Back on topic. As far as training goes it seems they where watching videos. From the article is seems they didn't even take a training class.

"According to police, Faella's group watched videos training them in fighting and the use of AK-47s and other weapons at the compound, which the affidavit said is ringed with barbed wire and protected by pit bulls and firing positions facing the driveway."

After reading this article there seems to be a fine line here. Intent I would choose as a key word. A lot of what there were doing are things I would bet a lot of us do.

"The group was making body armor and sniper suits and stocking up on supplies in preparation"

How many here have a watched Magpul videos, own a gillie suit, body armor and have supplies ready for the end of days? Hell I bet any one of us could be twisted by the media and police to appear just a crazy as these nut jobs.

About being taught "tactics" every class I've taken it has been mentioned that it was a weapons manipulation class and not a tactics class. So much so that I have wondered why they go out of their way to say it.