Inside WOFT: Where Real-World Training Meets Tactical Innovation
If you’re looking for a training facility that’s equal parts practical and tactical, WOFT ( Where Our Families Train) is your spot. Imagine walking into a place where every station offers a new challenge designed to teach you practical skills, sharpen your awareness, and help you become confident in protecting yourself and those you care about. From simulated low-light ambushes to carjacking scenarios, WOFT’s setup is both impressive and practical.
Let’s explore WOFT’s nine stations, each with its own purpose and unique way of turning training into an unforgettable, hands-on experience.
Station 1: The Staging Area—Where It All Begins
This is where your WOFT journey starts, and it sets the tone perfectly. Station 1 is a gathering place with picnic tables for meals, meetups, and pre-training briefings. You’ll find yourself here for breakfast or lunch (depending on your schedule) and to gear up for the day ahead.
It’s also the launch point for two key areas: the Low-Light Simulator (Station 3) and the quirky yet practical Coffee Shop (Station 4). Grab a cup of coffee, gather around, and don’t get too comfortable—this is where the day transforms from relaxing into adrenaline-pumping.
Station 2: The Garage—First Aid Meets Overflow Lodging
If you’re a fan of “Dirt Medicine” or “Stop the Bleed” classes, you’ll love Station 2. This area doubles as a first aid training ground where participants practice life-saving skills.
I didn’t experience this one personally, but word on the street is it’s a no-nonsense zone for practical first aid. Bonus? It also serves as overflow lodging, which makes this garage one of the harder working spaces on the property.
Station 3: The Low-Light Simulator—A Masterclass in Darkness
Welcome to the most adrenaline-fueled station on the property. Station 3 is a two-story double-bay garage equipped with padded floors and an upper observation deck. The magic here lies in the lighting—or lack thereof. From daylight to pitch-black, instructors control every flicker of illumination to throw you into realistic, unpredictable scenarios.
Hidey holes and concealed “attackers” keep you on your toes. I trained here and can tell you it’s as intense as it sounds. In one scenario, you might simply be walking to your car; the next, you’re tackled to the ground while distracted by someone trying to break into that same car. From the upper deck, other students can safely watch your scenario, even ones that include UTM/Simunition rounds.
This station makes you rethink what you know about situational awareness, and you really learn the importance of the trusty flashlight.
Station 4: The Coffee Shop—The Calm Before the Chaos
Breakfast and training—two things I didn’t expect to combine until I visited Station 4. At first glance, it’s a relaxed, colorful area with tables for meals (which, I might add, are top-notch; I’m talking about the food–though the tables are also high quality).
But don’t be fooled: those tables aren’t just for eating. They can be used as a randomizer in scenarios. Sit at a red table? You might face a surprise attack mid-coffee sip. Choose blue? You’re safe—for now. The randomness adds a fun yet practical edge to the training.
Like the adjacent Low-Light Simulator, the Coffee Shop has a protected upper observation deck.
Unfortunately, we only used the Coffee Shop as a place to eat. After barely surviving the Low-Light simulator, I can only imagine the escalations and encounters that can be simulated in the Coffee Shop. Each visit is different and tailored to the student’s needs.
Station 5: The Combatives Room—Where You Get Up Close and Personal
The Combatives Room is where hand-to-hand meets weapons training. Picture a padded dojo with dummies, training knives, sticks, and more. This is where you learn the hard (but necessary) skills to handle close-contact threats. My instructors were Ben Zaharias and Erik Gianini, both of whom bring decades of martial arts and tactical experience to the table.
Here, I practiced stick work, knife drills, and basic hand-to-hand techniques to gain control of an aggressor. All of this would later come in handy when I went into the Low-Light Simulator.
With his impressive resume spanning everything from Filipino stick fighting (FCS Kali) to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Ben brought incredible energy to the class. Erik, a seasoned Muay Thai fighter and taekwondo black belt, taught practical moves with real-world effectiveness. They don’t just teach—you leave feeling confident in your ability to defend yourself even with only a couple of hours of training. And you get to confirm those skills in one of the simulators.
