to actually be functional when the time comes that you need to use it, you have to put hands on it from time to time. Make sure your screws are thread locked, check your zero on your optics, pack enough water and socks, etcetera. Like any TacTangents episode it's not just about your gear. This also has a lot to do with things like leadership, personal responsibility, and risk management.
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Learning about emergency medical care is more complicated than knowing how to slap on a tourniquet and a chest seal. Understanding the importance of getting your patient to a trauma center ("Bright lights and cold steel") is a good first step in establishing priorities of work when minutes and seconds matter to a person who is seriously wounded. This episode is a starting point to help steer your training and treatment philosophy for trauma medicine. Listen now to learn more.
Links:
Deployed Medicine
Approved Tourniquets
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Mike Pannone of CTT Solutions spent years as a Recon Marine, Special Forces Soldier, and SFOD-D Operator. After losing an eye from a blast injury he medically retired and worked as a high-risk contractor overseas and now spends most of his time training people all over the world. "Noner" shares some pearls of wisdom related to mental conditioning, theories and assumptions in tactics, and skills competence.
Links:
CTT Solutions
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Jim explains how to analyze, exploit, and change the terrain you are fighting in to gain an unfair advantage over your opponent - whether in a parking lot or a battlefield. Walking you from Thermopylae to the Taiwan Straits to the engine block of your police car and the desks of your classroom, we help you assess and understand your operating environment.
Red Platoon by Clinton Romesha
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One of our favorite and recurring guests, Isaac, just got back from Army Basic Training and shares some insights and stories that might help anyone getting ready to ship out as an enlisted soldier. This is a useful conversation if you want to know what to expect from Basic Training aka Army OSUT (One Station Unit Training). He is one step closer to his dream of becoming a Special Forces Soldier/Green Beret.
Past Issac Episodes:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
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In the mid-90s a little girl was reported to be kidnapped but was later found dead in the basement of her large, Boulder CO home. The case remains unsolved today, and several procedural errors on behalf of the officers and investigators who responded to the scene tainted our best chances to identify and prosecute Jon Benet's killer. Many believe the parents or her older brother were to blame. We may not ever know the truth. Mike and Jim give a synopsis and talk about some of the lessons.
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Most of us have daydreamed, imagined, and rehearsed what certain survival or self-defense encounters will look like in our minds, so we are going to make fun of our younger-selves and shed some light on something we are all guilty of: The Tactical Fantasy. This episode is about making sure that we ground those fantasies in reality. This goes beyond truck guns and the Zombie Apocalypse, it also speaks to the OODA loop, tactics, risk management, and other important concepts. Mike and Jim walk through some practical steps to stage our equipment, preparedness, and mindset accordingly.
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A terror plot at the turn of the century was thwarted by the professionalism of CBP Agent Diana Dean. For those of us old enough to remember the Y2K drama, you might not have heard of the foiled plot to bomb the Los Angeles International Airport amidst New Year's celebrations for the year 2000. This Al Qaeda sponsored terrorist attack was halted in its tracks by a squared away Customs and Immigration Agent, who noted Ahmed Ressam's suspicious behavior and sent him to a secondary inspection. Mike and Jim share their overview and analysis of the event to help you stay vigilant as we approach the 20th anniversary of this success story. We also touch on pre-attack indicators, the radicalization process, and a defense and risk mitigation strategy called "The Swiss Cheese Model."
The Seattle Times: The Terrorist Within
Swiss Cheese Model (wikipedia)
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Chief Master Sergeant Keaton shares some war stories with us, including the time he won the Pitsenbarger Award after saving the lives of 5 women and children who were used as human shields by an enemy force in Afghanistan. Along the way he illustrates some lessons learned and leadership pointers that he picked up while leading some of America's most elite operators throughout his 30 year career working in special operations as a PJ and reaching the highest enlisted rank in the United States Air Force.
Article about Chief Keaton's Pitsenbarger Award
"In the company of heroes:" Retirement announcement after 30 years of service
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Some of you might have experienced a crisis that was later described as a "Charlie Foxtrot," which is an acronym for the sort of situation known for being chaotic, overwhelming, and difficult to manage. Mike and Jim discuss the doctrinal definitions of fog and friction and talk about some coping strategies and training philosophies that will help you deal with these kinds of problems. This is not terribly different than managing stress, but often has to do more with groups than individuals. Listen to learn about ways to communicate and interact with your team and plan for when things get weird.
Aurora Colorado Shooting Police Radio Traffic
RAND Paper on Performance Under Stress
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Intro music credit Bensound.com
Photo credit: Jorge Ortiz
Dr. Daniel Blumberg is a licensed clinical psychologist and professor who has spent over 30 years working with several large law enforcement agencies in the realm of pre-employment screenings, management consulting, and services related to police officer wellness, ethics, and resilience. His research has shined a light on many of the moral risks that affect those of us in law enforcement: what they are, how they are related to critical incident stress, and what the implications are for police leaders and trainers. Mike's conversation with him is wide-ranging and covers things like organizational behavior and culture, leadership and management principles, integrity, and more.
POWER Institute Police Officer Wellness, Ethics & Resilience
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How do the rules change when you go from sports to the street? What changes on the ground vs. standing up? How should you apply your nunchuck skills in the context of self-defense? Mike and Cecil talk about all things martial arts and how they fit in to street fighting in real life. He specializes in an interdisciplinary approach to entanglement and close-range fights where weapons - including your own - are in play.
