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Tactical Contingencies

Instructor:

Matt Johnson - U.S. Navy SEAL veteran who served with SEAL Teams 7 and 10, including augments with DEVGRU. He completed multiple combat deployments to Afghanistan and Somalia, executing over 100 special operations missions and directly enabling the capture or elimination of 14 high-value targets.

Course Description:

This course prepares officers to operate effectively when conditions deteriorate and plans fail. Instruction focuses on recognizing and responding to tactical contingencies, including disrupted movement, unexpected contact, equipment failure, communication breakdowns, and changing threat dynamics. Emphasis is placed on rapid decision-making, adaptability, and coordinated action to maintain control and regain initiative in fluid, high-risk environments. Instruction is led by experienced subject matter experts with operational backgrounds in U.S. Naval Special Warfare SEAL Teams.

Day 1 - Foundational + Single-Room Contingencies (8 Hours)

 

  • Core principles of operating when plans degrade or fail
  • Decision-making under stress and compressed timelines
  • Movement techniques when routes, spacing, or formations are disrupted
  • Weapon handling and manipulations during equipment or positional failures
  • Communication under breakdown conditions (verbal, non-verbal, degraded comms)
  • Dry-fire and partner-based single-room problem-solving iterations

Day 2 - Flow + Small Unit Clearing w/ Contingencies (8 Hours)

  • Live-fire marksmanship under disrupted conditions (rifle/pistol)
  • Target identification and engagement with incomplete or changing information
  • Managing unexpected contact and changing threat priorities
  • Flow + small unit clearing iterations focused on breakdowns in plan, timing, or roles
  • Transitional movement between problem sets with evolving variables

Day 3 - Full Team Contingency + Operational Application (8 Hours)

  • Full-team movement with cascading failures and unknowns
  • Scenario-based operations emphasizing adaptability, initiative, and recovery
  • Command, control, and decision-making during dynamic problem escalation
  • Final performance evaluation focused on judgment, communication, and execution
  • After-action review and debrief tied to real-world operational application

Required Equipment

  • Primary and Secondary Weapon Systems
  • Rifle Sling and Weapon Retention System
  • Duty Vest, Belt, and Full Operational Loadout
  • Clear Eye Protection (ANSI-rated)
  • Long Sleeve Shirt or Uniform Top
  • Notepad and Pen

Optional Equipment

  • Communications equipment (radios, headsets)
  • Chem lights
  • Planning Aids (for Day 3 scenario work)
  • Supplemental team equipment (drones, robots)

 

Course Details: