"Your abilities were instrumental in ensuring the delivery of technical and tactical information and its understanding to the Marines of the MWTC... "
-Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, 2013
Course Overview:
On this hybrid survival/tactical course students will train in map and compass navigation, field survival tactics, and defensive combat pistol. This is a field training exercise (FTX)- that means expect to suffer. Expect your muscles to burn, your brain to ache, and to be hungry, tired, and thirsty. Expect to leave this exercise stronger than ever with an amazing new skillset.
This course is being run in conjunction with partners at Sierra Element Tactical Training Center and Neoteric Arms, who will be conducting the pistol portion of the exercise. Sierra element is run by Mr. Victor Lopez, a former U.S. Marine Corps Scout Sniper and current Los Angeles Police Department officer. He is a certified Glock Armorer, has completed the Sig Sauer Pistol Instructor Academy, as well as FBI firearms instructor courses. He has trained military and law enforcement personnel from around the globe, and is by any definition an expert in his field.
Neoteric Arms is run be Mr. Daniel Valencia. Daniel is a U.S. Navy Veteran and professional firearms instructor. He has served on boarding teams (boarding vessels on the open sea suspected of illegal or hostile activities) as well as in Naval armories, where he would provide firearms training to specialists being assigned to a special operations team for a specific mission as a subject matter expert. His company also make exceptional concealed carry holsters for firearms enthusiasts.
Skill Sets Instructed
This course is split into two phases: defensive pistol use, and the ruck phase. The ruck phase is a full land navigation course with survival skills instruction. As noted above, the pistol course is taught by a current member of the LAPD and former US Marine Corps Sniper. Students will learn to draw, acquire their target quickly, shoot while moving, and reload based on real world fighting techniques.
The Ruck/land navigation portion is a major component of this course. We will instruct you to the use topographic maps and the UTM grid system. You will nav the entire ruck and we intend to cover ground. The hike will be at 7000’+ in elevation and it will push you. The survival training includes; emergency signaling, shelter construction, treating exposure in the field, locating and purifying water, performing a head to toe trauma assessment, and more, and will be performed throughout the ruck.
You will overnight in the field with minimal equipment. During the field portion only one pack meal is allowed; either an MRE or a Backpackers Freeze dried meal.
Students may bring their own pistol and ammo or rent them on site for a great price. You do not need to bring a firearm to participate. Dont forget ear protection.
Run In Association With Our Partners At Sierra Element & Neoteric Arms
Rates, Dates, & Gear
Price
$500
$250 for members (Members may attend the Ruck/Nav portion free, the shoot portion is run by our partner, and is discounted to this rate)
You must be 18 or older To Participate
2023 Schedule
Click The Dates To Register
November 4-5
Location
Day 1 begins 9am at:
CAMP LA VERNE
41954 Jenks Lake Rd W,
Angelus Oaks, CA 92305
Ends approx 1pm day 2
What To Bring
Ruck/Nav Day
1 MRE or Backpacker meal (Mountain House brand meals recommended) for foodstuffs only for day 1
1 compass with adjustable/geared declination (suunto global recommended or brunt global recommended)
1 “woobie” style or emergency blanket (no sleeping bags or mats)- sleep will be minimal
A pocketknife
A water bottle
A small backpack.
A 1 liter or greater water bottle
Shoot Day
Pistol rental package available on site for $150. Includes; 9mm pistol, 200 rounds (price of ammo may vary due to the national shortage, however we will have 9mm available), and a holster. Be sure to bring a belt for the holster.
Your Pistol: Semi-automatic pistol. This is a modern pistol class. Not revolver.
200 rounds for your pistol, please ask us if you need to buy ammo off us. We only cary 9mm ammo. $80 for 200 rounds if purchased on site.
Outdoor shoes for dirt
A Belt for your pants to hold a holster
Holster, IWB, or OWB. A concealed or exposed holster is ok.
Sunglasses or protective eyewear
Hearing protection: Electronic ear muffs or plugs are recommended. We will have foamy ear pro-on-site if you don’t have any.
Sun Screen
A hat for sun protection is recommended
Water & snacks for yourself, bring enough water for 5 hrs in the sun standing and training