INTERVIEW: "Stop training what suits you well"

Next weekend, the annual PROTECT AND PREVENT will take place in Klagenfurt. One of the main stars at this conference on personal protection is Mario Nowak from Tactical Survival Concepts. We wanted to know from him what he teaches and what his message is. If you want to experience Tactical Survival Concepts live: HERE is the Last Minute Online Registration for PROTECT AND PREVENT.

SPARTANAT: For those who don't know you personally: who are you and what have you done so far?

Mario: Mario Nowak, a full-time police officer in Germany. I have been operationally active for 25 years with police special units in Germany and abroad. For many years, I conducted training for the official personal protection forces of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

SPARTANAT: What are you currently doing?

Mario: In addition, since 2010 I have been running the project "Tactical Survival Concepts", or TacSurv. We cover tactical training in almost all areas, as well as survival techniques and strategies. Our main focus is currently on the so-called "Hostile Environment Training". We prepare development workers on behalf of the German government for their work in crisis areas. This training is specifically designed for international development cooperation staff. It includes extensive practical components in all essential areas, such as behavior in kidnapping situations, under fire, and in mined areas. A special module "First Aid in Foreign Operations" teaches participants improvisational skills for work in regions where there is no functioning rescue chain.

SPARTANAT: What do you want to convey to others?

Mario: Tactical Medicine continues to have priority in our training events. Not least because of the increasing demand for "Active Shooter" training. It is certainly no coincidence that the topic of "Amok" is also dominating this year's "Protect and Prevent". German police authorities have been training tactical responses to mass shooting situations for over 15 years. But it's not just weapon carriers who have recognized the need for training in this area. More and more companies and authorities are reacting to the growing uncertainty among their employees due to current developments. I just checked and found that in May 2018 alone, we linked media reports of five mass shootings on our website. And that is only a small excerpt from current news coverage.

"Above all, we must stop constantly training what we are particularly good at. Admitting to myself what I do not or only inadequately master, and then working intensively on improving those shortcomings, is important. This is my personal lesson from 35 years of operational experience."

SPARTANAT: What is the most important thing you have learned in your work life (about yourself)?

Mario: To use a cliché from football: the next mission is the toughest. We must critically analyze our mistakes and shortcomings from past missions and learn from them. Then we must constantly adapt our training to the changing challenges based on what we have learned. As they say, standing still is moving backwards. From my own mistakes, I have learned that only constant and intense training is a guarantee for maintaining a consistently high operational level. Above all, we must stop constantly training what we are particularly good at. Admitting to myself what I do not or only inadequately master, and then working intensively on improving those shortcomings, is important. I think this is my personal lesson from 35 years of operational experience.

SPARTANAT: What is your goal for Tactical Survival Concepts?

Mario: At TacSurv, our goal is to provide those who are on the front lines, whether it's because they hold a key position and fulfill a protective mandate or just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, with the opportunity for high-quality tactical training.

To book Mario Nowak: [email protected]

Information from and about Tactical Survival Concepts: www.tacsurv.de and/or www.facebook.com/TacSurv

PROTECT AND PREVENT: www.protect-and-prevent.atHERE is the Last Minute Online Registration for PROTECT AND PREVENT.