Gunfighter

Morris · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 103 Location: Seattle Metro Area

Recently, my partner and I held our annual outdoor/open air firearms training. Sadly, only one of four training sessions for live fire we hold per year is actually required. However, we had a modest turn-out for a department of 21 sworn.

As we trained on the range and both taught and observed things like second sight and complete scans, I noticed a glaring commonality among all of the officers, from seasoned to raw recruits fresh from the academy.

They would fire two shots, then immediately drop to a 45 degree "low ready." After watching repetitions of this, I realized that as instructors (all of us in the business of teaching citizens and coppers), are we teaching or reinforcing old techniques that could get our people killed in a gun fight?

I also asked myself and have asked other instructors I know, why is it so hard for firearms instructors to attend courses from other instructors to broaden our toolbag? Is is ego, embarassment over our technique structure, what?

Shouldn't our goal be to have well accomplished (as can be expected with time, budget dollars and participant willingness) officers versed in solid but evolving tactics?

What say you?

DEMON · Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 193 Location: Houston,Texas

I belive there is alot of truth in your words. Some people are stuck in a mindset that there way is the best,there can be no better because so and so said so.I belive it was Bruce Lee who said the best way is having no way as way.Let your mind be open to new things.Learn all you can.Keep what is usefull to you as an individual person and throw away the rest.We should be willing to learn new things and evolve.Put the egos aside,put aside performance anxiety.Be the eternal student of life and these skills that may save someones life or your own.Dont do things simply because everyone else is doing it.This sounds like something a child would say.Be not afraid of what others may think if you try something new and are not as good as them.Do it! If people put you down for trying to expand your own knowledge they have deeper problems then you.Lets encourage each other to open our minds to new ideas,be supportive,we are all in this togeather.The end result is the same,the safety of peoples lives.Family,strangers or our own. Twisted Evil

wichaka · Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 80 Location: Washington State

I couldn't agree more.

Morris my friend, do you attend the WSLEFIA Conference in Yakima every year? It's a good place to get instruction from many other instructors just as ourselves.

Firearms instruction-training is an ever evolving thing. But like everything else, techniques must be tested, retested, and perfected.

Been teaching at the states academy now for about 2 months, and am impresed with the program they have there. Not enough time to thoroughly get everything down, but a good solid foundation.........and we teach second sight! Hoo-Rah!

Morris · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 103 Location: Seattle Metro Area

I've been attending the conferences since 1999. As I recall, you usually place in the Maginificant 7 every year with your 1911 and rifle.

The problem with the conference is that is offers snippets of training, most good, some filler. Brian has been one of those instructors you can count on to get something from, also Bank, Mas and (until a few years back), John Farnam. Even in this conference, I have seen those who come just for the "party" and don't draw what they can from it (heck - just look at the numbers who do attend in comparison to the total numbers of LE firearms instructors we have in the state).

I was excited to hear Robnett this summer when he told the association that he would be joining the crew at the academy. I believe he brings a wealth of solid training skills to the state program at the BLEA level.

However, I make the challenge to current instructors for the post academy period. We literally have thousands of LE firearms instructors in this country and cops are still not making good hits, focusing on the basics and the like. Do we let our egos jump in the way of providing solid training or even updated training?

wichaka · Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 80 Location: Washington State

Bill is on his way here to see if he can square dance with an elk..........I'll see if I can point him in the right direction.

Morris · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 103 Location: Seattle Metro Area

Have fun! Heard the herds have been good this year (at least those working near Wenatchee/Clockum).

And if Bill does dance, who gets to wear the skirt? Shocked

BKurata · Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 5

The true instructor never really thinks of him / herself as an instructor, maybe an advanced student who is continuously seeking further knowledge and skill.

Unfortunately, all too often, once someone gets their instructor certificate, all learning ceases.

My favorite training scar is "take a knee when you reload"....I've heard that one justified more ways than Bill Clinton's indiscretions with Monica...personally, if my weapon is out of ammo I will be migrating toward cover as fast as I can if I'm not already behind it.

The least expensive way that I know of to break people of the "shoot two and assess" scar is to purchase a box of Clint Smith's excellent 3-D targets from Action Target, hang them on the range, and tell the people shooting to continue firing until the target goes down! A box of 10 targets costs $100.00 plus shipping, and each target can take hundreds of hits...

You'll see some pretty ugly training scars come out, like the individual(s) who shoot all of the ammo they have, then raise their support hand to "alibi"...that's a really useful skill in a gunfight!

B.K.

fm2 · Joined: 16 Jul 2007 Posts: 67