Review of the Tactical Rifle II Course at TDI

DAY 2

Sunday morning started with the observance of something that has become a bit of a TDI tradition for me.  Right next to the Comfort Inn hotel at which I stay when I attend TDI classes there’s classically 1950’s styled diner called Cruiser’s where myself and my friend normally have breakfast:

The ham and cheese omelet with a side of whole wheat toast will definitely keep you going during the rigorous training exercises at TDI.

Once we finished breakfast and headed back over to TDI, day 2 started once again at the 100 yard line on the rifle range in order to confirm the zero of all student rifles, and make any adjustments required:

Here’s a photo of my buddy John R. shooting prone from 100 yards…

This time our target area (black painted circle) was considerably smaller than the day prior.

After warm up, we did some close quarters practice – magazine changes, transitions to weak side, etc:

After this review session we broke up into smaller groups, with each group rotating between various challenge stations set up throughout the TDI grounds.  My group started out at the 200 yard line of the rifle range.

200 YARD UNSUPPORTED POSITION SHOOT

In TR-I, we shot supported prone from 200 yards, but didn’t spend much time shooting from that distance.  In TR-II, not only do you spend a considerable amount of time shooting from 200 yards, you do so from the various unsupported positions of sitting, kneeling, standing, and prone.  Our group also was exposed to shooting on slopped terrain, which in many positions is actually easier/more comfortable than shooting on flat ground. This was an extremely enjoyable session – we shot at steel targets which is always big fun.

If someone would have asked me prior to this class if I could shoot standing/off-hand at 200 yards, I would have answered with a resounding “no.”  However, I was shooting 50% or better off-hand during this exercise:

I actually tend to shoot better off-hand than I do kneeling – kneeling isn’t a particularly comfortable position for me:

We also learned how to great a stable, supported position by leaning against a solid object such as a tree or wall:

We then proceeded to the station which proved to be the most challenging and physically demanding during TR-I – “The Wall.”

THE WALL

The essence of this exercise remained the same as how it was run during TR-I, but some elements were added.  This time around, students start in the “parking lot” area behind a van, move to an old car (where you’re encouraged to shoot through the open windows at the targets down range), then across the wall area shooting through the various geometric window cut-outs at the targets down range, and finally moving to the various points of cover which exist down range, shooting on the move.  We were told that we were timed on the exercise (another new element) though I was not given my time to completion.  Here’s some photos of myself and my friend running the course:

I went through nearly 90 rounds on this exercise and was very pleased with my performance – I feel it was improved over my run during TR-I.

THE JUNGLE WALK

Another exercise from TR-I which made a return appearance in TR-II was the Jungle Walk, albeit with some changes designed to increase the level of difficulty.  Students begin some 220 yards further back, and must (from any position they choose) shoot two metal targets down range.  Once done, they must travel (run, walk, or be transported by vehicle) to shady wooded “jungle” area and walk the trail looking for camouflaged cardboard targets well-hidden in the woods.  I was only one of two students who was able to hit the metal targets with one shot each, but I ended up missing three of the cardboard targets in the woods.  Here’s a photo of my friend shooting unsupported prone at the two metal target “sentries” which guard the entrance to the woods:

Here’s a closer look at those metal targets – it’s a very difficult shot:

HOUSE CLEARING IN LIVE FIRE HOUSE

Our final exercise of the day another house clearing in one of the live fire houses.  Concepts which were emphasized include proper drop out technique, muzzle awareness, and evaluating what you can see to make the shoot/no shoot decision (watch the hands).  Here’s some photos from the live fire house:

As much as I liked Tactical Rifle I last month, Tactical Rifle II was even better.  The greater focus on mastering key skills was much needed, and I enjoyed the increased difficulty and challenge presented in several of the exercises.  The fact that we had near-perfect weather also added greatly to the enjoyment of the course.

If you’re considering taking Tactical Rifle II, the biggest advice I can give is work on your physical conditioning – it’s a physically demanding course.  Going over 10 hours with a 10 lb. rifle strapped to your body is taxing – and some of the exercises are surprisingly high on physical exertion.

Next month I’ll complete the final course in the TDI Tactical Rifle three course series and I can’t wait to go back – stay tuned!  🙂