Lightfighter Patrol Field Exercise

Lightfighters Anonymous is happy to announce the beginning of our Lightfighter Patrol Field Exercise program. We understand that GOOD training is very hard to find, and oftentimes costly in both time, travel, equipment, and tuition. For this reason we attempt to keep these training events held at a ZERO cost to participants. It is our hope that with these events we can provide regularly scheduled training throughout the year. We are currently hosting the 2025 year out of private acreage in Southern Missouri which is central to many of our current members located throughout the Midwest. These training events will be scheduled to be 2 overnights in duration, and will take place over weekends scheduled throughout the year as we find this works best for the most amount of participants.

This training is on an invite only basis, to learn more check out our JOIN US page. Participants in attendance should expect a training focus including dismounted patrolling operations, troop leadership, land navigation, communications, and team building, all in a simulated non-permissive environment.

Participants should BE PREPARED to operate strictly out of their rucksack and fighting load for the duration of the event. Participants are responsible for all of their own food, water, sustainment, and hygiene equipment. Participants are expected to provide their own blank fire capable weapon system, with BFA. Blank ammunition is typically available AT COST.  Necessary squad equipment may be dispersed amongst squad members. Lightfighters do not car camp, be ready to carry all your equipment and have everything you need. 

  The LPFX event is broken into 3 phases, a link-up phase, an orientation/planning phase, and a blank fire, force-on-force, situational training lane (STX) running 12-24 hours in duration!

LINK UP PHASE: Friday 1200 until Saturday 0700

When participants sign up for the event they will be given a location and no later time (NLT) to arrive for the event. Participants must arrive during the link up phase or they WILL MISS step off the following day. We ask that all participants are packed and as prepared as they commute to the event as little prep time is available on site. 

Participants may arrive at any time during the link up phase window, and will follow designated LINK UP protocols when arriving on site for the event. This includes following a communication protocol that will be distributed prior to the event.

All ‘day of’ communications during the LINK UP PHASE will default to radio, via public channels (typically MURS 3 or FRS 3). Upon arrival participants will be met by the group or a guide who will escort members into the training area. This initial site will be treated as a “dirty patrol base” where participants can rest and preparations will be made for the patrol phase on Saturday. We will have fire and radio watch throughout the night to help guide participants as they arrive.

Orientation/Planning Phase: Sat 0700- Sat 0900 STARTEX

At 0700 Saturday or once all patrol members have arrived, designated leaders will distribute the training plan for the day via OPORDER format. Participants will have a few hours to split into squads and teams, orient and train on special equipment, and rehearse for a known mission that will be conducted later that same day and into the night. 

Participants are all vetted Lightfighters with patrol experience. So this time can be can be focused on mission specific tasks or training.

Patrol Phase: Sat 0900 STARTEX - Sunday 0900 ENDEX

The Patrol phase will consist of the team of Lightfighters attempting to complete their mission set in a dismounted patrolling environment against a known OPFOR. This will be a BLANK FIRE training event, and each team will have a designated Observer Controller. Force on Force Rules of Engagement (ROE) will be distributed and discussed prior to step off.

This duration of the training IS A LARP! Yes, you will be live action role playing, the role you are playing is yourself in this simulated non-permissive environment. There won't be any acting, saluting, or made up stories of territories in conflict. We are simply attempting to provide an effective realistic environment to train the art of the ‘Lightfighter’. Expect mission sets like reconnaissance, radio relay, medical evacuation, ambushes, and security patrols.

This is NOT training for a gunfight. There are many other places already doing that very well. This is situational training for martial mission sets against an opposing force. 

It is our expectation that this training lane will last well into the night and morning hours of Sunday. We have a HARD ENDEX time of 0900 Sunday morning. At ENDEX all training lanes will go cold, and all participants will link up and make their way back to the motor pool or link up point. It is our hope that everyone will have ample time to recover and return home safely before Sunday night. 

F.A.Q.

Can I come?

Short answer. Yes. As long as you are a US Citizen or legal resident, non-felon, of sane and sober mind, and have a good attitude! However, just to be sure we do require that everyone gets in contact with us directly prior to attending! Go to our Join Us page to learn more!

