Force on Force Team Tactics

Force on Force Team Tactics 1-2 Oct 2016 Student Review: Brian from Georgia BLUF: Max Velocity Tactical teaches a progression of light infantry tactics for civilians. It starts with Combat Rifle Skills and moves up through Combat Team Tactics, Combat Patrol and on to Force on Force Team Tactics. Short of signing up in a fighting unit, you won’t find this level and quality of professional training anywhere else. If you believe we are living in dangerous times that might require skill at arms to protect your loved ones, you need to get to the Force on Force class. I previously attended MVT’s Combat Rifle / Contact Drills (now Combat Team Tactics) and Combat Patrol in 2013 and 2014, respectively. I have trained with a group of friends regularly since then for maintenance. When MVT offered Force on Force Team Tactics with UTM Man Marker rounds, our group decided we needed to make the trip back to WV.

In Force on Force, MVT uses UTM Man Marker rounds. A special bolt is used in your own AR to propel a lightweight plastic pellet at a little under 400 feet per second. With a 50 yard effective range, the rounds feel like a bee sting at close range with thin clothing. The pain level is low at distance with two layers of clothing, but you know when you get hit. Incentive to use effective tactics and cover so you won’t get hit. There are no prerequisites for Force on Force but you will get much more out of the class if you take Combat Team Tactics and Combat Patrol first. You’ll be part of a 9-man squad facing same. The squad that wins every time is the squad that employs solid small unit tactics. Each exercise is structured in “capture the flag” style where you defend and attack separate objectives. Effective mission planning, understanding terrain and application of fire and maneuver and flanking are what it’s all about. This is where it all hits home. Shooting at stationary pop-up targets is a great way to learn team tactics. But when the targets shoot and move and maneuver against you, it’s a whole ‘nother thing.

On Saturday, we did four separate exercises after we loosened up with rehearsals. Every exercise was a learning experience in itself. The recurring theme was simple, though: the team that wins is the team that aggressively applies solid light infantry tactics. Fire and maneuver, attack from the flank and support by fire takes the objective every time. After each engagement, Max and First Sergeant gave feedback for both teams to identify what went well and what needed improvement. Sunday started out with a full 13-man squad attack against entrenched OPFOR. Teams were mixed to give a different perspective to students. Enemy positions were located in depth and sited in a way that prohibited steam-rolling a single bunker. It took solid leadership and textbook execution to take the objective with minimal casualties. This exercise was repeated with different leaders to drive the lessons home. This part of the class was perhaps the most beneficial to many. That was due to detailed, constructive criticism given to the class immediately following the drills.

The previous teams were regrouped for two final exercises Sunday afternoon. It was evident that the teams were applying what we learned. Both team employed effective tactics that resulted in an interesting ebb and flow of battle. Force on Force is an excellent progression of light infantry tactics that build on the Combat Team Tactics and Combat Patrol building blocks. I would sell spare firearms to attend it if I was short on cash. It’s that beneficial. After a two-year absence, it’s obvious that the quality of instruction has continued to improve. If you are wondering what to take after CTT and CP, this class is it. If you are truly serious about preparing for uncertain times, Force on Force is a must-take class. Max will have a hard time topping this one. Brian from Georgia


Max: Challenge accepted! I may top this with the week long Combat Leader Class I am cooking up for next April. Also, I just scheduled another FoFTT for December 10-11: ‘Christmas Force on Force Extravaganza!’ You DO NOT need to be an alumni to attend this. I know this has caused a level of misgiving among alumni, with questions raised over the level of training, but if you have had tactical training elsewhere, military or another tactical school, and you want to come and learn, you are welcome. I am personally convinced that there is a level of delusions, denial out there, that when the hammer drops , you will rise to the occasion. A level of false hope that all will be ok. Do not make your mistakes when it counts, but make them in training, in the learning environment of MVT. A small basic example with equipment alone, example is the number of FrankenAR’s that simply fail on the ranges, in simulated combat conditions, but they were fine when you were shooting them off the bench. Learn in training, make your mistakes in a constructive learning environment, not when you and your family’s lives are at stake.