If you were unexpectedly placed in a life-threatening situation, would you be prepared to react under the pressure? What if your life, or the lives of your loved ones, was as stake?
Sure – we can always practice how we would respond in theory… running potential scenarios through our heads and coming up with how best to react if we were ever to be found in such a situation. But is that the best we can do? There must be a better way – a safe, highly-effective and realistic way to train for a high-intensity situation – other than using the power of our imagination. Because when all is said and done, I would be much more confident in my instinct-reaction in a crisis if I were able to properly train and prepare myself beforehand.
But WAIT. What if I told you that there is a way to train for crisis situations?
By using simulated ammunition, it is possible to train for life-threatening situations in an incredibly realistic way – the same way police officers and the military practice force on force training in order to keep their tactical skills and emergency response in tip-top shape.
The use of simulated ammunition used to be kept for training only officers and the military. However, civilians are now able to take advantage of the immense benefits simunition training provides!
In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about simunition and simulated ammunition training.
What is Simunition?
Simunition, short for simulated ammunition, is replacement ammunition that comes in a number of calibres – firing non-lethal, non-toxic rounds with muzzle energy of up to 5.6 joules (for reference, an airsoft 0.2g BB at 328fps is 1 joule). These rounds are quite accurate, up to 30m and will provide serious impact in modular shoot houses and with range use. A good comparison of simunition would be paintballs.
When operators are training using simunition, all participants are required to wear face protection due to the potential damage that these rounds could impart. Guns are modified (often only requiring new bolt carrier), so that they can be used in simunition training. As a safety precaution, this small modification prevents the gun from firing with standard cartridges.
Simulated ammunition is lead-free, and generally composed of plastic or rubber polymer. Simunition comes as marked or blank rounds, for different types of training. Simulated ammunition cartridges feature tactical accuracy, up to 25 feet – sometimes more. Technically, no special ballistic facilities are required in order to train with simunition. That said, modular shoot house environments are preferred, as they offer the most realistic settings.
How Did Simulated Ammunition Come About?
Firearms were invented in the 1300s, and ever since then, there has been a steady and constant need to tirelessly train with them. Due to the fact that firearms can be deadly, proper training and knowledge of how to use them is essential. This is particularly true in fields such as law enforcement and the military.
Being able to develop solid muscle memory for safe firearm use is the only way to efficiently operate in the field, without adrenaline and fear that can cause a person to lock up or forget the functions of the firearm their using.
Just as firearm technology has evolved, so has the way we train for war and to defend ourselves. Training no longer involves just weapon practice, but a much more comprehensive list of instructions. Everything from fitness to firearms drills using modular shoot houses, movement drills and vehicle training. These forms of training often involve extensive practice of real-life scenarios and skills to be used to fight against ‘real’ opponents.
So, how can you develop firearms skills and crisis reaction instinct without using real firearms, and without potentially shooting fellow comrades?
The answer is: Simulated ammunition.
What is Simunition Training?
Simunitions marked cartridges are the most reliable and realistic force-on-force training medium. In order to effectively defend one’s self and their loved ones, they must perfect the fundamentals of dealing with stress and rapid decision making that gunfight brings. Simulated ammunition is the closest anyone will get to ever being in a real gunfight – making it the perfect tool for training.
Certified instructors put trainees in realistic situations, often using tactical shoot house environments, with the use of simulated ammunition to perfect the craft of gun-use and self defense. Those who have experience training with simulated ammunition are often pleasantly surprised by the sheer amount of knowledge and technique they’re able to learn in a single weekend of training with simunition, and how their mind is able to quickly process information and handle the stress of a gunfight.
During simunition training, you will learn what works and what doesn’t work in a crisis situation, and how to react in said situations. You’ll be placed in several circumstantial situations where you can perfect your weapon use and reaction time. The stressors of using a weapon in life-threatening scenarios disappears as you train and practice for real-life crisis. Exactly what you learn will depend on where you take your simulated ammunition training course.
