Testimonials
Basic SWATBasic SWAT
The instructors were phenomenal. They clearly had the desire to teach and help everyone improve. They approached the class with humility and prioritized learning. The concepts were clear and broken down to make learning easier. There was still a significant amount of information, but it was all very valuable. I highly recommend this course, and the intentional focus on fundamentals was crucial in building competency.
Basic SWAT
The collaborative knowledge and experience of instructors Derek Ogden and Robert Morris was instrumental in transitioning the material and training tactics presented to it being applied to “real world” situational encounters. From briefing and operational planning to execution of search warrants and debriefs, the training material and instruction was excellent!
Basic SWAT
Instructor Chris Carmona was extremely knowledgeable and clearly articulated course concepts in a way that was comprehensive and relative. He provided us with a wide array of practical scenarios and operational strategies that were connected to the classroom content. He also challenged us to think “outside the box.” Chris was clearly passionate about preparing us to think critically. It was evident that he placed high value on preparing us to improvise appropriately during tactical operations – especially when there is an unforeseen shift during incidents in which we are involved.
Instructor Jason Long has a brilliant mind, wealth of tactical knowledge, and an extensive amount of applicable experience which he passionately shared with us. His positive energy was contagious and helped keep the class engaged throughout the training. It is evident that Jason cares about the professional development of law enforcement and truly cares about paying forward all the knowledge he has acquired throughout his career. His intelligence, character and energy motivated me to continue to implement tactical training and to work toward the growth of my team’s culture.
It seemed as if both instructors have worked together for years rather than just meeting one another. Their personalities and demeanors were very different but it worked and one balanced out the other.
Basic SWAT
I found that the level of knowledge and professionalism brought by the instructors helped build confidence in the skills being taught. The classroom portion of the class was excellent and easy to understand. During scenario-based drills, the instructors were able to pinpoint mistakes and give various options on how to overcome certain tasks.
Basic SWAT
The instructors brought real life experiences into the material they taught and were not afraid to let students know about their own mistakes. Various situations were presented that made us think about how we would react if it were a real-world scenario. The instructors make this course. They are legitimate, humble SWAT officers who connect well with the students. I was disappointed to see the course end!
Basic SWAT
The debriefs in this course were great and provided an increased understanding of the movements and different tactics. Honestly, with the extensive knowledge of all three of the instructors, I think this should have could have been a two-week course and still have not experienced all of their collective knowledge.
Basic SWAT
I thought the class well-tailored to our needs. Both instructors are clearly experts in the field, and their superior instruction in this class will undoubtedly have a positive impact on our team for years to come.
Basic SWAT
Instructors Jake Shumate and Chris Carmona were very knowledgeable and informative. They took the time to watch us and make sure they corrected any mistakes they saw so we could learn correctly. They were extremely professional and down to earth which made the training very enjoyable. I will take the information they taught with me for the remainder of my career.
Basic SWAT
Derek Ogden, Diego Castro and Jake Shumate were some of the most down to earth instructors I’ve ever had, but they weren’t afraid to tell us when we were messing up. It was a very effective teaching style in my opinion.
Basic SWAT
Learning about entry and building clearing tactics/covering of angles was the most useful part of the class. A lot safer and smarter way to avoid a gunfight, or be in a position of advantage if you get in one.
Awesome class! I feel 110% more confident and safe on the way we will be doing business.
Basic SWAT
Great instructors, who genuinely cared about the topics covered and had great communications with students.
Basic SWAT
Just wanted to say thank you to our instructor, Jason Behun, for the Basic SWAT training. It came in very handy recently. Last Saturday we had a barricade situation with a man who had a grenade. The standoff lasted about 11 hours before we were able to take the subject into custody. We implemented a lot of the ideas taught in the Basic SWAT course like cutting the power and disabling his cell phone. Negotiations failed as well as OC and CS gasses. We were able to make entry using the robot and finally take him into custody. Being a new guy on the team, the NTOA training helped immensely and the team functioned very well together.
CLICK HERE to read an article on the incident.
Basic SWAT
The three instructors (Jason Long, Robert Morris and Adam Bradford) have changed the way I execute movements within the NTOA spectrum that I have been able to successfully incorporate into everyday patrol. As a SWAT operator, I will be able to incorporate what was taught from the school into everyday patrol to the most stressful situations with the same safety and dynamics trained in the course. The instructors were able to demonstrate the importance of everyday movements, proper training, and communication while providing the safety of innocent civilians, officers and suspects throughout. The instructors have assisted in changing the culture within myself as well as what I bring back to my SWAT team. The debriefs were outstanding, and being able to see what went wrong enhanced the experience and knowledge for tactics in future situations.
The NTOA made a great decision when it hired these three professionals. The NTOA should recognize what a truly amazing asset you have in Jason Long and the amazing SWAT culture he is creating. Above all, he has changed the way I work on the streets because of the tactics I learned at this school within the NTOA guidelines. Jason is not only an instructor but is now a mentor for many including myself. All three of these individuals have created stronger SWAT teams across the country because of tactics, techniques and procedures instructed in this school. Thank you to the NTOA for sending these instructors to the school.
Basic SWAT
Instructors and instruction was outstanding! The instructors had a great wealth of knowledge in the field of SWAT with life experiences. They were able to answer every question with detail and knowledge. Not one negative complaint. Excellent!
Basic SWAT
The teaching styles, both the similarities and contrasts in styles, from the instructors Jake Shumate and Chris Carmona was perfect. They broke down the material and made sure everyone was on the same page. To do that with varied levels of understandings and varied levels of ability was truly impressive.
Basic SWAT
The course taught us priorities of safety, which gives us a go buy for what is important in an operational environment. The instructors were great, professional and didn’t mind getting in there and working it out with us. Great course for a modern day tactic that will not only save lives but save departments.
Basic SWAT
NTOA’s Basic SWAT course is the best training I have attended in my law enforcement career. This course taught excellent material for use in both SWAT and patrol. Since I am mostly patrol, it was great to see that the same techniques can be applied. I learned that the technique of slow, deliberate planning and movement gets to the same objective and is hopefully safer.