Care Under Fire 18FEB24

Care Under Fire is the 2nd installment from Monarch Defense’s small unit tactics series offered spring 2024. This curriculum was previously offered only to military students and in Special Purpose Rifle School, and after gathering customer feedback for several years, this year we aim to break up the curriculum into recurring once-a-month classes that will allow you more flexibility in scheduling.

This class will introduce students to the tactical priorities and teamwork of combat evacuations and first aid in the field. Unlike most first aid classes, which begin at the assumption of “scene safety”, we begin our training when friends are hurt and the scene is not safe. How then, do we evacuate them quickly and efficiently, without getting more people hurt? How do we treat their wounds in the field?

This highly condensed and efficient introductory class is exactly what our team of seasoned instructors compiled for and taught to the all-volunteer 47th Separate Battalion during the summer of 2022, which later became the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukraine Armed Forces who spearheaded the counteroffensive against Russian occupation during the summer of 2023. These were regular people just like you who made the decision to learn how to fight.

During the summer of 2022 in Donetsk, I personally ran three combat medical evacuation missions using these exact techniques, before falling ill and being evacuated to the hospital. During the counter offensive of summer 2023, several of my friends and colleagues at the 47th Brigade were wounded, and shared their experiences with me. We can review these first hand experiences, and many others, to learn what was successful, what was not, and how we can do better in the future.

Like all small unit tactics series classes, the morning will be spent in reviewing theory. The tools for first aid in the field, IFAK (Individual first aid kits) and how to use them, tourniquets, when and how to use them, how to transition from a tourniquet to a pressure bandage for extended field care which is a critical skill to prevent the unnecessary amputation of limbs, the use of liters, and how to move, drag, and carry casualties. Also, we will discuss and practice how to survey for wounds in the field, and how to keep casualties warm, which is a huge priority.

Following the theory lesson we will go out into the field to train and practice these skills in simulated stress with blank fire weapons, a real life human opposing force, and be able to debrief and do better.

Location:

Meet and park at 37505 San Antonio Valley Road, Mt Hamilton, CA 95140. Cell reception is unreliable out here, do not trust Apple maps/Google maps/Wayz. Detailed driving directions will be emailed to those who register.

Packing List:

Notebook and writing utensil, highly recommend Rite in the Rain 4″x6″ and a short wood pencil
1 gallon of water
Lunch and snacks
Boots
Wool socks
Extra socks wrapped in plastic bag
Combat uniform such as US Army surplus Flame Resistant Army Combat Uniform (FRACU) which can be purchased on eBay for about $45 top and bottom
Boonie hat
Gloves
5.56x45mm or 7.62x39mm rifle equipped with Boland FX full load blank fire adapter (the school can supply all weapons, magazines, ammunition, and blank adapters)
Muzzle on blank adapted weapons must be painted bright yellow
5+ 30 round magazines. Magpul Pmags recommended for ar15s using school blanks.
$80 for 300 rounds of blanks and training grenades
Tourniquet and IFAK (individual first aid kit) highly recommended
Night Vision optional
Helmet optional
Rifle rated body armor optional
22 caliber barrel cleaning rod
Rifle cleaning kit, with oil, rag, toothbrush, and star chamber brush
Handguns and holsters are optional

Cost:

$124 per class when you buy the whole 4 class series, or $275 per class if you buy them singly.

4 class package for $496 includes:

Principles of Patrol 1/21/24
Care Under Fire 2/18/24
Principles of Ambush 3/17/24
Principles of Raid 4/21/24

How can I contact the organizer with my questions?

Brian Wang is the event organizer. He can be reached at 408-892-5460 or info@monarchdefense.org

What is the refund policy? We do not issue refunds. Instead, we offer an open reschedule policy. Notify us by email to info@monarchdefense.org within 1 hour before class starts, and we will happily apply your full tuition credit towards a future event or class. You must use your tuition credit within 1 calendar year.