Posted by I just spent the last two days working on my latest project and I am seriously more excited about it than I have been about just about any project in recent history.
In 2001, while still working as a full time police officer, I started writing regularly for S.W.A.T. Magazine. I had written several articles and become a prolific contributor on the internet forums prior to going to joining S.W.A.T., but I was really excited. The chance to write on any topic I chose and be associated with such an established and respected magazine was a huge opportunity. Over the first few years, I probably averaged more than 1 article per issue. Between features, a column and the occasional “staff article” gear review, I spent a fair amount of energy creating content. Most of it, of course, ended up being related to training issues. In fact, to this day, the first article I ever wrote for S.W.A.T., on the topic of reality based training, remains one of my favorite articles. It was written in about an hour, immediately after I was asked by the publisher, Rich Lucibella, to join the staff. The library of training review articles including E.S.I., T.E.E.S., S.P.E.A.R., G.R.A.C.I.E. and many other schools is also a body a work that I am extremely proud of.
Over the last several years, my contributions to the magazine have dwindled to an article or two a year. The demands of running my own business, overseeing the development of the Combat Focus Shooting program, keeping up with the aggressive production schedule of the Personal Firearms Defense series and, most recently, taping The Best Defense series, have 
pulled me away from the magazine in a way that I have regretted. Thankfully, our editor, Denny Hansen, still accepts the articles that I find time to send!
Late last year, I approached Rich with revisiting an idea that we had only talked about in passing over the years: S.W.A.T. Magazine TV. After some serious conference calls amongst the staff and some advice seeking from my Gun TV Mentor, Michael Bane, by the end of December the decision was made. S.W.A.T. Mag was going to the airwaves.
Rich and Denny have been incredibly supportive over the years and working with them on SWAT TV has been great!
Fast forward to yesterday morning: Rich, the Hatch crew and I all standing on a range in southern Indiana with a group of my students on the first official full day of taping for the new show. Later in the day, we got Rich into the act and in front of the camera as well. This morning, Denny joined us in front of the camera and this afternoon we really got into the meat of the show with Sheriff Ken Campbell and the legendary Louis Awerbuck doing segments.
Our focus is on the training, tools and techniques utilized by armed professionals in military, law enforcement and private security and the way their choices apply, or don’t, to personal and home defense.
Staff, Students and Guests at the end of the day's taping.
I am really proud to be bringing the integrity, dedication and professionalism of S.W.A.T. magazine to the Outdoor Channel. We have an incredible line up of trainers, locations and guests for the first season, which will begin airing in January on Outdoor Channel, 7:30pm Eastern every Wednesday. I look forward to sharing more information as we get closer to the new year and hearing your feedback about the new show!
Of course, all of the S.W.A.T. Magazine Staffers who are active in the training industry were invited to be part of the show. Louis Awerbuck was one of the first to accept and did a great job during his afternoon of taping!
-RJP
Related posts:
- SHOT Show 2010
- New Promo for S.W.A.T. Magazine TV
- S.W.A.T. Magazine TV premieres on Outdoor Channel
- Greetings from “Disaster City”
- Always a Student.
Rob,
As a subscriber to S.W.A.T. Magazine I am quite excited to see what you, Denny, and Rich have come up with. In the 7 years I have been subscribing to SWAT I have always found it to be full of quality, proven information on TTPs, gear, and training. Your work with both The Best Defense and The Best Defense: Survival has also been quite good. Will be anxiously awaiting the premier of SWAT Magazine TV in January; it will be good to have another quality firearms/training program on TV. Please keep up the good work, and congrats to you and the SWAT Magazine crew on your new venture.
PS. Have you spoken with Pat Rogers (EAG Tactical) about appearing on SWAT Magazine TV? I know he is a fairly frequent contributor to SWAT, and I have trained with him before and can say he would be an excellent addition to the show.
I love SWAT. I had a subscription for years but finally let it lapse but read it off and on. Of course I’ll have to watch, especially with the calibre of the staff.