Immediate Action Combatives
ShivWorks
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John Huston was one of the first Americans to successfully complete an unsupported expedition to the North Pole. His expertise in cold weather survival and expedition planning has led him to opportunities training Special Operations Forces and he uses his experience as public speaking and training curriculum related to high-performing teams, operational planning and risk management, leadership, teamwork, and more. As a bonus, John also works with Sled Dogs, which is just cool.
Find his book at JohnHuston.com
Training, Consulting, Expertise at skadigroup.com
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In April 1970, 4 California Highway Patrolmen were killed by two men after an armed road rage incident. Those men were career criminals in the planning stages of a robbery attempt who were heavily armed. This incident had a ripple effect for police agencies across the country that led to significant progress in the realm of firearms proficiency and officer safety. There are several lessons learned that remain relevant today. Mike gives us a synopsis of the shooting and provides some analysis for police officers today.
CHP Training Video
Newhall Shooting: A Tactical Analysis
Articles by Michael Wood (1) (2) (3)
Article by Massad Ayoob
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While you don't need to deep dive all of the science here, you do need to understand the tactical implications of a fight or flight response as it relates to training, perception, memory, and attention. Mike and Vivian discuss muscle memory, building good habits, perceptual distortions, and ways to enhance our performance under stress.
Further reading on Perceptual Distortions in Lethal Force Encounters
RAND Paper on Enhancing Human Performance Under Stress
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Jim breaks down some fundamentals for how to turn Sun Tzu into operational reality with the handy acronym MOSSMOUSE. This is useful in any sort of fight or conflict in which you want to use tactics and strategy instead of just brute force or power to fight your way through it. How can you apply it to your situation?
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We have been following our buddy Isaac's career into law enforcement and it turns out, he's got big news about where his career is headed. Hear what his plans are, what his favorite stories as a cop has been, and what advice he would give to someone new to the profession.
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Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is a retired military psychology teacher who wrote the books On Combat and On Killing. They were some of the first attempts to help people understand the psychological experience of killing from the perspective the armed forces and survival-oriented crowds, but because they were such early works some of the theories don't hold up long-term. We discuss these issues and how the tactical telephone game and caricature views of violence through things like Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs can be problematic.
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Jim interviews Lt Dave from the US Army about his experiences as a young officer and what it means to lead troops and face off the Russians in Eastern Europe in the "new" Cold War. He talks about his relationship with senior NCOs, the differences between different commissioning sources, and how his job as a Combat Engineering Officer fits into the big picture for large scale combat operations.
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At Tactical Tangents, we talk a lot about "People Ideas Hardware" and how to apply that formula to making critical decisions in tactical situations. The point of this podcast is to help you, the "tactician," apply critical thinking and problem solving to things like shooting, driving, fighting, and other skills so you can overcome any survival situation you find yourself in. That might be a concealed carry/self-defense scenario, it could be tactical situations in law enforcement or the military, or how you approach disaster preparation. Whatever the situation, your job needs to be focused around these core principles so you can fight effectively and win.
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Chief Criminal Deputy County Attorney Jonathan Mosher (Pima County, Arizona) and Homicide Detective Josh Cheek share their lessons learned from taking serious violent offenders to trial and how police officers can be better witnesses. We also discuss the importance of establishing and retaining public trust by the way we investigate and prosecute crimes. Other Tangents include some commentary on the War on Drugs, the CSI effect, and considerations for arrest and charging decisions for law enforcement.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Win Your Case, by Gerry Spence
"The Lelevier Case:" Man murders his step-daughter
Tucson Police Officer shot in the head
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This episode isn’t for hardcore fitness gurus, it’s for the people who realize they need to get up off the couch, watch what they eat, and take those first steps toward getting in shape. We wanted to address fitness from the beginning for those folks who don’t fitness good. These are the basic things you need to understand about losing weight and getting in shape. It starts with getting over the mental hurdles you put in your own way, and then setting manageable goals and expectations. Down the road, we’ll follow this up with more serious fitness talks but if you need a place to get started, start here.
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Mike explains how the 911 systems work in a way that is helpful to both first responders and those who need help. There are a lot of ways we lose information in the call taking process so make sure your emergency call renders the response you need. We also talk about when to call and ways to communicate covertly with a dispatcher.
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Enjoy our interview with Veteran, Infantry Commander, Police Officer, former District Attorney, and leadership guru Judge Edward "Ned" Lee. Judge Lee recently retired after 28 years on the bench in California's Superior Court. Hear his stories and lessons from a distinct and varied background in the criminal justice system.
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Jim asks Mike about a handful of fights that he's been in as a police officer. Mike talks about his experiences early in life and how they led to him becoming a cop. This is not a complete police use of force episode but we scratch the surface and cover the basics. We also help apply those principles to self-defense. We touch briefly on de-escalation training and case law.
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Mike and Jim give a rundown of the Los Angeles Riots and discuss the warning signs and implications of mass civil unrest. We also look into the term 'Boogaloo' making the rounds on the internet.
