I recently attended OTG’s 3-day basic CQB Principles at 3 Aces Personal Security & Operations Center in the Spokane Valley of Washington state. The Orion Training Group is led by Jared Arceneaux, a highly decorated SWAT cop and law-enforcement training director from Baton Rouge.
This three day course was extremely worthwhile and provided me with several key takeaways.
OTG Training Day 1: Safety Protocols
The first day began promptly with some whiteboard instruction. OTG’s dedication to safety is immediately apparent. Class began by Jared making sure everyone knew exactly where they were, where the nearest hospital was, who had medical training. Likewise, he assigned med units and vehicles to be ready to roll out at once in case of an emergency.
We even did a safety-check by forming into two ranks in order to inspect the person standing across from us for any live weapons, ammo, expended casings, etc. We also made sure our partner’s weapons were rendered inert. (Most of us used the Mantis Dry Fire Training System).
After checking our fellow classmates, Jared and his team also double checked every student. Anyone who left the room or shoothouse was subject to a re-inspection upon their return at all times–even for restroom breaks. In short, I was very impressed with OTG’s emphasis on safety.
Training Day 1: Classrooms & Shoothouses
After locking down safety protocols, we cycled between a single clearing room attached to the classroom. Then we’d shuffle into the shoot house to put the newly learned techniques into practice.
If you were in the shoot house, you had an instructor teaching and guiding you. If you needed more practice, you popped over to the classroom and got some guidance and continued to work on that topic. The class was a mix of newbies–some experienced, military veterans and average-Joes from different walks of life. Then there was a group of three guys who sat at my table. They stood out in a peculiar manner–almost out of place and not like the other students. The group of three moved pretty fluidly, like an experienced team. Turns out, they were! The gentleman and his companions were part of Bearly Training Company based in San Diego, California. They showed up to Spokane to professionally participate in Orion Training Group’s 3-day in a quest to refine their craft. They were fantastic and their presence was an asset the rest of the student body.
OTG Training Day 2
Day 2 started with another safety check and a classroom recap. We reviewed the material from the previous day before kitting up and getting after it.
I can still hear Instructor Wyatt calmly explaining to “dig your corners!” even now.
We learned to properly “skin the ship.” There were a whole bunch of other cool catch phrases we discovered and implemented including how to move as a “zipper.” We learned our “footwork” and how to advance properly. We learned how to hold our long guns at 180 degrees, barrel straight up or down if not pointing downrange. “Always be looking for work” was another phrase we took to heart. It meant that if one isn’t already performing a specific task, to find something to do. The work never ends.
At one point, I was fortunate enough to witness the Bearly guys and Jared flow through the shoothouse while I was standing overhead on the catwalk. Watching them was like watching a finely choreographed series of movements where the people doing the moving are all in perfect synch with each other and barely a word is spoken. It’s actually a very impressive spectacle to witness.
OTG Training Day 3
Day 3 began the same way. We conducted a safety check and quickly rehashed the previous two days. We kitted up and got to work.
Once again, both Jared and Wyatt not only helped guide us through their expectations, but they made sure that we also understood the task at hand. Simply put, OTG doesn’t hold your hand during training. They show you what’s expected and then help you put it into practical exercise.
CQB is serious business with serious ramifications and we’re all playing by “big boy rules” here. You simply worry about the problem or threat that is immediately in front of you. Work on one problem or threat at a time, solve it, then move on.
In CQB, there’s the past, present and the future. It’s up to the operator to pay attention to understand the order of priorities. Interesting concept, right? The class officially ended with the instructors from OTG sitting down and asking for feedback from each and every student. Jared actually took notes on everything as he humbly told us that it’s the students who help make the classes better by giving honest feedback at the end of the course.
If you were to ask me to describe the training styles I observed over my 3 days with Jared, Wiatt and the Orion Training Group, I’d say that it’s the perfect blend of training. It combines elements of the perspectives of elite American Law Enforcement along with the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment. Train with OTG with confidence. They tend to sell out their classes pretty quickly though. This CQB class was so much fun, and so informative, I’d highly recommend the Orion Training Group to anyone and everyone of all skill levels.
Note On CQB: Old Vs New
When hearing terms like “CQB” (Close Quarter Battle) or “CQC” (Close Quarter Combat), most people automatically equate those to SWAT-team or military “building & room clearing.”
For instance, the military and LE are trained to clear known and unknown threats differently. Also, doctrines are constantly changing. Take it from someone who has worn the boots of a U.S. Paratrooper as well as the badge of a civilian law-enforcement officer.
Simply put, back in the 1990’s when I was a strapping young Infantryman, we cleared buildings much differently. We were taught by other soldiers who wore those coveted 75th Ranger Regiment scrolls. Our training had us tossing grenades into rooms that we knew were occupied by enemy combatants. You’d hear the familiar yell of “FRAG OUT!” And someone would toss a grenade. I hadn’t even seen flashbangs at this point in time.
Obviously things don’t work that way when you’re a street cop. The reality is that the way I was trained to clear buildings was very rudimentary and crude compared today’s modern training. This was for both the military and law-enforcement. The new ways of doing things are more efficient and smarter. Not only does this loosely translate into added safety too, but just better overall. This is where a course like OTG’s 3-Day CQB course shines. It’s new, it’s modern, it’s relevant and it takes into account all of the lessons learned from the past.
OTG Instructor Jared
Jared has an impressive background and holds two performance awards related to his career. I didn’t find out about his LE Medal of Valor or LE Distinguished Service Medal until I spoke with him directly. They’re not actually listed on Jared’s official OTG biography on the website. I asked Jared how he came up with the name for the OTG and his answer is almost storybook:
“As a boy, I spent most of my time in the woods. During hunting season, each hunt began with a prayer and a slow infil on foot to the hunting site. My dad would make a point to show us the stars and remind us how God made all things, including the stars and us, and he would specifically point out Orion as The Hunter.
I would characterize my dad as the picture of redeemed masculinity acting out the love of Christ towards his family. And to me the memory of Orion on those trips embodies that Ethos, and reminds me to try to be that for our students, and to conduct this business in a Godly manner whenever possible.”
Jared also pointed out how one of the keys to success is surrounding yourself with people who share similar goals and beliefs. When we were speaking about his company and his instructors, he said something that stuck; “Suffice it to say, OTG is not “the Jared show.” OTG is supplemented mostly with instructors who spent a great deal of time in both elite military and law-enforcement units.
Closing Thoughts
All I know about instructor Wyatt is that he’s associated with the US Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment. After spending 3 days learning from Jared and Wyatt, I don’t question their qualifications; the way they taught speaks volumes. Thankfully I spoke both of their languages, with Jared being a cop and Wyatt being a Ranger, which made my life easier.
Both Jared and Wyatt were extremely patient with everyone, including me. I was one of the oldest in the class, as well as having learned from a completely different book, from a long time ago. Not once did Jared nor Wyatt ever lose their composure with any students. Both made absolutely sure that every single student knew what was going on and confident before teaching the next step.
That saying about the chain being only as strong as its weakest link comes to mind. Make sure your weak link in training becomes your trusted teammate in battle. It may sound cliché, but it’s as true today as it was in the times of Alexander the Great and George Washington.
