Police Officer Sean Harris is a veteran Special Weapons and
Tactics (SWAT) Operator and Senior Long Range Shooting Instructor from a large
North Texas metropolitan city of more than 1 million citizens. He is a FIFTEEN
year Police / Investigator veteran in North Texas and a NINE year SWAT / Sniper
/ Instructor veteran for the city. His previous experience and training began
in the early 1990s as a United States Marine Scout Sniper for SIX years. He made the Distinguished “Honor Man” for his
Scout Sniper and USMC Leadership courses and deployed several times as the
unit’s Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) Sniper. He has been the Senior Sniper / Long Range
Shooting Instructor for his Law Enforcement department since 2005 and is
currently a field operator (in other words, this guy is NOT a desk jockey).
During an interview in late 2010, Officer Harris made a bold
statement: “Night vision devices should be part of your everyday kit load out,
just like boots, magazines, flashlights, door stops, flashbangs, etc.”
Given his position and expertise, Officer Sean Harris’
comment should not be taken for granted or even questioned. Instead, we should
look into WHY he said it…
Night vision has changed the way operations are planned out
and have made great improvements to their tactics and ability to make highly
successful evidence gathering. Night vision also allows for successful high
profile arrests all the while keeping the SWAT officers safer and out of harm’s
way. Officer Harris stated that using the PVS-14 and the PVS-27 allows him and
his team to “get inside the suspect’s OODA loop quickly to increase the officers’
chances of surprise and success without expensive mistakes, time consuming
observations, and the dangers of daylight.”
Harris continues, “The night vision has allowed SWAT to make
observations and relay intelligence to other operations just as if we were operating
during the full daylight. You have the sure confidence and real time
observation in the dark long before, and way away, from those being observed.
Threats are assessed and relayed back to the front so that critical decisions
can be made very quickly. These night vision devices have made it possible for
us as Law Enforcement operators to assess dangers and illegal activities,
keeping us in the game, ahead of the suspects by a long way. Night vision has
allowed us to operate in the dark of night and carry on with the fight when
others cannot see. The latest and greatest tools are really helping us out.”
Given the obvious benefits that Officer Sean Harris
describes, it’s no secret as to why Night Vision should be part of your
everyday kit out as a Law Enforcement officer. As I’ve mentioned before,
Morovision exists to improve your SASOC (Situational Awareness, Survivability,
and Operational Capabilities). We want to make sure that the men and women who
protect us, are protected by providing them with state-of-the-art US
manufactured night vision. It is just as essential as your firearm, flashlight,
or hand-cuffs. If your agency isn't already equipped with night vision, get a quote here. If you’re worried about funding, check out our post on the 5 Easy Steps to get Grant Money and THEN contact us.
I retired from the Army after 24-years of military service.
My primary mission from 1999 through 2008 was to recruit and train the best
Olympic shotgun shooters in the world for the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit at
Fort Benning, Georgia. In August of 2008, my Soldiers gave me the best
retirement “gift” possible by setting four Olympic records and winning two
Olympic gold medals in Beijing, China. This article is dedicated to teaching
effective shooting methods on moving targets. We will also demonstrate proper
leads using thermal video viewed from the shooter’s perspective. All shooting
professionals (law enforcement, military and hunters) can benefit from this
knowledge and training.
There is a great deal of wisdom and muscle memory gained
from shooting 150,000 clay targets during the past decade. The same skills
needed to shoot moving targets with a shotgun can be applied to running targets
(inside 150 yards) with a rifle. If a shooter can learn to point a shotgun,
they can be taught to point a rifle as well. My company was founded on this
philosophy. We switched from a two-legged enemy to a four-legged invasive
species upon military retirement. Our JAGER PRO guides and guest hunters
harvest 1,000 feral hogs annually applying these skills with a rifle using infrared
optics at night.