That said, as a new attendee you are likely to learn that Simunition Training:
- Is a tool which allows law enforcement, the military, and now civilians to train in an incredibly realistic environment – while maintaining the highest level of safety
- Is a perfect addition to traditional firearms training
- Allows for responsible gun owners to condition and improve their critical gun handling skills, as well as decision making ability under high-pressure conditions
- Provides an introduction to stress within a training environment, without compromising participants safety
Other areas of training you’ll likely find in new-student simunition courses include: Home Defense, force-on-force pistol training, advanced force on force pistol training, critical incident force on force (pistol and carbine) trainings are all common for new students to learn.
You can expect a portion of your simunition training course to take place in a classroom setting. Certified instructors recommend students come to the classroom portion of their course in casual attire. Comfortable trousers, a light jacket and long sleeve shirt are suggested. As you will be learning essential aspects of gun and shoot training, you should bring a notebook or notepad and pen or pencil to take notes. All training equipment, such as ammunition, conversion kits and protective gear/equipment, will be provided by the instructor. Always remember, you are never allowed to bring live personal weapons or ammunition to these courses – as doing so poses a safety hazard to other students attending.
Who Can Use Simunition in Training?
Can civilians use simunition?
Simunition used to be available only to those who need it for professional training, such as law enforcement officers and the military. However, simulated ammunition is now available to citizens of the public, through approved training with the U.S. Range Program. The following are the most common users of simunition training today:
Law Enforcement
Simunition is a key component in training law enforcement officers. In fact, simunition is the world leader in providing the most realistic, non-lethal force-on-force, short range training systems for law enforcement officers. Police officers and other related officials have been utilizing the power of training with simulated ammunition for over 15 years. Officers are able to ensure they are receiving the best, and most realistic training scenarios possible to prepare them for work in the real world.
Military
Preparing military officials for life out in the field of battle is essential for their survival. Simulated ammunition has been used for over 15 year in training military officers around the world, in the most realistic and life-like methods. With Simunition, the military can practice non-lethal, force-on-force, short range training operations, with use of modular shoot house set-ups, this provides the most realistic and real-world scenarios. More information about modular shoot houses at simtekmodular.com.
Civilian
Civilians may now train using simunition, with the U.S. Range Program. Firearms Instructors who are certified in the U.S.A can now be a part of the Simunition Reality-Based Instructor Community – and once certified, may train citizens with the most real-world non-lethal force-on-force training equipment. Instructors now have the ability to conduct the most realistic training exercises within their classrooms. This is a huge bonus, as civilians now more than ever are eager to prepare themselves for any situation they may be faced with. As a certified instructor, you can help keep our citizens safe.
What Types of Training are Simunition Cartridges Good For?
Simulated ammunition provides the world’s most real-life combat training available today. Simunition provides a non-lethal option for rounds as military, law enforcement and civilians practice their reaction and safety skills in life-threatening situations.
Marked Simunition Cartridges are ideal for:
- Real-life, “reality” based force-on-force interactive training scenarios
- Force-on-target training: practically anytime, anywhere
- Training in weapon safety and weapon handling
- Anti-terrorism
- Urban fighting (MOUT/FIBUA)
- Fully compatible with laser-based training simulators
- Convoy protection tactics
- Parol exercises
- Shoot & No shoot decision making skills
- Both individual & team situations
- Training focused on room clearing, building clearing and trench clearing
- Mission rehearsals
- CQB – Close Quarter Battle
Non-Marked Simunition Cartridges are ideal for:
- Training with the use of interactive video-based simulator systems
- Real-life, force-on-force interactive scenarios
- Weapon safety handling training
- Compatible with the vast majority of Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems (MILES)
- Familiarization and increased knowledge of firearms and self-defence
- Training with K-9 Teams
- Training methods used in realistic weapon retention drills
- For use in areas where marked simunition cartridges are prohibited and un-marked cartridges are preferred
Conclusion
Simulated ammunition provides a non-lethal, short-range training ammunition solution – offering the most realistic training method possible for officers, military forces and civilians. Now, people around the world can engage in the experience of building their talents and confidence, ultimately mastering skills that could save their life, and protect their loved ones, in the event of a crisis.