Yesterday we had the Defensive Pistol course for Teachers Only. This course was free to those Educators who wanted to learn 20 Teachers signed up. The weather turned and it was snowing pretty hard, so I didn’t expect a major turn out, but 15 did.
This class worried me. Rangermasters in Springville donated the range time, but could only donate 4 hours. Half of their range on a Saturday, is a generous donation to the cause. Over dinner at SHOT SHOW, I took some time with George Harris, former head of SIG’s Training Academy. I asked him about how he would approach this course. I have no problem seeking council from The Masters. George Harris is a great guy and one of the best Firearms Educators in the business, so who better? I had an idea in my head, and when Master Harris outlined how he would do this, I knew I was on the right track with my game plan. He said, you can’t do it… You can’t teach them everything. So you have to give them the mindset and then work on the basic fundamentals of handgun shooting. And that is just what I did.
The class was a good mix, but mostly women, and most of them had very little shooting experience. Some had never even touched a firearm before this day. Knowing this before hand, I was nervous about this. I’ve never had such a green class before. Educators are generally from a very different background than my normal students.
Thanks to the guys that backed me up as Assistant Instructors, we had eyes on everyone. They made this work. Every student when they were shooting, had someone watching and coaching. One on One for every shot. Special thanks for Scott Peacock, Trent W Snyder, Zachary Hill, Joe Chetwood, Wes Dahl, and Steven Ting.
The course went very well. The students learned a lot and the improvements we saw were amazing. This class was a huge success.
This article derserves an “Awesome Sauce”, My boys read this with me, are happy that some teachers are willing to step up to the plate and be “ready”.
Thanks for all you do Mr. Hill..
Good onya’, George. Two thumbs way up for you and your assistant instructors. This kind of thing needs to literally go nationwide. A gargantuan undertaking to be sure, but knowledge is the only sure cure for ignorance.
Thank you so much for stepping up so many times people will complain about a situation but not have any ideas for fixing the problem. You not only had ideas but followed through with them, that is awesome. As long as there are people out there willing to act all hope is not lost.
Good job. Hopefully they will be inspired to come back again and get more detailed instruction in a setting where you have more time.
Great news. This kind of thing will turn the tide as more folks learn the right way, and learn how much fun it can be in the process.
Great work, guys. I think that’s a damn good deed.
That’s awesome George, I’m really happy that this class was actually more than just talk. Did the students come with their own weapons and ammo or were they provided or rented? Was ammo a problem due to shortages? After the class, what was the attitude towards continuing skill building?
If had I said, let’s shoot some more, I think everyone would have said “Heck yes!” and the shooting would have continued. The attitude was 100% positive and enthusiastic.
Most were bringing handguns that they owned, some borrowed, a couple rented at the range.
Thank you and the range for donating the time. Small things like this will accumulate and tip the majority in our favor, You are doing the right thing!
Knowledge will give these teacher an armor against the ignorant prattle of the anti-gunners they will run into. Most teachers want to teach what they know so the class will have a multiplier effect.
This is just one of the many reasons that the guys at Crusader set the bar HIGH for others to follow.
One question… any chance of having one (or more) of the students do a write up on the class ? I think it would help “tip the balance” on any other teachers thinking about taking a class. It would be nice to hear from someone who went in kind of skeptic or a newbie.
Thanks again for Crusader and the range for their time and dedication.
That would be up to them. I have no expectation though.
good Job!
I am excited to see the firearms community responding in this way. I have to think about how I can follow this example.