TCA Tactical Week 4 - Our Instructors

08/12/2021 By Redaktion

Bratislava SAS Marksmen SF

Today we have a day off from the TCA Tactical Week near Bratislava in Slovakia. We're taking a trip to Vienna before continuing tomorrow with the pistol courses, and the Tactical Week at TCA coming to a spectacular end over the weekend. We're using the day to relax, explore the Slovakian capital, and enjoy some free time. Additionally, we want to introduce you to the instructors and the team of TCA today.

Gabriel Trojcak is the head coach and course instructor of the Tactical Combat Academy. He spent several years in the Slovakian Army and at the time of his retirement was a combat and tactical shooting instructor for the Slovakian Special Forces. In addition to his combat experience, he also attended various courses and training seminars with the U.S. Special Forces, as well as British and Israeli Special Forces.

He incorporates all of this experience and broad knowledge into the TCA courses. Gabriel also brings in international trainers. He uses his connections to various Special Forces to invite them as instructors, resulting in special courses being offered regularly. He also collaborates with well-known ex-special forces operators: in the picture, Gabriel (center) with Colin Maclachlan (Ex-SAS, right) and Jon Price (formerly Para Commando, left). Both are happy to pass on their knowledge at TCA.

Another instructor who has accompanied us during this Tactical Week is Brad. Brad Stevens has been part of the TCA team since around the end of 2018. He served with the US Marine Corps for 20 years, including with their Special Forces MARSOC. He then worked as a PMC for several years until love brought him to Slovakia. Thanks to his current wife, he settled there and offers his knowledge and extensive experience through TCA.

He teaches his courses in English and you can already be taught by him on Level 1 Rifle or Pistol. He has also attended all the courses he now teaches in order to align his knowledge and curriculum with Gabriel's. Therefore, whether you take a course with Brad or Gabriel, you get the full TCA package.

However, a speciality of Brad's is his Scenario Course. This course is held irregularly and you must have already reached a certain course level at TCA to participate. But what awaits you is intense, as these drills reflect scenarios that Brad himself has experienced. This course focuses on actions and egress from the vehicle. Brad's advice for these special courses: especially regarding the vehicle, adjust your equipment accordingly. A plate carrier full of pockets and, for example, double-stack magazines in the front will hinder you in the vehicle.

Brad emphasizes the importance of being open to new things. The trainers will put you under stress, but it's important to keep a cool head and approach things in a relaxed manner. You generally do not need special training for the beginner courses.

According to Brad, this can even be an advantage, as teaching someone something new is sometimes easier than trying to make them unlearn something. "Training Scars" is what this is often called and it often happens when beginners try to teach themselves something on the range. Therefore, good, professional training pays off!

Brad and Gabriel here in their element at the TCA Range north of Bratislava. The courses are always translated for German speakers. There is a team of four interpreters for this purpose. So far, we have had experience with Lukas, who spoke very good German with almost no accent. A big shoutout to him and thanks for the great work.

Boris was known to us from our very first pistol course several years ago, and now he is also participating in the rifle courses. His translation here is also very good. In the beginning, it may seem exhausting for an outsider that the trainer speaks Slovak while the translator translates. But both are an extremely well-coordinated team. In addition, you can already understand from Gabriel's gestures and facial expressions what is being demanded and what it expresses. We often forget shortly after the start of the course that there is translation happening because everything runs smoothly.

The TCA is now in its eighth season and has consistently grown since its founding. Quite rightly, we think. The range of courses has also increased. Today, in addition to the classic courses on the basics, there are regularly expanded scenarios trainings or courses for specific skills such as abseiling, dog defense, close combat, FX training, and much more. We will surely introduce you to a lot more.

The Tactical Week at TCA

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