I need to emphasize two important points. First, hunters
cannot confuse the methods used to control a feral hog or coyote (invasive
species) with the "ethical" or “sporting” methods used to control
game species. There is no closed season or bag limit on removing hogs or
coyotes in most states. Farmers and landowners are NOT looking for sport
hunters. They want competent individuals who are committed to investing the
time and resources needed to legally solve their invasive species problem. The
Department of Natural Resources considers these animals a nuisance for valid
reasons.
Second, the most important reason to shoot a moving target
is to become more efficient at hog and coyote control. Hunters are not
harvesting enough hogs or coyotes to properly reduce populations in many
states. We need to become more efficient management tools by harvesting higher
numbers. Our challenge as hunters is to effectively control hogs and coyotes to
the point where agricultural and predator damage is minimal. Another reason to
shoot a moving target is to follow-up with a lethal shot after an unsuccessful
first attempt at a standing animal. These animals are tough and it may be
necessary to anchor them with a second bullet. We do not want a wounded animal
to escape and suffer.
Shooters must understand lead in order to become proficient
at movers. Lead can be defined as shooting ahead of a moving target so that the
bullet and target intercept. In other words, you must shoot where the target
will be when the bullet arrives. Leads are only necessary if targets move
enough distance to change their position while the shot is in the air. It is
not important for short range but crucial for distance and wide angles.
For example, a 60 yard shot will require half as much lead
as a 125 yard shot and a 90 degree, broadside, right angle will require more
lead than a 15 degree, quartering angle. This is the same reason it takes one
foot of lead to break a high house target on station two and four feet of lead
to break the same target at the same distance on station four of a skeet field.
Speed must also be considered as coyotes running at 25 MPH will require more
lead than a hog trotting 5 MPH at the same distance.
I could list the proper miles per hour (MPH) and feet per
second (FPS) conversion formulas and confuse you with bullet flight times in
milliseconds. Taking pencil to paper at known distances, speeds, angles, bullet
drop, time of flight and wind direction to mathematically calculate proper
leads is a “conscious” brain task. This information would be very necessary if
you were engaging stationary targets at 300+ yards. But the variables to these
equations do not matter at all when shooting a rifle at moving targets inside
150 yards. Close range hog and coyote control must become a “subconscious” task
because the animals are quickly changing speed and direction.
For example, when a dove or duck rockets past you 39 yards
away at 44 MPH, do you consciously calculate how many feet of lead it will take
if you are shooting a 1290 FPS shotgun shell? No, your eyes quickly transfer
the distance, speed and angle information to the subconscious part of your
brain which sends a signal to your forward hand moving the shotgun in front of
the bird. When your eyes recognize the proper lead, the subconscious brain
sends another signal to your trigger finger. Shooting a rifle is no different.
There are four common methods for shooting moving targets:
Sustained lead: The gun is started in front of the target by
what the shooter perceives as the correct lead and keeps this distance constant
while squeezing the trigger. This method is preferred on closer shots with
little or no lead.
Pull-away: The gun is started on the target and accelerates
in front by what the shooter perceives as the correct lead. The trigger is
squeezed as the gun pulls away from the target. This method is preferred on
longer shots to ensure the barrel continues moving forward on bigger leads.
Swing-through: The gun starts from behind the target and
accelerates through it on the same line. Lead is generated by gun speed and the
trigger is squeezed as the gun passes the animal’s head. It is difficult to
move the gun at a constant speed using this method and the sight picture will
vary as gun speed changes.
Trapping method: The gun is held stationary and the trigger
is squeezed as the target approaches the barrel.
