"That is not an argument. That is a deflection.

The element of surprise in necessary in ALL battle training. We aren't just teaching the mages here to study, we are teaching them to fight, against demons. We can't coddle people and tell them that the field is going to be neat and easy and you'll have help through it.

There WILL be times when templars fall, die, and mages are left on their own. They need to be ready.