Moving Targets

Moving Targets

The zip line, described in the previous section, Evaluation, can be adjusted to provide several different training tools.

There are dozens of variations you can implement to add stress. One of my personal favorites is to have multi-colored balloons, with only one color being a valid target. This exercise is the reverse of the Hostage Balloon Drill. Here are some others:

Have two colors of balloons with two shooters. Each is assigned a specific color on the zip line. This becomes a contest and adds stress. Wagering for lunch can add even more stress.

You can run the zip line at a 90-degree angle, or directly toward or away from the shooter. This adds complexity to the exercise as the operator has to work against an approaching or egressing target.

The size of the balloons as well as the distance can add stress and challenge to the training. Very small targets obviously require more skill to hit. Longer distances increase the challenge as well.

Have the shooter pop the brake balloon and then require movement before taking out the targets. One of my favorites is having the shooter pop the brake balloon, and then take a knee before hitting the targets. Having the shooter pop the brake and then run a few steps, take a knee or shoot around cover works well.

Have an instructor call out colors as the string of targets moves down the line. Start off with a single round in the weapon, pop the brake and then insert a magazine before engaging the remaining targets.

Roll a thin layer of tape around the zip line in a couple of places. This interrupts the otherwise smooth pathway of the trolley, causing it to jerk as it moves down the line. This can be very frustrating.

The Radical Robot

In a gunfight, threats rarely move in a straight line – especially under fire. Recreating the same movements as a human trying to duck, zigzag, and generally avoid being shot is one of the most difficult challenges for a trainer.

One solution, adopted in recent years, has been the use of Airsoft, or plastic pellet guns. Several military installations and some private contracting firms have invested in these pseudo-weapons for training purposes. Some hardcore paintball advocates would advise that their “game” helps with mobile target acquisition, and that would be difficult to debate.

To reiterate, any training of this nature is better than nothing. However, I have participated in both of these types of simulations and have some fundamental issues with them.

First of all, there is a different mindset involved with facing a stinging paintball versus a 5.56 NATO round traveling at over 3,000 feet per second. My kids experience this same mental invincibility when they play first person shooter video games. Being hit sucks, but the player will regenerate and get another chance. The same applies to being hit with plastic pellets. It might sting a little, but the player is still going to attempt maneuvers that I wouldn’t dream of trying if facing real bullets. This can lead to some dangerous habits in the worst case, and unrealistic movements at best.

My second problem with relying exclusively on this sort of training is the accuracy and fire rates of both types of weapons. Both are only effective within 35-50 meters while a real combat situation, in non-urban terrain, is over if an armed villain gets that close. For shoot houses, urban training centers, and interior clearing, however, they can be valid, helpful training tools. My final concern is that this sort of training is typically more effective in team, squad, or group- based exercises. Our assumption in this book is that you’re training as an individual or with a single shooting buddy. So what is a good method of recreating a person’s movement under the duress of coming under fire? I have found remote control children’s toys provide an excellent, robust target system.

You can purchase these RC (remote control) vehicles at practically any store that sells toys. For our purposes, the bigger the toy you can afford, the better. Since these units will most likely see service in pastures, desert sand, and other unpaved areas, the larger robots will perform better.

The frames of these little off-road wonders vary. Using a little creativity and a coat hanger (or similar wire), you should be able to create a “post” or “flagpole.” You simply tie one or more balloons to the post, and you have a controllable, fast-moving target. If you plan on doing most of your training alone, you should pay special attention to the remote, specifically if the machine can be manipulated somehow while you are solo. I have had two of these little torture devices, and I found the best way to operate them solo was to move the joystick with my boot while I was shooting. The natural movement of my foot provided some sporadic behavior from the little menace no matter how steady I tried to hold my foot. Another method is to tie a rubber band to the joystick and let the terrain steer the little booger.

Tip – Don’t bother getting fancy with the mast. You will hit it with a round on occasion. If you are using a coat hanger (like the example above), take a few spares with you. Tip – Take spare batteries for both the controller and the toy. Nothing sucks worse than to run out of juice while having a blast, shooting at the little devil.

