Vanguard Program

SSGT Vanguard is an updated version of our flagship program. This program is designed for those who want a complete defensive tactics system. The Vanguard Program is divided into two levels of instruction.

Take a look at what this program has to offer.

SSGT Vanguard Level One Objectives

Vanguard Level One 40-hour Instructor Course Objectives

Prerequisite – Must be a Certified Law Enforcement, Corrections, Military Police or Security Officer to attend this course.

By the end of this course, a certified SSGT Vanguard Level One Instructor will be qualified to:

1. Teach officers about the objectively reasonable use of force, the effects and mitigation of survival stress and the principles of defensive tactics.

2. Teach officers to defend against common grabs, holds, strikes and attacks on the officer’s weapon in standing situations.

3. Teach officers to defend against common grabs, holds, strikes and attacks on the officer’s weapon when the struggle is on the ground.

4. Teach officers how to gain control and compliance over an actively aggressive subject in both standing and ground grappling situations.

5. Teach officers to defend against a knife or other sharp instrument attack.

6. Instill self-confidence in the officer’s ability to defend him/herself against an attack.

7. Certify officers in the SSGT Vanguard Level One Twenty-four- (24-) hour student course.

The preceding objectives will reduce the possibility of a Certified Student or Instructor using excessive force in controlling a subject, thus reducing liability.

Vanguard Level One Breakdown

Level One 40-hour Instructor Course Breakdown. The SSGT Vanguard Level One Instructor and Student Courses are broken down into seven (7) Categories as follows:

1. Common Grab Defense – against wrist grabs, throat grabs, hair grabs and lapel grabs in a standing position.
2. Headlock Defense – against a rear headlock, front headlock and side head-locks both standing & on the ground.
3. Bear-hug Defense – against front over and under the arms and rear over and under the arms.
4. Tackle Defense – against double leg and single leg tackles.
5. Striking & Knife Defense – against various strikes and cutting instruments.
6. Escaping From The Bottom (ground) – escapes from the mounted position and side positions.
7. Controlling A Grounded Subject From The Top – various controlling techniques designed to enable the officer to place the subject into a position for handcuffing.

Vanguard Level One Certification Facts:

• No previous training required.
• Written and Practical Exams are administered in both the Instructor and Student Courses.
• Instructors may certify Students in one or all categories of a particular level.
• Student Certification time can range from 1-24 hours depending on categories addressed.
• Student Certification is valid for one year. Re-certification time is 1/2 the original time.
• Instructor Certification is valid for three years, provided the officer teaches 8 hours per year.
• SSGT Vanguard Level One Student Manuals are available for purchase.

SSGT Vanguard Level Two Objectives

Vanguard Level Two 40-hour Instructor Course Objectives.

By the end of this course, a certified SSGT Vanguard Level Two Instructor will be qualified to:

1. Teach officers about the objectively reasonable use of force, the effects and mitigation of survival stress and the principles of defensive tactics.
2. Teach officers the proper application of pressure points for the purpose of subject control and compliance.
3. Teach officers the proper method and procedure for applying escort and transport techniques as well as escort and transport take-downs.
4. Teach officers how to properly deploy, apply and remove handcuffs from various tactical positions.
5. Teach officers to properly utilize strikes and counter-strikes for the purpose of self-defense and subject control.
6. Teach officers holstered handgun retention techniques while standing.
7. Teach officers holstered handgun retention techniques when the struggle is on the ground.
8. Teach officers drawn handgun retention techniques while standing.
9. Teach officers drawn handgun retention techniques when the struggle is on the ground.
10. Teach officers long gun disarming techniques.
11. Teach officers long gun retention techniques.
12. Teach officers handgun disarming techniques.
13. Teach officers how to properly deploy, apply and retain an impact weapon.
14. Instill self-confidence in the officer’s ability to defend him/herself against an attack.
15. Certify law enforcement officers in the SSGT Vanguard Level Two Twenty-four- (24-) hour Student Course.

These preceding objectives will reduce the possibility of a Certified Student or Instructor using excessive force in controlling a subject, thus reducing liability.

Vanguard Level Two Breakdown

The SSGT Vanguard Level Two Instructor and Student Courses are broken down into thirteen (13) categories:

1. Strategic Subject Escort – escorting an unrestrained subject and taking the subject down to the ground upon resistance.
2. Pressure Points to Escort – applying pressure points in an objectively reasonable manner for the purpose of subject control and compliance.
3. Strategic Handcuffing & Transport – deploying and applying handcuffs to a subject in the standing, kneeling and prone positions. Also, the safe and proper transport procedure of a restrained subject.
4. Strategic Frisk & Search – the safe and proper procedures for frisking and searching a subject.
5. Strategic Striking – the use of personal weapon strikes to prevent or stop aggressive action in an objectively reasonable manner.
6. Holstered Handgun Retention while Standing – against one- and two-handed attacks on the officers handgun from the front and rear.
7. Holstered Handgun Retention while on the Ground– against one- and two-handed attacks on the officers handgun when the officer is on the ground.
8. Drawn Handgun Retention while Standing – against one- and two-handed attacks on the officers handgun in standing situations.
9. Drawn Handgun Retention while on the Ground – from the mounted position and side positions.
10. Long Gun Retention – defending against attacks on an officer’s rifle, shotgun or sub-gun.
11. Long Gun Disarming – front and rear attacks.
12. Handgun Disarming – front and rear attacks.
13. Strategic Baton – the use of a straight or expandable baton in an objectively reasonable manner for the purpose of subject control and compliance.

Vanguard Level Two Certification Facts:

• Written and Practical Exams are administered in both the Instructor and Student Courses.
• Instructors may certify Students in one or all categories of a particular level.
• Student Certification time can range from 1-24 hours depending on categories addressed.
• Student Certification is valid for one year.
• Re-certification time is 1/2 the original time.Instructor Certification is valid for three years, provided the officer teaches 8 hours per year.
• SSGT Vanguard Level Two Student Manuals are available for purchase.