Marcus and guest-host, Kris Jenny, discuss Part 2 of Chapter 7 of Sound Doctrine: A Tactical Primer, Sid Heal's 2000 book, which has become an indispensable part of tactical training. Kris and Marcus finish their discussion on the final portion of Chapter 7 of Sound Doctrine.  They review fundamental tactics such as The Hammer and Anvile, Envelopment, and the Pincer Movement.

Marcus sits down with Retired Sergeant Jeff McGreevy and the founder of First Responder Wellness, Dr. Stephen Odom.  Dr. Odom and Jeff discuss their experiences serving the 1st responder community, what works with peer support programs, and a few things some organizations are doing wrong.  Dr. Odom does a deep dive on setting yourself up for longevity and how we need to take a long term, preventive approach to mental health wellness.   To learn more about First Responder Wellness, visit the First Responder Wellness Website.

Marcus and guests Travis Norton and Kris Jenny discuss Part 1 of Chapter 7 of Sound Doctrine: A Tactical Primer, Sid Heal's 2000 book, which has become an indispensable part of tactical training. The group discusses Sid's insightful and compelling advice on strategy and tactics, as well as maneuvering in time, and how we can apply this thinking to current tactical situations.

So, this episode is a little different than our usual podcast here at CATO.  For anyone who has listened to our previous episodes, you know that anytime spent with retired Command Master Chief Jason Tuschen is time well spent. We also enjoy our conversations with Dr. Graham Simpson.  So, when Brent and I were asked to sit down with Dr. Simpson, Jason and retired Navy Seal William Branum, we said yes. This is an unscripted round table where the group talks about the health and performance challenges that both of professions share and discusses what you can do to ensure a healthy retirement. As a sidenote, Will has his own company and Ted Talk.  I highly encourage you to check it out.   Opt Health is graciously offering a Law Enforcement Discount. This discount allows for:  50% off the initial labs and Dr consult (normally $195 - discounted rate $97.50) 30% off the premium monthly membership dues (normally $245 - discounted rate $171.50)   Visit Law Enforcement/First Responder Discount on Opt Health's website to sign up today!

At CATO we believe that history is the repository of all lessons and to ignore history is do doom yourself to repeat it.  At the 2023 conference in San Diego, we asked the infamous SAS team leader Rusty “No Gloves” Firmin to debrief the lessons learned from the 1980 Iranian Embassy Siege.  I asked fellow CATO board members Toby Darby and Josh Wofford to sit down with Rusty so he could share his wisdom with those who could not see him at the conference. I spent a fair amount of time with Rusty before and during the conference and was impressed by his humility, sense of humor and how our profession shares many of the same struggles he  as experienced throughout his career an ocean away. I highly recommend his book on the six day hostage taking called GO GO GO! The assault planning and training, strategy and tactics are described in detail, and the personal stories of the gunmen revealed -- who they were, where they came from, why they did it and Saddam Hussein's direct involvement. For more information about Rusty, The Iranian Embassy Siege, and to get a copy of his new book please visit his website: https://www.rusty-firmin.com 

Marcus and CATO Secretary Jon Cabrera sit down to discuss SWAT audits and some of the themes we have seen team's struggle with throughout the state. The pair also discusses what the CATO Community can do better when it comes to working on their mental health. From wellness programs to less common resources, Marcus and Jon bring their personal stories to the table in this episode of the CATO Podcast. For more information about SWAT audits or wellness programs and resources, please contact Jon directly: secretary@catotraining.org.

CATO board members Jon Cabrera and Matt Alexander, along with teaching partner Frank Harper, discuss sniper training challenges and trends. They cover topics such as the evolution of sniper training, benefits of using suppressors on rifles, importance of quality equipment for marksmanship, advancements in spotting scopes, and an upcoming training event and symposium.

In this podcast, the group discusses the importance of defining the end state in various situations, such as active shooter scenarios and hostage rescue. They emphasize the need to clearly communicate the desired end state and discuss the challenges of managing differing opinions and emotions. The chapter also explores the importance of leadership in defining success and adapting tactics and strategies based on unforeseen circumstances. Additionally, the podcast highlights the crucial role of mission tasking in law enforcement and the significance of identifying the mission and end state.

John Vargo, expert in leveraging science and technology to enhance human performance for first responders, discusses O2X's holistic approach to addressing the specific issues facing tactical populations. They cover injury prevention, mental well-being, and the positive changes in mental health awareness within the first responder community. They also emphasize the importance of surrounding yourself with challenging people and viewing first responders as tactical athletes. The chapter highlights the resources and training available for first responders, the consequences of neglecting one's health, and the importance of small incremental changes for long-term success.

Marcus, Adam Sharki, and Brent Stratton sit down with the legendary Bob Scales.    Bob Scales is a former King County Deputy Prosecutor and Special Assistant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington. He worked for 14 years (and three mayors) as a Public Safety Policy Advisor for the city of Seattle. Bob represented the Seattle Police Department during the 2011 DOJ pattern-or-practice investigation and served as the Compliance Coordinator under the federal consent decree.  He now serves as the CEO of Police Strategies, where he and his team help law enforcement agencies throughout the country to form strategies that fight bad data and combat those who use it to fit their own narrative.   Bob shares his experience with federal and state DOJ consent decrees and the Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory (RIPA) Board.  This podcast episode provides an important perspective on what you can do (at any rank) to recognize this battlespace, avoid pitfalls and collect better data to avoid a state or federal consent decree.