Skeet or sporting clays repetition with a shotgun will help
improve your sustained lead, swing-through and pull-away techniques. Just
remember, shotgun leads at moving targets will be different than rifle leads at
the same distance. Shotgun shells are travelling at 1200-1300 FPS while rifle
bullets are travelling at 2500-2900 FPS. We prepared the chart below to help
you determine proper lead for rifle practice:
Broadside Hog at 5 MPH, .308 Win. Bullet Velocity at 2600
FPS
Distance
Lead
50 yards
5 inches
100 yards
10 inches
150 yards
1 foot, 3 inches
Broadside Hog at 10 MPH, .308 Win. Bullet Velocity at 2600
FPS
Distance
Lead
50 yards
10 inches
100 yards
1 foot, 8 inches
150 yards
2 feet, 6 inches
Broadside Hog at 20 MPH, .308 Win. Bullet Velocity at 2600
FPS
Distance
Lead
50 yards
1 foot, 8 inches
100 yards
3 feet, 4 inches
150 yards
5 feet, 1 inch
The most important factor in becoming proficient at moving
targets is PRACTICE. Your subconscious brain is like a six-inch computer
between your ears. You must give your computer ample information with
repetitive distance, speed and angle input for positive and negative feedback.
Your brain will learn to make last second corrections with enough repetition
and experience. Nothing beats a rifle range with variable speed moving targets
to learn various distances and angles.
Gun fit is also very important. Mount scope to rifle with
the proper eye relief. When the rifle hits your shoulder, your master eye
should be directly behind the scope with a full field of view to acquire the
proper sight picture immediately. If you don't shoot with both eyes open, start
now. Shoot a rifle at moving targets just like a shotgun. Your master eye
cannot focus on both target and reticle at the same time. Your vision must be
locked on the target downrange with only your peripheral vision seeing the
reticle.
Always practice mounting with an unloaded rifle. Set your
scope to the lowest magnification and mount to a stationary object. Learn to
look at an object with both eyes, mount the rifle, and see the object
immediately centered in the scope with one natural motion. Moving targets
require a smooth swing before the shot and a natural follow-through afterward.
Practice your mount, swing and follow-through by tracking the horizontal line
where a wall and ceiling meet. Repeat this task 50 times daily for proper muscle
memory.
Never take a running shot unless shooting conditions dictate
the proper background to stop a bullet without any buildings, livestock or
other hunters down range. Always take your lead from the vertical center of the
animal’s head or shoulder maintaining a smooth swing and follow-through.
Squeeze the trigger gradually as you are aligning the sight picture without
slowing or stopping your swing. Consciously follow-through after the shot and
observe the bullet hitting the target. It is always better to err on too much
lead than not enough.
Understanding leads combined with practice and experience
will produce results beyond what you thought were possible. You will harvest
more hogs and coyotes when you are consistent at running shots. Our goal as
hunters is to become more effective management tools by reducing hog and coyote
populations and limiting crop and predator damage across the United States.
Bottom line—moving targets can be harvested cleanly if hunters possess the
proper shooting skills.
Watch Video Demonstration:
(Rod Pinkston is the founder and owner of JAGER
PRO™ Hog Control Systems based in Columbus, Georgia. It is the first company to
successfully apply thermal imaging equipment, along with night vision and
military technology to effective feral hog control in the United States. Rod is
a published author and expert of the latest technology, tactics and research in
the industry. He can be contacted through his website at: www.jagerpro.com, by
phone at 706-718-9789 or via email at Rod@jagerpro.com.)
Morovision Night Vision, Inc. successfully completed its
2012 Night Vision Demo Tour. The tour highlighted some of the newest and most
advanced technology in night vision and thermal imaging.
Morovision Night Vision, Inc., the authorized U.S. Law
Enforcement distributor and commercial tube distributor for ITT Exelis,
announces the success of its 2012 Night Vision Demo Tour. The tour made stops
at various Police Departments, tactical trade shows, and government agencies
throughout California, Arizona, and Texas.
Showing off some of the most advanced night vision and
thermal technology, Morovision piqued the interest of agencies such as LAPD,
FBI, Houston Police Department, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Some of
the featured devices that were demoed included the Night Enforcer NEPVS-14, the
Dual Sensor Night Vision Goggle (DSNVG), and Exelis’ new i-Aware Fusion
systems. The i-Aware Fusion systems were put to the test using a helicopter
fly-over, robot, and static cameras which transmitted live video into the
i-Aware fusion goggles’ heads up display (HUD).
