Students will be introduced to basic SWAT topics, tactics, and techniques, including a historical overview of SWAT, team organization and structure, resolution of barricaded suspect situations, individual and team movement, searches and room clearing, less-lethal options, warrant service, and multiple field training exercises.
This is a hands-on, high-intensity course in which students practice tactics and techniques in the field.
Note - This course will benefit officers not assigned to a specialized team (SWAT/SRT).
This course is RESTRICTED to OTOA Members AND sworn officers of a United States governmental agency.
*CLASS STARTS AT 0800 EACH DAY UNLESS THE INSTRUCTOR STATES OTHERWISE*
Basic SWAT School Equipment List
The following is a detailed list of what the OTOA recommends each student bring to the 5-day Basic SWAT training.
BODY ARMOR / BALLISTICS
Body Armor is MANDATORY for this class. Any of the following options are acceptable:
- “Tactical” body armor or equivalent.
- Plate carrier and Level II or Level III soft body armor.
- If you DO NOT have "Tactical Body Armor", Concealable Level II or Level III body armor is acceptable.
Ballistic helmet (if issued)
FIREARMS
Primary Weapon System (long gun) AR-15 variant or sub-gun
- Four (4) 30-round magazines are optimal, (3) 30-round magazines at a minimum are required
- All rifles and sub-guns are required to have slings mounted
- All rifles and sub-guns are required to be zeroed BEFORE day one of SWAT week
- Weapon-mounted light is mandatory. Bring extra batteries.
Secondary Weapon System (pistol)
- (3) pistol magazines minimum
- Weapon-mounted light recommended
Ammunition
- 500 rounds For EACH weapon system
- NO GREEN TIP, ARMOR PIERCING, OR STEEL CORE AMMO
FORCE – ON – FORCE EQUIPMENT
OTOA RED TEAM training cadre are all certified Scenario and Safety Certification Training Course graduates.
NOTE: The OTOA will provide one (1) UTM bolt for any standard AR platform rifle, UTM blue magazine, and UTM ammo for each student to use for this class.
The OTOA does NOT provide training pistols or training pistol ammo.
- Students are encouraged to bring agency-owned weapon conversion kits and marking cartridges.
- Simunition © FX .556mm rifle marking cartridges are NOT PERMITTED in any OTOA training.
- All other Simunition © branded pistol marking cartridges in 9mm and .38 caliber are permitted.
PERSONAL & OTHER EQUIPMENT
ANY / ALL EQUIPMENT for a “call out” or SWAT / SRT activation
- Tactical team or training uniform – mandatory
- Gloves – We recommend gloves compatible with weapons manipulation
- Clear wrap-around eye protection – mandatory on range day and during force-on-force training
- Hearing protection – mandatory on range day
- Ball cap – mandatory on range day
- Pen and notebook – MANDATORY for each day
- Water and food – NO MEALS ARE PROVIDED
- Bug spray and sunblock - recommended
- Inclement weather gear for both cold and wet weather - recommended
- Simunition © / Ultimate Training Munition (UTM) /Force on Force protective gear – recommended
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT TO BRING
- Ballistic Shields
- Mirrors
MEDICAL
If you are allergic to bees, outdoor plants, or animals, please bring your epinephrine pen or other medication.
Life-threatening allergies and pre-existing injuries or conditions must be reported to the OTOA training staff on day one of training.
BASIC SWAT COURSE – SCHEDULE
DAY 1 MONDAY
0800 – 0900 Hrs. Course Orientation – Waivers, Team Assignments
0900 – 0930 Hrs. Lecture – The OTOA (Mission)
0945 – 1130 Hrs. Warrant Service Operations / Intro to CQC
1130 – 1230 Hrs. Lunch
1230 – 1300 Hrs. Team Equipment Checks – Mission Preparation
1300 – 1330 Hrs. Weapons Handling Drills
1330 – 1400 Hrs. Lecture Demo – CQB Room Clearing Principles
1400 – 1530 Hrs. Practical Room Clearing Principles
1530 – 1700 Hrs. Practical – Team Movement Principles
1700 – 1730 Hrs. Debrief / Take Away – Critique
DAY 2 TUESDAY
0800 – 0830 Hrs. Weapons Handling Drills
0830 – 0930 Hrs. Practical Room Clearing Principles Team Movement Principles
0930 – 1200 Hrs. CQB Critical Skill Decision Making / Subject Handling
1200 – 1300 Hrs. Lunch
1300 – 1500 Hrs. Small Team Movement with Subject: Practical Exercise
1500 – 1545 Hrs. External Movement /Action at the Breach Point
1600 – 1730 Hrs. Warrant Service Exercise (Full Team)
1730 – 1800 Hrs. Debrief / Take Away – Critique
DAY 3 WEDNESDAY
0800 – 1000 Hrs. Lecture - Barricade Operations Slow Search Techniques Lecture
1000 – 1100 Hrs. Practical - Mirror / Shield Team Tactics & Techniques
1100 – 1200 Hrs. Practical – Slow Methodical Team Movements
1200 – 1300 Hrs. Lunch
1300 – 1430 Hrs. Practical – Hasty Vehicle Takedowns
1430 – 1700 Hrs. Practical – Barricade Operations
1700 – 1730 Hrs. Debrief / Take Away – Critique
DAY 4 THURSDAY
0800 – 0830 Hrs. Range Safety Brief – (Alpha Bravo Teams)
0830 – 1000 Hrs. Range – Tactical Carbine Drills
1030 – 1100 Hrs. Range – Transition Drills
1100 – 1200 Hrs. Range – Tactical Rifle / Pistol Drills
1200 – 1300 Hrs. Lunch
1300 – 1430 Hrs. Range – Tactical Pistol Drills
1430 – 1630 Hrs. Range – Tactical Rifle / Pistol Drills
1630 – 1700 Hrs. Range – Range Cleanup
1700 – 1730 Hrs. Debrief / Take Away – Critique
DAY 5 FRIDAY
0800 – 1000 Hrs. Station Skills – (By Instructors)
- Safety Brief(s)
- Equipment Check
1000 – 1130 Hrs. Mission #1 Prep Execution
- Mission Planning
- Mission Execution
- Mission Debrief
1130 – 1200 Hrs. Instructor to Student Debrief
1200 – 1300 Hrs. Lunch
1300 – 1600 Hrs. Mission #2 and #3 Prep Execution
- Mission Planning
- Mission Execution
- Mission Debrief
1600 – 1630 Hrs. Instructor to Student Debrief
- Debrief
- Class Closing – Take Away / Course Critiques
- Graduation
The OTOA does not teach one specific “Tactic.” The OTOA instructors teach “Principles.”
- The OTOA response protocols are built around basic principles.
- Violation of basic principles develops into poor tactics.
- The applications of fundamental principles lead to safer tactics.
ALL TRAINING IS CONDUCTED TO A STANDARD, NOT TIME.
ALL TRAINING TIMES PROVIDED ARE APPROXIMATE ONLY.