At first mention, the term “tactical games” might evoke thoughts of teenagers screaming at each other over the internet while playing the latest Call of Duty video game. But the event known as The Tactical Games is the polar opposite of this couch potato pastime — it pits competitors head-to-head in challenges of physical strength, endurance, and versatile shooting skills. The organizers call it “Crossfit meets combat” and “the world's premier competition to find the Most Dangerous Man/Woman on Earth”.

The Tactical Games was originally based on a secret event hosted and run by NATO Tier 1 units such as Delta Force and Naval Special Warfare. The competition is designed to test the shooting abilities, physical fitness, adaptability, and mental toughness of the individuals who compete.

This differs from traditional shooting competitions, which may only focus on one or two of these dimensions. As the event's web site states, “It is one thing to shoot a target with a pistol at 50 yards. It is quite different and exponentially more difficult to shoot a target with a pistol at 50 yards after running a mile, dragging a 200lb mannequin for a distance, hopping over obstacles, and then shooting accurately with a heart rate over 150 beats per minute.” As preparedness-minded individuals, we appreciate this realistic approach to testing combat skills.

Fighting for your life in a combat situation is exhausting, and the competition simulated this high level of exertion.

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Our colleagues at RECOILtv partnered with Brownells and sent a film crew to cover the most recent event in North Carolina. The resulting short documentary recaps the event and some of its competitors:

Written by Patrick McCarthy