Reviews: HEAT 2 Combat Patrol – May 23: Pete

“Sounds like opfor did a close target recce on the recce team.”

I took HEAT 1 back in ’21 and was blown away by the 4 day transformation of myself and others. I didn’t leave patting myself on the back though. Like HEAT 1, HEAT 2 was the type of learning experience that inspires self-reflection and self-improvement. I am fortunate to have been in this particular class as my fellow students were engaged, determined, and inquisitive. The jokes and trolling were also what I would consider elite level. I had the pleasure of working with every person in the class including the instructors. It was great to see repeat HEAT 2 alumni take the role of team leaders. Additionally, the team leaders were tasked as OPFOR (enemy) on the objective we were to observe. Needless to say, OPFOR spotted and heard us the entire time. I assume things weren’t much easier at the other objective considering the instructors were there.

“No! It’s Scroll to the Road!”

Max and Scott have a synergy and flow with each other well. It is interesting hearing their doctrinal differences and personal approaches to different situations. They don’t shy from clowning on each other, themselves, and the students but are dead serious when required. Their ability to blend past experiences into the lectures and AARs on live fires helps provide context for the drills. Scott and Max’s passion for teaching these classes is undeniable although the cringe factor must be high for them at times.

“Why are these leaves so loud!?”

The variety of techniques the class is expected to demonstrate in such a short period of time seems impossible. Despite having some challenges and straight up failing in some cases, we managed to do decent enough to not completely disappoint the instructors or each other. It was great to see the fruits of our close target recce labor when it was time for the raid on the final day of class.

“In a way, this is an anti-war class.”

After we set a linear ambush and stuck around for an awkward meeting with the QRF, we took a casualty (notional FFS). Chaos ensued and after endex was called, Scott told us he observed an absolute cluster. We were flying high after a few iterations but variables in the final brought us back down to Earth. Max did a field intro to TCCC using our classmate casualty as a training aid. He demonstrated the methods to prevent a buddy from becoming a memory. It’s sobering that in the event higher role care has disappeared due to (insert calamity), TCCC will likely just add a bit more time to someone’s punch card.

“Do you guys really need those assault packs?”

My suggestions to HEAT 1 and 2 prospective students other than joining the forum and asking questions: get your strength endurance and anaerobic capacity up, strengthen your ligaments, trim your kit, and prepare to cringe at how much noise you make when trying to be sneaky. Personally, taking HEAT 2 has inspired me to push myself harder in PT and to go shoot some matches. To future HEAT 2 students, if you thought the hills were steep on HEAT 1, they get steeper. Hopefully, I’ll see some of you again in ’23.

CLASS SCHEDULE

(Viewing the schedule link above requires registration on the MVT Forum).