Being a Good student: selecting and attending training

08-07-2013

Most of us have attended training of some kind. Whether it is as a member of the military, an LEO, or a civilian there are some things we can do to maximize our time and money when we’re seeking firearms training.

Before Training:

1) Start by figuring out what you need to work on. - Most people, myself included, like to spend time on the things we do well. Take a hard look at what your needs are and where you’re weak. Seek training in that area. Working on what you’re good at may make you feel cool but it won’t make you better.

2) Do your research. - Find out as much information about the class and the individual teaching it as you can. Identify what, in their background, gives them expertise in what they are teaching. Look up their websites, forums they frequent, social media sites, and read AAR's from their classes. They are by far the best information source out there.

3) Prepare your gear. Look at the gear list and make sure your stuff is squared away. This should be common sense but I’ll say it anyway; Fresh batteries, loaded mags, a zeroed and lubed rifle, etc. are all things that can and should be set up before Training Day 1 so that you aren’t detracting from, or wasting time at, training.

Author at a Larry Vickers class in 2008

At Training:

1) Pay attention. - Again, I feel like this should be self-explanatory, but I’ve been in training environments where students (who paid to be there) are grab-assing. Stow that noise and listen to the instructor. You sought them out to get their perspective. Listen to it.

2) Ask the question. - If you don’t understand something, stick your paw in the air and ask. If you didn’t get it there’s probably someone else missing the info as well.

3) Execute the drills. - There are no keys to the kingdom. Try new ways to solve a problem. That’s what you’re there for. If you like your old way better, switch back after class. Debating the merits of something like the high ready vs. the low ready takes away from everyone’s training time. If there is something tactically or technically wrong with what is being taught, handle it off line and let the instructor make an adjustment. If there is a safety issue, sound off. The life you save may be your own.

4) Be respectful. - Not just to the instructor but to the other students in the class as well. You never know who you're on the line next to. Quiet professionals often tend to be just that, quiet. A piece of advice I received from a salty individual I used to work with was to treat every class like a job interview.

5) Don't be a loner. - Classes are a great place to network and meet like minded folks. I think I've picked up about as much sitting around listening to BS sessions at classes as I have from formal instruction. You get some seasoned pros sitting around with guns and gear and there will be an amazing amount of knowledge dropped.

Shooting the Mod Navy Qual at a Trident Concepts class in 2010.

After Training:

1) Conduct and write out an AAR / Hotwash. - This is where we get our monies worth out of the class. Ruthlessly examine your performance. Identify areas for improvement and figure out how to train them. We're not going to be a rockstar at every class. Sometimes you're going to dick the dog. That's OK. That's how we learn. We should strive to maximize the learning value of these mistakes and also pass on the lessons learned. Many of us that seek out this training serve in a high risk profession. We should not endanger ourselves further having to relearn something that someone else paid for in blood.

EAG TACTICAL class approx. 2012

I've had the opportunity in my life to work with, and spend time around some genuinely hard dudes. Guys that have killed more people than cancer and look like an African dictator in their dress uniform. One of the things that these men have taught me is that ego detracts from learning. Cruising into a room with a chip on your shoulder and trying to compare dick size with every type A personality in the joint is a sure way to be branded an asshole and probable way to land a pretty good beating at some point.

Most of the guys with real experience don't have much left to prove.

If the instructor can't handle people asking questions, go somewhere else.

If the instructor spends all their time talking about how badass they are, go somewhere else.

If the instructor claims to have the way as opposed to a way, go somewhere else.

Seek out information from multiple sources, evaluate it critically, and see if it’s value added. At the end of the day, there are no keys to the kingdom. There are little pieces to the puzzle and multiple ways to solve most problems.