“Morovision once again demonstrated its commitment to the
law enforcement and special operations community by reaching out and bringing
the technology to them – in their own back yard – showing that with the right
gear, they can increase their operational capabilities, situational awareness
and survivability,” says Spiro Demetriadi, Director of Sales and Marketing at
Morovision. “Merely showing up is only half the effort;” Spiro continues,
“Morovision is taking things further by getting gear into the hands of specific
law enforcement units to demo the gear in actual operations as well as
scheduling hands-on tactical training on the proper use of this technology in
tactical and/or surveillance scenarios.”
The demos were held in Exelis’ 18-wheeler
trailer-turned-Demo Facility. Due to the success of the tour, there has been a
surge in interest and demand for an East-Coast tour. Morovision is currently in
the process of putting together dates and locations for next year’s tour.
About Morovision Night Vision, Inc.
Morovision has provided federal, state, and local law
enforcement agencies with state-of-the-art U.S. manufactured night vision
equipment since 1991. Morovision is on the forefront of night vision and
thermal imaging technologies and their commitment to excellence and reputation
for integrity has made them an industry leader
Everyone has a Black Friday sale these days... This year Morovision decided to join in with the festivities! In giving thanks to YOU, we are offering GEN 3 PVS-14s for only $2,395! Plus, if you use the coupon code MORO12 at checkout, we'll give you a fifty dollar Combat Carrying case, for FREE! This offer is valid from Friday, November 23 - Sunday, November 25.
So, you can stand in line all night to get some free socks and a sweater you'll never wear, or you can shop online and get an AUTHENTIC GEN 3 PVS-14 NIGHT VISION MONOCULAR!! Its a no-brainer.
In today’s tough economic time, it’s hard getting the right
tools and materials for your Law Enforcement agency. And with budgets being
continuously cut, a hard job is progressively getting tougher. Financial issues
leave many departments under-equipped, under-staffed, and over-exerted.
Grants can help provide mission-critical tools and resources
for your agency. The money received from grants can be used to hire new
officers, pay overtime, or even purchase new equipment like night vision
devices.
Here are 5 steps to help you not only finding grant money,
but get it.
1. Plan and Decide
When it comes to grants, the first step for you to make is
to identify your needs and/or wants. What will benefit your agency? What will
benefit your city? What will keep your officers safe? Thinking through
questions like these will allow you to pinpoint what your agency is lacking and
begin formulating your “case” for the grant proposal.
2. Find a Grant
There are billions of dollars of grant money up for grabs
every year – all you have to do is find it. Remember that grants come in all
shapes and sizes and can be offered not only by the government, but by private
companies too. At the bottom of this post, check out the list of resources that
provide grants to Law Enforcement agencies for various items.
3. Write the Grant
Writing the grant is one of the hardest parts of the
process. Be sure that you are effectively expressing a NEED based on a PROBLEM
that can be FIXED or SOLVED with the grant. It is
also important to keep in mind that you are being clear and concise. A decoratively
embellished, ‘pretty’ sounding grant proposal may seem more professional and
formal, but statistics, evidence, and showing a need carry more merit than an ornamental
vocabulary. Regardless if you are awarded the grant or not, save the proposal
for reference in the future; you may be able to tweak it and resubmit next
year.
4. Spend the Money
Spending grant money can feel like a shopping spree, but
it’s important to follow the regulations and restrictions of the grant – don’t
spend training funds on a new patrol car. Also, make sure you spend ALL of the
money to ensure you will get more in the future. This doesn’t mean waste the grant money; it means that
your agency should be resourceful with what you’ve been given by putting it to
good use. While you spend the money, document everything.
5. Grant Report
Depending on which grant you have been awarded, you may need
to report your expenditures. This will provide the funder with information on
how and when you allocated the resources. Be detailed and include how the
funding has helped your agency.
Morovision will work with you to help you get grant money
for night vision equipment. If you have any questions, please call or email us.
