Expert: William Payne - 1/18/2009

Question
Hi William Payne thanks for taking your time to read this question.i am just trying to find out what classes should i take in high school to be a swat team member. i am just a freshman and i am getting ready to be a swat team member but i don't know what classes should i take. pleas if you can please recommend me some collages to take the classes. thank you for your time please if you can answer me back please i really need to know what classes to take? Thank You.

Answer
Mr. Avalos,

Thanks for the question.


Completing high school is very important. There is really no courses that would be beneficial for purely a SWAT officer. Being a SWAT officer is more physical and mental preparation.

1. Lots of exercise: (Cardiovascular) You may have to run after someone or go over a lot of obstacles to get somewhere, so you will need that stamina.

2. Physical strength: No need to be muscle bound, but good strength for climbing buildings, fences, jumping over barriers, handcuffing a resistant subject, carrying a load of equipment.

3. Defensive tactics: Not necessarily martial arts, but good police style defensive tactics. This will allow you to protect yourself and subdue resistant subjects.

4. Shooting skills: Missing your target is unacceptable in a life or death situation. Practice, practice, practice. Shoot, don't shoot scenarios.

5. Mental preparation: Be alcohol and drug free to start. Develop that warrior mindset. Scenario based training that emphasizes surviving physical attacks as well as what happens after surviving a critical incident.

This is not and all inclusive list, but this is a good start and is a foundation to build upon.


Good luck and best wishes!