Course Description:

This course prepares SWAT personnel to operate decisively in high-risk hostage rescue and active shooter environments where speed, de-escalation and use of force tactics, and disciplined decision-making are critical to saving lives. Instruction focuses on proven entry tactics and operational principles used during hostage rescue missions, including emergency entry techniques, patrol rapid deployment during active threats, and maintaining effective span of control during dynamic tactical operations.

Training progresses from foundational marksmanship and weapon manipulation to complex team-based tactical problems. Through live fire range drills, classroom instruction, dry rehearsals, and scenario-based sim fire exercises, officers will develop proficiency in target discrimination, use of cover and angles, disciplined trigger control, and coordinated team movement.

Scenario-driven exercises challenge participants to assess evolving threats, make rapid decisions under pressure, and operate effectively in confined environments while maintaining accountability for every round fired. Emphasis is placed on communication, tactical judgment, and the safe recovery of hostages while rapidly neutralizing armed threats.

Course Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Demonstrate safe weapon handling and effective pistol and rifle marksmanship under operational conditions.

2. Apply established standards for pistol and rifle accuracy during tactical engagements.

3. Execute safe and effective movement techniques while armed with pistol and rifle platforms.

4. Conduct proper door procedures prior to entry into a structure.

5. Perform two officer and four officer room entry techniques.

6. Apply barricade concepts and tactics when confronting armed suspects.

7. Conduct multi-room clearing operations using proper angles and spacing.

8. Utilize effective cover and positioning to protect teammates during movement.

9. Demonstrate communication techniques necessary to maintain coordination within a tactical team.

10. Navigate complex interior environments, including hallways and stairwells.

11. Identify and manage potential deconfliction issues during multi-team operations.

12. Execute coordinated structure clearing operations during full mission profile scenarios.

13. Demonstrate disciplined use of force and maintain accountability for every round fired.

• Course Topics
  - Pistol and rifle marksmanship standards
  - Movement with weapons systems
  - Door procedures
  - Two officer and four officer room entries
  - Barricade procedures and tactics
  - Multi-room clearing techniques
  - Hallway and stairway operations
  - Deconfliction during tactical movement
  - Team communication and coordination
  - Full mission profile structure clearing
• Equipment Needed
  - Duty pistol and rifle
  - Minimum 3 magazines per weapon system
  - Body armor and duty gear
  - Helmet if issued by the agency
  - Wrap around eye protection and ear protection
  - Flashlight or weapon-mounted light
  - 250 rounds of rifle and pistol live ammunition
  - 400 rounds of rifle simmunition and 150 rounds of pistol simmunition

Course Schedule

Day 1 – Fundamentals and Entry Techniques

0800–0830
Course introduction
Safety brief
Training objectives and expectations

0830–1200
Group 1 – Range Training
 Pistol marksmanship fundamentals
 Rifle marksmanship fundamentals
 Pistol standards evaluation
 Rifle standards evaluation
 Basic movement with pistol and rifle

 Door procedures
 Two-man room entry techniques
 Four-man room entry techniques
 Introduction to barricade procedures

1200–1300
Lunch

1300–1600
Groups rotate training areas

Group 1 – Structure Training

 Door procedures
 Two-man room entry techniques
 Four-man room entry techniques
 Introduction to barricade procedures

Group 2 – Range Training
 Pistol marksmanship fundamentals
 Rifle marksmanship fundamentals
 Pistol standards evaluation
 Rifle standards evaluation
 Basic movement with pistol and rifle

Day 2 – Barricades and Multi-Room Operations
0800–0830
Safety brief

Review of previous training

0830–1200
 Barricade procedures and tactics
 Multi-room clearing techniques
 Cross pan movement
 Working distance and angles
 Covering your partner during movement

1200–1300
Lunch

1300–1600
 Practical exercises involving barricades
 Multi room tactical problems
 Team movement and communication drills
 Instructor coaching and repetition

Day 3 – Complex Structure Movement

0800–0830
Safety brief
Training review

0830–1200
 Multi-room clearing drills
 Hallway movement
 Stairway procedures

 Deconfliction during dynamic movement

1200–1300
Lunch

1300–1600
 Integrated structure clearing exercises
 Maintaining lines of communication within the team
 Coordinated movement through complex environments
 Tactical problem-solving scenarios

Day 4 – Full Mission Profile

0800–0830
Safety brief
Overview of full mission profile objectives

0830–1200
 Planning and preparation for structure clearing
 Team assignments and tactical coordination
 Initial structure clearing exercises

1200–1300
Lunch

1300–1600
 Full Mission Profile scenarios
 Clearing an entire structure
 Team coordination and communication under pressure
 Final scenario exercises and instructor feedback

Instructor Bio's

Milton Santillanes

Milton Santillanes is a retired U.S. Navy Master Chief with 28 years of service in Naval Special Warfare. During his career, he served with SEAL Team Eight and Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), where he participated in numerous combat and sensitive special operations missions around the world.

While assigned to SEAL Team Eight, Santillanes served as an assaulter, machine gunner, turret gunner, and lead breacher, completing multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He later served at Naval Special Warfare Development Group from 2009 to 2025, where he held roles including assaulter, team leader, and troop chief during multiple deployments across Afghanistan, Yemen, Africa, and the Middle East.

Throughout his career, he was responsible for planning, training, and executing high-risk direct-action missions, including close-quarters combat, hostage rescue, and operations in complex environments. His experience includes extensive instruction in pistol and rifle marksmanship, live-fire range operations, breaching techniques, and small-unit tactics.

Santillanes currently provides tactical training and instruction to law enforcement personnel, focusing on close-quarters combat, active threat response, and structure-clearing techniques. His instruction emphasizes disciplined fundamentals, communication, and sound decision-making under pressure.

 

Jesse T. Houseknecht

Jesse Houseknecht is a retired U.S. Navy SEAL with 23 years of service in Naval Special Warfare. During his career, he served with SEAL Team ONE and Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), where he conducted multiple combat and sensitive special operations deployments throughout the Middle East and other high-threat environments.

While assigned to SEAL Team ONE, he served as an assaulter, machine gunner, lead convoy driver, navigator, and interrogator, completing multiple combat deployments to Iraq. He later served at the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, where he operated as an assaulter, breacher, and air operations trainer on missions in Afghanistan and Yemen.

As a lead instructor within the Naval Special Warfare Development Group selection and training cadre, he trained and assessed SEAL and EOD candidates during Tier 1 selection course. In this role, he was responsible for preparing and selecting the next generation of special operations operators.

Following his operational career, he has continued instructing military and law enforcement personnel in close quarters combat, firearms proficiency, and tactical operations. He currently provides advanced tactical training to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies across the United States, with instruction focused on dynamic and deliberate structure clearing, active threat response, team movement under fire, and high-risk warrant operations.

Training Description:

TTPOA believes in bringing in some of the best instructors in the country to share their knowledge and experience. If you have requests for a specific instructor or course, contact your Regional Director.