With street violence, home invasions and other common crimes increasing over the past few months, you may be thinking about tactical training for civilians to up your self-defense skills to protect yourself and your family.
For many people, that means taking courses that teach average citizens how to protect themselves should the unthinkable happen. When you look into it, you’ll find lots of courses—in fact, a whole industry—created for ordinary citizens like you and me.
But if you worry about what such courses can teach you and whether they’re worth it, now’s a good time to look at the pros and cons, before you invest a single dime.
Tactical Training for Civilians: What Is It?
Tactical training is a series of lessons on how you can protect yourself from situations that could cause you serious and even fatal bodily harm. In these lessons, civilians are taught the same kind of information, tips and procedures that our nation’s law enforcement officers and military receive.
Since many of the instructors tend to be experienced former police or military personnel, students can benefit from some of the best self-defense trainers available.
“Self Defense Is Not Just A Set Of Techniques; It’s A State Of Mind, And It Begins With The Belief That You Are Worth Defending.” – Rorion Gracie
Courses vary in complexity and topics covered, but typical tactical training courses can be as short as a couple of hours, or as long as two days more.
Where you receive this training can also vary. Basic courses such as pistol training or close combat training are often provided at indoor facilities, while courses for higher powered guns tend to be provided at outdoor firing ranges.
What Can You Expect To Pay for Tactical Training Courses?
As a rule of thumb, the more complex the tactical training for civilians program is, the higher the cost. You may need to shop around a bit to find a course that fits your budget.
Prices may also vary according to where you live. For example, in our area, we have multiple close combat self-defense course that are priced around $70-$100. A two-day rifle marksmanship course, on the other hand, could set you back $200 or more.
Also, keep in mind that many of these courses have prerequisite courses that could add to the expense. You’ll want to shop around and compare each program individually.
And speaking of costs, don’t overlook the added expense of things like equipment and transportation, particularly if you’re enrolling in a firearms course. Most course providers of high-powered weapons training courses require students to provide their own firearms.
Handgun courses, however, sometimes offer the convenience of rental guns. Rentals are especially popular with students who haven’t quite decided which handgun will suit their needs for personal protection or home defense. For them, this is a great option.
Lower Cost Alternatives
If you’re finding the programs offered in your area to be too expensive for your budget, try checking programs offered by local police agencies. We’ve found these to be very affordable, and they offer a wealth of practical and informational material on self-defense, gun usage and more.
Some of these programs are even free, and you just can’t beat that.
Tactical Training: What Can You Learn?
Don’t be surprised if you find a lot of variety in the content provided by different tactical training programs for civilians.
In general, they train you how to defend yourself from both threats and actual attacks. They educate you in spotting danger signs, and teach you what you need to do in advance so that, should the unthinkable happen, you’re ready.
Here are some of the things you might expect to learn when you invest in tactical training for civilians:
Self Defense
Many people don’t carry a weapon when they leave the house, so acquiring a proficient level of unarmed self-defense skills is not just safe, but smart.
Tactical training programs for civilians often teach basic unarmed self-defense skills such as how to punch effectively, how to grapple and use body leverage, and how to throw attackers off balance.
You may not end up as a black belt holder, but you can seriously improve your chances of defending yourself against an attacker.
Basic Gun Skills
Not familiar with or comfortable with guns? Then courses like this may be exactly what you need. Tactical training for civilians programs teach you how to use a firearm for home defense or concealed carry purposes.
You learn how to handle and store your weapon safely, and how to use it for effect should that become necessary.
You’ll also learn how to improve your marksmanship so that when you shoot, you hit what you’re aiming at–always a good thing!
Edged Weapons Training
All too frequently, if you’re attacked, the attacker uses not a gun but a sharp bladed weapon such as a knife. With edged weapons training, you’ll learn how to deal with these weapons for your own protection.
You’ll also learn how to fight with combinations of thrusts, swipes and cuts.
Thinking Tactically
Another great reason to take tactical training courses is learning how to develop a tactical mindset. That means being able to take the correct action even when under the threat of force.
You’ll learn the importance of remaining calm and focused, how to avoid panic, and how to effectively use defensive weapons to protect yourself and your loved ones.
So Is a Tactical Training Course Right For You?
For most of us, the answer is “absolutely!” Especially if you already have concerns for your personal safety. In general, tactical training can benefit just about everyone in one way or another.
If you find yourself a bit timid about using aggressive weapons and tactics, you might not be sure about the decision to enroll. What we have found, however, is that the more people are around such programs, the less timid they become.
They turn from being vulnerable and at risk to being far more confident, secure and safe.
The Bottom Line
If you’re in a situation where you fear for your own personal safety or that of your family, tactical training for civilians may be exactly what you need.
It comes down to how much you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone for the safety of yourself and your loved ones.
Is it better to have the ability to defend yourself and not need it, than to need it and not have it? We believe it is.
Stay safe.