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LA Riots Wiki
Stereotype Threat Wiki
Group Think Wiki
Riot Act Wiki
Stanford Prison Experiment
Human Motivation Episode
Book Recommendation
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Photo credit Associated Press
In December 2015, a husband and wife who pledged allegiance to ISIS carried out an attack that killed 14 people and wounded 22 others in San Bernardino, California. The shooters fled the scene and engaged in a lengthy gunfight with police when they were located some time later. Lt. Gary Schuelke of the SB Police Department was involved in that fight and shares the story of the event from start to finish, including accounts of the survivors and audio from the incident. The incident was the deadliest terrorist attack in the United States at the time post-9/11.
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Mike and Jim went to SHOT Show (Shooting Hunting and Outdoors Trade Show) 2020 and wanted to experiment with field interviews, so we spent some time with our sponsors to showcase them and thank them for their support. If you guys like field interviews like this let us know so we can bring you more from the people you want to hear from next year - Click on the microphone at TacTangents.com and leave us your comments.
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Dr. Michael Lauria was a United States Air Force Pararescueman (PJ), Flight Paramedic, Government Contractor, and is now doing his residency in Emergency Medicine at New Mexico's only trauma center. Michael talks with us about his passion for human factors and performance. We discuss checklists, cognitive tools, and training implications.
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Our feelings on what resilience means in a tactical setting and how to make sure you are not an easy victim. Includes some thoughts on "resilience training" and where mental toughness comes from.
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Greg Ellifritz Article on SERPA holsters
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Jim walks us through a series of rape scandals at the Air Force Academy, and discusses practical ways to prevent and respond to assaults.
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Agenda For Change: https://media.defense.gov/2005/Oct/07/2001774406/-1/-1/1/IPO2004C003-appendix.pdf
5280 article Code of Dishonor: https://www.5280.com/2010/08/conduct-unbecoming-2/
Congressional Testimony: https://www.c-span.org/organization/?49098/Air-Force-Academy-Sexual-Misconduct-Review-Panel
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First, a toast: This episode is dedicated to Airman First Class Kenneth "K3" Sturgill, an Air Force SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) Specialist Trainee who perished in training as a result of heat stroke. K3's father, K2, shares some stories about his childhood and the man he was. We learn about the mishap and what steps the Air Force is taking to prevent this sort of thing in the future. To wrap up, Mike and Jim talk a little about heat stress and how to mitigate heat related injuries in training and operational environments.
K3 Scholarship
Miliary.com Article
Accident Report
SHARK Device
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One of the most emotional and fascinating stand-offs in American history is the one between the Weaver family and the FBI Hostage Rescue Team at Ruby Ridge, Idaho. This all started when a group of US Marshals were attempting to arrest Randy Weaver for a weapons offense. After an initial exchange of gunfire that left people on both sides dead, the FBI HRT responded to resolve the issue in what became one of the most polarizing cases that touched everything from gun control, the use of deadly force by law enforcement, and federal oversight and over-reach. This case should be mandatory reading, and we hope this episode is a good primer.
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The Devil's Advocates
From Ruby Ridge to Freedom by Sara Weaver
No Heroes by Danny Coulson
Cold Zero by Chris Whitcomb
Ruby Ridge DOJ Report
CSPAN Congressional Testimony
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Jim lays out the planning you need to do before a disaster strikes - arguing for a sane approach to “prepping.”
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This is the second time MJ has joined Mike and Jim on the show. Today we discussed some of the differences between Air Force and Marine Corps culture. Obviously very different - but MJ and Jim are both pilots so there are some similarities in that regard. There are reasons for both and they each have their advantages and disadvantages. We also discuss how this applies to other areas, and of course relate it all back to the philosophy of John Boyd.
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Back in the day when we went to junior high or high school there was plenty of structure to learning but we were also easily distracted. It's a little different when you fast forward into a profession or hobby built around saving your own life, so Mike and Jim discuss some thoughts for students and instructors on how to learn or teach well, whether it's related to physical skills or the softer more academic stuff. Kind of administrative but relevant to learning how to fight, shoot, and perform.
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John Johnston is the host of Ballistic Radio and he teaches firearms with Melody Lauer at Citizen’s Defense Research. CDR has a one-day shooting class called Tests and Standards which is an entire day of assessments. Mike and John discuss how we identify metrics for performance and how those metrics apply in context. Speaking of context, CDR also has a course for The Armed Parent and Guardian, which led to an interesting discussion about the dichotomy of taking training and performance seriously while also enjoying life and having fun. As John succinctly pointed out, everyone’s math is different!
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PHOTO CREDIT: Sight Picture Media
Citizens Defense Research
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Jim spends some time to define and explore terrorism, what is it? What are we doing about it? Why do the "bad guys" hate us so much? He will discuss radicalization and Islam along the way, but this is a much more fundamental overview. Who else do we consider a terrorist? Why or why not?
On Guerrilla Warefare
First In
Jawbreaker
Spec Ops
Demon in the Freezer
Pentagon's New Map
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Mike uses three aviation emergency case studies to illustrate how human factors apply to real life situations, and touches on things like the importance of training, the value of good after-action debriefs and what makes them effective, and a little about interpersonal communication.
Article on Flying Safety
American 383
American 587
United 232
Book recommendations available here
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Military, LE, and Concealed Carriers are armed for a reason - to reduce or mitigate risk. Jim breaks down what that means and how to apply risk management as part of your tactical equation. This isn't a safety class, this is a class on making the right call on whether that new gun, tactic, or training class is helping you or hurting you.
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The F-35 is our fancy new stealth fighter, and we got Justin Lee AKA Hasard to talk with us about what makes the new 5th-generation jet special, how we use it as a force multiplier, what John Boyd would probably say about it, the differences between a flying solo versus a crew-served aircraft like Jim is used to, and what kind of coaching he gives to new Fighter Pilots as an instructor. Justin is also the host of The Professional's Playbook podcast, which Mike was a guest on to talk about being on a SWAT team.
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Isaac the Rookie Cop joins Mike back on the show for an update on the beginning of his career. Isaac is going to share some thoughts and lessons on being the new guy in Law Enforcement and reflect back on the things he would have done before the academy or when he first started on his path to becoming a police officer.
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In many areas there is both an art and a science-tactics, training, leadership, music, sports, and so on. In this solo Mike rant we'll cover Boyd's paper "Destruction and Creation" and how we need to look in two different directions to come up with new ideas and adapt to an ever-evolving world.
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Start with Why, Simon Sinek (TED Talk)(Book)
Destruction and Creation, John Boyd
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Two radicalized brothers built several bombs out of pressure cookers and other readily available items and detonated two of them near the finish line of the Boston Marathon back in April 2013. Mike runs us through an overview of this incident and several talking points for public safety personnel. We also touch on security for large public venues or events, the threat of improvised or homemade explosives, and potential warning signs for an attack.
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Photo credit and news article about the attack
Brad's bulletin about Getting Off The X
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MJ the Marine talks to us about her time at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, her path to becoming a Marine Officer upon commissioning, and some lessons learned while become a helicopter pilot. MJ also went through training for an upcoming ground tour calling in air strikes and is a fully qualified Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC). She also touches on gaining credibility as a young leader in the US Marine Corps, mental toughness, and one particular life lesson Mike and Jim facilitated for her “back in the day…”
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Brian Willis is a police trainer and speaker who founded a company called Winning Mind Training, which focuses on leadership and professional development for law enforcement but is also relevant to others in the military, public safety, or who are serious about survival and personal defense. He also did a TED talk which exemplifies what a good presentation should look like. Hear his thoughts on lesson plan design, use of visual aids, improving engagement, and the role of imagery and mental rehearsals in training. Lots of book recommendations in this episode, they are listed on the episode webpage!
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Brian's TED talk
Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds
Resonate and Slideologyby Nancy Duarte
Make it Stick by Peter Brown and others
With Winning In Mind by Lanny Bassham
Books by Dr Bob Rotella
Imagery in Sport
Hockey Tough
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Mike and Jim examine courage, bravery, and valor. Can it be taught? We go over a few examples and also discuss the element of choice. There are some leadership/moral courage lessons in here as well.
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Story about Air Force Cross recipient Thomas Newman
Sgt. Keaton's Pitsenbarger Award
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Photo Credit: army.mil
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Thomas Yoxall is a regular guy who makes his living as a photo journalist and enjoys shooting in his free time. He carries a concealed Glock 26 and takes that responsibility seriously - Which is a good thing, because on January 12, 2017, he was driving along Interstate 10 enroute to California when he saw a State Trooper in serious trouble. DPS Officer Ed Andersson had been shot, pistol whipped, and was in a close-quarters fight for his life until Thomas drove by and stopped to help. Concealed weapon carriers and police officers alike need to hear this story.
CNN Story 1
CNN Story 2
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Some time ago, a psychologist named Abraham Maslow wrote up a list of human needs in roughly the order people need to satisfy them: food and water at the bottom of the pyramid, social and family needs in the middle, and self-esteem and purpose at the top. Mike and Jim discuss some ways we can apply this to tactical and leadership settings by figuring out how to influence behavior.
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A federal weapons investigation into a doomsday cult known as the Brand Davidians, formed by a guy name David Koresh, led to a 51-day standoff that resulted in the death of 75 people and at least 4 Federal Agents back in 1993. This was a high-profile event and there are several lessons learned that every one in public safety should hear about. Mike discusses some of those details in this solo episode.
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LANGUAGE WARNING! This episode is NOT safe for work! Uncle Dan like’s Jack Daniels and he’s had a little bit to drink so we’re gonna drag some war stories out of him and have a good time. Dan was one of Mike’s team leaders on SWAT when he first joined the team. He’s also a football coach for his son, and it turns out there’s quite a bit of crossover between the two in terms of leadership and tactics. As the alcohol level rises, you’ll get to hear a little bit about how Dan has shaped the training culture in his agency and what he’s learned along the way. Good times!
Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture
Dan’s website, filthypirate.org (Not safe for work, or the faint of heart!)
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John Correia runs Active Self Protection (ASP), a massive YouTube channel analyzing self defense encounters from all over the world. He’s taken notes on 17,000 gunfights caught on camera, and he’s going to share some of those lessons with us in tonight's episode. Link to John's video discussed in the show here.
