Gunfighter

Hoff · Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 506 Location: Warrior Nirvana

Hoffner Debrief, Vehicle Gunfighting Tactics

Great weather and great students with great attitudes lead to a great Vehicle Gunfighting class on Sunday July 22, 2007 at Phil Oxley’s Impact Zone. We started out with class discussion on the following topics:

First of all, Vehicle Awareness
We spend a large amount of time in our vehicles every day. We cannot second guess or read the mind of an attacker. It is always better to give up property before risking your life or that of your family; unfortunately we do not know what the bad is thinking or what they will do. Many times they do not know exactly what they are going to do until they are in the moment. They might decide at the last second to keep one of your loved ones as they drive off into the unknown. Imagine the helpless feeling that would be. Stay alert, focused and aware. Know what and who is around you. Have a plan ready and be prepared to execute your plan without hesitation then be ready to adjust to the situation. Avoid distractions. Cell phones are a major distraction. Discuss your plans with your family. Make sure that they understand and are ready and willing to do their part. Awareness will provide the opportunity to avoid and at least get the upper hand if you cannot avoid a situation.

We talked about living in the yellow and driving with elevated Yellows, Situations that require attention but do not yet require action, what they were and what to be aware of. For example; what to be aware of with your own driveway and garage.

We discussed Specific Driving Alerts (orange) and what to do when you perceived them, such as Road Rage, Suspicious driver/occupants, suspicious person(s) on foot, in parked vehicle, Bumper Tap

The importance of Avoiding secondary crime scenes, they are always more violent then the primary crime scene, and of course how to get out of the vehicle If your vehicle is commandeered with you in it.

Practice getting out of your trunk, have the light and the tools necessary in the trunk ready for such an occasion.

Firearm placement & Holster position

Tactics included:
Intersection Approach
1. How to approach
2. Maintaining distance
3. Evaluating occupants
4. Plan of action

Carjacking Countermeasures/Intersection Escape
1. Proper steps of the plan of action
2. Executing the plan of action
3. Using available/created escape route
4. Drive to safety

Shooting from vehicle
1. How to shoot successfully out of and into a vehicle including windows and doors

Tactical Driving
How to drive, evade, break, and corner without losing control, including J turns

In preparation of using the vehicle as available cover we practiced firing from alternative shooting positions and the class shot with good position and accuracy.

We worked from chairs as if seated in a vehicle and worked on presentation and engaging threats from different angles. The results; multiple dead bad guys and a squashed chair *NOTE, bring stronger chairs. This prepared us for climbing into the real vehicle which is why we were there and the class was ready, able, and anxious to get in the vehicle and get in the fight.

We worked as two operator teams switching sides in the front seat between drills. Positioning and prepping the vehicle for the fight is key as well as the position of the operator for maximum cover, ability to fight, and ability to drive at the same time. Opening the doors tactically is also important so that they will stay in place and provide as much cover as possible. I was impressed with everyone’s composure, communications, and accuracy with your shots, you really got it done. The team tactics and cover drills during reloads and movement to the vehicle exterior were superb.

I think one of the biggest eye openers of the class was our use of exterior vehicle cover and how tactically advantageous good position is. All of you found out how you can stop the threat with a vengeance before the bad guy has a chance to even see you. Good tactics is like cheating. Its almost unfair for the bad guy…no, it’s just great to be the sheepdog, with skills, ability, and attitude.

We did a bunch of shooting from inside and out side of the vehicles and the shots were well placed and the groups were tight, Good job every one! Now it was time to move on to team cover and over-bounding drills. There are so many cars in urban areas that there is an endless supply of cover. All you gotta do is know how to use it to your advantage.

I always say that if you attend a class and just learn thing than we have been successful. I don’t think anybody went away disappointed that they didn’t an incredible amount of information and performed drill that can save their lives and protect their families. You are all part of Team Hoffners and I am proud of what you accomplished in class.

We spend a large amount of time in our vehicles every day. Stay alert, focused and aware. Know what and who is around you. Have a plan ready and be prepared to execute your plan without hesitation then be ready to adjust to the situation. You now know what you can do and how to do it. We are sheepdog, warriors.

We will drive into h_ll and darkness
to protect those we love and what we believe in.
We have the skill, the instruments, and the atitude.
We will not be stopped!
Hooyah Team Hoffners, here are some pics I have a bunch of good ones that I will post at www.myspace.com/hoffners as soon as I finish an assignment, until then stay safe, stay aware,
Hoff

specrat · Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 201 Location: the shop

I just wanted to say how much fun I had out there with you guys and was quite impressed with everyone... great job! Brian was right on the money; you guys were a very motivated, energetic, hard-working class all the way up to the end of the exhausting day and it showed. Hoo-Yah and great job everyone!

tigress · Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 4

Wow! That was one Great class...and extremely important! I learned a lot of valuable information, gained a lot of confidence in doing what may be necessary someday through excellent drills...and let me tell you, some of these drills were challenging to me. A few of us were a *little* nervous about accidentally shooting the cars or tires of the cars being used in the drill. But Brian & Cecil are Such Awesome instructors, no cars were damaged (toes, maybe, but no cars Wink

). BTW, thanx, guys, for allowing us to use your vehicles in the drills.

