Thursday, December 2, 2010

SWAT school: Day Two

yes, this picture is for real. image from here.

ME: (hugging) We missed you! Mmmmm! You smell good again! Are you using a new deodorant or cologne or something? You smell like essential oils.

HF: It's called gun powder.

ME: (like Homer Simpson) Mmmm gun powder. . .

HF: You really are cut out for this lifestyle if you think this smells good. Hahaha.

So today he came home with a shrapnel wound on his hand. That just about sent me over the edge, but he assured me it was normal, not a big deal, and that everything was safe. It ricocheted off one of the target stands in the CQB house (Close Quarters Battle). I held onto my faith and let the fear melt away.

HF threw his first flash bang grenade, he went through the entire house without making any mistakes in the shoot/don't shoot targets, every shot was a good shot. Basically, he was able to differentiate between which targets were hostages or bad guys. They did this all day, with each scenario becoming more complex.

I learned two things that day. The expression, "Do they yield to the shield?" Somebody jokingly asked this question when they were picking a restaurant to go eat at afterwards to see if they offered a police/fire/military discount. Don't worry, they weren't choosing a place based on this criteria. HF has mixed feelings about this. He doesn't look for or solicit establishments that offer this, but understands that some people want to show their appreciation and this is the way they want to do it. Anyway, that's a topic for another time.

The second thing: Slicing the pie. Finally an explanation! A while back Lt mentioned this cutting the pie business and the officers in the comments were echoing this sentiment, and I thought I was taking crazy pills. Okay people. Go ahead and slice that pie and eat that pie. Yum. Well, I am happy to say that I know what it means now! It's a tactical maneuver. Here's a little diagram I found to help those of you that don't know what in the world that means like I didn't.

Next time, I will talk about day 3 of SWAT school, which was scenario day.

6 comments:

Meadowlark said...

This makes me laugh. We have pictures from when the kid was in high school and dad let him don all the SWAT gear and taught him to "clear" our basement. ;) What great memories.

I had a report I found on officer deaths... very, very few are attributed to training accidents involving firearms. I can scout it out and send it to you.. unless you're a worrier and then I s'pose it'll just give you ridiculous stuff to add to the list ;)

Anonymous said...

HAA, I hate riding on those at work. I got trained so I could get out of something else.

Jenney said...

Got to love SWAT school. My hubby is the point man on his team, and can't wait to use his skills. He had a callout about 1a.m. Thanksgiving morning, but spent the entire time sitting in the cold rain. They didn't even enter the residence. He was so bored.

OH! I love your police gifts. I'm looking for a onesie I saw on a cop baby the other day that said "My daddy can arrest your daddy" Have you seen it?

mrs. fuzz said...

Meadowlark- I am definitely a worrier, but I would still like the report if it's not a pain to find!

Mr. Police Man- I didn't know that there were officers on segways! I would like to know how effective they are. . .

Jenney- Look here. These are the cheapest I've found and I like that it's on etsy. My Daddy Can Arrest Your Daddy T-shirt

Meadowlark said...

Ya'll are making me sad it's nearly over :(

The report is here http://ntoa.org/site/resource-library/ (about halfway down) and an NTOA membership would be a great gift for your SWATGod. Just sayin'...

Knowledge is power!!!!

Lt said...

You know what's scary? Watching my brother play Black Ops on Xbox, and watching a generation of kids growing up learning how to slice the pie.

I'm excited for HF and this advanced training. I know it may seem more dangerous once he makes the team, but while as an operator he may encounter calls with more inherent risk, I believe the tactical training actually makes him less likely to be hurt. Think of all of the tactical skill he'll bring with him on his regular patrol duties that he didn't have before.

Shrapnel wounds aside, special operations is probably one of the safest places in law enforcement. (Not counting those desk gigs, of course.)