TUSC After Action Report: 2023

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I hope you all enjoy and have a great day
0:00 Intro
0:47 outline
1:43 What TUSC is
5:19 Realism
6:28 Facility amenities
7:00 Safety/Medications
7:36 Cell phone use
8:11 Course flow
8:58 Instructors
9:54 Enemy/Opfor
10:55 Team/ Team leader/ego
10:57 Environment
12:58 GEAR Recommendations
25:28 Gear I don't recommend
26:31Overall experience
30:28 thank you Instructors
30:48 Outro
The opinions, views and information shared or created by the content creator do not represent the DOD or its Components. Any products, services, hyperlinks, websites or information are not endorsed by the DOD or Components. Content creator my reference their time as a DOD employee to build better articulated and aimed information to assist in expressing useful, or un-usefulness products, views, opinions or mindset. In no way does this represent the DOD or its Components.

[@bradleeutterback333]

I was on his team during TUSC, video is spot on. Highly recommend going to the course and experiencing it first hand.

[@brandonshepherd3317]

Thats a fact. It was good meeting all yall out there! Hope to get back together for another one some day

[@rdsmith334]

Man, don’t EVER apologize for your longer videos. I’ve been subbed to you for a good while, and your stuff is never a waste of time. Always good info. Thank you.

[@PreparedAirman]

I appreciate that! Thank you! I do my best lol

[@scottpilgrim8778]

Well this has definitely convinced me to go to TUSC. Hopefully we get some reviews on more DARC courses in the future

[@daverenn9316]

Bro, awesome summary of the course. Everything you covered was on point. Glad to have you on the team. Keep up the good work.

[@knicksfan46]

sounds great thanks!

[@markhager8321]

Great action report. Thanks

[@firefly11101]

Hype, been waiting for this. Really appreciate the overview of the course, thanks.

[@treygingles835]

This is a great AAR for this course. You didn’t decrease the training value by giving away the surprises but gave valuable information. Each TUSC has nuanced differences but you covered the bases.

[@immortalsoul9122]

Sounds like an awesome experience! I appreciate your consistently good content

[@PreparedAirman]

I appreciate that!

[@alvaroeloredo]

Great AAR, thanks for sharing. I look forward to taking the course in the near future.

[@patricklee5576]

Ive been to lots of training ....this course does seem an amazing benefit and Great Awakening

[@protectpersevere2030]

Thanks for the overview man. Very interested in the breakdown

[@Lebstanka]

Thanks for the video

[@PreparedAirman]

No problem! More videos on TUSC to come!

[@lumneva6812]

Great video

[@JacobJohn-rc4sx]

Keep em comin

[@magillagorilla1]

I enjoyed the video

[@DocCypher]

Sounds like I may see if I can take some leave days for this one. Interesting course from the sound of it.

[@Stoney_AKA_James]

Good AAR, PA! Congratulations

[@fie.56]

Nice

[@vegasprepping1022]

TUSC was designed to be the most realistic experience for the everyday person to test out their equipment, strategy, and physical abilities. If you don't take the courses at the island seriously, it will hurt you. They were putting IV's in the arms of some students in the first class , and I would bet it hasn't changed. Years later you may never look at cheese and diet coke the same way. Thanks for the great AAR.

[@okthisisepic6161]

This is peak living right here 😂 ❤

[@justsomeguyontheinternet5331]

i check every day for first available 2024 date. ive wanted to do this one so bad for a while now

[@kieranbryant2227]

NC Scouts RTO and guerilla scout courses are excellent options as well.

[@friendofcoal]

@@kieranbryant2227 Any links or where to get info on them?

[@dustyrhodes1655]

I will hopefully be attending in 2024. How many of the attendees were with buddies compared to coming solo? One of the best reviews Ive watched.

[@PreparedAirman]

It was a good mix of solos, then a few pairs and 3 groups of 4. But every class is different.

