2014 Training Calendar

JULY 28- AUGUST 1 – Carbine/Subgun Instructor – Yakima
AUGUST 25-29, PISTOL INSTRUCTOR, Kent WA
Sept. 22-26, Basic SWAT School, Spokane WA
Oct. 20-21, Ballistic Shield User, Spokane WA
Nov 3-5, Tactical Carbine/SubGun, Union Gap, WA
Nov 6 & 7, Tactical Pistol, Union Gap, WA
Dec 1-3, SWAT Team Leader, Richland, WA.

I have been teaching a Subgun/Carbine Instructor course for a long time. I initially started the course because there was a lack of these courses for the MP5’s that were prevalent in the 90’s and early 2000’s. My team transitioned to AUTO Colt Commando’s in the late 90’s and there was very little for instructor courses on the AUTO 5.56 guns. As time went on, the AUTO subguns and carbines started to disappear, so I kept the course going for SEMI carbines. I have taught the course from it’s inception with a SEMI gun, I would borrow students AUTO guns for demos. Just a little history there.

Recently I was asked why I don’t teach a pistol instructor course. I started to build a pistol course several years ago because several Oregon agencies wanted it. The class ended up not going forward so it got put on hold. For the current inquiry, I started thinking about how an instructor course should be set up. This was timely since guys on my team have also been having the conversation with me. My experience with instructor courses are thus; you go through a user course to learn the guys doctrine, then you do a teachback, then you get the sheet of paper. A sprinkling of lesson plan development, adult learning, etc. Indeed my subgun/carbine course is set up just like that. But is this the best way?

I dont think so. As a result I am revamping the carbine/subgun class and the pistol instructor course that I will be teaching soon. (Dates above) In lieu of that, I am structuring the courses more in line with what most police instructors do at their agencies. They teach/coach individuals, not large classes. In addition, the focus is always on the “problem” shooter, but what about the slightly above average shooter? What are we doing as an industry to improve that guy? He wants more knowledge, more time on the gun, he will do some things on his own; but we never get to him because we are stuck with “keep pressing” as if that solves everything. Documentation is huge, and once we wear the mantle of instructor, you automatically become risk managers for the organization. Last, I have been involved with my agencies firearms program for over 20 years, as a coach, instructor, training officer and now as the supervisor of the unit. I have learned more than a few lessons on boss relations to meet the end goal; get better equipment and more training for the officers in my agency. I think it’s important to pass on those lessons as best I can.

So, the courses will not look like anything you’ve ever attended before. These first two will likely be improved upon as I get student feedback and time teaching. I am confident that they will produce a better end product than other courses. More than anything I hope to pass on that instructorship, like team selection, is a never ending process. You are never done learning, you don’t have all the answers and you are required to continue to improve your craft. Because in the end, it’s not about you.

And we will shoot. I have developed the “Jill Drill” in honor of Mrs. Tap-Rack. Fail not, at your peril.