ISS Training - 5 Days Foot & Mobile Surveillance
Posted 22-11-2008 at 02:14 AM by DarkHorse
2200 hours - 21/11/2008
I recently attendant a long awaiting course with ISS training at Leeds in Skipton. I am actually returning to London from Leeds and hence had time to just express my thoughts on the course.
On Sunday 16th November I packed my bags to travel towards Leeds (skipton) from London Heathrow, and just to save some costs I decided to travel via National Express which was a cheap alternative & hence booked my ticket. Not to say much but I think it would be the last time I will travel via a coach as it was a complete disaster. It took me 8hrs to get to Skipton as the coach stopped everywhere (Black pool, Sheffield, Bradford & rest of UK).
Anyhow checked in to my hotel which was refreshing and I was reading some note on Srv as didn't wanted to go in with a blank face.
Day 1
I went to breakfast which was fantastic (not horse meat) & went downstairs at wait in the corridor seating area for other students to arrive. Slowly everybody arrived some great bunch from Police officer, Ex mil, Marines to Asset protection everyone was there....
We were taken in the class room by Irish instructor "T", and meet there another instructor "PB". At first I was thinking which one is Peter but later found out that he is not in UK and hence other instructors will deliver the training, be honest I was disappointed as wanted to meet up with PJ.
Any how day began and started with some light training and in the afternoon we went out on exercise, I always use to think I was ok in srv but made me think I had a lot to learn as it was a completely different discipline. We came back from the excersise and done a debrief. Finished at 5pm. Reading from Nomad blog, I made sure I spend atleats 1 hour completing my hand book so I don't stay behind on the final day.
Day 2
I was down in the classroom for 9am and we started again on different tactics and again went on to live exercise, which I did found challenging. We returned back in for a debrief and finished as usual. I must say, my perception for the instructors were changing, PB was a very nice guy and T was pushing us hard with real life experiences and clearly he wanted us to be good at this job. Again I spend few hours completing my work book in the evening.
Day 3
We studies about combined surveillance foot & mobile and done some live exercise. I was struggling all the way, not because I didn't understand but the instructors were genuinely pushing us hard. Day finished and we returned to our rooms. To be honest every evening I use to walk towards Skipton town center to get something to eat and practice the drills and terminology on my way and return. It usually took 15mins one way so it was a good practice session for half hour.
Day 4
We studied about tracking devices and later went to conduct some live drills which went ok. Again the instructors were fantastic... "T" real life stories were great and eye opener for many of us. I was starting to feel a bit behind as I was a day behind on my work book due to bad headache on Wednesday night so made sure I spend more time doing the studies and complete the book tonight.
Same evening, we all went out with the instructors for a nice Curry (Goa Spice) where the food was fantastic and later I returned back to my room for 2230hrs to start on my work book.
Day 5
Final day, we spend some time completing our work books in the morning and hand them to "PB" and "T". We had a final exercise to do which I think we done very well and had a debriefing in class room. I finished at about 4pm and got a lift from PB to nearest train station to start my journey back to London.
Summary
The training was fantastic, the instructors were great and be honest didn't miss PJ :-) lol...... I think for 5 days there was a lot of information to take in but instructors were there to help and support at every stage... PB was extremely helpful and "T" he's a legend (only way to describe him)
Would I go back "Yes" probably do "Counter Surveillance for Close Protection" or "3 days Foot Surveillance course"
Just realised.... I am in London Victoria
DH
I recently attendant a long awaiting course with ISS training at Leeds in Skipton. I am actually returning to London from Leeds and hence had time to just express my thoughts on the course.
On Sunday 16th November I packed my bags to travel towards Leeds (skipton) from London Heathrow, and just to save some costs I decided to travel via National Express which was a cheap alternative & hence booked my ticket. Not to say much but I think it would be the last time I will travel via a coach as it was a complete disaster. It took me 8hrs to get to Skipton as the coach stopped everywhere (Black pool, Sheffield, Bradford & rest of UK).
Anyhow checked in to my hotel which was refreshing and I was reading some note on Srv as didn't wanted to go in with a blank face.
Day 1
I went to breakfast which was fantastic (not horse meat) & went downstairs at wait in the corridor seating area for other students to arrive. Slowly everybody arrived some great bunch from Police officer, Ex mil, Marines to Asset protection everyone was there....
