Operation Nifty Package 2.0 - Day 1

At the end of May, a special kind of training took place at the TACTICAL COMBAT ACADEMY (TCA): the SOF WORKSHOP – Operation Nifty Package 2.0. This course brings together the concentrated knowledge of three highly experienced instructors. Brad Stevens – already familiar to some from previous TCA courses – is a retired commander of the Marine Corps Reconnaissance Special Operations Command (MARSOC) with 20 years of service in the USMC. Gabriel Trojčák, known to many at TCA as “Gabo,” served 20 years in the Slovak Republic Army, 10 of which were in the 5th Special Forces Regiment in Žilina. Last but not least, Jimmy Cannon. With over 26 years of military service – nearly 20 of them as a Green Beret in the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) – Jimmy has led missions in some of the most complex and high-risk environments around the globe.

We didn’t want to miss this concentrated collection of knowledge and were fortunate enough to take part in the SOF WORKSHOP.

After a few hours of driving, we arrived. The weather was cloudy and rainy, and we were accommodated in a very comfortable lodging.

Spacious and well-equipped with everything you could ask for, we shared the apartment with a few other Austrians. You get to know each other quickly and immediately start bonding as a team. 

Since we arrived in the evening, we went straight to bed and woke up the next morning for breakfast. Booking lodging and meals is always worth it here – you’re well taken care of. A generous buffet invites you to fuel up.

Nach der FAfter breakfast, we headed to the shooting range, only about a 5-minute drive from our accommodation – ideally located.

Once inside, you check in and start chatting with other participants. It's a mixed group, including people from Slovakia, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany.

After everyone had taken their seats, it finally began. Ondrej welcomed the participants and thanked everyone for coming. Then he introduced Jimmy, who might not be known to everyone unless they actively follow BLACK TRIDENT, where Jimmy already provides training for law enforcement through the BLACK TRIDENT Academy.

Jimmy took over and told us a bit about himself. He gave us some advice – helpful not just for the day ahead but also for the future. We received a handout based on the BLACK TRIDENT Cheat Bottle, which includes notes from the Ranger Handbook, freely available online.

After the introduction, we were split into three groups, each focusing on one of the day’s main topics.

We started with Brad Stevens and a group of other non-Slovak participants on the subject of Small Unit Tactics.

Brad explained what matters most and what to pay attention to when operating in a group.

We began with dry runs and walked through various positions together.

Then it was time to load up for the first live-fire session of the day.

We trained with live fire – shooting while moving, all while maintaining communication. Not so easy with all the noise.

We rotated through a few rounds, learning by watching others as well. After each round, weapons were cleared and made safe.

After about 90 minutes, our first session ended, and we moved as a group to the next station: CQB (Close Quarters Battle). The group before us was still finishing up, so we enjoyed a short break in the beautiful weather.

Soon, Jimmy welcomed us to his CQB station. Like the first station, time was limited. To truly master a complex subject like this, you'd need months of training. Here, we received a quick introduction and basic concepts to help us better understand what CQB entails and how to develop further.

Inside the Killhouse, Jimmy explained everything – teamwork, movement, and coordination in tight spaces are no joke.

He demonstrated techniques, joined by Edvin from Dusk Till Dawn Systems – more on him later.

An important part of this station: kicking in doors! That got us excited to try it ourselves.

After the intro, the first participant tackled the CQB course, shooting at designated targets. Jimmy gave live feedback and pointed out anything that was missed.

Those not actively participating didn’t have to get bored. Edvin shared more tips in a nearby shooting bay, where a mock-up of the Killhouse was built with wooden sticks for dry runs.

Our final station of the day was with Gabo and his specialty: Low Profile Operative Techniques. Participants could change clothes and take on a role if they had the appropriate gear.

We received a short theory session explaining what optimal setups look like and which gear is suitable for which purposes. It’s important to note that this was low profile training – not concealed carry or similar.

We saw how gear was tailored for different features – modified backpacks allowing quick access to long guns or messenger bags with built-in ballistic protection. Gabo’s experience and equipment advice were especially insightful.

After theory came live-fire drills. We practiced a variety of scenarios, including transitioning from rifle to handgun.

We moved to another bay for a final drill. Some may recognize a variation from the Grey Man course. We won’t go into detail here, as it’s more effective when experienced firsthand in future courses.

Some details of the course have been intentionally left out to preserve the learning experience and surprise for future participants. The instructors continually share valuable insights drawn from decades of experience – the kind of knowledge that has to be lived to be truly understood.

After a successful first day, we had a debriefing and a look ahead at what Day 2 would bring – the course lasts two days.

The evening ended in typical TCA style: a big barbecue. The meat was especially tender, including fresh local venison – a real treat!

There was plenty of dessert too, so we could replenish the calories we burned during the day.

As the beer flowed, many conversations sparked up, allowing participants to share experiences and knowledge from the day. It was also a great opportunity to get to know the instructors better and soak up more insights.

With this the first day ends and our first part. The second will follow, where we will use our knowledge to implement it into a scenario.

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