What We Do Every Week
Our Training
Every week the Army Military Explorers at FCRC train at the Van Nuys National Guard Armory — then put those skills to the test in the field.
Field Training Exercises
In the field is where riflemen put classroom skills to the test: land navigation, small-unit tactics, and first aid in the woods of Big Bear or the Mojave Desert.
Physical Fitness
FCRC members spend a portion of every week exercising and learning how to exercise — building long-term fitness habits that last beyond FCRC and the military.
Classroom Training
Each week riflemen attend classes from 6 to 9 PM, learning skills from map reading to first aid. Classes grow more comprehensive and intense over time.
Rappelling
Riflemen learn to tie Swiss seats at the armory before traveling to Stoney Point in Chatsworth to rappel down a 90-foot cliff face.
Marksmanship & Weapons Safety
Marksmanship is introduced after riflemen have built a foundation in classroom instruction, fitness, and field skills. Veteran instructors emphasize weapons safety above all else.
At partner military bases, qualified members may train and qualify with military weapons under direct supervision — always as part of a broader leadership program, not as a starting point.
See It For Yourself
The best way to understand FCRC training is to stop by a Tuesday meeting.