What Do I Need to Bring?

In short, everything you need to operate safely and effectively as a Lightfighter in the field. As a group we do not provide any equipment and keep as little infrastructure as possible. This generally includes a serviceable uniform (preferable in OD green), a cap, socks and boots. You are expected to provide your own rifle or carbine, preferably in a NATO caliber, and more preferably blank-fire capable. You will need your own set of field gear, including at the minimum a rucksack, sleeping system, hygiene kit, rain gear, food, and water. You should also have a set of combat gear including ways to carry ammo, water, IFAK, and other mission specific equipment. 

Is it hard?

We hope. But it should be fun, too. We are passionate about GOOD training. You should come fit, and expect to push yourself at times. We are not out to physically crush anyone. The operational pace will be balanced with time to recover between physical tasks, and allow everyone at least a few hours of sleep each night. 

Where is the Event Located?

We are currently utilizing both public and private plots of land in Southern Missouri. Typical AO’s are hundreds to thousands of acres. When you sign up for an event, you will be contacted by staff with coordinating instructions including link up location, parking areas, and local service stations. You will also be giving coordinating instructions for link up that you will use to contact the group the day of training, including a PACE plan, and signal instructions. We utilize this system for both OPSEC and as effective real time training.

Is this training?

We are NOT a training company, and no we do not directly provide any training. This isn't to say that you won't learn something new either! To us Lightfighter skills are a martial art, and we like the analogy of an “open matt”. Come willing to work hard, learn new skills, try new things, and maybe be willing to be a mentor yourself and you won't be disappointed.
To answer the question more specifically, we cover light infantry operations, dismounted patrolling, reconnaissance and security operations, signal/communications, emerging battlefield technology, troop leadership and organization, etc.

Can I bring a handgun?

Yes absolutely! Although we do not train with handguns, nor do we allow them in blank fire events (even if modified to shoot blanks!). So we ask that you keep it safely holstered during training! During blank fire events, all live rifle ammunition must be stored in a locked vehicle or away from the training site. 

Camping Equipment?

We sleep on the ground, under the stars, sometimes in a fighting position. Unless we specifically state that we will be ADMINISTRATIVELY camping for a specific event. This is a place to use your field gear. No coolers, no chairs, no cots, no hammocks, no “car camping”.

What Radio?

For initial link up any ‘public’ radio capable of transmitting and receiving on FRS/GMRS or MURS is perfectly fine. This includes your Baofengs! We will often switch to more ‘private’ radio frequencies once assembled. For these purposes we are currently using the TYT390 PLUS, and can provide programming on site for participants. 

What Food Do I bring?

Bring your own packable solutions and water. There will generally be 1 hour of time made available in the mornings and evenings for meal prep and personal hygiene. Better yet coordinate with your battle buddy and have him cook for you both. We don’t care!

Water resupply?

We encourage you to come prepared with enough clean water, and/or purification or sterilization options. Be smart. We attempt to refill while on patrol from natural sources. However, for emergencies we will always have clean water on site.

Where do I get blanks/BFA & how many?

Blanks are getting expensive! It is our hope that we can keep a few thousand in stock for training events and provide them at cost. This still is usually $15/ magazine. Be a diligent lightfighter and do your best to find deals and purchase your own prior to events!

We have a few extra USGI A2 style BFA’s that will attach to AR15 w/ A2 style birdcage flash hiders available for loan. However once they are gone they are gone. It is the lightfighters responsibility to provide their own safe training firearm and training blank ammunition.
We encourage you to carry a combat load of approx 300 rounds of ammo. However DO NOT expect to shoot this much. It becomes quite costly, and there are better ways to train for an actual gunfight. 

If you absolutely cannot support blanks for an event, that is alright, shooting is only ⅓ of your lightfighter tasks. Come train anyways!

I don’t have ?

Reach out and let us know, we have community members with lots of extra equipment. We can find you what you need!

I want to support, but I cannot patrol?

We understand that sometimes due to injury or illness Lightfighters are not capable of physically committing to a strenuous patrol. If you find this to be your case, but you would still like to participate, we do still need your support. Contact us directly and let us know your availability.