The TTPOA Podcast
Episode: Day 1, 2025 TTPOA SWAT Competition: "The Old Guys" Still Got It
Date: October 9, 2025
Host: Brandon (TTPOA Host)
Guests: Dave Peterson (Irving SWAT), Sean (Plano SWAT)
Episode Overview
In this episode, recorded during Day 2 of the 2025 TTPOA SWAT Competition in Conroe, Texas (after a humorous SD card mishap on Day 1), host Brandon sits down with veteran competitors Dave Peterson and Sean. The trio discuss their long careers in Texas law enforcement, the evolution of SWAT competitions, the physical and mental challenges of competing as "the old guys," and the lessons they've learned through decades of tactical training and team leadership. This candid conversation brims with camaraderie, funny stories from past competitions, and real talk about the changes in tactics, gear, team dynamics, and the crucial role of efficiency on and off the range.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Introductions & Experience
- Brandon introduces the setting and the guests, apologizing for missing the SD card the previous day.
- Dave Peterson (Irving PD, on since 1998, SWAT since 2011, competing since 2012/13):
- “Just over 27 now. 27.” (01:50)
- Started with peers Ralph and Mike, reminiscing about shared start dates and ranks.
- Sean (Started DPS 1997, then Plano PD, SWAT nearly 20 years):
- First TTPOA comp: “It probably would have been... oh-five.” (02:42)
- Part of the winning Plano team in 2005.
- All three reflect on their ages (Sean 56, Dave 57, Brandon 50) and the pride of being "the old guys" still competing.
The Value and Challenge of Longevity
- On being among the oldest competitors:
- Dave remarks, “I heard all the comments today... The oldest one I heard was 45. You’re like, I’ll see you in 10 years. Let’s see if you’re still doing it in 10 years.” (03:35)
- Sean: “Go back to 50 in a heartbeat.” (04:00)
- Brandon: “SWAT years are like dog years.” (04:01)
- Discuss the pride they take in continued participation and the respect from younger operators.
Evolving from Speed to Efficiency
- Efficiency over speed as the key competitive edge:
- Brandon notes:
- “The efficiency of getting in a position, getting out of position, shooting, the pace you know you can shoot... is so important.” (05:01)
- Dave and Sean add insights on learning from experience, focusing on “non-shooting stuff” and “efficiencies” that separate veteran teams.
- Brandon notes:
Learning from Competition & Adapting Tactics
- After-Action Learning:
- Sean: “Something as simple as making a hole for the next guy to get in... it carries to every event.” (06:48–07:00)
- Dave: “Don’t run so hard that you blow out a hamstring.” (07:30)
- Injury risks and managing pace as older athletes.
- Brandon: “SWAT comp is about taking these things and being able to go game for real ops... that’s important.” (08:55)
The Evolution of SWAT Competition & Equipment
- Gear and course design have changed dramatically:
- Sean: “On the sniper side, for sure, there’s been huge changes. I first started... there’d be one sniper event... Now almost every event has a sniper component.” (09:50–10:13)
- Discussion of tripods, shooting bags, positional/barricade shooting for both snipers and assaulters.
- Rising technical standards:
- Targets are much smaller, optics have improved (from red dots to LPVOs), and bag technology has revolutionized setup and stability.
- Brandon: “Assault guys got bags... This is the best thing ever...” (13:28)
- Sean: “Now they got the polymer bead... super lightweight.” (14:32)
Leadership, Team Development & Training New Operators
- Passing on experience:
- Dave: “I may not be the strongest guy... so I may have to compensate in another way... always looking for a mechanical advantage.” (09:15)
- The constant need to mentor new shooters and help them process challenges rather than just “dumbing down” exercises.
- Learning from mistakes & after-action review:
- Dave: “It’s a lot of mental... you just have to take a step back, slow your mind down... can’t out shoot your mind.” (29:30)
- Sean: “I compete USPSA 3-gun because that mental management... I know I can make that shot.” (31:20)
Staying Physically and Mentally Fit as a Veteran
- Training Adaptations:
- Dave: “Used to go a lot harder in the gym... CrossFit, higher intensity... I’ve modified that.” (18:39)
- Avoiding injury is now the goal; “just have to be smarter, leave the ego out of it.” (19:51)
- Sean: “Try to keep things even throughout the year... I just like trying to be in shape all the time.” (20:11)
- Recovery time as essential for older athletes.
Notable Team Memories & Camaraderie
- Stories from past competitions:
- Tales of difficult courses (notably, Waco and Burnet), running with sandbags, innovative use of trash bags to keep sandbags dry, and funny moments like peeing mid-event out of necessity. (22:17–25:26)
- Dave about pre-hydration and how the culture has changed: “I used to drink a lot at these competitions. Now I need hydration.” (26:34)
- Tradition and pride:
- Fun stories about how friendships and rivalries developed (“Y’all got beer? Well, yeah!”) and the value of coming back for the team experience.
