TONOPAH, Ariz. - An hour west of the Valley, on 40 acres of desert land, is the Marauder’s Tactical Training Camp.
Built a decade and a half ago, the course is home to military simulation adventures.
“We actually take concepts from real world training and we put people straight into it,” said Mike Simpson, the creator.
Simpson, an Air Force veteran, trains everyday civilians on how to clear buildings, repel from rooftops and work as a team.
From moving into a hostile building environment to opening barricaded doors, the classes teach the basics. More experienced trainees complete missions with fire and moving vehicles.
“I get the opportunity to meet a lot of great people from all around the world,” said Simpson, “and it’s almost like a tactical theme park for them. They come out here, they are having a good time and at the end of the day, they’re tired but they’ve had an amazing adventure and they go home safe.”
You don’t have to be a military elite to participate; you don’t even need a military background.
“Most of our guests are not military personnel,” said Simpson. “I would say 90 percent -- 9 out of 10 people that come out -- are just people who want a different type of experience. They’re looking for something that’s the next level.”
The weapons shoot non-lethal man-marking rounds, and the grenades are replica noisemakers.
Simpson is there to walk newbies through training every step of the way. His top priority is safety. He even checks every participant before letting them on the field.
His course allows everyday people the rare opportunity to train like a military hero.
If you would like to try it out, the cost is $500 for a season pass (October - May). This includes five classes which last from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Drop-ins are $300.
For more information, visit: http://marauders.us/mtt/index.html.