What does “S.W.A.T.” stand for? I’ve got “SEAL Wannabe”, then I’m stuck.
(Apologies to the minority of S.W.A.T. guys who are true professionals. I’ve just had it up to here with G.I. Jokers busting into homes on cowardly no-knock raids and killing grandmothers because they got the wrong address. I’ll be looking forward to an in-depth story on that.)
Ryan,
Thanks for the thoughts, Ryan. In fact, we invited ALL of the SWAT Staff writers and many regular contributers, including Mr. Rogers, to participate in the show. Not all of them accepted the invitation to share some of their thoughts through the medium of Television.
Joseph, We appreciate your commitment to tune in… and I hope you renew that subscription!
Shiz,
I think that would be “Seal WannA T”… but, in fact, it is Special Weapons And Tactics. We are going to discuss the concerns that professional teams have about making entries and dealing with bystanders and others who are not threats. Including the occupants of the (very rare, but overly hyped) homes that are entered mistakenly.
-RJP
Rob, thanks for the reply. Some Google searching indicates that fewer than 100 police officers nationwide are killed in the line of duty – far too many, of course, but also rare. I hope your article will address why no-knock raids even exist, given that by their very nature they maximize harm to innocent citizens in order to minimize harm to police officers. It’s bizarre.
I would also take issue with your assertion that these civilian deaths are “overhyped”. A woman shot in the throat while begging that her toddlers not be hurt doesn’t seem to be “over-hype-able.”
I respect law enforcement, up to the point that they stop respecting other citizens. When they start militarizing, and calling their fellow citizens “civilians”, and treating them like regrettable collateral damage – well, now they’re drawing a line, and they’re putting me on the other side. Not good. Our Founding Fathers would be shocked.
Thanks for your reply. I realize you magazine and TV show probably won’t address these issues in depth, and doubtless will come down on the side of the police. That’s OK, it’s your business, your right. I thank you for the opportunity to say my piece.
[...] Posted by esrice Were you guys being filmed down there? Is this you guys? S.W.A.T. Magazine: The TV Show! : The Down Range Blog I had a camera strapped to my chest for a couple of hours. They said they were testing it, so I [...]
I look forward to SWAT TV.
Shows like these are needed to show the general public the unmatched dedication to training that law enforcement maintains. Its a lack of understanding and insight which leads to negative perceptions of our police. The leos of today are faced with challenges that are beyond the average persons experiences. Every officer puts his life in danger in hopes of “SAFETY” for others. This is why we train, train, train, developing the skills necessary to protect the public.
Thanks Rob Pincus for the great training you provide, and for aloowing the public to see this and maybe come away with a little more understanding.
Rob, I look forward to the new show.
Just wish I could afford the subscription to S.W.A.T. but after being unemployed for nearly 2 years…..
I sure miss the o’le days from ” thehighroad.com forum” tell Rich Hi!
Gary
[...] Those Who Attended YFA Carbine/Handgun 8/28-30: Those who attended this class, and stayed extra for the…um…special project for SWAT magazine… You may be interested in this: S.W.A.T. Magazine: The TV Show! : The Down Range Blog [...]
Hey, Rob:
Congratulations to you and the rest on the new show. It was good seeing you again at Boone Co. while you were filming with Louis.
On a historical note, the original _SWAT_Magazine_’s acronym stood for “Survival Weapons and Tactics.” I don’t know if Mr. Lucibella has changed that to correspond to the more familiar law enforcement-oriented acronym since he acquired the magazine, but originally it was not a police thing.
With respect to the show, it may be somewhat peripheral to your primary focus, but if you could do some features related to the “Enemy at the Gates” column featured in the print magazine, many of us would really enjoy it.
Good luck with the new project and stay safe!
This change is meant to bring also a change into the international role of Germany, as Dr. ,
Was that Robert Pelton I saw in the Louis Awerbuck class?