- Dave: “How long are you going to do it? Until I can’t.” (27:27)
- Sean: “If someone beats me or out-shoots me... That’s a good thing.” (27:34)
Team Selection, Ego, and Brutal Honesty
- Managing team competition & selection:
- Brandon: “My philosophy was... We got to earn this.” (28:21)
- Dave: “We’re about being brutally honest... Egos or ranks don’t matter.” (33:03)
- Sean: “Now, like I said, I’m the senior guy... Y’all, this is the first time you’re going to run the O course. We’re only going to be as fast as our slowest guy.” (31:47–32:02)
- The importance of supporting but also challenging each other for growth.
Lessons Learned the Hard Way
- Key takeaways from mistakes:
- Dave on shooting failures: “I’ve had some epic fails... Held wrong hit zones... dialed down a whole revolution on my scope.” (29:09)
- Sean on critical misses: “We recreated it, figured it out, and then bring that back to the team...” (36:26–36:49)
- Importance of not repeating errors, such as bracing the suppressor on a fence and missing high (Brandon, 37:45).
Competition, Community, and Consistency
- Open environment for learning:
- Dave: “The good thing about here, everybody’s competitive, but they’re also pretty open. They’ll help you out.” (38:01)
- Brandon: “You learn more from your mistakes than any of your successes... that sucks, but that’s just the way it is.” (38:16)
- Diversity of competence:
- Operators come in “all shapes and sizes,” and performance consistently surprises—speed and effectiveness are not always about physique (39:11).
Looking Ahead
- Aging, longevity, and legacy:
- Discussion of possibly forming a “Gray Beard” team in future competitions to keep the tradition alive as long as possible.
- Closing wishes:
- Brandon: “Good luck to you and your team... hope to see y’all back next year. Maybe we can do this again, and we’ll be a year older and wiser.” (42:40)
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On still competing at 50+
- Dave: “You're still competing? Are you coaching or you—” (04:28)
- Brandon: “SWAT years are like dog years. It ages you so quick.” (04:01)
-
On efficiency over speed
- Brandon: “I always tell people... efficiency of getting in position, getting out of position, the pace that you are, that you know you can shoot and stuff is so important.” (05:01)
-
On mental management
- Sean: “You can't out shoot your mind.” (29:30)
- Sean: “Mental management... Now I know I can make that shot. I have the confidence.” (31:20)
-
On lessons learned
- Dave: “I've had some epic fails... just efficiency, number one, and getting in your head mentally and letting that clock really gnaw at you...” (29:09)
-
On camaraderie and tradition
- Brandon: “That makes the, that makes all the memories... That's why I keep coming back, is just the teamwork, the team bonding, meeting other team members...” (27:08)
-
On leadership
- Dave: “As long as I'm physically capable of doing it and performing up to their level… I'll keep doing it. If I get to the point where I can't, I'll step away or, hopefully, by then somebody's come in and blow my doors off. Take it.” (28:30)
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------| | 00:17 | Podcast purpose, introduction to competition & guests | | 01:32 | Dave’s intro, experience, and start in SWAT | | 02:23 | Sean’s intro and first comp experience | | 03:15 | Discussing age, pride in longevity | | 05:01 | Efficiency and learning as a veteran | | 06:48 | Practical team examples of efficiency and mistakes | | 09:50 | Evolution of gear & sniper events | | 13:28 | Inclusion of bags for assaulter side | | 18:39 | Physical training adaptations as an older operator | | 22:17 | Past competition stories (Waco, trash bags, humbling) | | 26:34 | Drinking and competition culture changes | | 29:09 | Epic fails and lessons learned | | 31:20 | Mental management, confidence, and pressure | | 33:03 | Team honesty, coaching, and tough conversations | | 36:26 | Lessons learned from shooting and bringing back to team| | 38:01 | Openness and camaraderie at the competition | | 40:25 | Recognizing tradition and consistency | | 42:40 | Sending off with good luck and legacy talk |
Summary
This episode offers a compelling and unfiltered look at the realities of being a career SWAT competitor well into your fifties. Dave, Sean, and Brandon blend institutional knowledge, tactical insight, humor, and humility, painting a vivid picture of how the TTPOA SWAT Competition challenges, refines, and connects Texas’ top operators across generations. Their stories, advice, and leadership lessons make this essential listening for new and seasoned SWAT team members alike. Train smart, train hard—and never underestimate the old guys.