The TTPOA Podcast: Principles of CQB – A Comprehensive Summary

Episode: TTPOA Train-Up's Series - "Principles of CQB"
Hosts: Brandon, Matt Smith
Guests: Dan Brokos (Lead Faucet Tactical), Gabe Rivera
Release Date: February 9, 2025

1. Introduction and Guest Introduction

The episode kicks off with Brandon introducing Matt Smith as the new co-host, replacing previous hosts Derek and Graham. [00:14] Brandon warmly welcomes Matt, highlighting his extensive experience and close proximity, which facilitates collaboration:

“Matt Smith works with Dallas SWAT and he lives close to me, so it’s really good because we live in the same town.” [00:40]

2. Backgrounds of the Guests

Matt Smith provides an overview of his career in law enforcement:

“My name is Matt Smith, Dallas PD. I’m a senior corporal with them. I’ve been on the department for over 25 years, and I’ve been in SWAT for over 19 of those.” [02:05]

Dan Brokos delves into his military background and transition to tactical training:

“I spent 27 years in the military, 21 of those in the SF soft community. I retired, started Lead Faucet Tactical, and I think this is my sixth or seventh year doing this.” [05:10]

Gabe Rivera shares his extensive experience in law enforcement and tactical training:

“My name is Gabe Rivera. Been in law enforcement for the last 17 years. 13 of those years have been on our SWAT team. I’m on our full-time element...” [04:44]

3. Defining the Principles of CQB

The core of the discussion revolves around the Principles of Close Quarters Battle (CQB), defined by Dan Brokos as:

“Surprise, speed, and violence of action. All three of them and adjust to that.” [10:27]

Gabe Rivera concurs, emphasizing the foundational nature of these principles:

“Surprise, speed, and violence of action.” [10:42]

Matt Smith expands on these principles, advocating for adaptability and situational assessment:

“CQB is not just a dynamic warrant service or an HR. It’s about being able to clear space on the move... having an ability to adjust on the fly...” [10:49]

4. Exploring the Principles

a. Speed

Speed in CQB transcends mere physical movement; it incorporates cognitive processing and decision-making efficiency.

• Dan Brokos highlights the balance between rapid action and thoughtful assessment:

  “Speed is your security... you cannot run your headlights. You need to start slow to process the room.” [13:00]

• Gabe Rivera emphasizes efficiency in maneuvering and threat elimination:

  “It’s not necessarily in general foot speed, but it’s the efficiency and how you’re processing the room.” [14:38]

• Matt Smith underscores the importance of movement efficiency and confidence built through repetition:

  “Efficiency of your moving... reps build confidence. When you have confidence, you move more efficiently.” [15:39]

b. Surprise

Surprise is integral to gaining the upper hand in CQB, achieved through strategic planning and unexpected tactics.

• Dan Brokos associates surprise with tactical execution:

  “Element of surprise as well... multiple breach points, diversionary devices, having flashbangs...” [29:00]

• Gabe Rivera discusses catching adversaries off-guard based on their patterns of life:

  “Pattern of life of who we’re going after. Are they asleep? Are they being woken up with flashbangs?” [30:24]

• Matt Smith shares an anecdote illustrating effective use of surprise:

  “We caught him sleeping... had four SWAT guys in his room. That was the ultimate surprise.” [32:25]

c. Violence of Action

This principle revolves around maintaining initiative and assertiveness, ensuring control over the engagement.

• Gabe Rivera defines it as:

  “Maintaining initiative... inserting my will on my adversary.” [21:37]

• Matt Smith interprets it as assertiveness in operations:

  “We want them to recognize immediately, like there’s no chance of me winning. This is over.” [22:21]

• Brandon adds the aspect of intimidating presence:

  “You’re coming in someone’s house with machine guns, looking scary... that’s part of violence of action.” [23:58]

5. Practical Applications and Training

The guests discuss the practicalities of applying these principles through rigorous training and adaptability.

• Dan Brokos emphasizes continuous learning and adaptation:

  “Law enforcement instructors like Gabe and yourself help keep me relevant.” [09:24]

• Matt Smith advocates for dynamic and flexible training over rigid protocols:

  “We’re not range robots. You have to assess and prioritize threats dynamically.” [12:37]

• Gabe Rivera reinforces the necessity of critical thinking and adaptability:

  “CQB’s a thinking man’s game. You have to think yourself through the problem.” [19:09]

6. Challenges in Training and Application

The discussion addresses common challenges faced in CQB training and operations, particularly the over-reliance on pre-planned tactics and lack of adaptability.

• Matt Smith critiques the tendency to depend on rigid flight paths:

  “People want to be told where to go... they need to start thinking themselves.” [15:39]

• Dan Brokos points out the pitfalls of seeking an “easy button”:

  “Everyone’s looking for that easy button, but that’s not how it is.” [19:10]

• Brandon shares frustrations with inflexible training approaches:

  “When you have a floor plan and it doesn’t match reality, it causes issues in real operations.” [18:17]

7. Examples and Anecdotes

Real-world scenarios and personal experiences illustrate the principles in action, highlighting their effectiveness and the importance of seamless teamwork.

• Matt Smith recounts a successful operation where surprise played a pivotal role:

  “He was caught sleeping, didn’t know we were there... four SWAT guys in his room.” [32:25]

• Dan Brokos shares a tactical approach to overwhelming a target:

  “We’re hunting, not being hunted. We impose our will quickly.” [26:43]

8. Conclusion

Brandon wraps up the episode by reiterating the interconnectedness of the CQB principles and the necessity of a holistic approach. He emphasizes that effective CQB requires a balance of speed, surprise, and assertive action, all underpinned by continuous training and adaptability.

“These principles are all intermingled and you can’t take one of them out without affecting the other... sound CQB is putting all this together.” [34:22]

Brandon encourages listeners to evaluate their own CQB practices, ensuring they embody all the discussed principles to enhance operational effectiveness.

“If you’re not using these principles in your CQB, then you probably need to reevaluate some stuff.” [37:04]

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Brandon [00:40]: “Matt Smith works with Dallas SWAT and he lives close to me, so it’s really good because we live in the same town.”

• Matt Smith [02:05]: “I’ve been on the department for over 25 years, and I’ve been in SWAT for over 19 of those.”

• Dan Brokos [10:27]: “Surprise, speed, and violence of action. All three of them and adjust to that.”

• Gabe Rivera [14:38]: “It’s the efficiency and how you’re processing the room.”

• Matt Smith [15:39]: “Efficiency of your moving... reps build confidence.”

• Gabe Rivera [21:37]: “Maintaining initiative... inserting my will on my adversary.”

• Brandon [37:04]: “If you’re not using these principles in your CQB, then you probably need to reevaluate some stuff.”

Final Thoughts

"The TTPOA Podcast" episode on the "Principles of CQB" delivers an in-depth exploration of essential CQB strategies through the combined expertise of seasoned professionals. By dissecting speed, surprise, and violence of action, and emphasizing the importance of adaptability and critical thinking, the hosts provide valuable insights for SWAT teams and first responders aiming to enhance their operational effectiveness. Whether you're a seasoned officer or new to CQB, this episode offers practical advice and thought-provoking discussions to refine your tactical approach.

Remember to Train Hard and Stay Safe!