RECONDO Courses were grueling, intense and dangerous events held during and shortly after the Vietnam War. The Vietnam Course, held at Nha Trang was known as the only class where the final could get you killed, since students went on a live action patrol, deep in enemy territory. There wasn’t much that was fun about the three week course but in hindsight while you couldn’t pay me a million dollars to take it again it was a million dollar experience.
We’ve taken what we could of the “fun” and exciting stuff from Recondo school and distilled the 3 week course down to an exhilarating and enjoyable 3 day experience! Essentially we take out the verbal abuse, sleep deprivation, grueling PT and imminent actual danger and leave our participants with a taste of all the cool stuff!
The School will be broken down into approximately 1/3rd “classroom” time and 2/3rds tactical “field” time. While airsoft is used, Recondo School is first and foremost a living history, immerse event that takes the participants to another time and place for an escapist weekend. You can think of it as a sort of dude ranch experience for Nam history buffs. Like an intense war movie, or novel, except you’re in it.
The event is directed by Recondo qualified Capt. John ‘REMF’ Robison. (US Army Ret.) He was a graduate of two RECONDO courses. (The 101st, which was the original and the 1st Brigade 9th ID Course) In addition he was the training officer and an instructor at the 1st Brigade course. Other key cadre members and guests may include Staff Sgt Cal “preacher” Rollins (US Army ret.) who is a current board member for the Special Operations Association and a former instructor at the actual Nha Trang Recondo School (tentative pending schedule confirmation). During multiple tours in Vietnam he participated in numerous “over the fence” incursions into Laos and Cambodia and was a Special Forces NCO with SOG. Other special guests will include former NCO’s and officers well qualified to provide insightful, entertaining and helpful tips that will not only inform you about the time but also provide vital skills useful for your living history and Airsoft endeavors.
The teams will be broken down into 4 to 6-man patrols. These patrols will learn and drill on patrolling techniques, stealth and camouflage, danger zone crossing, breaking contact, react to ambush, deliberate and hasty daylight and night time ambushes and much more. Teams will plan and execute their own missions. What teams learn will be put to the test in the field by a dedicated, fully uniformed, hardcore NVA/VC OPFOR. During the event flexibility is key as patrol teams may be linked together to become rescue teams, ambush teams, pull POW snatches and possibly even conduct a platoon raid.
In order to provide all participants a shot at demonstrating what they have learned, command on the teams and through positions such as lead scout and RTO will be rotated. This means everyone gets a shot. In order to graduate, each student must successfully demonstrate their ability to lead and perform as a competent patrol member and successful patrol leader on a simulated combat mission. While most complete the course, few graduate on their first try.
Gil Butler from G.I.L. News
Follow Gil Butler from G.I.L. News as he takes you to the front lines with the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol soldiers. Hooah Airsoft and The War Dept present, Recondo School 2011.