What:
This AAR (After Action Review) is to briefly outline my attendance at the Ground Intelligence Collection three-day class facilitated by NC Scout blog owner of Brushbeater.
Who:
Facilitator NC Scout and seven students. The student’s skill range was former military to novice, like me. Amateur radio Extra class to no license at all.
When:
January 31 thru February 2, 2020. Classes started at 0900 hrs. all three days. Day one and two classes ended at 1700-hrs local. Sunday the class ended at 1600-hrs local.
Where:
Northwest New Jersey
Comments:
The class was a combination of a HUMINT (Human Intelligence) and SIGINT (Signal Intelligence) with some spy craft thrown in for spice.
HUMINT - Day 1
Vetting current and future group members
Gathering of personal information from others (Singularly or in group like at a protest or rally)
Intelligence flow
Cell structure
Intelligence gathering and exploitation at a protest or rally
Communications
Personality types and way to exploit each
Security interviews
Others
SIGINT - Day 2
Communications mapping
Common, Off the Shelf tools for Signals Intelligence
Planning and construction of Listening Posts
Radio Direction Finding (RDF) Techniques
Signals Interception and Analysis
Coordinating with an Analysis and Control Element (ACE)
Tactical Exploitation
Others
Field Day - Day 3
OTP (One-time pad)
Communications from the field to the TOC
Using all what we learned in the previous two days in the field.
Each block of lecturing and facilitating was used to build on the previous block. This style of teaching allowed a solid foundation fore the use of the skills we learned.
Looking at all the classes NC Scout offers; you can understand that once you have completed all of them you will be able to assemble and run a TOC during a SHTF or TEOTWAWKI scenario. No other trainer out there is doing this.
Flow Chart of a TOC attached...
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly in no order:
> The weather was poor. Cold all three days and snow the third day.
> There was so much presented to the group it was like drinking from the preverbal fire hose. I encourage NC Scout to hold sub classes for some of the items covered during the three-day class. In all fairness to NC Scout though, he gave us the tools and now it is up to us to develope “study groups” and use the tools we were given to become proficient.
> As is NC Scout’s MO, (modus operandi) the class blocks during the three-day class were well thought out and progressively brought the student along, building on the previous block, to the end game.
> There was a reasonably priced motel about 30-minutes from where the class was held. Hotel cost was $68- a night. One of the students stayed at a closer Bed & Breakfast that was $99- a night with breakfast included. The bed & breakfast also had a small bar off the lobby entrance.
> One of the toughest things to accomplish at any class not taking place at NC Scout’s redoubt in Northern North Carolina is the fellowship that follows post each days class. I would recommend if possible that when NC Scout is on the road facilitating his classes, is to book a block of rooms in a hotel/motel so all students that opt too, stay at the same place. This would allow for in-depth discussions on subjects covered during the day or current events happening at any given time. I typically learn almost as much during these discussions as during the class itself.
> Some of the students had not taken NC Scout’s RTO and Advanced RTO courses which was fine however I would strongly suggest taking these two classes as a prerequisite to this class.
> Five of the seven students held an amateur radio license ranging from Technicians to Extra class. Although you do not need to have an amateur radio license to attend this class, I would recommend at least a Technicians level. Many of the tasks covered during the class needed a basic understanding of amateur radio and related topics.
> The facility where the classroom and field instruction took place was excellent. Although the days were cold, breezy, and we experienced on day three snow, NC Scout did a great job keeping us warm (Classroom) and the blood flowing (Field).
> All students but one had taken a NC Scout class at least once before, so the class melded well before the first class started Friday morning. Of the six students who had taken an NC Scout before all of them had taken classes together.
> The amount of information provided for the class and beyond by NC Scout was amazing. We started off the first morning with downloading a whole host of information for the class and beyond. This was worth the cost of the class alone.
> The only tools that you needed to bring to the class was lap top, UHF/VHF HT radio, pen & paper, a memory stick, and an open mind.
> As I have reported in previous AAR’s on NC Scout’s classes, NC Scout and the specialists who supported him in some classes, are soft spoken folks who are dedicated to the student getting as much from the class as is possible. If you like the ‘DI’ (Drill Instructor) type of facilitator, you will not like NC Scout’s style.
> I think we can all agree that the coming years will be treacherous in this country and around the globe. If you have put away your family’s 3-B’s great! Now you need to get some training! To not do so means you and your family will not survive long enough to use those preps you have in your cellar.
> Last as I have written before, we will all serve the cause whether we are a trigger puller or part of the auxiliary, providing intel analysis, logistics and other support.
73 & God Bless,
JohnyMac
