TCA Tactical Week 1 - Assault Rifle Level 1

The first day is over and today already showed what makes the TCA stand out. Intensive, compact courses where you learn everything about defense shooting as an individual. We are just behind Bratislava, 50 kilometers away from Vienna. We are starting the TCA Tactical Week.

Once you find the shooting range in Zohor, you immediately see the first range, a small shop with catering, as well as the abseiling tower. This immediately puts the visitor in the right mood. Ondrej took care of the registration and already gave the first instructions. Take your equipment and go to one of the many shooting ranges at the back.

Putting on equipment

First, you put on your equipment. If you don't have any yet, you can rent everything from TCA. You will mainly receive a plate carrier in JPC style (without plates) as well as eye and ear protection. Rental weapons were also available in abundance, as well as 30-round magazines. We were particularly interested in the AR platform, where you could choose between a HK MR223 or an AR15 from BCM with an 11-inch barrel. For better aiming, there are Aimpoint red dot sights. But for those who prefer something more Eastern, you can also rent an AK variant or a Czechoslovakian Sa.VZ 58.

At the beginning, head trainer Gabriel explains comprehensively the various equipment available. Whether plate carrier, chest rig, or just the first line. He explains what to pay attention to, which size is important, and how to adjust everything properly. Then the first participants immediately start adjusting the equipment, as they want to meet the requirements.

Once the equipment is adjusted, we move on to the correct body posture, holding and gripping technique of the weapon. Gabriel demonstrates it again, giving us a preview of what to expect later in the course. The weapon grip also includes explanations of the differences related to equipment and different weapon systems. The goal of TCA is to teach all participants how to handle the weapon effectively and universally, so that even with an unfamiliar weapon, they can shoot safely.

With the equipment set up, the body in the right posture, and the weapon firmly gripped, the correct stance is the final piece. Repetitions ensure that all participants internalize everything. One more thing is needed, which may be the most important part of the entire course. The safety drill. All participants gathered in a circle, listening and watching Gabriel, as no one wants to get this wrong.

So, weapon clamped under the arm, magazine removed if there is one, and then at least three times cycle the bolt. Afterward, secure the bolt in the rear position. Check to ensure there are no rounds in the chamber or elsewhere, then the weapon can be secured and stored.

With this toolkit, we move on to the first live drill. Lined up, divided into two groups, shooting alternated. Initially, the process was broken down into individual steps, but with each new exercise, the steps were combined until, by the command "Hop," you could independently take a shot and then restore safety.

The morning session ends, and it's time for lunch, which we need plenty of. Eat something, drink a lot because the temperatures rise and cool off a bit. You have an hour to do the essentials and to talk with the other participants for the first time.

International Participants

The group is very diverse, ranging from experienced shooters to beginners. Some had only booked a day to get a taste of the course. Others, like us, are there for the whole week. In terms of countries, there were people from Germany, Slovakia, and Austria. Somewhat surprisingly, a participant had traveled from Switzerland. After the session, everyone gathers again at the back of the shooting range. The afternoon is already more action-packed, as we move on to live firing.

During each hop, participants had to take a sidestep and then aim at the target. Magazines were often filled with 30 or 15 rounds, and in the drills, participants fire between 3-5 shots per series before hearing another hop command. Gabriel and his instructors closely monitor safety, observing every small mistake, every safety that is not properly engaged, and every finger that may be in the wrong place.

After the movement and positional change, environmental control is added. Those who have attended shooting courses where environmental control takes place after shooting know that fingers are often held up behind the participants. The instructor then asks which number he showed. This ensures that participants really pay attention to their surroundings.

With the many shooting drills, the magazines quickly ran out. Therefore, an unplanned magazine change becomes necessary to extend the drills. Gabriel explains again what matters, how to properly grip the magazine again, and operate the bolt. Each exercise builds on the previously learned one.

Discipline and Speed

The drills become longer, and the learned steps must happen in the right order. Gabriel likes to put pressure on here to stress participants by giving a new command during an ongoing drill. This is meant to make the participant interrupt their movement sequence and engage the target again. This also serves the purpose of being able to react to external stimuli while maintaining routine movements.

The first day ends even faster than expected. We are exhausted and glad for what we have learned. Those who do not attend another course receive their certificate for this course. All others receive their certificate upon completion of the long course.

We say thank you and look forward to tomorrow!

The Tactical Week at TCA

TACTICAL COMBAT ACADEMY online