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 that are 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.
Students are encouraged to bring agency-owned weapon conversion kits and marking cartridges.
Simunition © FX .556mm marking cartridges are NOT PERMITTED in any OTOA training UNLESS otherwise approved by OTOA headquarters. All other Simunition © branded marking cartridges in 9mm and .38 caliber are permitted.
All other Simunition © branded marking cartridges in 9mm and .38 caliber are permitted.
Force-on Force conversion kits and marking cartridges for AR platform rifles (5.56/.223 ONLY) will be provided to each student in the course that does not have agency-owned force-on-force conversion kits and marking cartridges.
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 – 1130Hrs. 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 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 ON TIME.
ALL TRAINING TIMES PROVIDED ARE APPROXIMATE ONLY.