ID-006-RESP - SWAT - Law Enforcement Tactical Operations for Terrorism Response
(Basic SWAT Concepts and Tactics)

Basic SWAT Dynamic Entry
Basic SWAT Dynamic Entry

Download the Basic SWAT Packet
Download the DHS Basic SWAT Student Registration Form
The Preparedness of State and Local Law Enforcement officers is one of the major initiatives of the United States Department of Homeland Security. This Basic SWAT course provides entry level SWAT officers with proven tactics, techniques, and procedures for first responders in a SWAT operation to include terrorist incidents.

Program Overview

The Government Training Institute's core curriculum for the Basic SWAT course has been reviewed and approved by D.H.S.'s Office of Grants & Training. This allows states the opportunity to apply their DHS training grant funding toward student tuition, overtimes, meals lodging, and associated backfill cost of their SWAT officers to attend.

The aim of the Government Training Institute's Basic SWAT course is to equip new SWAT team members with the knowledge and skills required to serve on a SWAT team. The course is comprised of nineteen interconnected modules delivered over a seven-day period. The course is rigorous and engaging, allowing students to immerse themselves in the training. The first two days of the course focus on introducing students to SWAT concepts and tactical team organization, followed by an in-depth exploration of the primary tactics, techniques, and procedures utilized during tactical operations including terrorist threats. The remainder of the course is devoted to refining and honing these skills through hands-on training and a variety of training scenarios. Additionally, students receive a detailed course manual which serves as a guide during and after the course.
The Basic SWAT course gives students instruction and practical application in the following tactical training:

  • Officers learn proven dynamic, deliberate, and covert building clearing tactics through classroom instruction, practical exercises, and force on force scenarios.
  • Officers gain an understanding of the options available for resolving tactical situations including Hostage Incidents, Barricaded Suspects, and High-Risk Warrant Service.
  • Officers gain valuable insight on the value of exploiting tactical angles, creating tactical dilemmas, and the utilization of physical and technological clearing resources.
  • Officers learn the proper methods for approaching target locations as well as individual and team movement techniques around target structure breach points and gun porting locations.
  • Officers receive detailed instruction and practical application in the tactical shooting techniques.
  • Officers receive instruction on specialized topics including improvised explosive device awareness and tactical breaching methods.
Basic SWAT Training
Basic SWAT Training
Live Fire Range Practice

Student Testimonials

Great instructors with an amazing amount of knowledge. They were able to get to the point of instruction while making it easy to learn. Very good class structure that allows easy learning and teaches good techniques. ~ Brandon Nicholson: Law Enforcement Deputy

The course was presented very well from all instructors. No question went unanswered and all responses had relevant and pertinent basis of reasoning. I believe all instructors are knowledgeable, but specifically their teaching approach made it easy to impart that knowledge to the students. I would not hesitate to take any class being taught by any of our instructors. Thanks guys. ~ Andrew Moll: Law Enforcement Officer

In my 8 years in law enforcement this course has been the best. It provided me with real world training instead of the diluted style of training commonly found in LE. ~ Clifton Farley: Law Enforcement Officer

This was by far the best tactical class that I have attended. The tactics that were taught were different than what our team utilizes; however they (tactics) opened my eyes to a better/safer and more dominating method to room entries. The instructors were the best instructors that I have had. I appreciated their knowledge, experience and method of instructing. ~ Jason Hammer: Law Enforcement Officer

Funding and Additional Information

State and local law enforcement agencies can utilize Department of Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) funds to pay for the course. It is important to note that although this training and the use of these Funds is approved by DHS, the agency's State Administrative Agencies (SAA) Training Point of Contact (POC) must approve the use of the funds to attend the course.

Contact GTI, by calling 803-259-1935 or emailing info@gtitraining.org, and we can provide tuition information and directions on how to proceed with gaining approval to utilize your states DHS funds to attend training.

Another option to assist with funding is GTI's Asset Trading Program (ATP). Click the link in the menu above to find out more about this program.