A Special Reaction Team (SRT) is a specialized team or element within a military police unit that has been tasked with a level response to a high risk situation within a military base or compound. SRT is found within law enforcement units of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. The teams are military equivalents of civilian police department SWAT teams. Commanders must provide an installation SRT capable of providing an enhanced response to developed threats in their area of responsibility within two hours of initial notification. This is in anticipation of possible terrorist attacks against Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy installations. The teams respond to situations as varied as hostage rescue, counter-sniper actions, VIP protection, and counter terrorism.
Some situations requiring SRT employment may include, but are not limited to:
- Barricaded subjects.
- Hostage situations.
- Sniper incidents.
- Counter terrorist operations.
- VIP protection (as a response force).
- Threatened suicide incidents.
- Apprehension assistance during joint operations.
During hostilities, SRTs may be required to perform similar missions in a combat environment.
SRT priorities during an incident are:
- Protecting lives, to include hostages, law enforcement personnel, bystanders, and suspects.
- Securing the safe release of hostages.
- Isolating/containing the incident.
- Gathering information/intelligence. This is an ongoing responsibility from the beginning of an incident until its resolution.
- Protecting property/equipment. Preventing escape.
- Apprehending offenders.[1]
- Conducting an assault (only if all other alternatives have been exhausted, no other assistance is expected, and a threat to human life exists).
A Special Reaction Team (or Emergency Services Team in the USAF) is composed of seasoned Military Police (Army and Marine Corps) or Security Forces (Air Force) who have received training for high-risk situations (high risk warrants, hostage situations, barricaded suspects). They are a Department of Defense equivalent to a SWAT and often attend the same schools for training.
Training
SRT candidates from all branches attend training at the US Army Military Police School at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
SRT training is divided into Phase 1 and Phase 2. SRT members are required to have a high degree of physical fitness, so candidates attending SRT training should be in excellent physical condition. Participants must be able to successfully negotiate an obstacle course, run, jump, and perform while wearing protective clothing (body armor, eye protection). Participants will also come in physical contact with other students or instructors during several sections of training. SRT Phase 1 and Phase 2 are designed to test student stamina by conducting training at all hours.
Phase 1 provides training for personnel performing duties as a member of an installation Special Reaction Team entry team member and prepares them to respond to and resolve special threat situations. The SRT will provide the commander with an enhanced response capability above that provided by on-duty conventional law enforcement/security patrols. Instructional emphasis focuses on SRT tactics, marksmanship and special threat situations including response to a terrorist incident, barricaded incidents (with and without hostages), drug raids, and high risk warrant apprehensions. Students must complete Phase 1 training prior to progressing to Phase 2.
Phase 2 provides training for personnel performing duties as a member of an installation Special Reaction Team marksman/observer. Training provides instruction in techniques required for inner perimeter security, intelligence gathering, and if necessary, highly accurate and effective neutralization of hostile targets in special threat situations. Training includes iron sighted and scoped weapon systems. In addition to marksmanship training, students must pass a written examination designed to evaluate the student's knowledge of tactics learned in Phase 2. No reference material is allowed while testing, and students must have 47 of 50 questions correct to achieve a passing grade.
Note: SRT refers to both Special Reaction Team & Special Response and Tactics Depending on location.
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