Simunition FX marking cartridges and Airsoft scenario training

Why do we at FFKG use Airsoft in conjunction with other training tools such as Simunition FX? As many trainers have found, people who are very accurate and competent on a firing line often get clobbered when they switch to a simulation based training environment.
 
The old-school approach to stress inoculation has been to take the student and throw them into the 'deep end' of the simulation pool.  Some trainers immediately increase stress to levels approaching those experienced in real conflicts and the many students fail.  At FFKG we take a different approach.  We view stress on a continuum.  Gradual increases in stressors help a student develop more effectively than immediate high-stress environments that produce negative results.
 
The FFKG technique includes drill-based exercises using Airsoft against live ‘attackers’,  live fire drills on our tactical range, and simulations for advanced students.  So,  Airsoft or Sumunition FX?  We say both – use Airsoft as an intermediate level stress tool to advance to higher impact, more stressful tools.