In the latest issue of the Tiger Valley newsletter, lead instructor T.J. Pilling recounts what should have been a routine SWAT execution of a warrant. Instead, it went wrong and had potential to go really wrong but thankfully did not.

I thought the final summary of the incident was worth repeating:

How did things go bad?  The door was blocked, divert guy hesitated and adrenaline was pumping with everyone involved.  The next thing is everyone wants to make up time, which, just like a match, can’t be done.  Even the most basic of techniques, like checking your corners went out the window.  It was lucky for everyone that the guy behind the door wasn’t armed, since he would have had the drop on the entry team, which missed him on the primary search.  When things go bad, stick to the basics, slow down and do things by the book, you can’t catch up on time you already lost.

It’s hard to remember to stick to the basics and slow down, especially when the fur is flying. This is something I struggle with myself. But success comes in mastering and utilizing fundamentals, in all areas of life.