Station 6: The 100-Yard Bay—Anti-Carjacking and More
Station 6 is part shooting lane, part anti-carjacking simulator, and fully climate-controlled. The garage bay is massive, lined with protective barriers, and designed for controlled training with UTM rounds.
I observed students running carjacking scenarios here, and let me tell you—it’s intense. Picture attackers attempting to breach a vehicle while students brace, counter, and de-escalate threats while remaining inside the car. It’s eye-opening how much goes into avoiding, managing, or surviving this situation.
While I didn’t personally use the shooting lane, the ability to fire from inside the bay to targets at the 100-yard mark is genius. It adds a layer of comfort and precision to long-range shooting.
Station 7: The 50-Yard Range—Square Bay Fundamentals
Station 7 is your classic square bay shooting range, stretching out to 50 yards. It’s where firearms fundamentals are honed, and WOFT firearms skills are trained. If you want to dial in your marksmanship, this is the place.
While I didn’t spend time here during my visit, I can appreciate the importance of having a dedicated space for weapons handling and evaluation. Sometimes, you need to master the basics before jumping into the wild stuff.
Station 8: The Shoot House—Where Skills Meet the Test
The Shoot House was one of my favorite areas. It’s covered, bermed-in, and has an astroturf floor. From the outside, it might look simple, but inside? It’s a training goldmine. WOFT uses this station for firearms fundamentals and the WOFT Skills Qualification.
Before you can progress to carrying UTM rounds in other stations, you must prove your competency here. I worked one-on-one with Buck Lawler, a phenomenal instructor with credentials from SIG SAUER Academy and USCCA. Buck combines technical expertise with an easygoing coaching style, ensuring you leave better than you started.
WOFT doesn’t let you move on until you’re ready, and that’s a good thing. Many facilities will introduce you to problems you are unprepared to handle just because you pay for the experience. WOFT gives you an individualized experience that pushes your comfort level just enough to help you grow but not overwhelm you. WOFT is not an e-ticket ride at Disneyland; it is practical training tailored just for you.
Station 9: The Covered Rifle Bay
The Covered Rifle Bay at Station 9 rounds out the facility, though we didn’t use it during my visit. Like the other stations, it’s designed for practical, safe, and efficient training. Whether dialing in a rifle or honing long-distance fundamentals, this station has everything you need.
Sometimes, a station can be quiet during one visit, but I can imagine the work that gets done here during rifle-specific courses. It’s a nice addition to WOFT’s well-rounded layout and is practical, covered, and ready for action.
Beyond the Stations: The Hidden Gems of WOFT’s Facility
If you think the nine stations are all WOFT has to offer, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. This place is like a Swiss Army knife of training facilities—full of hidden details that make the experience unique, comfortable, and incredibly well thought out. Here are a few other standout features that deserve some serious recognition.
The Hallway Behind the Coffee Shop: Scenarios and Fancy Bathrooms
Tucked behind the Coffee Shop (Station 4) is a hallway that doubles as a training area for all sorts of scenario-based exercises. It’s low-key at first glance, but like much of WOFT, it’s full of potential. Think narrow spaces, doorways, and angles—perfect for close-quarters simulations or roleplaying exercises.
But let’s talk about the bathrooms because, honestly, they deserve their own award. WOFT boasts some of the cleanest, most elegant bathrooms I’ve ever seen at a training facility. Picture this: sleek, spotless fixtures, showers (yes, showers), and those fancy Japanese bidet toilets that make you feel like you’re in a five-star hotel. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t spend a little extra time marveling at the toilets (also because the remote that operates the toilet was cryptic). For anyone who’s spent time at outdoor training facilities, you know how rare and appreciated this level of comfort is. One of my wife’s criteria for returning to any location is the state of the bathrooms; she would give these a 5-star rating.
