SF Familiarization 2012 - 2013

[cadetesman]

Any word on if the Security Forces Familiarization Course at Nellis AFB will be offered this December? I can't seem to find any information on it, but I am still really interested in this. Also, are there any interesting regional CSA's offered this winter?

Thanks!

[Stonewall]

A little something I wrote today in regards to Security Forces...

The Successful Defender
By MSgt Stonewall

1.   Fitness! You should be doing some type of high intensity physical training. Call it CrossFit, Functional Fitness, P90X, or Insanity, but if your workouts do not include a variety of functional movements that focus on strength, agility, speed, and balance – you will be hurting.

2.   Don't be late. Don't be light. Don't be last! Always meet your time hacks. Be where you are supposed to be and be early. Never be the last one to finish anything; always strive to be first. This includes being the first to volunteer for any detail and having the right equipment for any mission. This could range from a push broom to a full breaching kit.

3.   Have a winning attitude. This should not be misunderstood as arrogance; it should be a quiet confidence mixed with a good balance of humbleness. You will be criticized and corrected as part of your progression through the ranks within the Security Forces career field. This is not a personal attack, and if you disagree with your leaders that is your right; as is the right to remain silent.

4.   Tactics change and evolve. Because the tactics you were taught at tech school or your last unit don't resemble the tactics you may see at our unit, does not mean they are wrong. We don't practice high speed tactics here, we teach and hone the basics of our craft and ask that you perform them with precision while under stress. Performing the basics, under stress, with precision, is the true definition of high speed.

5.   We are looking for self motivated thinkers, not PT junkies. If you can do 100 dead-hang pull-ups; that is awesome, but if you cannot define deadly force or the rules of engagement and how to apply them, then we cannot take you. A good mix of brain and brawn is always more desirable than a lack of one or the other. You must be willing and able to improve yourself tactically and physically with minimal prodding.

6.   You will constantly be assessed individually by your leaders and peers. Teamwork is a must in our line of work, but you must be willing and able to operate independent of your teammates. This requires trust and integrity. You can exaggerate your stories at the bar, but don't lie or falsify your understanding of a mission to your leaders or teammates.

7.   Prepare for war each and every day as if war is imminent – because it is. Prepare your mind, heart, and your family. Have your equipment clean, in good order, and ready to deploy at a moment's notice. Do not assume that because you are a modern day minuteman that you will be given ample notice to plan and prepare.

8.   Do not mistake CDCs, PT tests, or weapons qualification courses as training. They are used as a tool to measure your knowledge and abilities in an environment absent of distraction and the fog of combat. To "qualify" is the minimum just to become a Defender, but to earn "expert" is the minimum acceptable standard to remain a Defender.

9.   Everything should be a competition, as competition brings out the best of a war fighter. It allows you to identify better and more efficient ways to accomplish our craft. From PT scores to range qualification, challenge your teammates to run faster or shoot more accurately than you. You'd be surprised at how much better you perform when there is someone competing against you.

10.   Push beyond the pain and don't use sickness or injuries as an excuse. Bounce back and return to your team; they need you. Whether training or at a deployed location, losing just one Defender to profile or sick call weakens the unit. We are in a business that demands you push through discomfort, overlook bruises, and ignore the growing pains of life as a war fighter.

[abdsp51]

+1 hua!

[CAPDan]

This is unofficial, however I know one of the seniors that usually helps put this activity together and he stated that it is not happening this winter. If I hear anything to the contrary I will be sure to post.

[cadetesman]

I appreciate Stonewall's response, it was very good. Right now, I'm applying for West Point, and an Army ROTC scholarship, and maybe an AFROTC scholarship. Ideally I'm planning on being an MP officer and later in life, a Federal LEO, so anything MP/SF related is very interesting to me.

Thank you to all

[Garibaldi]

I appreciate Stonewall's response, it was very good. Right now, I'm applying for West Point, and an Army ROTC scholarship, and maybe an AFROTC scholarship. Ideally I'm planning on being an MP officer and later in life, a Federal LEO, so anything MP/SF related is very interesting to me.

Thank you to all

There's a guy here who was an MP, I think, his sig says so anyway. I forget what his name here is, I think it's his CAPID, but his name is Bill Hobbs. Talk to him if you see him on here.

[Extremepredjudice]

I appreciate Stonewall's response, it was very good. Right now, I'm applying for West Point, and an Army ROTC scholarship, and maybe an AFROTC scholarship. Ideally I'm planning on being an MP officer and later in life, a Federal LEO, so anything MP/SF related is very interesting to me.

Thank you to all

Don't forget FL bright futures.