City Lifestyle

Want to start a publication?

Learn More

Featured Article

The Operator's Training

Peak Fitness for High Performance

Article by Rachel Burk

Photography by Three Little Chickadees

Originally published in Porter City Lifestyle

Television has been such a proponent in exemplifying what the community thinks a S.W.A.T. team does. In 2007, The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, commissioned a full time team for our county. Comprised of twelve full time team members, with an additional sixteen as collateral duty, their responsibilities include special threat situations, such as barricaded subjects, hostage rescue, acts of terrorism, high-risk warrant service, and fugitive apprehension 365 days a year. 
 
Full-time members are also Task Force Officers, attached to the United States Marshal Service - Gulf Coast Violent Offender and Fugitive Task Force, a multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional approach of enhanced violent crime enforcement for the Gulf Coast Region. It is designed to investigate, locate and apprehend potentially violent suspects. S.W.A.T., along with three permanently assigned United States Deputy Marshals, targets for arrest those individuals who represent the most danger to the community on a daily basis.

The full time S.W.A.T. team must be ready 24/7 should any situation arise, and that means staying in peak condition both mentally and physically. The men of the team focus on a multifaceted approach to training. 

Strength

Physical strength is crucial for enhancing physical capabilities, improving resilience, and ensuring optimal performance in high-stress situations, promoting operational effectiveness and safety.

Endurance

Endurance for the teams builds stamina, enhances cardiovascular health, and fosters sustained performance during prolonged missions, ensuring operational effectiveness and the ability to handle challenging scenarios. When those suspects run, the guys have to be ready.

Marksmanship

Being an expert marksman is imperative. This competency hones precision, enhances firearm skills, and fosters critical decision-making under pressure, ensuring accuracy, safety, and effectiveness in high-risk situations.

Agility

Agility training for the teams fosters quick reactions, enhances mobility, and improves flexibility, enabling swift and adaptive responses in dynamic, high-intensity environments, crucial for mission success and personnel safety.