The day starts at 0800 with an equipment check and a safety brief. Once that is done a short lecture begins on the basic weapons systems that are brought to the class. Some weapons work different to others. Not all weapons lifestyles are the same. Each student may utilize it differently. Some will use it for sport and self defense. Others may throw it in their vehicle and take it with them on outdoor excursions. I take a small survey and find out what we need to focus on. Most civilians don't need to utilize a rifle like the military or law enforcement. Issues such as nomenclature, administrative loading / unloading, use of support, targeting, sighting, stance, grip, and trigger squeeze will be covered before the zero procedures beginOne of the things discussed will be point of aim and point of impact. I will demonstration the concepts of height over bore and how the bullet impacts at distance based upon what sighting distance used. Students will line up on their target for a 25 or 36 yard zero with confirmation at 100 on steel. This is will be their first taste of getting behind the sights in this environment. First volleys will be shot and bullet impacts will be adjusted until they are where they need to be.
Weapons manipulation comes next. We start with how to keep the gun running through a fight. The tactical reload is followed by the emergency (speed) reload. When the gun completely shuts down we work on malfunctions. It always happen in the class no matter how well the students have cleaned their guns or maintained their magazines. Might as well cover it before it happens. This is usually when the students really start getting started with drills and seeing what happens when their weapons systems fail them. I don't want to see how you act when everything is going right. I want to see how well they pay attention when things start falling apart in front of them. When the student pulls the trigger and all they hear is a very loud "click" things start to get entertaining.
I teach using a stair step method. Each drill will build on the last and add something new. I try to keep the round count low. Generally runs about 500 rounds for the whole day depending on how zealous the student gets. Most of the day is spent on the student's feet. The pace is slow and methodical to make sure everyone hits what they are aiming at. Speed is not what I'm after. That will come later with repetition. You can't miss fast enough to win.
One thing that the Gear Geeks get wrapped around the axle about is what super tactical stuff to bring. I show up in jeans and whatever weather appropriate clothing I need. I have been known to put spare magazines in my back pockets and roll with it. This particular class is not about gear. It is all about the technique. You can have all the tacticool stuff on the market and it will do no good if you can't hit the broad side of a barn or clear a malfunction. I don't frown if someone shows up with a chest rig or battle belt. But I won't teach off of it. One of these days I'll do a class in flip flops or sandals. Maybe even my Virbram Five Fingers. I always get looks.For about half an hour is game time. That is when I pull out the shot clock and let the students have at each other. Times seem to shave themselves down when your manhood is on the line. More than one person has been fired up by the end. I stole the last contest but it seems to be the funnest. At 50ish yards each student gets a dollar bill and staples it to their target backer. You only get one shot. The closest ones to George Washington's nose takes all.
The end of class is us together in a semi circle. Before they can leave I have to have one Pro, one Con, and one suggestion for the class. That way I am always getting feedback on how I should change things up. I have never taught the class the same way ever. I'm always looking for the next best way to teach. I can say one thing for the agents that taught me during FBI Instructor development school. They told me to never ever be teaching the same way one year to the next. Something should always be different if it needs to be changed. Keep what works and discard the rest.
If you want to see what I have up for teaching you can go to the website at soulreave9.wix.com/appropriateaction or www.facebook.com/appropriateaction
___________________________________________________________________________________
Tim Davis, Jr. is a full time law Enforcement Professional, martial arts, and a part time firearms instructor. He has firearms experience spanning over 15 years ranging from several schools in advanced tactical response to time spent in Afghanistan working with their law enforcement program. Tim is the co-owner of Appropriate Action in Englewood TN.
You can Contact him at appropriateactionllc@gmail.com
