Tracking Comparison

Tactical Tracking versus other sorts of Mantracking

Tactical (and Combat) Tracking, by necessity, differs significantly from other types of mantracking.  “Seven Step” tracking is predicated upon conditions encountered in jungle and heavy canopy conditions, and while effective in those conditions is not particularly fast (speed often being essential in a tactical operation utilizing this skill set).  The more benign “step by step” and “step for step” styles of mantracking generally utilized by Search and Rescue (SAR, or ESAR) personnel in that it uses bold and aggressive team tactics to cut down the Time/Distance Gap between trackers and their quarry. 

Holistic tracking styles, while arguably effective and certainly well-regarded by some elements of the tracking community, is not something that can be adequately employed and articulated in a court of law or in certain military connotations, nor does is it suited at all for use against armed and dangerous opponents—which is the kind of quarry Tactical tracking is used to pursue.  The mantracking techniques taught by TTOS involve a five-man tracking team employed to provide its own protection while overcoming almost all hostile conditions or contacts it can be reasonably expected to encounter during the follow-up.  Tactical Tracking teams, by their very nature, are well suited to special operations and SWAT personnel but are by no means limited to them.  Many patrol, detective, and canine officers have used them with great efficacy, as have large numbers of conventional military personnel and even search and rescue personnel.  Note—tactical tracking does NOT compete with search and rescue tracking or forensic footprint analysis—it complements it!