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USAF PARARESCUEMAN, College football player, Human Performance researcher. Jason's bringing us up to speed on some current research, athletic performance, mental toughness, motivation, and his current project preparing future special operators for selection, training, and performance in their chosen career fields. An insightful conversation that covers things like the difference in physical and mental demands between USAF Special Operations and NCAA Division I College football. Go check out his Instagram @socomathlete or visit www.socomathlete.com
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The Ferguson Effect. The militarization of law enforcement. The history and evolution of the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team. These are just a few of the topics we cover with Mr. Gagliano who is a retired career FBI Supervisory Agent, West Point graduate, Army Ranger, and now CNNs Law Enforcement Analyst.
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Jim does a deep-dive on active shooters and mass violence, complete with case studies, some steps you can take to get help, fight if necessary, and some scenarios to help you recognize some warning signs.
Also be sure to check out our episode with Andy Brown who wrote Warnings Unheeded
Columbine, by Dave Cullen
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Brady Speth is the owner of Riton Optics and he's going to teach us some nomenclature and terminology about scopes and optics. We're also going to hear how Brady started Riton and learn about his background and the company's design process. They offer high quality glass from Japan backed by a lifetime warranty and these products are built tough with the end-user in mind. Even if you already own a scope, check out our interview with Brady to learn something new about optics. There are a lot of good products on the market, but in true TacTangents style we hope that People and Ideas drive your Hardware choices, which is why you need to hear what Brady has to say. By the way, Riton sponsors the podcast and helps us deliver great content, so we hope you'll give this one a listen.
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What about "reality" are you trying to simulate when you run scenario based training? How do you explain to your role players what you want them to do? These are some of the questions we are going to address in this episode about training with role players and opposition forces. Using reality based training is an invaluable tool and one of the areas often neglected beyond initial training in the military and public safety. Good training relies heavily on dedicated instructors and quality role players.
Red Flag article
RAND Research
Boyd's Organic Design for Command and Control
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Earlier this year we had Craig Douglas on the show to talk a little about his expertise in the self-defense world. Craig runs a company called Shivworks, and their flagship course is called Extreme Close Quarters Concepts (ECQC). ECQC specializes in clinched/entangled or "0-5 feet" fights that often involve knives and guns. Jim went to ECQC and tonight we're talking about his after-action report and lessons learned. Check out why ECQC is one of the best self-defense courses available.
Previous Episodes mentioned: Road Rage (6), Massad Ayoob (14), Craig Douglas (21)
Fast Transients Bulletins mentioned: Situational Awareness, The Tactical Athlete
Videos (also search Facebook and Youtube): http://shivworks.com/class-videos/
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A lot of people think that being a "Type-A" has something to do with a hierarchy or "alpha dog," but it turns out, that's not really it. In this episode, Mike and Jim break down what Type A really means, and what traits we see in the Tactical type of person. These traits are important to understand, because a little might be good, but a lot can be really bad. They are also good to know from a leadership perspective, because if you work in a community full of "Type-As," you know that can be, uh, difficult...
Police Personality Traits
Pilot Personality Traits
"Type A" personality
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Kevin Briggs is a retired California Highway Patrol Sergeant who has been called the Guardian of the Golden Gate for his reputation interacting with hundreds of people who wanted to commit suicide by jumping from the bridge. We discuss communication strategies, some considerations to make regarding tactical interventions in a crisis, red flags that someone might kill themselves, things to say to someone in crisis, and 4 things to NOT say to someone who is thinking about killing themselves.
TED Talk
His book, Guardian of the Golden Gate, Protecting the Line Between Hope and Despair
His website, Pivotal Points
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Ed Darack is an author and war reporter who has embedded with US forces in Afghanistan and written a couple books about it. Extortion 17 was a US Chinook helicopter that was shot down by a lucky hit by a Taliban fighter with an RPG. 38 US and Afghan personnel and a military working dog were killed in what became the largest single loss of Special Operations personnel in Afghanistan. Just so happens, Jim was deployed at the time of the incident and has personal connections with the story. In the aftermath, several rumors and conspiracy theories surfaced about the incident, and Ed wrote an article and then a book to get the story right and honor the memories of the personnel and crew who were killed that night.
The article, The Final Flight of Extortion 17
The book, The Final Mission of Extortion 17
For an overview on Afghanistan, Ed's book Victory Point
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Photo Credit: Ed Darack and Luke Downey (used with permission)
This might sound a little boring, but let's face it: Trying to get stuff done when you're dealing with your bosses is a skill of its own. Some people are better at it than others. We discuss some strategies for dealing with "obstructions" in the workplace. It's not that you should backdoor everything and circumvent rules or procedure, its just that there are some ways to go about the system that might help you achieve your mission.
How To Win Friends and Influence People
Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War
The Pentagon Wars
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What is a tactic? How do we come up with them? The word tactical is one of those buzzwords we throw around, but what does it all mean? We are going to talk about how people apply creativity and problem solving to coming up with a list of solutions to situations we face in our professions. That involves several layers: We have to come up with ideas, we have to test them, we have to make sure they are grounded in reality, and ultimately it takes a team of people to make this process work. How do we go from "bar-napkin idea," to "the way we do business?"
The Ground Truth: The Untold Story of America Under Attack on 9/11
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Mike and Jim discuss the differences between a boss, manager, and leader, styles of leadership and how they affect a team or organization. We'll cover things like establishing social norms and how close or distant leaders should develop their personal relationship with subordinates.
