Professional Soldiers ® - View Single Post

Mac · 01-21-2005, 13:55

Great post, I thought I might have something to contribute to this. In reference to the Police training issues, Ive been a firearms instructor for our Dept (Las Vegas Metro PD) for 4 years and a Defensive Tactics instructor for 12 years. When we have the academy at the range, were limited to what averages out to be about a week (out of 19 weeks) to get them through firearms/tactics instruction....total. Thats with at least half who have never touched a firearm in their lives. Unfortunately, we cant get half of them to remember what the front sight is, let alone make them gunfighters. That time seems to be constantly cut back, due to "important" classes that must be given in their limited academy time, such as cultural awarness and sensitivity training (dont get me started). When you try to instill a warrior mindset in them, teach them to take the fight to the threat, you occasionally get reminded by range or academy staff that we only teach them to use the minimal amount of force neccessary. Its difficult to teach to them (most who have never even been in a fight, let alone a deadly force situation) to attack, to keep driving on, even if your wounded, and keep fighting until the threat has been defeated and you have won. Especially when they get mixed signals that are heavy on deescalation (which is fine before the fight starts, but once its on, that doesnt help as they second guess themselves). Its that line they dont understand and that is difficult to teach in that period of time. Fortunately, most of the instuctors have been in at least one shooting, so we try to use that as a training tool to stress the gravity to them and to continue their training, through later in-service training and on their own, after they graduate. Its weak and it sucks, but its the reality. On the plus side, our dept. has gotten better on that end. We have training now in Active Shooter sits., simunitions, tactical mindset, survivor mentality, CQB (both empty hand and firearms)that we never had before..but its still not enough. It still comes down to the individual getting off his ass, going to the range on his own time, dry fire at home, paying from his own pocket for outside training (Frontsite, Gunsite, etc.), practicing your empty hand/impact weapons/chemical, realizing that Golds Gym, not Winchells, is better for you in the long run when youre rolling around in the gutter with some shermed-out asshole. Which comes back to you have to have the mindset to not just survive, but to win. Another problem is too much reliance on gadgets, rather that spending that money on realistic, constant training. Spiffy gear is great, but if you cant use it effectively, then you are a liability with alot of expensive crap that you dont know how/when to use. Id rather have a warrior watching my back with a .38 and a wood stick than Mr. Mitty with a belt full of Bat-gadgets. Anyway, I just realized Ive taken up alot of space here. Sorry for rambling, but I get pretty worked up about these problems. Ill go back to lurking now.

01-21-2005, 13:55	#22
Mac Asset Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 41	Great post, I thought I might have something to contribute to this. In reference to the Police training issues, Ive been a firearms instructor for our Dept (Las Vegas Metro PD) for 4 years and a Defensive Tactics instructor for 12 years. When we have the academy at the range, were limited to what averages out to be about a week (out of 19 weeks) to get them through firearms/tactics instruction....total. Thats with at least half who have never touched a firearm in their lives. Unfortunately, we cant get half of them to remember what the front sight is, let alone make them gunfighters. That time seems to be constantly cut back, due to "important" classes that must be given in their limited academy time, such as cultural awarness and sensitivity training (dont get me started). When you try to instill a warrior mindset in them, teach them to take the fight to the threat, you occasionally get reminded by range or academy staff that we only teach them to use the minimal amount of force neccessary. Its difficult to teach to them (most who have never even been in a fight, let alone a deadly force situation) to attack, to keep driving on, even if your wounded, and keep fighting until the threat has been defeated and you have won. Especially when they get mixed signals that are heavy on deescalation (which is fine before the fight starts, but once its on, that doesnt help as they second guess themselves). Its that line they dont understand and that is difficult to teach in that period of time. Fortunately, most of the instuctors have been in at least one shooting, so we try to use that as a training tool to stress the gravity to them and to continue their training, through later in-service training and on their own, after they graduate. Its weak and it sucks, but its the reality. On the plus side, our dept. has gotten better on that end. We have training now in Active Shooter sits., simunitions, tactical mindset, survivor mentality, CQB (both empty hand and firearms)that we never had before..but its still not enough. It still comes down to the individual getting off his ass, going to the range on his own time, dry fire at home, paying from his own pocket for outside training (Frontsite, Gunsite, etc.), practicing your empty hand/impact weapons/chemical, realizing that Golds Gym, not Winchells, is better for you in the long run when youre rolling around in the gutter with some shermed-out asshole. Which comes back to you have to have the mindset to not just survive, but to win. Another problem is too much reliance on gadgets, rather that spending that money on realistic, constant training. Spiffy gear is great, but if you cant use it effectively, then you are a liability with alot of expensive crap that you dont know how/when to use. Id rather have a warrior watching my back with a .38 and a wood stick than Mr. Mitty with a belt full of Bat-gadgets. Anyway, I just realized Ive taken up alot of space here. Sorry for rambling, but I get pretty worked up about these problems. Ill go back to lurking now.
Mac is offline