In the center, Pete Dordal, a 1984 ESI Graduate and former Marine Scout Sniper Instructor, is the principal advisor and consultant to ESI on Special Operations Protection Program. Pete is dressed in low profile native attire in order to facilitate travel in high-risk districts of Fallujah and Mosul. The photo on the right is Madison Webb, a senior instructor for PSD Protective Operations and Carbine Operations for Protective Details. Madison served in Iraq on numerous direct actions, resulting in the capture of Al Qaeda cells and weapon stashes.

Madison Webb is a retired veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the CEO of Executive Solutions Inc. Serving over 24 years in the Marine Corps, Madison started his career in Twenty-Nine Palms and would serve in such places as Guam, Okinawa and Quantánamo Bay, Cuba. He has attended the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center, Navy/USMC Intelligence School, Washington State Tactical Officers Association SWAT Training Course and is a certified Explosive Entry Technician, Close Quarter Battle Instructor and an USMC Small Arms Weapons Instructor.

During his tour of duty Madison would see deployments with the 2nd Marine Division during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm and with the 1st MEF during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. His experience encompasses deep reconnaissance, direct action, counter terrorism, hostage rescue, executive protection, workplace violence prevention, surveillance /counter-surveillance and intelligence collection.

Pete Dordal and Madison Webb
Chief Training Consultants for PSD Protective Operations.

PROTECTIVE OPERATIONS

Instructional time ratio between classroom theory and immediate reaction drills and pro-active measures is 1:10. Emphasis of training is live action exercises and team operations. The course will cover the following:

• Protective Operations Orientation
• Low Profile Protective Details in High Risk Zones
• Threat Assessment
• Advance Operations
• Personal Security Detail Operations
• Protective Intelligence
• Protective Driving
• Protective Shooting
• Special Protective Issues
• Performance Evaluation

The course will begin with an overview of the requirements, duties and responsibilities of a Protection Agent in High Risk environments, including a summary of State Department Protocols for Personal Security Details (PSD). Students are introduced to the Philosophy and History of Protection, reviewing the ways that events in high risk regions of the world have changed tactics and protective operations in the profession. Case studies of specific assaults and assassinations will be used to illustrate learning points. From the understanding of the operational procedures of enemy tactics, the principles of protection simultaneously evolve and remain constant. Universal protective principles of Cover & Evacuate, Advances, Threat Assessment and Surveillance Detection are taught as constants, but adapting to the tactics of terrorists and the changing needs of the principal. Students learn the importance of route selection, accurate intelligence and analysis. Emphasis is placed is on methods and strategy to prevent attacks on the Principal or the Team. However, the student will become proficient in the skills necessary to defend against organized assaults, Attacks on Principal (AOP) Drills, Cover and Evacuation and apply AOP Drills in simulated urban ranges. Lessons include:

• The Threat, Types and Case Studies
• Principal Vulnerability Assessment
• The Protective Operational Plan
• Principal Briefing

ADVANCES AND SITE SURVEYS

This component of the training addresses the art of conducting Protective Advances for single-agent and multi-agent details. Pre-Departure Preparations, Site Surveys, Reports and Presentations will be discussed and demonstrated. Students will perform Advances in live urban environment, and learn how the entire protective mission relies on the thoroughness of the Advance, accurate intelligence and pro-active measures. Beginning with the Principles of Protection, the course covers a wide range of activities and operational skills required on a Protection Detail. Students learn via lecture and discussion, then reinforced learning via a series of practical exercises. Lessons include:

• Counter-Surveillance
• Formations / Working the Principal
• Assault on Principal (AOP)
• Security Posts
• Command Posts
• Identification
• Communications
• Control Tactics
• Protective Equipment

TECHNICAL SURVEILLANCE AND COUNTER SURVEILLANCE

Technological advances have broadened the Protective Agents' capability to effectively use Security Equipment in support of the protective mission. Instruction is provided in a format that allows the student to obtain a basic understanding of how the technical hardware operates, and where each system can be best employed during Protective Operations. Conducting a proper explosives search of buildings, areas and vehicles is thoroughly demonstrated. Lessons include:

• Contingency Planning / Managing Major Events
• Special Mission Posts
• Technical Surveillance & Countermeasures
• Physical Security
• Bomb Threat Planning / Bomb Incident Management
• Explosives Recognition / Explosives Search
• Improvised Roadside Bomb Attacks

CLOSE QUARTER BATTLE SHOOTING

The Spec. Ops. Shooting course is organized into two sections: 3-Day Basic CQB Carbine and Handgun and the 5-Day CQB Tactical Carbine and Handgun Protective Operations.

The 3-Day Basic CQB course gives the student the basic shooting skills necessary to qualify with a carbine and handgun. The course will cover the following:

• Safety, Stripping, cleaning, assemble, function check of the weapon
• Fundamentals of marksmanship (Primary & secondary weapons)
• Weapon presentation drills (Primary & secondary weapons)
• Load / unload drills (Primary & secondary weapons)
• Administrative, tactical and speed reload drills (Primary & secondary weapons)
• Weapon malfunction drills
• Weapon transition drill and Combat speed shooting
• Single / multiple shots and targets
• Target identification drills
• Stationary turns
• Shooting on the move and Lateral shooting
• Firing positions (kneeling, prone, squatting)
• Barricade shooting
• Strong / weak hand drills
• Night shooting
• Two man / four man team tactics

At the end of the Basic CQB course there is qualification evaluation for primary & secondary weapons and tactics evaluations. The student must pass the qualification test and staff personal evaluation to qualify to enter the Tactical CQB course. If the student fails to pass the minimum shooting qualifications and staff evaluation, he will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

The 5-Day Tactical Carbine/Handgun CQB course builds on the basics and quickly move on to higher skill sets. Students who complete academic and practical components of the Special Operations Program will be awarded a Certificate of Completion and an ESI Special Operations Credential. The Tactical Shooting course includes:

• Door Entry Drills
• Stress drills / Shoot No Shoot
• Shooting from in / around Vehicles
• Initiative Based tactics (IBT)
• Advanced Room Clearing
• Advance Mission Planning
• Ballistic Breaching / Mechanical Breaching
• Stress Shoots Day / Night
• Tactical Movements Under Fire
• Suicide Car Bombs Moving target engagement
• Target Indication / Identification
• Barrier / Medium shooting

*Students without recent military or law enforcement experience (within the last three years) will be required to complete ESI’s 5-Day Executive Protection Handgun Course with an 80% or better as well as Pass the 3-Day Basic CQB Carbine & Handgun course in order to participate in the Tactical Carbine & Handgun class.

OVERALL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Students are evaluated in each skill area taught, using a variety of techniques, including practical application exercises and written examinations. These include:

• Advance Exercise
• Formations Exercise
• Attack on Principal (AOP) Exercise
• Driving Exercise
• Shooting Exercise
• Immediate Reaction Drills (IRD)
• Final Training Exercise (FTX)
• Written Examination
• Instructor Performance Appraisal