We were taken in the class room by Irish instructor "T", and meet there another instructor "PB". At first I was thinking which one is Peter but later found out that he is not in UK and hence other instructors will deliver the training, be honest I was disappointed as wanted to meet up with PJ.
Any how day began and started with some light training and in the afternoon we went out on exercise, I always use to think I was ok in srv but made me think I had a lot to learn as it was a completely different discipline. We came back from the excersise and done a debrief. Finished at 5pm. Reading from Nomad blog, I made sure I spend atleats 1 hour completing my hand book so I don't stay behind on the final day.
Day 2
I was down in the classroom for 9am and we started again on different tactics and again went on to live exercise, which I did found challenging. We returned back in for a debrief and finished as usual. I must say, my perception for the instructors were changing, PB was a very nice guy and T was pushing us hard with real life experiences and clearly he wanted us to be good at this job. Again I spend few hours completing my work book in the evening.
Day 3
We studies about combined surveillance foot & mobile and done some live exercise. I was struggling all the way, not because I didn't understand but the instructors were genuinely pushing us hard. Day finished and we returned to our rooms. To be honest every evening I use to walk towards Skipton town center to get something to eat and practice the drills and terminology on my way and return. It usually took 15mins one way so it was a good practice session for half hour.
Day 4
We studied about tracking devices and later went to conduct some live drills which went ok. Again the instructors were fantastic... "T" real life stories were great and eye opener for many of us. I was starting to feel a bit behind as I was a day behind on my work book due to bad headache on Wednesday night so made sure I spend more time doing the studies and complete the book tonight.
Same evening, we all went out with the instructors for a nice Curry (Goa Spice) where the food was fantastic and later I returned back to my room for 2230hrs to start on my work book.
Day 5
Final day, we spend some time completing our work books in the morning and hand them to "PB" and "T". We had a final exercise to do which I think we done very well and had a debriefing in class room. I finished at about 4pm and got a lift from PB to nearest train station to start my journey back to London.
Summary
The training was fantastic, the instructors were great and be honest didn't miss PJ :-) lol...... I think for 5 days there was a lot of information to take in but instructors were there to help and support at every stage... PB was extremely helpful and "T" he's a legend (only way to describe him)
Would I go back "Yes" probably do "Counter Surveillance for Close Protection" or "3 days Foot Surveillance course"
Just realised.... I am in London Victoria
DH
Total Comments 5
Comments
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Excellent stuff DH. I said you would enjoy it and don't knock horse meat until you have tried it. I will never look at horse races the same again
 Yes, the three day foot surveillance in London is a good one for you. One of the guys on my course did that and said it was very good. There was a distinct lack of strip clubs in your account, is this the case of "what goes on tour, stays on tour" or did you not luck out there? Now you see why PJ was not in Skipton, could you imagine what sort of strippers they would have there?  Note: Only joking PJ, you were a wholesome bloke and declined our offer of a night of debortuary. Thanks for the beers at the UJ Club, you were missed that night. P.S. I can't get that song by The Divine Comedy - National Express out of my head now! Quote:
On the National Express there's a jolly hostess
Selling crisps and tea She'll provide you with drinks and theatrical winks For a sky-high fee Mini-Skirts were in style when she danced down the aisle Back in '63 (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) But it's hard to get by when your arse is the size Of a small country |
 
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hahaha ..........
Believe me we had some good students and some excellent ones... like in every training but we had jokes.... lol... Horse Meat.... Na.. thank you mate, you can have my plate any time... National Express is a good service dont get me wrong but the journey I took was around the UK in 8 hrs which was a bit too much.. but hey its over and had good result.. No strip clubs A, but I guess you had a bit more fun as I was shit scared to complete my work book.... Just need to book my CP training now... |
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Sounds great Dark Horse well done on completing the course.
PJ has a top rep and of course that is why ISS are still one of the best around for this type of training. |
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Hi DH,
Glad that you enjoyed the course and passed. Congratulations and well done. However travel by coach!!!!! were you pissed when you made that decision? All the best mate. |
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Haha..... That's a good one Y.
But when I got to skipton I was wide awake....... Thanks mate. |
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- ISS Training - 5 Days Foot & Mobile Surveillance (22-11-2008)