Tip – The bigger the wheels on the RC, the more rugged the terrain it will handle. Absolutely the best way to utilize these moving tormentors is to have a shooting buddy. An evil, mean, and crafty shooting buddy adds to the fun. Given the speed, target size (how big you blow up the balloons) and terrain, you will find this type of training one of the most frustrating ever. Over time, you will appreciate it as one of the most beneficial as well.

We have developed several different contests utilizing these battery-powered demons. One of the most entertaining we call the “Circle of Death Drill.”

In this exercise, a perimeter is defined in some manner. This can be an outline of tin cans, sticks laid on the ground, or a line drawn in the sand. The goal is to hit the robotic target before the driver can breach the perimeter. While this sounds simple enough, it can be a challenging contest.

You can create all kinds of contests. Another favorite is to define an open area in front of the operator. The driver’s job is to get the robot from one side to the other. The operator’s

challenge is to pop the target(s) before the little machine crosses the “finish line.” If the driver is wise, he will vary speeds, zigzag and maneuver to avoid defeat.

The Radical Robot - Deviations and Stress

Using cover for both the shooter and the robot adds several layers of difficulty to this training method. The shooter, for example, should be required to fire from cover using both strong and weak side stances.

Providing the robot some cover to duck behind, or retreat to increases the torture as well. Another deviation is jousting. Like the medieval contest of old, the robot and the shooter start at opposite ends of the field with the goal being to arrive first at “the flag,” or some marked area designating victory. Of course, the robot can’t shoot back (we are working on this), but should it beat the trainee to the flag with its targets intact then the person controlling the machine wins. You can also use different colored balloons, designating that only certain colors are a valid target. If the wrong color of balloon is struck, then points are deducted or the bet is lost. The loser in any wager having to police up spent brass is a great motivator.

Speaking of a point system, you can assign points to different sized balloons on the robot. This is a little unscientific as it is difficult to inflate the balloons to exact sizes, but it does add

competition to the training. Competition is stress, and competency under stress is our overall goal.

Flying Saucers

Flying Saucers – Deviation and Stress

The Frisbee Drill alone induces enough stress to have worth for training purposes. One variant that can increase difficulty is to have a shooting buddy throw two discs of different colors with only one being a valid target. This is not a very practical drill, however, unless the thrower is quite good with tossing a Frisbee. The reload on the thrower’s part normally takes too long. Another option that is more realistic is to have someone throw the target while the shooter’s back is turned. A word of caution:

Speaking of safety, I eventually require my operators to throw the target with the weapon’s safety engaged. This invokes excellent discipline and makes the operation of the safety second nature.

Since performing the Flying Saucers Drill requires an extra special shooting location (given the range of most rounds and the height at which you typically shoot at the disk), many readers won’t be able to attempt this training. There is an alternative that is similar and more available to the typical recreational shooter.

The sporting event of trap and more importantly skeet are common. Most cities have numerous choices when it comes to these shotgun-based shooting activities. If you believe the Flying Saucers Drill will be of benefit, but don’t have access to the proper area in which to shoot, you can set up a shotgun and execute a drill that is almost as good.

The key to gaining the benefit from using a shotgun is the optics. Many combat scatterguns have a 1913 rail mounted on top similar to an M4 or AR15. Regardless of what the primary battle rifle is, if you are using optics of any kind, you should be able to simulate the sight pattern and thus the acquisition using the much shorter-range shotgun. You should mount the same optics on the shotgun as you use on your fighting rifle. The eye relief should be the same or as close as

possible.

While you may hear some muffled chuckles by showing up to a skeet range with a holographic optic mounted to a fighting shotgun, don’t let it bother you. I have found that my skeet shooting is actually better when I use my fighting shotgun than it is with a traditional blaster designed specifically for skeet. I know that is not typical, but my averages are consistently better. With a little creativity, this typically stoic shooting event can be a valuable training exercise. While this may invoke a little laughter from your shooting buddies, have the controller pull the pigeon while your feet are backwards (strong side forward). This will cause a similar affect to throwing the Frisbee in that you will begin out of position.

It makes sense to have your scattergun set up as close as possible to your battle rifle anyway. Just as having the same stance for pistol and rifle eliminates one set of mental commands, having both long guns set up identically allows a single stance.

I have found several brands of shotguns with a pistol grip at a similar angle to that of my rifles. This is something important to consider if purchasing a new combat shotgun.