Resources
Listed below are some of the MANY resources to use to find grant money. Leave us a comment or tweet at us if you find another great resource!
When
looking into purchasing a night vision device for yourself or for your agency,
it is essential that you are properly informed. The last thing you or your
fellow officers/agents want is an outdated or faulty device for obvious reasons.
Ensuring you have the proper tools can ultimately increase your operational
capabilities, situational awareness, and survivability. Before making any
decisions regarding night vision keep in mind the following points:
Night vision devices are made up of two key parts:
- The image intensifier tube (and its technology) - The housing unit
Tubes:
Image intensifier tubes are like diamonds or fingerprints –
no two tubes are exactly the same. Creating
tubes is a long, complicated process that involves using a gallium arsenide photocathode.
The photocathode causes negative electron affinity which allows it to create
photoelectrons out of photons resulting in a clearer, brighter image. The only
US manufacturers of image intensification tubes are ITT
Exelis (the #1 supplier of night vision equipment for the US Military) and L3. Photonis and
ATN are examples of foreign manufacturers but predominantly produce Gen 2/Gen2+
tubes. The latest generation of tube technology is called GEN III + (or Gen 3
Plus). For a complete rundown on tube generations, refer
to this post. For the most thorough and extensive comparison of images from
the different generations of NVDs, refer to this comparison done
by TNVC, an authorized dealer of Morovision
products.
Because the process that image intensifier tubes go through
is so complex, there are some blemishes and characteristics that can be
expected such as spotting or honeycombing. “Clean” tubes are called “hand-select”
and are available through some companies.
Housing:
The second most important piece of a night vision device is its
housing unit. Housing units follow the trend of all manufactured products
today: There are the durable, solid housing kits manufactured in the US, and
there are cheap imitation knock-offs manufactured elsewhere. Even though they
may look the same, housing units CAN have an effect on tube performance and
quality.
What to look for before you buy:
Demand only US name brand, factory warranted systems direct
from the primary US manufacturer and/or its authorized dealer. Also, make sure
that the company you’re buying from is reputable and can be easily reached by
phone or email. Name brand systems include ITT
Exelis Night Enforcer NEPVS-14, and Morovision Night Vision systems
including the MV-14P PINNACLE
Monocular and PVS-7
Goggle Gen 3 PINNACLE. All of these U.S. Military battle proven systems
utilize factory new, Generation 3, 64 lp/mm resolution (Typical) SELECT Exelis image
tubes, full Mil-Spec nitrogen purged housings and optics and include a
comprehensive manufacturer's warranty.
While reviewing topics to discuss in future posts, I came across the following article written for Morovision in early 2011. Written by a combat
veteran who recently got out of serving in one of the U.S. Army Ranger
Battalions, it was too good to pass up, so I decided to post it. For security, the author of the article remains anonymous, however I can tell you that this
soldier has completed six special operations overseas combat deployments (Iraq,
Afghanistan and East Africa) and was active in more than 200 combined missions,
including with units from U.S. Army Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta
(SFOD), the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG) and Britain's
Special Air Service (SAS). He is currently assigned to another U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) unit.
The PVS-14 night
vision monocular is something that can give any law enforcement or military
unit an extreme advantage in any tactical situation. The one caveat to
that is that YOU MUST KNOW HOW TO USE THE PVS-14 PROPERLY.
In this article I will talk about how I applied close quarters battle (CQB)
techniques, in combat operations, with my Ranger unit during room clearing
operations in low/no light conditions. If you don’t already use these
techniques in your unit I recommend you give them a try during your next
training exercise. As military or law enforcement personnel we carry firearms, whether it is a
sidearm, or a carbine. The use of the PVS-14 night
vision monocular system gives us the advantage of not only seeing at night but
being able to use our firearm at night responsibly. The first main rule is that how you shoot, meaning with which hand, and using
what dominant eye, stays the same, with or without the use of night vision
equipment. If, for example, you are a right-handed firer and right eye
dominant, then that is how you will shoot at night using the PVS-14.