Ladies, I was So proud of you all for attending this class. You gals were great! I look forward to seeing you all in future classes, including SoSu, American Defenders, and Elite team. Ladies, we need you out there! You are the one most likely (unfortunately) to be chosen as the victim simply because you are female. You owe it to yourself and your kids to train, train, train till it becomes a reflex...
Cool

Tuesday · Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 1

I'm still on a high from this class. It was terrific. Very hot day - it was great to get sweaty. I feel so lucky to be able to take classes like this and to have teachers like Brian and Cecil. Shooting from the drivers seat, passenger seat, under the car, behind tires...I mean Come On! Awesome! Hands on experience to the hilt. Next up, I want to take American Defenders, the learn to clear you house course and the concealed carry would be a great one as well. See you all sooner than later Very Happy

Hoff · Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 506 Location: Warrior Nirvana

I was driving home on I-59 after the Vehicle Gunfighting class and I noticed this old beat up truck pulling a raggity trailer, and on that trailer was a chemical tank. The tank was either leaking, or the valve was open, because a milky substance was leaking out and vaporizing into a cloud as it hit the road. I took a wide burth, safely, around but was amazed as I watched so many oblivious drivers following in the chemical cloud, seemingly, without a care in the world. Some were talking on cell phones, talking with passengers, and generally not paying attention to the fact that they could be breathing fumes that may kill them in ten years time. I don't know if I was more P.O.d at the driver of the truck or all the oblivious sheep in cars. What I do know is that my students, my shooters, Team Hoffners would have been paying attention and acting accordingly.
We are aware 540 degrees.
Hoff

DEMON · Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 186 Location: Houston,Texas

Hoff,this was a class I was really looking foward to .Unfortunataly I can not attend any until Oct/Nov. I am not surprised in the least that this class went over so well.You are a great instructor and bring an abundence of valuable information to the table. I am looking foward to training by your side once again SIR.Keep them motivated Brian! Twisted Evil

Jazz · Joined: 14 Jul 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Houston

It was an amazing class for me. I am still processing all that I learned. There are so many life situations in a vehicle Brian presented that have moved me into living in the yellow, when I wasn't before. Pulling into or out of the driveway and garage will never be the same, nor driving the streets. And, who knew a street curb could be used for cover?

The best homage I can pay to this course is that when a friend and I were discussing our weekend getaways…. Spending a weekend at a spa and resort nice as it was described was good; but my time at the Impact Zone learning to engage threats in a vehicle, on the ground, overbounding was better! ~m

robert · Site Admin Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 50 Location: Houston

The Vehicle Gun fighting class was an outstanding experience. I learned how to effectively operate from a vehicle. I saw a lot of husband and wife teams and will have my wife at the next vehicle class. Great job Brian and Cecil! If you were not able to make this class definitely sign up for the next one you will be very satisfied.

Hoff · Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 506 Location: Warrior Nirvana

We had four teams of spouses which I am very happy about. Involving the family with defensive/safety training is somthing that I am really pushing at Hoffners Training Academy. We can't be there to protect our flock 24/7, they have to involved. We involve them in our planning so they know what their role is, we involve them in training so they can take care of themselves and be a part of the team. A huge bonus is that we give all of our family the winning attitude required to be successful in school and in today's world. The one place that we are together often is the vehicle and every one needs to understand what they need to do when a situation suddenly erupts.
Charlie Landrum, a dear friend of mine and also a trainer (just retired afetr 37 years of it) once said "You cannot have a team of operators that respond properly in the blink of an eye without training constantly".
Hoff

Jazz · Joined: 14 Jul 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Houston

Having been one half of the h/w team, this was a great exercise in communicating one's actions in a vehicle. This training session has been one of the most valuable defense lessons I think we have ever had. Having two great instructors were invaluable for lessons learned in this real life scenario. I must admit, having no clue what it would be like to experience a car jacking or car gang confrontation, since I have never been a victim, that this class has really open my eyes and raised my awareness to high Idea

“Yellow” now. I believe as a trained couple, we can effectively communicate back and forth now to defend our lives.

Every exercise was taken seriously and has been registered in my psychic day-to-day processing. We are now going take what we have learned and practice at our range to hone these skills. Understanding the power of cover, and seeing that in our urban

lifestyle we have lots of choices to use for cover.

I cannot wait until the advance class is given for this, just name the date and time and we will be there:!:

It has been mentioned more than once that family training is first and foremost, what better way than be the "Team" to be associate with Hoffner's training. ~J

Hoff · Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 506 Location: Warrior Nirvana

Couples that train together kick butt in life together. Keep training, keep up the good work, life is good as a team.
Hoff

Darcy · Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 11

Awsome course!!!!!!!! Everyone needs to take it. Fun and practical. Very Happy

Also, something else that everyone needs to be aware of:
Always keep your doors locked while fueling up; most importantly your passenger side. Vehicles will drive up on the passenger side of your vehicle and steal what is inside while you fuel up.

Liam · Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 84

It was amazing how much was covered in the course of one day. But, the only thing I would like to point out was at times a lack of urgency.
For example, exiting the car to the rear a lot of students got out, looked around, and moved slowly to the rear. I realize not everyone was comfortable or used to moving with a hot weapon but when it is time
to go it is time to go. The same thing with the two man exercise at the end of the day. If you have to change positions, get it done!

Hoff · Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 506 Location: Warrior Nirvana

You are right, in fact that is why even though we performed the drill in a controlled way we discussed bailing out together without providing each other cover if in an emergency situation you are receiving such a volume of fire you just gotta get out of there now. Remember the option of using your vehicle as an escape vehicle, throw it in reverse and get the heck out of there, J-turn at the first opportunity and were gone.
Hoff