Over the last several weeks, I’ve been walking you through my Tactical Games loadout – explaining why I chose each piece of gear and how everything performed during the Iowa Regional event. This was my first time competing in a Tactical Games event, and I’m officially hooked. As someone who’s been a combat veteran, law enforcement officer, MMA fighter, and competitive CrossFitter, I’ve done my fair share of moving and shooting, as well as pushing myself physically. But The Tactical Games brought a whole new level of challenge. When I asked Tactical Games President Nick Thayer to describe the event in one word, he gave me two: “grit” and “humility.” I couldn’t agree more.
It takes serious grit to grind through the workouts and still make your shots count. And it’s humbling – no matter how confident you are – because the competition is fierce. Think you’re a solid shooter? Try doing it when your heart rate is maxed out and your legs feel like concrete.
Fitness/Competition Coverage on AllOutdoor
The Tactical Games, where we push the boundaries of accurately engaging targets and physical endurance.
Our community is built on the foundation of adaptability and endurance, challenging individuals to become the best versions of themselves through intense, challenging competitions.
Herein, all of the information provided is the opinion of the author through his personal experiences in The Tactical Games, as well as his background leading up to the event. The gear and tactics suggested ahead are a way, but not the only way. Take it with a grain of salt.
The Tactical Games Competition – Lessons Learned
- Can’t Out-Fitness your Misses: Coming from a CrossFit background, I figured I could make up for poor shooting by just outworking everyone. That was a mistake. In The Tactical Games, you pay for your misses – and I paid big. On one stage, every rifle miss meant two sandbag-over-bar reps. I missed enough to earn myself 12 reps, and it crushed my energy for the rest of the battle. Don’t get me wrong – fitness absolutely matters. But shooting accuracy can be the difference between a top 5 finish and falling to the bottom. You simply can’t outrun bad shooting.
- Show Up Ready – Not Just Geared Up: I’m not talking about prepping for the apocalypse. I’m talking about being practically prepared for a long day of competition. Yes, you need your rifle, pistol, mags, and ammo. But you also need the stuff that keeps you sane between stages: a tent, fold-out chairs, a wagon (we brought a Wonderfold, meant for kids – but it was a game-changer for hauling gear), a cooler with drinks and snacks. Having a place to sit, eat, and recharge made a huge difference. Being former military, I always pack extra socks and shirts – and I highly recommend it. Also, bring multiple pairs of shoes. Iowa was wet and muddy. One stage had us walking through calf-deep water and muck. By the end, my shoes and socks were a total disaster. Next time, I’ll also bring a small fold-out table. I had a Pelican case, which worked fine, but having a table would’ve helped keep things off the ground and easier to access.
- Know the Stages Before You Show Up: Stage readiness is huge. The Friday before the competition, The Tactical Games releases stage preview videos. Watch them. They’ll give you a solid idea of what’s coming – just don’t expect the details to be exact. On game day, there’s only one official briefing per stage. Make sure you attend. This is where they walk through the layout, shooting order, and lane assignments. It’s your chance to ask questions and get clarity before things go loud. The Games staff does a great job laying out briefing times in the squad matrix, so check it early and plan accordingly.
- Safety Isn’t Optional: I have to give The Tactical Games huge credit for how seriously they take safety. During the initial safety brief, they emphasized taking an extra second to holster your pistol properly before turning around. Don’t do it right? That’s an instant DQ. Flag someone with your muzzle? DQ. During each stage, the judges reminded us to holster before moving. They weren’t messing around – and I respect that. Safety wasn’t a suggestion; it was enforced. And that’s exactly how it should be.
- Don’t Let Regionals Be the First Time You Use Your Gear: Adam covered this in his own Tactical Games write-up – and I couldn’t agree more, which can be found here. Regionals is not the place to figure out if your belt fits, if your holster holds up, or if your rifle sling is dialed in. I trained in full kit at the range and during skirmishes. I even worked out in my plate carrier so I’d get used to the feel under load. And it paid off. One competitor had their holster fail mid-stage. Instant DQ. Don’t be that guy.
- You Can’t Buy a Podium Finish: In my earlier posts, I broke down the total cost to compete: $4,855.61 in gear and firearms – and that’s mid-tier gear. You can easily spend a lot more. But here’s the hard truth: the podium can’t be bought. You can have the nicest rifle, the lightest plates, the best optics – and still get smoked if your shooting falls apart under stress. The stages are designed to expose your weaknesses. Fatigue amplifies your flaws. If you don’t train marksmanship and fitness together, the cracks will show.
The Tactical Games: Iowa Regional – Final Thoughts
Everything I experienced at my first Tactical Games at the Iowa Regional has me fired up to compete again. I’m so excited, in fact, that I’ve already signed up for The Tactical Games Ohio in September and a Tactical Games Skirmish in Minnesota. If you’re wondering what a Skirmish is, check out my article on the Tactical Games Skirmish in the future.
I’m hooked. My goal is to compete in multiple events each year – both Skirmishes and Regionals – with the ultimate aim of qualifying for a National Event by placing in the top 5 of my division. What keeps me coming back isn’t just the challenge – it’s the community. The Tactical Games culture is built around pushing each other to be our best. As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, I was being coached mid-competition by some of the top athletes in my division. I saw competitors lend gear, share firearms when others went down, and encourage each other between stages.
It’s rare to find a sport where the person trying to beat you also wants to see you succeed. But that’s exactly what makes this community so special. I’ll continue sharing my journey – the highs, the lessons, and everything in between – because we grow better together. If these articles have helped you in any way, let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear about your journey, too.
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