TED Talk Aid in Africa
Parkland Sheriff claiming he's not responsible
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We interviewed Andy Brown, the author of Warnings Unheeded, to discuss his role in stopping an active shooter with an AK47 by shooting him in the head from 68 yards away with his pistol. We cover the things that he credits with his success that day including dry fire practice, mental rehearsals, and personal responsibility, as well as the pre-attack indicators that several people observed before the attack. We also discuss a notorious B-52 crash that happened in preparation for an airshow at Fairchild shortly after. This is one you won't want to miss. For Andy's book click here: https://amzn.to/2ArHfkD
Find Andy Brown at his website, http://fairchildhospitalshooting.com
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Craig Douglas is a retired SWAT and undercover narcotics cop who started a company called Shivworks, specializing in close-range and entangled gunfighting and knife defense. His classes and training philosophies are legendary, and he joined us on the podcast to discuss some of those things. He also has courses dealing with solo building searches and fighting in a vehicle, which both present a pretty unique set of problems. Listen us to pick Craig's brain about pressure-testing tactics and techniques, edged weapons, de-escalation, and the right time to draw or use a gun.
Be sure to check out Craig's open-enrollment classes, he travels all over! www.shivworks.com
Entanglement Considerations
Verbal Agility (Trigger Time TV)
Managing a Stranger's Approach
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Whether you are organizing an air battle campaign or you are wrestling over a gun with a bad guy, there is a lot to be said about the element of time. Mike and Jim discuss how we have to account for the time variable in a conflict, and how staying disciplined, gaining initiative, and being patient are important factors to consider in terms of keeping up with the fight or shaping the outcome of any individual battle. We also took a few questions from the audience and talked briefly about the Southwest Airlines crisis that occurred recently.
Starbucks Controversy
Southwest Airlines radio traffic
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We met with the commanders of the Air Unit and SWAT Team for the Bernalillo Co Sheriff in Albuquerque. This is a busy agency with a lot going on. We talk about leadership, career paths to special teams in law enforcement, discuss a police helicopter shot down, and cover practical tips to keep yourself and your stuff safe. Thanks to Undersheriff Koren, Lieutenant Blackmon, and Deputy Maggard for arranging this interview.
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Doctor Tang is a trauma surgeon, professor of surgery, and the Director of Trauma at the University of Arizona Medical Center in Tucson, AZ. Doctor Tang joins Mike and Jim to discuss things related not only to trauma and medicine, but also leadership, teaching, and working under pressure. Hear the Doc explain what he knows about certain prehospital practices and what we could do better as part of a larger trauma system. Are chest seals worth while? Should we transport people in the back of police cars? What are your odds of survival if you get shot? Hear the answers to these questions and more in this episode!
Philadelphia PD transports patients with penetrating trauma: Link
Be sure to check out the Southwest Regional Trauma Conference, link here
Photo used with permission, Credit: Roni Ziemba, Ziemba Photographic Arts, http://ziembaphoto.com and on Facebook @ziembaphoto
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We are just starting to comprehend the impact of information protection and cyber security on tactical reality. It turns out that you don’t have to be a level 9 computer hacker ninja – you just have to manage your risk and actively work on your security. Self-awareness and layers will help you a lot.
Alridge Ames Interview
The Interrogator
Protecting the Gift
DEFCON 15 No Tech Hacking
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Language warning! In an earlier episode, we had our buddy Isaac on the show who was getting ready to start the police academy. Isaac graduated the academy and is now a sworn officer in the middle of field training, and he's checking in with us to share some lessons learned. He's going to talk to us about active shooter training and a shift in his thinking, away from gadgets and gear towards training and mindset (People, Ideas, Hardware--In that order!) and he'll tell us about some dumb rookie mistakes he's made. What challenges was he not expecting? What wasn't on the brochure? We'll also touch on the importance of being able to write a good report, which Jim talked about in this article. And of course, we still make fun of his mustache.
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A police officer on the east coast was fired for failing to shoot a suicidal person with a gun. We talk about applying critical thinking to discussions like this, because it's important that we consider the arguments of both sides to such a debate. We're going to talk about context in use of force, how lawsuits and litigation fit in to these sorts of discussions, and reconciling the fact that sometimes cops have to kill otherwise good people.
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The courts make the final judgement on use of force--but they rely heavily on the expert testimony of legends like Massad Ayoob. Mas is a champion shooter and long-time teacher in matters related to self-defense, police doctrine, and use of force. He joined Mike on the podcast to answer some questions from our audience. What are we lacking in training? What should a citizen look for in an self-defense attorney? What should we do about the inconsistencies in our statement compared to video recordings? Are defensive gun uses trending up or down? Check out this episode to hear it from an expert and 45-year veteran in the industry.
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Annette is a competitive shooter, private firearms instructor, attorney, author, blogger, and she was gracious enough to join Mike on the podcast for an interview. If you are just getting into shooting as a private citizen, listening to her talk about learning a new skill is worth your time. She and I talk about her progression from casual shooting to serious self-defense, and the value of steeping yourself in the competition shooting sports. She tells us what to look for in shooting instructors, some thoughts on carrying a concealed handgun, and ways to practice shooting at home "without the noise and recoil." (Hint: It has something to do with her book, The Dry Fire Primer!)
Links related to the show:
Annette's book, The Dry Fire Primer
Annette's Facebook Page
PHLster (Use discount code blastingbeauty10)
Annette makes a reference to John and Melody's Class (and the podcast, Ballistic Radio)
Annette's video on purse carry (she didn't love this question, thanks for being a good sport Annette!)
