Starting From Scratch: Patriot Games Novice Training and Gear Plan

Starting From Scratch

If you have landed here, chances are you have been sizing up what it really takes to step into a tactical fitness event. Maybe you have watched from the outside. Maybe you have trained a bit. But you are still asking the same question most people do.

Am I ready for this?

That is exactly where The Patriot Games comes in.

After digging into beginner friendly options across the space, one thing stands out, the Novice Division. It is built specifically for people who want in but are not looking to get buried under elite level expectations on day one.

Minimum Gear

You do not need a truckload of equipment to get started. The baseline is straightforward:

• Pistol
• Holster (At Least One Retention Mechanism.)
• 5 magazine holders for pistol
• Rifle with Sling
• 5 magazine holders for rifle
• Plate carrier optional but required if you want to place

That is it. No fluff. No unnecessary barriers.

At Tactical Fitness Events, one of our main goals is helping grow this community the right way, and that means making it accessible.

To get a better understanding of why this division exists, we reached out to Jessie, Co-owner of The Patriot Games. 

Owners of The Patriot Games: Jessie & Nirvana

Here is what Jessie had to say:

“The main reason I decided to introduce a Novice Division is because prior to that there really wasn’t a true intermediate level in the sport. Our “Intermediate” division was essentially the entry point for new athletes, it was either Intermediate or Elite, and that left a pretty big gap for people who were curious about competing but weren’t quite ready for that level yet.

The Novice Division helps us reach a completely new demographic of athletes who may have been on the fence about jumping into competition. It lowers the barrier to entry and makes the sport more approachable. For example, a plate carrier isn’t required to compete in the Novice Division, although it is required if an athlete wants to make the podium. That gives people a chance to experience the sport first without needing all the gear right away.

Another benefit we’ve seen is that the Novice Division has attracted athletes who previously would have signed up for Intermediate. That has allowed us to increase the loads and raise the standards in the Intermediate Division to better reflect that level of competition.

The Novice Division itself is still relatively new for us, so we’re continuing to work out some of the small bugs that come with introducing a new category. For example, at the Miami event we only awarded 1st place in the Novice Division. Moving forward, we’ll be awarding 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for Novice just like the other divisions as participation continues to grow.

Typically, the Novice Division uses the same loads as the Men’s 50+ Division. Because of that, it usually makes more sense for athletes over 50 to sign up for the 50+ Division rather than Novice, since they’ll be competing directly within their age group.

Looking ahead, we’re also exploring adding a Women’s Novice Division. We’re continuing to see more and more women enter the sport, and creating that pathway would be another great way to support the growth of the community.

Overall, the goal of the Novice Division is simple: make the sport more accessible, bring new athletes into the community, and create a better progression from entry level all the way to Elite competition.”

Why This Matters

What Jessie built here fills a gap that used to keep a lot of people on the sidelines.

Before this, you were either stepping into Intermediate, which was not truly beginner friendly, or going straight into Elite. That is a hard jump for anyone who has not tested themselves in this kind of environment.

The Novice Division changes that.

It gives you a controlled entry point. You can show up, run the course, figure out your weaknesses, and understand what the sport actually demands without needing every piece of gear or years of experience.

There is something to be said for the old school approach. Get in, get your hands dirty, and learn by doing.

Photo Credit: Evoke Studio

Final Thoughts

If you have been thinking about trying a tactical fitness event, this is your opening.

You do not need to have everything figured out. You do not need top tier gear. You just need a willingness to step forward and see what you are capable of.

The Novice Division at The Patriot Games is not just an easier version of the sport. It is where you earn your footing.

Show up. Learn something. Then decide how far you want to take it.