This summer, we had the opportunity to attend a unique, multi-day class that was centered around developing a holistic approach to human performance as it relates to the roles of SWAT officers. From overall physical fitness to elevated heart rate shooting, Army veteran and In Extremis Performance (IEP) founder Jake Labhart and his group of subject matter experts have built out a curriculum tailored to optimize the skillsets of this specialized group of law enforcement personnel. His team brings with it the educational backgrounds of masters and doctorates, plus decades of combined experience training military, federal and local law enforcement special operations units all from a human performance perspective that is focused solely on the tactical community.
This summer, we had the opportunity to attend a unique, multi-day class that was centered around developing a holistic approach to human performance as it relates to the roles of SWAT officers. From overall physical fitness to elevated heart rate shooting, Army veteran and In Extremis Performance (IEP) founder Jake Labhart and his group of subject matter experts have built out a curriculum tailored to optimize the skillsets of this specialized group of law enforcement personnel. His team brings with it the educational backgrounds of masters and doctorates, plus decades of combined experience training military, federal and local law enforcement special operations units all from a human performance perspective that is focused solely on the tactical community.
Jake and IEP’s partnerships range from SWAT organizations such as the Texas Tactical Police Association to apparel companies like Ten Thousand, with the goal of bringing a specialized approach to the special operations community. Ten Thousand’s Tactical Division is led by Jake and his team, while the TTPOA utilizes Jake to run Human Performance courses. Developing relationships with organizations like these throughout the tactical community has allowed more sponsored courses, bringing more affordable training to the individual. In this instance, fifteen operators from seven different Central Texas agencies attended the two-day course free of charge as guests of Javelin Concepts, who work in lockstep with the law enforcement community providing training and gear for first responders. Over the course of this year, they have held three of these courses across the state of Texas, providing more than $20,000 to support training of more than 60 officers from 30 different SWAT teams.
Jake and IEP’s partnerships range from SWAT organizations such as the Texas Tactical Police Association to apparel companies like Ten Thousand, with the goal of bringing a specialized approach to the special operations community. Ten Thousand’s Tactical Division is led by Jake and his team, while the TTPOA utilizes Jake to run Human Performance courses. Developing relationships with organizations like these throughout the tactical community has allowed more sponsored courses, bringing more affordable training to the individual. In this instance, fifteen operators from seven different Central Texas agencies attended the two-day course free of charge as guests of Javelin Concepts, who work in lockstep with the law enforcement community providing training and gear for first responders. Over the course of this year, they have held three of these courses across the state of Texas, providing more than $20,000 to support training of more than 60 officers from 30 different SWAT teams.
The course itself is focused on the SWAT mission as a whole, with a cadre of subject matter experts presenting information over two days. This is a one-stop-shop on human performance theory with a condensed schedule that is heavy on information. Day one starts in the classroom, where Jake focuses on the personal patterns that contribute to performance levels while on and off the job. This serves as a functional overview and hits on the importance of a holistic approach and mindset when it comes to optimizing human performance. Dr. Heather Twedell then provides a module on mental health and wellness that is followed by IEP course material on nutrition and recovery techniques that meet the unique demands of the SWAT officer. Work calls can last from one to twelve hours with no warning, add a rigorous training cadence, and it’s easy to see the amount of strain that can be placed on the body.
The course itself is focused on the SWAT mission as a whole, with a cadre of subject matter experts presenting information over two days. This is a one-stop-shop on human performance theory with a condensed schedule that is heavy on information. Day one starts in the classroom, where Jake focuses on the personal patterns that contribute to performance levels while on and off the job. This serves as a functional overview and hits on the importance of a holistic approach and mindset when it comes to optimizing human performance. Dr. Heather Twedell then provides a module on mental health and wellness that is followed by IEP course material on nutrition and recovery techniques that meet the unique demands of the SWAT officer. Work calls can last from one to twelve hours with no warning, add a rigorous training cadence, and it’s easy to see the amount of strain that can be placed on the body.
Staying fit mentally and physically is key to longevity, injury prevention, and performing at the level required by the department and citizens they serve. As a result, day one closes out with a fitness phase that starts out with time in the weight room, where the instructors focus on strength-building techniques and new workouts tailored to the job. The officers are then tested and timed while performing various conditioning movements, with the instructors keeping a close eye on the participants, offering coaching and encouragement. These times will be used to keep track of the student’s progress over the course.
Staying fit mentally and physically is key to longevity, injury prevention, and performing at the level required by the department and citizens they serve. As a result, day one closes out with a fitness phase that starts out with time in the weight room, where the instructors focus on strength-building techniques and new workouts tailored to the job. The officers are then tested and timed while performing various conditioning movements, with the instructors keeping a close eye on the participants, offering coaching and encouragement. These times will be used to keep track of the student’s progress over the course.
Day two starts early on the range. Suited up in their typical work kit, the class is broken into teams after a quick brief, and instruction is started quickly before the Texas heat starts to set in. The range portion of the course focuses on moving and shooting at close ranges, mimicking the sort of calls the officers see on the job. The goal is to spike the heart rate, focus on moving efficiently and safely, and maintaining a high-level accuracy. Sal Hernandez, a SWAT officer for SAPD and Tactical Games athlete, is on hand to instruct and advise. As a past graduate, he understands the value of the course and sets example for the many officers from his department that are in attendance.
Day two starts early on the range. Suited up in their typical work kit, the class is broken into teams after a quick brief, and instruction is started quickly before the Texas heat starts to set in. The range portion of the course focuses on moving and shooting at close ranges, mimicking the sort of calls the officers see on the job. The goal is to spike the heart rate, focus on moving efficiently and safely, and maintaining a high-level accuracy. Sal Hernandez, a SWAT officer for SAPD and Tactical Games athlete, is on hand to instruct and advise. As a past graduate, he understands the value of the course and sets example for the many officers from his department that are in attendance.
The IEP Human Performance course is unique in the way it brings a varied group of subject matter experts to one course for clear, actionable knowledge transfer that’s focused on the unique demands of the SWAT officer. Logistically, it’s a relatively low lift for the busy professional or department; rather than sending your team somewhere else, the experts come to you and pack in as much new information in the shortest amount of time possible. Jake and his hand-picked instructors have put in the research and done the testing to condense a lot of helpful techniques into an excellent curriculum. If you or your department would like to learn more about this one-of-a-kind course, get in touch with Jake at IEP to learn more.
The IEP Human Performance course is unique in the way it brings a varied group of subject matter experts to one course for clear, actionable knowledge transfer that’s focused on the unique demands of the SWAT officer. Logistically, it’s a relatively low lift for the busy professional or department; rather than sending your team somewhere else, the experts come to you and pack in as much new information in the shortest amount of time possible. Jake and his hand-picked instructors have put in the research and done the testing to condense a lot of helpful techniques into an excellent curriculum. If you or your department would like to learn more about this one-of-a-kind course, get in touch with Jake at IEP to learn more.
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