SWAT Secrets: What 20 Years in Tactical Operations Taught Me About Survival | Josh Schirard

Jan 27, 2026

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Former SWAT commander Josh Schirard reveals shocking statistics about rideshare assaults and explains why most people are completely unprepared for violence. After 20+ years in law enforcement, he breaks down threat assessment tactics cops use, the "run hide fight" protocol for active shooters, and why locked doors save lives.

Josh shares his journey from patrol officer to SWAT commander and operations bureau leader, teaching active shooter response to both law enforcement and civilians. He explains why he left policing to become a pilot, only to return with a mission to help everyday people protect themselves with less-lethal defense tools.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The "spidey senses" techniques cops develop working bar security that civilians can use
How to read faces, hands, and behavior to spot threats before violence erupts
Why most violent encounters happen within 3-7 feet with almost no warning
The truth about active shooter response and what actually stops attackers
Why 1 in 8 women using rideshares face sexual assault and what to do about it
The less-lethal alternative to firearms that Josh now trains schools and law enforcement to use
Why being prepared isn't about being paranoid—it's about living freely without fear

Whether you're a parent worried about your kids' safety, someone who uses rideshares, or just want to develop better situational awareness, this conversation could save your life.

Timestamps:

00:02:44 - "Cops Don't Make Money" - Why Young Cops Work Bar Security & How It Builds Threat Detection

00:05:36 - "Read the Room or Get Hurt" - The Face Switch That Tells You Violence Is Coming

00:08:15 - "3-7 Feet, 3-7 Seconds" - The Brutal Reality of How Fast Violence Happens

00:15:22 - "Hands Will Kill You" - Why SWAT Commanders Watch Hands, Not Faces

00:28:45 - "Your Untrained Response Will Fail" - What Civilians Get Wrong About Self-Defense

00:42:41 - "Run Hide Fight in That Order" - The Active Shooter Protocol That Saves Lives

00:45:18 - "1 in 8 Women Face Assault in Rideshares" - The Statistic Nobody Talks About

00:47:22 - "Prepared, Not Paranoid" - Why Mental Rehearsal Makes You Unstoppable

YouTube: @TruthHurtsShow

Brian's Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briangoldphd

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briangoldphd

Makan's Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Makan.Mostafavi

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@makanmostafavi

Josh Schirard's Links:

https://www.instagram.com/josh_on_the_fly/

#SelfDefense #SWAT #ActiveShooter #PersonalSafety #LawEnforcement #ThreatAssessment #RideSafety #SituationalAwareness

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