2013 has been a capacity schedule of conducting national and international exported courses of instruction as well as developing specialist training packages for service clients.
After returning from an excellent annual course at spec force Auckland I headed for Australia and the annual Todd group Australian course on the Gold Coast.
The Todd group being specialist and responsible training providers have a definite regime in relation to restricted training.
Proponents have to earn the right by passing the testing phases achieving promotion and being approved to move on to advanced second phase training and specialist phase 3 training.
We do not produce or publicise anything on phase 2 or 3 tactics skills and principles for the general public as the right to learn such skills is earned and all proponents need to be approved as responsible and as such permitted to undertake such training.
This being the case the phase 3 training on the Gold Coast was conducted prior to the phase 1 and two courses of instruction starting.
This gives the opportunity for the phase 3 proponents to stay on time permitting and remain current with phase 1 and 2 skills as well as get their instructing hours up on an annual intensive phase 1 and 2 courses of instruction.
During the phase 3 course of instruction, I introduced the phase 3 proponents to my methods of developing military close calls combat skills.
This is an important facet of the Todd group and something I have been involved in since my instructors taught me how to develop skills and problem solve.
The phase 3 proponents enjoyed the opportunity to be part of the development of skills for special operations” CQC applications.
The phase 1 and two courses of instruction were conducted in the same facility in separate training areas with the courses combining for some drills skills as well as toughener and sickener phases.
Day six was the phase 1 test that produced a single exponent pass maintaining the important high standards and level pass requirements.
Already we are focused on next year’s Australian annual course of instruction which will be conducted on the Gold Coast again between July 19 and 26th.
Shane Gordon the Todd group Australian chief instructor once again done an excellent job of managing the 2013 course of instruction and can be emailed at the following email address to apply for positions on the 2014 course. [email protected]
immediately after the Australian course, It was off to conduct CQB moderation followed by an intensive military specialist CQB course.
Arriving back at headquarters on August 2. I commenced instructing the headquarters close personal protection course from August 3 until August 13.
This course of instruction was a small group specialist basic level CPP course of instruction of one detail and all positions were filled.
The exponents originated from NZ USA and South East Asia.
Two former infantry soldiers, a 20 year veteran of the US Army that served in Desert Storm/law enforcement, a Malaysian engineer and security crowd controller/university student made up the small group of committed attendees.
The course included all the specialist skills required to work in the close protection industry and training exercises included rail, maritime and land-based exercising.
Being the longest training provider of close personal protection in New Zealand, the courses are always full musters and usually by means of referral.
The course very much enjoyed two days at the range as well as evasive and aggressive driving including 4WD.
The close protection related close combat phase of training is something that the Todd Group have developed over decades and specialise in.
This phase of training provided in actions on encounters the means to neutralise extremes ranging from unarmed threats through to firearms threats.
Undertaking exercises by rail and on the sea as well as a class A dress exercise in the city provided the opportunity for the exponents to put together all the knowledge they had learnt and utilise their operation orders.
The CPP course is a labour intensive course and also resource intensive but provides wide ranging expertise in equally as wider range of required protective subjects.
On completion of the CPP course it was back with the senior pers and some training team development of skills for the military and police clients.
Now it’s preparation for August and September exported courses to South Africa and Thailand.
The following is post course reports provided by CPP course exponents.
The Todd CPP Course gives a new age, up to date perspective to the modern world of protection. That perspective comes from a reputable list and unique history from the best in the business.
This course defiantly gives a rare, detailed insight and lesson in regards to CPP. I personally found that it is not just a job but a committed lifestyle.
The course provides a really good balance of theory, lectures, practical activities and training. This balanced combination provides a complete package.
Tanks serious but laid-back approach to teaching creates a positive and proactive environment that is easy to learn within.
The course gives anyone that wants to get into this type of work a good indication of the “in’s and out’s” of the industry. You will discover everything you should know and do in the industry and where you fit into it, “open minded”.
The attention to detail and amount of input into the course could only come about through years of collective knowledge, experience and refinement. You couldn’t make it up.
The information taken from this course exceeded my expectations and is definitely invaluable. It can be transferred to everyday life for better situational awareness to protect family and loved ones which is just another bonus the course has to offer. I thoroughly enjoyed the holistic approach this course had to offer and would highly recommend that anyone looking to get into the industry should first look here.
S ST Former Military.
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I have dreamed to join the CPP course since 2008. I missed out 3 times and finally my dream came true this year. I so enjoyed this course. I have learnt so much and I can’t list every single thing in this post course comment.
What I have learnt in this course are:
CPP is not only about protecting yourself and a client, but also protecting friends and families.
I learnt to not over- react or under-react during protection. Neutralize your threat with minimal actions and cover and extract your principle as soon as possible.
Although I’ve done some shooting before, I’ve never learnt to shoot with both eye open. It’s quite hard for me to aim at the target and keep both eyes open, but it’s much safer compared with one eye open only.
Tank’s line direction route is a great idea, especially for a English as second language person.
I quite enjoyed the driving part, both in theory and in practice.
I’ve learnt how important threat recognition (recce) is, it saves lots of time and reduces the threat.
There are something I need to improve:
My English
Shooting with 0.45 cal
Communication skill
Practise make perfect.
WM South East Asia
The Todd Group August 2013 Specialist Close Personal Protection Course instructed by Military CQB Master Chief Instructor Geoff Tank Todd at the Todd Group Head Quarters was much more than I was expecting.
It was exactly as it was described and more, it was both intensive and extensive.
Tank’s meticulous attention to detail of the course content, layout and format covered a very wide range of necessary tools and skills needed to operate as a successful Close Protection Operator, even the smallest details never went unchecked proving that the calibre of the course is second to none.
The Live-Firing component was a definite highpoint on the course and I was introduced to instinctive point shooting.
The skills in the Close Protection related Close Combat component has given me the confidence to protect both the Principal and myself against physical threat situations.
The Importance of writing Operational Orders, so all of the Close Protection Team know their duties, roles and responsibilities, enabled for smooth operations, the Close Protection Team knowing their place on the food chain was important and we got the opportunity to work in the various roles within the Close Protection Team.
Attending the Todd Group Specialist Close Personal Protection Course has helped me develop more skills, it has raised my situational awareness to a whole new level and given me a different perspective on maintaining security.
I thoroughly enjoyed every component of the course and wished it never ended.
In closing I would like to thank you Tank for all your time, dedication and commitment in instructing and training myself and the other lads who attended the Close Personal Protection Course, I believe this course will be something we will never forget.
KC Former Army.
Post course report.
The skills obtained from this course have on a whole have changed my perspective on the large and small scale. I am now more aware of the behavior of those around me. Rather than passing individuals bye at a glance, I find myself paying closer attention to where their hands are and if their eyes are fixed upon myself or anyone around me. It has also made me more aware of my surroundings, exits and safe places. The means by which we were instructed in close protection has allowed me to understand and acquire the skills required to operate in a professional manner to protect a VIP family member and myself. Although I am no regular driver, the practical hands-on manner which was used to show me how to drive in an evasive and offensive manner has provided increased confidence. Since having undertaken this course I have taken a step back and assessed where I live from the perspective of an individual with hostile intentions and taken measure to further improve security. Having barely ever handled a firearm, the training provided was of a high level with detailed and informative hands on safety and theory sections allowing me to grasp the basics over a wide range of Firearms on the practical training.
The course on a whole which was delivered to us over eleven days was filled with all the content that could in any way be of importance and has granted an excellent overview of what a career in close personal protection involves and how to prepare for it. 10/10.
CM Security industry.
