Sawmill FTX

A different tactical competition

A couple of folks have asked how the Sawmill FTX is different from other tactical competitions. The differences are mission orientation, fitness component, fieldcraft, shooting skills, and decision making while stressed.

The Sawmill FTX is built around a rescue mission scenario. Every activity in the FTX is in support of successful execution of the mission. Tactical shooting competitions mostly don’t have a mission scenario.

Tactical shooting competitions add fitness components with the goal of stressing the shooter. The fitness/work component is inherent in the tasks of the Sawmill FTX. You’ll understand when you live with your rucksack for the entire competition.

Fieldcraft is an integral part of the Sawmill FTX.  Tactical shooting competitions mostly don’t include fieldcraft at all.

Rifle and pistol skills are comprehensively tested in the Sawmill FTX, both in a “range” environment and in an environment that mimics real life as closely as practical.

Decision making is a significant requirement in the Sawmill FTX. Practicing decision making while stressed leads to better decisions. 

Finally, the Sawmill FTX has both a training division and an OG division. I am not aware of any other competition with both those divisions.

Register for the Sawmill FTX at https://practiscore.com/sawmill-ftx-january-7-2024/register

The description below is the concept document for the Sawmill FTX.  It is written in a terse, non-grammatical manner so that it could fit on a single page. The Sawmill FTX is a one-day tactical experience that replicates (insofar as such a thing is possible) the experience of being selected, planning, training, and conducting a rescue mission.

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Rucksack with all required gear moves with participant for entire day.  No resupply nor access to car – honor system.  Carry all ammo/weapons/gear/food.  Water will be resupplied by Sawmill. Land nav, medical, and weapons training available ahead of time in fee-based class(es).  Maps provided. Land nav done in lat/long using compass/protractor. Times are notional at this point.  May start earlier. All participants use ITAK tracker.  All activity at Sawmill TTC site.

Selection (0700 to 1200)

Selection is a “meta” event with points available for finishing quickly and 5 sub-events (Fitness, Marksman, Pistol Marksmanship, Subcaliber Assessment, Weapons Maint.)

a.      Fitness Check

•    O-course

•    Run 1 mile in full kit

•    Finish at container superstructure  – First in is first to shoot – then move to subsequent bays

b.      Small Unit Tactics (each time capped at < = 3-5 minutes)

• Marksman (5.56 – superstructure range – 100 yd, 200 yd, 400 yd) – prone with sandbag

• Pistol Marksmanship Assessment": (sequence = Dot torture, plate rack, texas star, 25, 50, & 75 yards on 18x24 plates / neutralize clear to move on) – all shooting from standing position

• Subcaliber Marksmanship Assessment – 100 yard .22 LR pocket sniper course of fire, prone with bipod from sniper hide (data card and weapons provided)

• Weapons maintenance (field strip, reassemble, and function check pistol/rifle).

c.      Medical Preparation (each time capped at <= 2 mins)

• Check/call/care – Pocket Card (SMART Protocol) provided

• Tourniquet

• Flail Chest

• Broken Leg

• Land Navigation – 3 points -1 mile

Mission Prep (1200 - 1300)

a.      All participants gather in TOC for mission briefing (15 minutes) – brief the mission and especially brief the NOGO zone which is 800 to 1200 meter portion of KD range – use trackers to ensure no entry into no-go zone along with police tape blocking all roads through NOGO zone.

b.      (1215 to 1300) Mission planning – individual/team – 30 to 45 minutes

Mission Execution (1300 - 1700)

a.      Each competitor briefback at launch using provided format (5 minutes per individual/team) and then launch the competitor – briefback is graded and time-capped

•  Objective (retrieve wounded high value individual)

•  Route

•  Intel EEI

•  Authentication through lines (graded for bonus)

b.      Navigate to Extraction Site passing through lines and required checkpoints/shooting scenario’s (all shooting scenario’s are one to two minute time cap) – ITAK tracking devices/checkpoints for route compliance)

c.      Counter ambush on the way

d.      Gun battle at extraction Site - “room clearing” battle

e.      Medical attention to evacuee (tourniquet, flail chest, broken leg – SMART Protocol)

f.       Evacuate casualty via prescribed route with favorable air cover to 600 meter point on KD range – long range gun battle (200 yds & 350 yds, HTT) – 5 rds per tgt

g.      Call for evacuation for casualty (Red Cross Evac Request).

h.      Competitor evacuates on foot without casualty passing through lines to start/finish point.

4.      1700 or on evacuation – Debrief HVI retrieval, Intel EEI – EEI is bonus

5.      1730 – Announce winners in Prime, Men, Women Prime, Women, Masters Men (50+), Masters Women (50+), no winner in Trainee division, no winner in OG division