EPISODE 172
Making Worthwhile Exercises
A lot of training exercises and drills can be a waste of time. Mike and Jim explore ways to improve military readiness, disaster preparedness, and school safety by making better training events.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
Summary:
Mike and Jim dive into a common challenge in police and military training: the prevalence of poorly designed exercises that fail to deliver real value. In this episode, they explore strategies for creating training events that truly enhance readiness, focusing on scenarios that improve decision-making, teamwork, and mission-critical skills.
From avoiding the pitfalls of “check-the-box” drills to incorporating realistic stressors and practical objectives, they break down what it takes to make training worthwhile. Whether you’re organizing exercises for law enforcement, the military, or emergency responders, this episode offers actionable advice to elevate your approach and achieve better outcomes.
Tune in to learn how to move beyond wasted time and towards impactful training that prepares professionals for real-world challenges.
CLICK BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE NOW ON YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! PLEASE GO CHECK THEM OUT
Recent Episodes
Think Like an Architect: Systems Thinking for Warfighters & Cops
Mike and Jim break down systems thinking for tacticians — a practical way to understand how outcomes actually emerge inside military and law enforcement environments. Using real-world examples, they explore how feedback loops, incentives, and hidden dependencies shape everything from crime trends to operational tempo.
We Are Watching You – License Plate Readers and Modern Surveillance
The question isn’t whether the system exists — it’s whether it works for you, or on you.