[@CainnechK]

Took the kids to Disney and that liquid IV is a game changer. Also Body Glide is an absolute must for anything like ur talking about, chafing can fuck up ur day beyond belief and Body Glide or Skin Glide is the solution

[@AR15ONA_LARPers]

My get home bag is a chest rig six mags every day carry and rifle out and blazing. I got 10 hours to walk home. don’t think people are desperate enough to risk it the first 24 hours. Bicycles will be the first thing people fight for everyone wants to make it home. Will have one in my truck soon. 2 1/2 hours in bike

[@throwback336]

Sounds like an amazingly miserable time!! I'd love to give it a go.

[@gracemorningstar396]

Are sick liners just a pair of thin socks, or are there actually sock liners to buy?

[@PreparedAirman]

I use these ones. amzn.to/3oMMcyw

[@Blackcloud_Garage]

1. How much does the course cost? 2. Can you use your phone for ATAK?

[@PreparedAirman]

I'm not sure what the price is currently, but you can email them. They will give you a full packing sheet. If you are going to be with a team with ATAK integrated, you will more then likely be allowed. They are flexible when it comes to testing tactics. www.darc-usa.com/

[@scapegoat762]

Where was the course held? Sounds like Mississippi or Louisiana. Camp Shelby Miss train up for my second Iraqi vacation was the most physically miserable mil training I ever experienced.

[@PreparedAirman]

Little Rock, Arkansas, is where the Direct Action Resource Center is located.

[@zanedeakin4687]

Is it frowned upon to disclose the cost of DARC's courses? I'm trying to gameplan for costs and i'm not having any luck finding numbers. Any way you could help me out?

[@PreparedAirman]

The pricing changes over time to my knowledge. Did you contact them? I emailed them, and they sent me the updated pricing and recommended packing list.

[@trojan115gw8]

Do you plan on discussing new strategies you learned?

[@PreparedAirman]

Some small things will be used throughout future content. But overall, no, I won't be doing a video discussion lessons or strategies learned. Ultimately, that is out of respect for the class and the instructors. It is their material to teach. I would recommend taking a class if you want the full details.

[@RobbieVanGone]

Did you fly there? If so how wss the airport experience getting your gear there?

[@PreparedAirman]

Yes, I flew with all my gear. It wasn't too bad. But I'm use to flying around the world with a lot of military gear. Future video!

[@RobbieVanGone]

@@PreparedAirman Awesome! Thank you.

[@travelingspartan2035]

So, how much does the course cost to attend?

[@CallSignLiberty]

From the research I’ve done, it looks like it is about $1,400 but I could be wrong. If I am, hopefully someone will correct me because I’m curious as well.

[@Casey_7140]

Came here to ask this as well

[@wyattmason3902]

Was tusc a millitary tdy situation or a civilian course?

[@PreparedAirman]

Civilian course paid out of pocket.

[@beardly0121]

Where is it and how long is the course? How is combat handled? I'm guessing sims or something like that? Sounds like you fight the opfor somehow. I literally know nothing about the course so please fill me in.

[@PreparedAirman]

It's in Little Rock, Arkansas. It was 4 days of training. It was originally with Simunitons, but mine was with blanks. Opfor is another advanced class. They will steal your gear, throw pyrotechnics, or even take you if you are alone. No going back to your hotel. It's fully 96 hours. you get out of if what you put into it. If you treat it like a real seneiro and don't cheat yourself, it's a crazy experience.

[@beardly0121]

​@@PreparedAirmantbh sounds like fun but also a useful experience. Id like to try something like this even though I am a civilian. It's good for concerned citizens to get some exposure to stuff like this even if most likely I won't necessarily NEED the skills, maybe I will. I suppose that's what being prepared is all about.

[@PreparedAirman]

95% of the class were civilians. That's what it's designed for. You definitely don't need to have a military background to go. I would recommend it for everyone honestly.

[@leov9846]

What is the cost of the course?

[@PreparedAirman]

At the time, it was $1400 if I recall correctly. In my opinion, you will get $1400 worth of experience and information. Take lots of notes!

[@oldschooljeremy8124]

Maybe what does "TUSC" stand for?