Remember, as shooters, we do everything the same to build muscle memory. What this means, as it relates to your PVS-14 monocular,
is that whether it is mounted on your helmet or a skull-crusher (that would be
your head harness) the PVS-14 must
be mounted over your non-dominant eye. For example, if you are a
right-handed shooter with your pistol and are right eye dominant, then the PVS-14 is
mounted over your left eye or the other way around, if you are a left-handed
shooter with your pistol and are left eye dominant, then the PVS-14 is
mounted over your right eye. As it relates to using the PVS-14 monocular
in a room clearing operation, if you have a day optic, IT IS ONLY FOR
DAYLIGHT CONDITIONS. You do not look through the PVS-14 into
your day optic. This changes your sight picture and how you bring your weapon
to your face. The PVS-14 can
be combined with a laser system such as the PEQ-2, to take advantage of using
the infrared (IR) spectrum of light at night, which is invisible to the naked
eye. This is most effective. If you do not have a laser, do not
change the configuration of your PVS-14 and
continue using the night vision over your non-dominant eye. Simply bring
the weapon system up to its normal firing position in front of your face and shoot.
If you are competent with your weapon, you know where your rounds are going,
regardless of being able to use your optic or not, because of limited
visibility. Remember, although you may be in limited visibility at one
moment in time, you may enter a situation where you may want to use your
tactical flashlight, or all the lights may come on, at which point, because
your optic is free from your PVS-14 monocular,
you can quickly transition back to using your optic as if it were daytime. In conjunction with your PVS-14 night
vision monocular it is recommended you use a tactical flashlight with your
weapon. At any point inside a building or room, or even near an unnatural
light source, it may become bright again. That is why you do not cover up
your firing eye with the night vision, so you can quickly transition from the
InfraRed (IR) spectrum to the full spectrum. Although the PVS-14 can
filter out “white light” there is a split-second delay and it still obscures
part of your view. With your “tac” light, upon entering a room, you
switch on the “tac” light and sweep the room using your firing eye, which is
not covered, and when “room clear” is called, switch off your “tac” light and
go back to the IR spectrum. In the dark, this quick blast of light boasts the
additional advantage of blinding the enemy/suspect momentarily.
The one change to this would be if you were in a support by fire situation, you
may choose to mount the PVS-14 to
the Picatinny rail system on your carbine and hunker down behind your weapon
and look through both the night vision and optic, although this is not optimal. An additional tip is that you may wish to field craft a counter weight for your
helmet to keep your helmet sitting on your head correctly. Anyone who has
had to move tactically with a helmet mounted PVS-14 can
remember constantly adjusting his helmet after each bound or movement.
This can be done by taping a few batteries together and Velcroing them to the
back of your helmet. It’s cheap, keeps spare batteries handy and works.
Getting a good chinstrap and making sure it fits properly also helps quite a
bit. I recommend something similar to a MSA combat chinstrap. Speaking of
quality equipment, it is important to use only the best equipment when your
life is on the line and that is why my Ranger unit exclusively used the PVS-14 made
by ITT Exelis because of its performance and reliability. We all want to get home to
our families alive and in one piece! Above everything else, remember the most important tip is to train as
you fight and fight as you train. Using the PVS-14 night
vision monocular is not a magical “see-in-the-dark” fix but a tool to be used
and as with any tool, you must constantly train with it to become proficient in
its use so it becomes second nature to you.
There has been a lot of buzz regarding Generation 4 (GEN IV)
Night Vision lately. Some people claim that Gen 4 is the latest and greatest in
night vision technology while others claim that it does not exist. This post
will clarify the claims made about the “Fourth Generation” of night vision
optics.
View from a GEN I Starlight Scope
To start off, it is essential to know the history of image
intensification and how the generations are classified.
Night vision systems were first introduced during World War
II by the German Army, but because of their size, weight, and cost, they didn’t
become main-stream until the Vietnam War. The Generation 0 and Generation 1
(GEN I) classifications are used to describe the night vision used in WWII and
Vietnam.
