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
Hazing vs. Hardening: Building Strong Teams Without Breaking People
Hazing, or just holding the new guy to a high standard? That line matters—and we’re walking it in this episode. Mike and Jim break down where real team-building ends and toxic tradition begins. We’re talking SWAT school, academy culture, leadership, and how to onboard new teammates without wrecking morale. This one’s about building teams that are tough, smart, and built to last.
Kids These Days – Leading Across Generations
Have you noticed that the new guys coming in to your program aren’t as good as you remember yourself being? Does it seem like they need a WHOLE LOT of teaching, cajoling, and coaching? Let’s figure out why and figure out what to do about it.