[@PreparedAirman]

Tactical Urban Sustainment Course

[@daviddrummond1903]

Lot of good information to get the mind thinking as most of your videos are. However, I’m wondering how much actual “Urban” training this course provides. When I hear “Urban” I’m thinking office buildings, businesses, residential homes, housing additions, apartments, condominiums, strip malls, box stores, manufacturing and industry. This is the environment most people live and work in and unfortunately will have to prepare and train for to survive should something happen.

[@fishrrelaxing9361]

As a southern boy I can tell you.. gortex or any kind of water proof footwear is a big no no lol.. you want as thin light and breathable as you can get.. the gwot tyoe desert boots work great for our environment.. yes your feet will get damp from morning dew but they dry so fast.. if you cross water you simply change socks when you can and the boots will dry faster then you think.. if you have the space and can carry the extra weight some good old rubber duck boots are great for sourcing water.. just plus 2 them in size so they are easy to put on over your normal footwear.. The one thing I didn’t see in this and I’d say is 1000% needed down here is gators.. we have snakes everywhere.. you want that protection.. The water thing is hilarious lol.. people look at me like I’m crazy when I tell them is 8l pack min in a full kit down here to make it through a single day.. 4 canteens and 2 bladders is my minimum.. I’ll sacrifice weight and other items for space for more water if need be.. the good think is almost year round a simple poncho is all you need other then food and water so you don’t really have that much to pack. One small warming layer at most for mild wet nights.. makes for a lot more room for water 😂

[@PreparedAirman]

Yeah, I'm definitely not firmiler with a southern environment. I've always lived in a northern environment. I traveled 1700 miles to get to the class. So the environment was definitely different. I made some notes on lessons learned while I was there in case I would ever live in an environment like that.

[@fishrrelaxing9361]

@@PreparedAirman dryfit and compression clothing is normal edc down here lol.. we still use wool socks but footwear is super light and breathable.. lot of desert gear works however humidity makes a huge difference.. in the desert your sweat evaps so quick it actually cools you too fast.. .. in the south you want to remain wet as the moisture cools you. you want materials that absorb and hold the moisture off body but don’t dry too quickly. In all honesty no military gear is good at this you have to go to athletic apparel. There is a huge difference between dry heat and high humidity heat and how you handle those situations to stay cool.. cotton will kill you most environments. A thin cotton undershirt can go miles down here to keeping you cool. I work outside and wear a regular cotton wife beater undershirt daily.. but I wear non absorbing materials on top of that.. Sweat in any dry or humid climate is good.. differences is you want in a humid climate to dry fast.. where in an airid climate to retain that moisture as long as possible and prevent the sudden drying which sucks body heat away.. Different animal down here.. I’ve been up there and over dressing and sweating in the cold is as much the same issue as under sweating and not drying fast enough down here.. I know some supposed experts say dry fast in humid and retain moisture in dry climates. Been down here for a long time working outside every day for 8-12hrs a day and I can say wo a doubt they are wrong.. the difference is how fast things dry as you don’t want the drying to wick body heat away in the process.. Above all that you need salts cause you will constantly sweat.. electrolytes is your choice.. much if that is over rated.. what you want is sugar free drinks and salts.. You don’t need all the fancy hydration crap I face my experience is most will dehydrate you faster.. 50/50 water and sugar free drinks and add a little salt to each.. most of the powdered substitutes are a lot of sugars.. sugars when sweating will dehydrate you faster then if you don’t drink anything at all..

[@cheeto4240]

how much was it?

[@PreparedAirman]

Mine class was $1400

[@cheeto4240]

@@PreparedAirman not bad considering what you get out of it

[@yoinky]

Since you had night vision, and there were alot of people with alot of different gear, how important was having NIR compliant stuff? Did the people with non NIR gear stand out at all?

[@PreparedAirman]

Believe it or not no, it wasn't really noticeable at all. OPFOR and BLUFOR had many different clothes aswell.

[@ellerybice3787]

Scratch!