The Helipad and On-Site Medevac Platform
Smack dab in the middle of the property, you’ll find a helipad—a unique addition that speaks to WOFT’s focus on real-world readiness. The helipad isn’t just for show; it’s fully functional and can accommodate visitors or, in more critical situations, a medevac helicopter. Given the rural location, this is a game-changer.
Right next to the helipad, WOFT stages an open-bed truck equipped with first aid gear whenever active training is underway. This setup isn’t just smart—it’s potentially life-saving. In the event of an injury, the truck acts as a medevac platform, ready to transport someone quickly and efficiently to meet an ambulance. In rural environments where every minute matters, cutting down the distance to definitive care is a thoughtful and proactive feature.
It’s yet another detail that shows WOFT isn’t just about teaching safety—they live it.
Safety First: Clearing Weapons and Protective Measures
Before you enter any training area where live simulations are happening, WOFT makes safety the top priority. Every student is wanded and searched to ensure no live weapons, ammo, or gear are brought into the scenario spaces. It’s a zero-compromise approach: if you’re cleared, you’ll receive an armband that indicates you’re good to go.
Need to step out for a bathroom break? No problem—but when you return, you’re searched again. It might sound strict, but when you’re engaging in realistic, high-adrenaline training, this meticulous approach to safety keeps everyone alive, uninjured and focused on learning.
Armored Instructors and Safety Gear for Students
Another detail that stood out during my time at WOFT was the instructor’s safety gear. Your instructors are heavily padded and armored during live training evolutions—like the combatives sessions or low-light scenarios. And trust me, when you’re up close and personal with an instructor, you’ll appreciate that padding. They let you go hands-on, which brings the realism up a notch without the risk of seriously hurting anyone.
Reconfigurable Scenarios: The Ultimate Playground for Realistic Training
Here’s where WOFT really shines: their facility is endlessly adaptable. Do you need a gas station setup complete with pumps? They can do that. Want to train in alleyways or tight urban spaces? They’ll reconfigure the property. It’s like a giant sandbox for tactical training—customized to give students the most realistic, scenario-based experience possible.
One of WOFT’s highlights is the full-facility scenario they run a couple of times a year for alumni (or can presumably do for custom groups). This isn’t your run-of-the-mill training day; it’s an all-out, immersive experience that pulls everything together. The instructors reconfigure the entire property to simulate complex, multi-layered scenarios that test skills, awareness, and decision-making under pressure.
These full-scale events are the kind of training that stays with you for a lifetime–and it is exceptionally rare to find outside of military and law enforcement realms. Whether you’re clearing rooms, dealing with “injured” teammates, or managing escalating threats, WOFT’s ability to transform their property into a living, breathing scenario environment sets them apart.
Final Thoughts on WOFT
WOFT isn’t just about the nine stations; it’s about everything in between. The facility is a masterclass in blending comfort, safety, and cutting-edge training. From luxurious bathrooms (I still can’t get over having bidet toilets at a range) to a staged medevac platform, no detail is overlooked. Add the ability to reconfigure the grounds into virtually any scenario, and you’ve got a facility that doesn’t just teach skills; it prepares you for life.
Every corner, building, and training bay is designed with intention. It’s a place where scenarios feel real, instructors care, and you walk away sharper, safer, and more aware. Whether you’re in the Low-Light Simulator, tackling hand-to-hand drills, or learning to handle a carjacking threat, every station has its purpose.
WOFT feels like it was designed by people who live and breathe this kind of training because, well, it was. If you get a chance to visit, take it. And when you see those clean bathrooms and the helipad, you’ll know—you’re in a place that takes care of its people in every possible way.
WOFT delivers high-level training in an approachable, fun, and surprisingly humbling way. It’s not about being the fastest, strongest, or the best shot—it’s about being better than you were yesterday.
Visit their website to learn more about what they offer and how you can receive training (or order some swag, including their branded programmable flashlight)
