Anyone involved in counter-terrorism should seriously consider attending mirror image training.
What is mirror image?
Mirror image is a total immersion program where students live a week, and sometimes more, as a terrorist. You will eat, sleep, and breath terrorism. It includes varying levels of intensity depending on the needs of the students. You may have a comfortable bed or you may be sleeping on the floor in a sketchy location. Either way, the days are very long and you train rain or shine. These hardships as well as the need to totally immerse yourself in the mind and behaviors of a terrorist may be uncomfortable for some people. So, take this into consideration before signing up.
A typical day includes
- Expert lectures on relevant cultural aspects, significant attacks, actors, and tactics
- Guest speakers on specific topics of interest
- Exercises covering topics such as IED design and placement, target surveillance, attack planning, and firearms usage
- Practical experience in learning how to assemble and run a cell.
Know your enemy
The purpose of mirror image is to gain a personal understanding of terrorist motivations and their actions. Reading about a terrorist attack is quite different from actually trying to plan one. Planning the deaths of others is sobering enough, but it gets real when you conduct surveillance on a real life target. When you walk among those you plan to harm. It definitely provides a new perspective for everyone from analysts to front line security personnel.
Find out more
The preeminent mirror image training is provided by the Terrorism Research Center of Virginia. You can find out more about their programs here.