Topic: Tactical Training

Analysis of ISIS propaganda photos suggests many images may be staged using professional contractors rather than actual militants. Observers noted that in some photos, "terrorists" exhibit professional trigger discipline — keeping their index fingers along the trigger guard — a hallmark of Western military training. In contrast, genuine amateur fighters typically keep their fingers directly on the trigger.

A pastor of a small parochial school describes a training session where a county Tactical Response Team used the school building for combat drills. Rather than training staff on safety, the officers ran scenarios involving hostages and IEDs, firing paintballs at each other and the walls. The event is cited as evidence of the increasing militarization of local law enforcement and the normalization of combat tactics in civilian spaces.