Citizen Patrol 1

There is much more to fighting than shooting.

One of those things is the ability to fight as a team. The Citadel Defense Patrol 1 Course picks up where Citizen Rifle 1 leaves off. This 2 day course focus on small team tactics and patrolling. Teams can attend the course together or individuals can be grouped into teams. The purpose of this course is to give you team the building blocks necessary to create your own SOPs, tactics and methods so that your team can communicate and fight effectively together.

Topics Covered:

• Universal & Omnipresent Gun Safety Rules

• A Fighting/Winning Mindset

• Patrolling methods and practices

• Foundational Small Unit Tactics and “tactical plays”

• Working as a team to ensure effective team cohesion

What To Bring: - Given that is this a patrol style course, you will be caring all gear on your person or in your ruck for the duration of the course/patrol/mission. Overnights may occur based on location and availability. Plan accordingly. Below is a helpful list of things you will need to get started, feel free to add as you deem appropriate.

• An open, teachable mind

• A modern carbine rifle (that has been zeroed at 50 or 100 yards) such as an AR15 or AK47 or a full size battle rifle such as an AR10

  • Be polite, have either a suppressor or flash hider on your rifle, not a comp.

  • Weapon lube, cleaning kit, and tools to fix/work on your rifle

  • A sling for your rifle (required)

    • A note on ammo: We HIGHLY recommend you shoot brass cased ammunition (AKs are an exception, we shoot steel through AKs) and NOT STEEL cased ammunition. Most rifles and ARs in particular are not designed to handle steel cased ammunition. We recommend functional ammunition in order to get the most from your training experience. There is nothing more frustrating than being at a class and struggling with equipment issues.

  • Battle Rattle: Chest right, webbing, or plates.

    • Bring your “full combat load” of magazines - whatever that means for you. We suggest no less than 4 full magazines, plus 1 in the gun. Typically 8-12 full magazines is recommended.

    • Depending on our terrain and duration you it will likely be wise to choose either belt kit or a chest rig over plates. Plates become a lot of weight when you are constantly moving in the woods.

• Handgun 9mm-45ACP (wearing a sidearm is optional for this course - if a pistol is part of your minuteman load out / battle rattle, then please feel free to bring it)

  • OWB holster for pistol - hard sided holster only

  • Pistol magazine pouches to carry extra mags

  • In general we discourage pistols on patrols, especially if this is your first patrol type event. They typically add up to dead weight. However, if you feel the need or want to try it out to see how it goes, please go right ahead.

• 2 TQs and an IFAK (We love the DARK Kits) - 2 TQs is the minimum.

• Note Taking Gear - you will take notes.

• Water - 3QT Minimum. We will have a water plan emailed out prior to class. You may be required to bring water purification (tabs and / or filter) to make water in the field (location dependent). We highly suggest you carry 4QTs, plus filtration abilities.

• PPE

  • Permethrin treated appropriate clothing suited to dynamic activity.

  • A good pair of pre broken in boots

  • Poncho and cordage- we go rain or shine

  • Bug spray and sun tan lotion

  • Ear and eye protection

  • Knee pads (if so desired)

  • Gloves (recommended but not required)

  • Boonie hat or other head gear

  • Helmet - if running NODs

• HAM Radio

• Compass and / or GPS

• NODs and Thermals if you have them (night time work dependent on location)

• Field Knife

• ETool

• Foods for the duration of the course

Suggested Pre-Class Reading: American Rifleman by Reid Henrichs - this is by no means a requirement, simply some suggested reading to help enhance your learning experience.

Prerequisites: None.  Citizen Rifle 1 or prior rifle training from a competent instructor recommended. 

We do ask that you choose to safely handle your firearm while being mindful of the 4 rules of gun safety at all times. Students who choose to not handle a gun safely will be asked to leave without a course refund.

Physical Fitness Level Required: This course will involving moving in kit over moderate to long distances. We recommend you are able to continuously move with all of your gear on. If you are gassed after a few hundred yards of moving with your gear on you will not get the most benefit from this course.