A few years ago I had the opportunity to work as a Security Consultant for a company that offered training to various organizations such as NASA, DOJ, a few state capitols, banks, city courts, and other locations around the US that I can not mention. We conducted training on entry control point security, biological weapons detection systems, and mail room security.

Occasionally, we had the opportunity to run scenarios in which we would demonstrate how easy or hard it was to enter a secured area and engage a target. We found that the use of airsoft equipment allowed us to setup a controlled and safe environment with minimal safety gear (sealed eye protection). We focused on the first shot of an incident and how to develop the best possible procedure to offer response personnel the ability to simultaneously protect the civilians and protect themselves.

With the use of airsoft equipment we were able to conduct these scenarios in secured areas during normal business hours within ear shot of unknowing civilians. The use of other technologies such as Simmunitions would not have been possible. Other technologies often require extensive protective gear and training in a location that is not set up the same as their normal work place. Running scenarios at the workplace is vital to rapid response training since many security personnel can become complacent about the workplace.

In short we were able to find the following advantages:

• Training could be conducted in normal duty gear
• Minimal sealed eye ware safety equipment required
• Little to no damage to surrounding environment
• Use of normal workplace increases awareness
• No down time or travel to training location
• Low sound, no hearing protection required
• Immediate after action reviews and scenario reset
• Accurate at close ranges without any injury, if the right equipment is used

However, it is not just the airsoft equipment that makes training better. You have to have good instructors that can maintain control of the short scenarios and immediately pull lessons learned from the any outcome and apply them to the training.

- Stay Sharp… Stay Safe,