For more on deliberate practice, check out Talent is Overrated
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Communicating during a crisis is its own skill all by itself. We’re going to talk about some principles that can help you get it right whether you use radios professionally in public safety, aviation, or the military--or if you are a private citizen trying to get that 911 call out in a hurry. Ideas in here to think about: "Aviate, Navigate, Communicate." Don't be "that guy" on the radio, take one step back from the crisis when you click that button. “Push to talk, not to think.” -A friend we know. Finally, think about how communication strategies are also leadership strategies--Clear out some of that fog and friction, and bring calm to the chaos.
Intro sound credit: SoundBible.com
Ambush is a term that we tend to overuse to mean any attack that catches us off guard. We are going to define the term ambush and, more importantly, define the counter-tactics to apply if you are ambushed. The important thing to realize is that the sooner you identify an imminent or in-progress ambush, the sooner you are able to effectively respond to it. So we have to make sure we aren’t getting too wrapped in the semantics here, it only matters if your counter-tactics apply. We're going to look at a handful of civilian case studies and discuss what those ambush tactics and counter-tactics look like so you might be able to pick up on them if they are ever happening to you.
Opening Story
Links to Active Self Protection, thanks John!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zpA2IZNTRY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYIGWVdCZGM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRhzk8SYm-M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLmoERgcTx8
Clear and Present Danger
Gift of Fear
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Like many good ideas in the tactical community, "Slow is smooth, Smooth is Fast," is one of those that started out with strong roots and grew into something barely recognizable. We lose IQ points when the adrenaline hits--the emotional response that we experience under stress bypasses our ability to make rational decisions. We think that this phrase is best applied to our cognitive awareness and ability to take control of feeling overwhelmed, get a true sense of the problem at hand, reason with competing priorities, and bring calm to the chaos. It's a useful training tool, but it really doesn't have anything to do with "acting slow," it's about slowing our mind down enough to make sense of what's happening around us.
Black Hawk Down
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In the mid-nineties a Fedex employee facing termination attempted to hijack Fedex Flight 705 from Memphis to San Jose. His plan was to take over the plane and crash it into the Fedex headquarters, and he wanted to make it look like an accident. Armed with a hammer and a spear gun, he launched a surprise attack against the crew of three shortly after takeoff. This is one of many chilling examples of how workplace violence can turn really bad really fast. We discuss some of the warning signs and pre-assault indicators, strategies for intervening in a close-quarters attack, and some of the reasons checklists are such a big deal for pilots.
Links from the show:
Voice Recorder transcript
Court Case
Checklist Simulator example
Example of all the stuff going on in the cockpit during normal takeoff/flight/landing
2015 intentional crash
The Gift of Fear
Mindhunter
Columbine
Ted Bundy
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Boyd used to walk people through a thought experiment in which he wanted people to use their imagination to “create a new reality,” to illustate the creative nature of our minds. In a tactical sense, we can take lessons learned from several different places and apply those principles to whatever realm is important to us.
At Tactical Tangents, we are always trying to find a balance among law enforcement, military, and concealed-carry topics—but it’s important to consider that we can all find value in the lessons learned in each of those fields. In this episode, we discuss two controversial police shootings (Philando Castile and Daniel Shaver) and the binary terms that people tend to use to describe these sorts of incidents: Justified, or not. Murder, or self-defense. Good shoot, or Bad Shoot. Sometimes, it’s somewhere in between.
Think of it like a critical thinking exercise—understand the complexities of human behavior and decision making. No two tactical encounters look exactly the same—but sometimes they rhyme. Find the similarities and differences, build a snowmobile.
Links:
Jim’s advice for traffic stops: http://www.tacticaltangents.com/articles/how-to-handle-a-traffic-stop/
Albuquerque LT shoots his own guy: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/albuquerque-police-release-video-showing-officer-shooting-undercover-cop-n549461
C-5 animation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeEMiW1vMvU
Another example of wrong engine shut-down: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdSS1hel2z4
Graham vs. Connor full text: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/490/386/
Daniel Shaver (Mesa shooting, with video): https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/daniel-shaver-shooting-ex-arizona-police-officer-not-guilty-murder-n827641
Philando Castile (overview with video): http://www.tacticaltangents.com/articles/philando-castile/
Brian Willis TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwC-RHsC6gw
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John Boyd was the guy behind the OODA loop, the F-15, the F-16. He and his group of reformers were also largely responsible for the A-10, the Warfighting manual for the USMC, and some of the planning of Desert Storm. Boyd said, "War is ever changing, and men are ever fallible-Teach men to think!" He was also, in a lot of ways, the inspiration for the Tactical Tangents project. Hear about the guerilla reform movement he led against the bureaucracy that is the US Department of Defense and how his work affected tactics, leadership, decision making, and the Art of War.
57:09
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Links: The Book
The Pentagon Wars by James Burton (Book) (Video)
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In episode 6 we discuss a couple of road rage incidents that escalated to the point someone got hurt or killed, and one that was handled pretty well by a guy in Indiana. These stories are important because most of us tend to feel pretty tough behind the wheel of our car. The distance and physical barrier that our cars put between us and other drivers make us feel like we aren’t in much danger, but that can be a false sense of security. We also touch a little bit on what de-escalation techniques should look like, a concept called situational leadership, and how MRAPs (big armored trucks) hurt our counter-insurgency efforts overseas (much like in the case of road rage-think about the ways physical barriers and distance dehumanize our troops).
