As I sit here on the eve of the second birthday of the WTA, mulling over the last two years, I feel a tad emotional (if you know me, this is truly uncharacteristic). I believe it is emotion stemming from an unbridled passion for what the WTA and organizations…

In an effort to further encourage our professional development I am suggesting in the next 3 blog posts a few really great "tactical" books for all of us to read. Obviously we all know that physical training is important but equally so is mental preparation. Put down the gossip magazine or video controller and pick up a book. It is surprising how much extra time one has to read, whether it is while waiting at court (you may be able to finish a book there!), at the car wash, doctor's office,…

Leadership And Training For The Fight: A Few Thoughts On Leadership And Training From A Former Special Operations Soldier

By MSG Paul Howe

This book will pursue an honest and frank discussion of leadership and training that is applicable to…

The Mission, The Men, and Me: Lessons from a Former Delta Force Commander

By Pete Blaber

Pete Blaber knows what it takes to survive…and thrive.



As a commander in Delta Force—the most elite counter-terrorist…

On Combat, The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace

By Col. Dave Grossman

On Combat looks at what happens to the human body under the stresses of deadly battle the impact on the nervous system, heart, breathing, visual and auditory perception, memory - then discusses new research findings as to what measures…

Check out the latest issue of the NTOA's The Tactical Edge magazine, the WTA has a great ad on page 51. A sneak peek of the cover and the ad page are shown below.…

In November of 2010, six lucky WTA members traveled to 5.11 headquarters in California to discuss developing gear and apparel specifically for female law enforcement and operators. Take a look for yourself in the new 5.11 Spring catalog by clicking the link below:…

Philanthropy has its benefits, well at least for Chicago Police Detective (and WTA member!) John Folino, who landed the job of Technical Advisor on The Chicago Code after successfully bidding on a silent auction prize at a fundraising event for Officer Michael Gordon. Folino, a 12 year veteran of the CPD, currently a homicide detective assigned to Area 5, discusses…

While at SHOT Show I had the pleasure of meeting Brian K. Sain, one of the founding members of AmericanSnipers.org, a non-profit association dedicated to supporting our snipers. Snipers require extremely specialized equipment that is very costly and as a result they often operate without it. Since 2002, AmericanSnipers.org has been raising money to provide direct…

I love to run outside preferably 50 degrees or warmer but given recent Chicago weather that is not happening any time soon. We all know the treadmill is NOT the next best thing BUT I have found a challenging cardio interval workout. It is from fitness guru, Jackie Warner's, latest book, This is Why You're Fat: 

• Raise the ramp to 15, keep your speed anywhere from 3.0 to 4.0 depending on your athletic ability. Do this for 2 minutes.
• Lower the ramp to 1.0 and jog…

WTA Instructor, John Mack (Illinois Sate Police), is trying to put together an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)-B course to be held at Malcolm X College in Chicago. It would be a state certified course, 120 hours long (one full semester). The course will cover the usual EMT curriculum but will be geared toward the tactical officer and/or tactical application of emergency medicine.

There would also be an optional follow-up course that is 24 hours long which would allow you to do more…

Hi Everyone!

CPD Detective and WTA member, John Folino, has extended an invite to all WTA members that are CPD for a FREE screening of the pilot episode of The Chicago Code. This will be …

In regard to your fitness and nutrition routine, I say SUPPLEMENT.

My latest favorite pre-workout supplement is Jack3D. If you are feeling tired or less than enthused about hitting the gym then Jack3D is for you. I take it 20 minutes before my workout and it gives me that little extra energy, strength and stamina to ensure that my time at the gym is not wasted.…

This is a photo of some of the very first Chicago Police Women in 1967. Check out the purses on the floor -- that is where they kept their guns! They also wore high heels and skirts! I am very proud to say we have come quite a long way (see picture below), keep up the good work!…