Review: HEAT 1 Combat Tactics May 2025: Bucky

Date: 5-9 May 2025

Class: modified HEAT 1

Reviewer: Bucky James

Previous MVT Classes: HEAT 1, MVT CQB

Intro:

Although I had taken a previous HEAT 1 class, +/-1yr ago, I could make a statement that I ran each evolution flawlessly…that would be a lie. Like other skills, they are perishable. Throughout my career I have taken numerous classes both civilian and military orientated and can make a fair statement that the ranges and instruction provided by MVT are no frills, all applicable, infantrymen TTPs and SOPs. If you want to work flat range drills to impress the TIK TOK crowd, this is not the course for you. If you want to work squad movement tactics in challenging environments with good instructors HEAT 1 is where you should spend your resources. The group of personnel I attended this course with had rented the range facilities and contracted Max and Scott to teach as well.

Day 1: Centered around basic weapons manipulation. Don’t let the word “basic” fool you. To run ranges in the squad tactics format you must first know weapons handling, zeroing your weapon, rehearse weapons malfunctions, combat and tactical reloads, and other gear or weapons considerations. All these concepts are covered thoroughly through the 2 instructors (Max and Scott). Training was conducted on a 25yd range.

Day 2:

This day of training is an intro to flat range buddy pair shooting and moving utilizing barricades. Learning to stay online with your buddies while aggressing towards targets. Utilizing voice communications, coming off your sights, and looking at your partners as each are progressing towards intended targets takes some time. The phrase we use is not getting “Sight Sucked” meaning, open your situational awareness and looking around vs just laying down fire. All these concepts are presented well from Max and Scott.  Both instructors do a very good job of evaluating your skill level and critique as appropriate. Whether you’re a seasoned crusty or a new shooter, the instructors can ensure you understand the concepts, verbal calls, and/or tweak what you already know. This day is utilized to assess your ability to safely manipulate a weapon in preparation for Day 3 & 4

Day 3/4:

These days are dedicated to putting all you learned on the flat range into the dynamic range, and THIS is where the money is made. No fancy drills, just down and dirty squad/small unit tactics in a wooded and mountainous environment. One of the unique aspects of MVT is the target and environment opportunity. MVT utilizes pop up targets staged throughout the wooded areas. MVT can pop up the targets as you are on a small patrol, so as you are patrolling through the woods, you will not know when or where the targets are going to pop up. The terrain is wooded along hills. There is no perfect “contact front” like other flat ranges and courses offered. You must return fire, move to cover, return fire as appropriate and then move your squad/fire team to the best of your ability. During these days of training there is more to it than just pulling the trigger and shooters of all levels will learn something new:

• You will learn what gear works/what gear won’t
• How your weapon will perform
• what does too heavy of a kit feel like,
• what shoes work in the semi rocky/unlevel/wooded environment,
• what weight load can I reasonably carry, and how to shoot/move as a team.
• Your cardio will be put to the test. In my class we were short a full squad so I and an active-duty service member volunteered to run the evolutions back to back. I’m not going to lie; I got the full benefit and my legs were quite content with the work out. After each day’s completion my body told my mind…” Hey, I think I’m good for the day”.

Over all impressions

An absolute blast, we had a group of active-duty guys that were already able to safely manipulate their weapons but ready to progress to something above and beyond a flat range. Having RSO’d dynamic ranges, I fully understand the intricacies of safety and at MVT, Max and Scott nailed it. All evolutions were conducted in a professional, challenging, and most important of all, safe manner.

We needed a challenge and change of pace from flat range work.

We got exactly what we asked for!

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