Utilizing a micro-channel plate with an S-25 photocathode,
second generation (GEN II) devices provided a much brighter image in comparison
to the first generation. The PVS-4 would be an example of a Gen II device.
With third generation systems, the image intensification
tubes use a photocathode made with gallium arsenide, greatly improving image
brightness and clarity. GEN III night vision tubes also use an ion barrier film
on the micro-channel plate. This film increases tube life but also results in
the “halo” effect around bright spots.
And here is where things get tricky.
Numerically, 4 comes after 3 – so it only makes sense to
label the newest image intensification tubes as the fourth generation. These so-called
“GEN IV” NVDs boast the impressive auto-gating feature: the function that
automatically adjusts the power supply to adapt to any changes in light. In
addition to the auto-gating feature, the ion barrier has been removed, allowing
for a more dynamic image with less noise. Unfortunately, these improvements are
NOT granted the Gen 4 label. This is due to the US Military’s standards of
classification noting that the improvements, while extremely advanced and
clearly noticeable, are merely a stepping stone for what is yet to come…
In conclusion, it has been determined that there is NO such thing as a GEN IV Night Vision Device – They are
referred to as GEN
III+ or Gen 3 Pinnacle. As ENVGs (Enhanced
Night Vision Devices) and the COTI (Clip-On
Thermal Imager) are allowing a thermal image overlaid onto the classic
Night Vision image, we see the opportunity for night vision to head in a
different, more functional and advanced direction.
I can remember the days when night vision was scarce. Training for night vision was closing your eyes for up to 45 minutes before a patrol took place so that your eyes were adjusted to the darkness when the squad stepped out on patrol. If the patrol were to encounter lights, they would do everything they could to protect at least one eye that was adjusted to the darkness.
Times have changed drastically in the sense that the need for night vision is so paramount that every service member deployed that leaves the wire has a form of night vision, typically a PVS-14 monocular. In an attempt to level the playing field against the permanence of "Home Court Advantage", technology provides tools limited only by the imagination of the user, that instill uncertainty, fear, and dish out cans of “Whoop Ass” from the “Super-Sized” menu to the bad guys.
From my experience, the biggest problem with night vision tools is that they are not used until units get into their theater of operation. This is potentially dangerous and can lead to fatalities. I understand the need to preserve items that cost thousands of dollars each but how will the item benefit the user if he/she does not train with it? How can the user become skilled in operating the optic without sufficient time using it during the trial and error phase of a training cycle?
While conducting the many different infantry type jobs in the US Marine Corps, I have learned that everything used needs to be an extension of the user; from the boots to the body armor; the vehicle to the crew-served weapon. Weapon manipulation should be as if the bullet fired was under the same control as the finger that pulled the trigger. The shooter should instinctively know where the round impacted and what the factors involved that caused it to impact at its destination. Walking around with a night vision device mounted on a helmet should give the user comfort and not uncertainty. The only way to reach this point of efficiency is to perfectly practice regularly and realize that when a life-threatening crisis hits you it is unlikely that you will rise to the occasion but you will sink to the level of your training.
Night vision devices should enhance stealth. If you have to sprint or move rapidly, there probably is no reason to use night vision. If, as a shooter, I can hear you running towards me, I still have a target to shoot. The proper use of night vision should aid in eliminating visual and audible indicators that could give your position away and make you a target. The shooter should only move as fast as he can shoot accurately. Night vision will slow down your movement because of diminished peripheral vision and depth perception. As a shooter, who relied on stealth, it benefits me to take advantage of the night and move slower with more deliberation. This will increase accuracy while shooting on the move, increase stealth, and drastically limit fratricide.
