

Tactical Tangents
Tactical Tangents
Mike is a police SWAT team member, K9 handler, and tactical medic. Jim is an Air Force pilot with a background in close air support and combat search and rescue. Our goal is to elevate the conversation about all things tactical for public safety, military, and concerned citizens. Join us to hear lessons learned about decision making, critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, and teamwork.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 1, 2022 • 1h 4min
110: Leadership Vol. 2: Your (Shitty) Attitude is Contagious
There is more to leadership than rank or titles—and before you know it, you're the guy or gal with just a few years on when you realize you're not the rookie any more. We talk about capitalizing on good mentoring and working within your sphere of influence to build a foundation of resourcefulness that will keep you happy, your bosses happy, and set you up for success down the road and avoid toxic or cancerous working environments. This discussion builds on an earlier talk, available here: Volume 1 Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit Bensound.com

Mar 24, 2022 • 12min
Short Talk: Killing People—Don't Beat Around the Bush
A pet peeve of ours is when people talk about deadly force and say, "Do what you gotta do." As instructors, using explicit language when teaching about lethal force is vital when there is a threshold that cannot be crossed. We have to help our students mentally prepare and morally reconcile lethal force so that they can be decisive when lives are at stake. Check out our episode with Dr Blumberg here Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit Bensound.com

Mar 15, 2022 • 1h 4min
109: You can't save them all: Dealing with mass casualty incidents
The medical treatment for trauma patients doesn't change just because there are a lot of them. Managing large scenes is fundamentally a logistics problem and requires leadership, teamwork, and communication. We discuss ways you can learn to deal with triage, incident command, and scene management that doesn't involve fancy medicine or bigger kits. SALT Mass Casualty Triage Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital by Sherry Fink Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit to bensound.com

Mar 11, 2022 • 12min
Short Talk: Less Lethal Training and Tools: Bridging the Gap
In between a harsh word and hollow points we need a stepping stone of some kind; training or a tool for situations which lethal force isn't called for. Mike and Jim talk advantages and disadvantages of OC Spray, Taser, and other less lethal tools. Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit to bensound.com

Mar 2, 2022 • 1h 28min
108: "Don't Shoot The Hostage:" How to deal with a person in crisis
Mike and Jim condense a 40 hour week of crisis intervention training into an hour discussion about tactics, dos, and don'ts related to talking to and otherwise dealing with someone who is suicidal or in crisis. Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit to bensound.com

Feb 26, 2022 • 14min
Short Talk: Innovation in the Gun Industry—Shiny Objects and the Fundamentals
Fundamentals are final and the mission always drives the gear train, but the role of creativity still plays a huge role in the future of our industry and tactics. Imagine how much the game changed when night vision came out, or police officers got computers in their cars. It's easy to get distracted by the solutions out there that lack a problem to fix, but it's important to approach new ideas with an open mind because they might be one step closer to game changing technology. Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit to bensound.com

Feb 21, 2022 • 12min
Short Talk: Bullet Accountability in Officer Involved Shootings
Mike talks about the role of proficiency and stress management in prevent bad outcomes if we miss when we get in a shooting. We briefly touch on using deliberate practice and discipline to make sure we get it right, because you never know when that day will come. Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit to bensound.com

Feb 15, 2022 • 1h 13min
107: Should cops transport wounded Officers to the hospital in a police car, or wait for an ambulance?
"It depends" We explore the risks and benefits of a hasty transport instead of waiting for the medical professionals trained for this sort of thing. There are risks and benefits to this practice but it can be a life saving decision. Learn key considerations and other ways you can compress the timeline to definitive trauma care. Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit to bensound.com

Feb 1, 2022 • 1h 10min
106: Can't is not in her vocabulary: American Paralympic Shooter McKenna Geer
McKenna Geer is a US Paralympic competitive shooter who brought home a bronze medal in the 2016 Rio games and also competed in Tokyo in 2020. McKenna talks about her upbringing and how her parents helped her become a national level competitor in spite of the disability she was born with, and talks us through coaching, training, and mindset. Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit Bensound.com

Jan 15, 2022 • 1h 15min
105: Gunfighting 101 for Law Enforcement: Summary of the 2019 Florida UPS Truck Shooting
In 2019 there was a big shootout between cops and some armed robbery suspects who carjacked and kidnapped a UPS driver in Florida. Both suspects were killed, as well as the UPS driver and another motorist. Mike and Jim talk about gunfighting principles for cops, and how important it is to have discipline, team cohesion, and a plan when bullets start flying. Links: Wikipedia article YouTube Link 1 YouTube Link 2 Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit Bensound.com


