F.a.t.s.

[ccarton88]

First off, I just wanna say that this is the coolest thing I've ever taken part in. Today, I went to the city's training grounds with an officer for the department's explorer program. I'm a senior in HS and just now getting into the Explorers. I wish I had known more about it earlier, so I could have gotten involved a lot sooner.

Any way, the officer set me up with the FATS training tool. I got to choose between three different models for the gun. There was a Beretta, Sig, and a Glock. I chose the Glock because it felt the best in my hand. (keep in mind I had never fired a handgun.)

Well, I was suposed to go in and do the FATS thing for a half hour block, but we ended up doing it for almost an hour and a half. The officer in charge of it was having fun too. I was the only one there other than the officer. He even joined me in a few scenarios.

Well, I just wanted to share with all how much fun I had, and I learned so much just in that little ammount of time. I was wondering what other poeple thought of the FATS program, and how "real" the scenarios seemed to you.

[ccarton88]

I understand what you're saying. And, yes, the officer did explain to me that first and foremost FATS is a training tool. He told me almost exactly what you just posted. He specifically told me that it was a serrious tool for training. But he also told me he just wanted me to have a little fun with it, because that was the point of the meeting. Simply, he was at the training center, and had me come there to talk to me about the explorers. Then he told me that I could try the FATS device if i wanted.

Yes, I was ' " wowed" ' by it, but at the same time, I really do take it serriously. My uncle is a police officer, and my other uncle is in the armed forces. I respect what they do and understand that simulators such as these are tool for learning, and not simply "video games."

The officer in charge told me that in the six years he's been on the force, hes never had to discharge his weapon. Also, his partner, with 20+ years on the job, also has nevered fired his weapon. And in the city where I live, not once could the officer remember anyone being killed by an officer firing his / her weapon. I know this may not be the case, but it just seemed to comfort me a little bit, even thought that's probably not the best thing. Oh well.

I'm sorry if it seemed like I came off the wrong way, I was just trying to see what other people's experiences have been.

I really do appreciate all further insight, and should any one see me post somehting that is off base, please let me know. I feel that without correcting errors, learning is difficult.

Thank you much for your post.

[COBRA90GT]

FATS is pretty good stuff IMHO. We used FATS at the academy and the different situations that were presented offered some interesting "shoot / no shoot" scenarios. It's a helpful learning tool, no doubt. :)

BTW - if you think FATS was the coolest thing you've ever done, just wait till you try some simunition training (utilizes paintball-like rounds). The pucker factor can really get up there when others are actually shooting back at you.

[eff-bee-eye]

FATS was a great experience when we got to do it at the Academy during analyst training (extracurricular activity after-hours, ask your counselor to try and set it up).

I think it is a good tool to expose you to the basics of shoot/don't shoot situations, as well as drive home the seriousness of possibly having to use your gun. It was kinda funny to see some of the analysts "shoot" for their first time. One girl who had never held a gun before, was in a situation where she was in a parked car with her partner, and they see a guy carjack a women right in front of them while on surveillance. As SOON as she saw the would-be perp, she fired off 3 or 4 shots (THROUGH the windshield of her own car mind you). It was pretty funny, especially when we all reviewed the situation. But sure enough, all of her shots hit the perp right in the head, and he was about 20 yards away.

**** edited by moderator these senerios are for law enforcement use only and content is not appropriate for a public forum****

[Birky]

I am glad that you enjoyed the experience and Joe Canusi is correct it is a training tool that is used to put you in a stressful situation without the possiblity of getting hurt. I have never personally been put on a F.A.T.S. simulator but it does look like it would be fun. Also I can guarantee you that no LEO ever wants to use their weapon in the line of duty and the ones that say they want to need professional help.

[CColema4]

FATS was a great experience when we got to do it at the Academy during analyst training (extracurricular activity after-hours, ask your counselor to try and set it up).

I think it is a good tool to expose you to the basics of shoot/don't shoot situations, as well as drive home the seriousness of possibly having to use your gun. It was kinda funny to see some of the analysts "shoot" for their first time. One girl who had never held a gun before, was in a situation where she was in a parked car with her partner, and they see a guy carjack a women right in front of them while on surveillance. As SOON as she saw the would-be perp, she fired off 3 or 4 shots (THROUGH the windshield of her own car mind you). It was pretty funny, especially when we all reviewed the situation. But sure enough, all of her shots hit the perp right in the head, and he was about 20 yards away.

edited for reasons stated above.... :D

Saw an AUSA do the exact same situation, with funny results! And I thought at the Q you aren't supposed to say FATS...its "Interactive Video Scenarios" :rolleyes:

[LearninginMN]

They stopped using the FATS system at the minnesota explorer conference because i think it was too costly and that people did see it as more of a fun video game.

[ccarton88]

They stopped using the FATS system at the minnesota explorer conference because i think it was too costly and that people did see it as more of a fun video game.

that's too bad. I will say however, it is extremly expensive, at least that's what I was told. The officer doing this with me told me that each disk with the different scenarios costs about 4 to 6 thousand dollars! that's a ton!

But it's too bad if what you say is true that the explorers don't get the opportunity to use such a great tool. Like I said before, in just that hour and a half, I learned that what I initially thought to be grounds for firing, turned out not to be. And the officer explained to me during the replay what I did wrong or correct, and how I could have done better / what he would have done.

I forgot to say somehting in my previous posts. When the officer was explaining to me all the different tools he caries on his belt, he said no matter how many mags or cans of mace, or cuffs you have, your mouth is the best tool there is. That really hit home with me, and I truly understood what he was saying.

[eff-bee-eye]

You're not supposed to call Quantico "the Q" either, that must be a board thing as I haven't heard an agent say "Q".

Totally just a board thing, from all the applicants who want to save the time by typing those extra 7 letters.

Although, I will say that the Bureau does use it's fair share of acronyms and abbreviations.

[SReagan]

[QUOTE=ccarton88]

Yes, I was ' " wowed" ' by it, but at the same time, I really do take it serriously. My uncle is a police officer, and my other uncle is in the armed forces. I respect what they do and understand that simulators such as these are tool for learning, and not simply "video games."

The officer in charge told me that in the six years he's been on the force, hes never had to discharge his weapon. Also, his partner, with 20+ years on the job, also has nevered fired his weapon. And in the city where I live, not once could the officer remember anyone being killed by an officer firing his / her weapon. I know this may not be the case, but it just seemed to comfort me a little bit, even thought that's probably not the best thing. Oh well.

QUOTE]

Twenty-one days out of my state academy I got into a gunfight. It was very much like FATS - except for the real bullets. I felt well trained and prepared due to my recent FATS and Simunition training. The stuff works. Jump at any and every use of force training opportunity.

SR

[LearninginMN]

now instead of FATS we use live senarios with real people....hehehehe got to dust off the old wrestling skills for a takedown, the hardest part of having real people is that you get jakked up on more adreniline than the sim because i can keep telling myself look its a screen breathe breathe now its like WOW theres a person, yes i liked the sim because you can "shoot" a gun and theres rounds on the screen, but i like the real one more because if need be I can go hands on with a non-compliant. Not always the best call, and you have to be careful because these people are volunteers but its still really infomative/fun.

[Erik]

FATS can be quite valuable indeed.

It's a shame more LEOs don't have regular access to it.

That coupled with liberal doses of simunitions training goes a long way toward preparing new LEOs and honing the edge on the older ones.