I have used night vision as a secondary means of communication. Whether from a hide or in a CQB situation, infrared beams allow friendly forces to know my position. I have been in situations while out on patrol and have lost communication with an adjacent element. I know, no matter how thick it may get, I cannot return fire at certain ranges because of the lack of awareness of the position of that unknown unit. I would check for aircraft, and then throw a IR flood beam in the air. I have never seen a Marine miss an opportunity to participate in a Jedi Light Saber battle (cross their IR laser beams in the air), and therefore can effectively locate known and unknown adjacent units in the area.
From a hide, there is no need for the breach force to break radio silence when they see a laser coming through a window. I reveal to them my position, and the position of my muzzle and focus. There is no need to talk about it because if I can see their lasers, I know their general position. They can safely assume that I am focused on a potential threat, so either my shot eliminates the threat, or I shift my laser and they can assume the area is clear. If time is a factor for the breach force and they cannot wait anymore, then they can signal with rapid vertical movements of the lasers and my muzzle will shift to provide surveillance or precision fire in a different sector.
I understand these methods will not work for everyone in every situation, but the bottom line is that none of the techniques can be developed safely unless the guys coming back from missions are using these tools to reign in and refine their skills and increase their abilities with proper and constant training.
WRITTEN BY MICHAEL WOLFSEN.
About the Author:
Currently, Michael Wolfsen focuses on Law Enforcement and Military consultation and sales at Morovision, Night Vision, Inc. This past spring 2012 he was honorably discharged from the US Marine Corps after serving over 8 years in various missions throughout 5 combat deployments.
Michael’s first deployment was the Battle of Fallujah in 2004, where he participated in the clearing phases and transitioned to the security phase that took place to enable the first democratic elections in Iraq. He returned to Iraq to serve as a Squad Leader in 2007 where he led over 500 patrols to deny the enemy the freedom of movement and to provide the locals with a stronger sense of security. Michael’s first Afghanistan deployment moved him up to lead a team as part of a Distributed Operations Platoon that was trained to operate as a large unit with individually operating elements. His 3-man team spent time tracking and engaging the Taliban by direct or indirect fire in the mountains of the Korengal Valley. Follow up missions were to provide surveillance on main supply routes to deny the Taliban the ability to interfere with coalition troops’ access to those roads. He quickly discovered that clandestine skills during those times required quality opticsand the proper training to use them, to remain undetected and to observe the enemy during the times they were most likely to operate, at night.
Michael was then transferred to Virginia for additional training and graduated from the Marine Basic Security Guard Course, the Advanced Urban Combat Course, a Non-Lethal Weapons and Tactics Course and the Green Belt Marine Corps Martial Arts Course. He then deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to conduct a surveillance and security mission along the Naval Base Perimeter. Michael was then transferred to Camp Pendleton, CA and redeployed to Afghanistan. He completed his career as a Sergeant and a Marine Scout Sniper Assistant Team Leader. Mr. Wolfsen has vast knowledge in both day and night time operations pertaining to weapons and tactics, surveillance and effective use of tools that improve a shooter’s efficiency. Michael’s combat experience has taught him that there is fine line to walk around with the highest lethality, yet at the same time maintain credibility and legitimacy providing security to all citizens in a particular area, all without causing harm or damage to innocent people. Urban deployments gave him a deeper respect for Law Enforcement Officers and their ability to remain holstered in a situation that could escalate in a blink of an eye, yet remain resolute in their physical and mental posture for the sake of the citizens, all while putting their lives at risk. If you are a Law Enforcement Officer and your job is tactical and/or surveillance in nature, Michael and the Morovision Team are able and ready to assist. Morovision’s mission is to increase your operational capabilities, situational awareness and survivability.
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Night vision has changed the way operations are planned out
and have made great improvements to their tactics and ability to make highly
successful evidence gathering. Night vision also allows for successful high
profile arrests all the while keeping the SWAT officers safer and out of harm’s
way. Officer Harris stated that using the PVS-14 and the PVS-27 allows him and
his team to “get inside the suspect’s OODA loop quickly to increase the officers’
chances of surprise and success without expensive mistakes, time consuming
observations, and the dangers of daylight.”