As always, thanks for listening! Please like our page on Facebook, subscribe to the podcast, and share with your friends! If you’ve left us a review or feedback, we appreciate it!
Look forward to new episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month.
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Links from today’s episode:
http://www.tacticaltangents.com/articles/restraint/
The Indiana Guy, our favorite (ALSO: should be available with this episode as bonus content) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYhVE0lt0bI)
Colorado incident: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHVJygPStlI
Colorado news article: http://www.koaa.com/story/35677176/suspect-arrested-for-assault-after-road-rage-incident-caught-on-camera
Colorado road rage tips: http://www.krdo.com/news/woman-speaks-out-police-issue-tips-following-violent-road-rage-incident-caught-on-camera/540260450
Mr. Walker and Mr. Wheeler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk-c5jlk48s
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Strong Language Warning--probably don't play this out loud at work or around your kids!
Full disclosure, we actually recorded this episode a little while back when our buddy Isaac was getting ready for the police academy. We wanted to take advantage of the Q and A opportunity before he kicked off his career. We have some follow-up recordings in the works with Isaac so you can check in and see how he's doing if you're interested. We talk about Isaac's stupid mustache, how defensive tactics apply to different martial arts (and vice versa), the academic nature of the police academy, and what not to do at parties.
We also touch briefly on donuts, and I gotta be honest (this is Mike typing), I went back to the place we criticized (unnamed of course) and they redeemed themselves--they're actually pretty good. Now that's two donut eating sessions I gotta work off, so I'm gonna go swing a kettlebell for an hour...
New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month! Be sure to subscribe/like/share if you like what we're doing. If you have questions about the academy please find us on Facebook and interact with us, we'd love to hear your thoughts!
www.tacticaltangents.com
www.facebook.com/tactangents
Twitter @TacTangents
Intro music credit--Bensound.com
Break down of the 1997 North Hollywood Shootout. 20 years ago this year, two dudes brought the LAPD and a few assisting agencies to their knees during a bank robbery that turned into an epic gunfight. Amazingly, the only two fatalities that day were the bad guys, but there were about 20 others wounded (civilian and police). Some of the big take aways have to do with the proliferation of long guns and armored vehicles in law enforcement, shooting “two the body, one to the head,” and how we apply the concept of shooting at the center of whatever mass is available. We also talk briefly about how this event might have been charactized as an active shooter in the early stages and how we might have handled this differently today.
If you know about or were involved with an incident that you think had worthwhile lessons learned, let us know!
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Show Links:
News helicopter raw video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZg4mcYkIwU
Police audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5mkd6r9Kww
Fox News report https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E4_wDQFky0
Self inflicts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzjsQ-cxHBU
Nat geo documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q44yGYlUoQQ
44 min film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wty8VSi4Fs0
LA police commission use of force report: http://documents.latimes.com/north-hollywood-shootout-use-force-report/
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Mike and Jim talk about ways they learned and apply the fundamentals to shooting practice, specifically trying to bridge the gap from “beginner,” to “decent,” to “good.” We talk about ways to balance speed and accuracy, and some things to think about when you are trying to diagnose a problem or isolate certain variables to improve your ability to shoot. We talk about adding stress/pressure to our drills, how important it is to have a good coach or at least use slow motion video to carefully watch for mistakes, the benefits of dry fire, etc. Some firearms fundamentals flip on like a switch of a lightbulb, but sometimes you have to make incremental improvements until those individual elements compound on to each other and you really start to notice a difference. Finally, we want you to realize that anyone can become a “good” shooter, so you have to get it out of your head that some people have an innate gift or talent and you don’t. We talk about a few books in the episode, here are the links:
Talent Code
Talent is Overrated
The Art of Learning
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Intro music credit: Bensound.com
One of the themes we discussed in our last episode was that just because something is technically legal, or not against the rules, that doesn't necessarily make it a good idea. We build on that theme today and talk about how we use rules and guidelines to manage risk and shape our decisions. We talk about the risks associated with car chases, the 21 foot rule, and how some parents worry more about having a gun in the house than a pool in their backyard. We also share one of our guiding principles from Col. John Boyd about training and risk management: People, Ideas, and THEN Hardware, in that order!
56:51
New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month! Please leave us feedback, reviews, like/share/subscribe! Follow us on Facebook or Twitter @TacTangents
Links:
Boyd, The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War
The Signal and the Noise
The Unthinkable
Pearl Harbor: Warning and Decision
Jim's article on Lessons Learned from Tactical Aviation (also available on Facebook here)
Intro Music credit--Bensound.com
In our intro episode we talk about the Utah nurse incident where the guy "arrested" the nurse for not doing a blood draw, and how people get wrapped up in the legal analysis of that officer's decision. There are times you might be able to win the battle, but your tactical decisions often have a strategic outcome. Teaching people how to use critical thinking and good judgment is difficult, and our goal is to help shape your decision making and speed up the learning curve.
39:00 ish
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www.tacticaltangents.com/podcast
Intro Music credit--Bensound.com