Defending Schools, Churches, or Yourself and Family….

There is a small but growing trend in the training industry to write and offer curriculum for armed teachers in schools or armed security in places of worship.  These are inarguably “soft targets” and historically, along with other typical “gun free” zones targeted by those who wish harm on lots of people who are unlikely to be able to fight back or stop them.

But I am wary of training just for those potential scenarios, unless and until those undergoing such training have rock solid fundamentals.  There is no way around this, and anyone offering training courses for churches, schools, or other soft targets without the student first being able to be consistently safe, accurate, and efficient with their firearm are not preparing their people for success.

Any classes failing to ensure this before jumping into scenario training for any soft target is at worst taking advantage of the headlines, and at best doing a disservice to the people who seek training from them in good faith.

Over the years we have been students of our craft it has become crystal clear that being able to shoot well requires a commitment to the basics, and seemingly endless repetitions of the basics.  These basics include the handling and manipulation of their chosen firearm and being able to access it under the conditions they will be working or carrying under. It also includes serious discussions about caliber, mindset, and the aftermath of a life-saving engagement. Dry-fire, live fire, mental rehearsals…all combine to lay the foundation necessary to win and successfully protect oneself, family, friends, and community.

As mentioned in a previous blog, we recently trained with a highly experienced soldier, Bob Keller, who made a simple and profound observation based on his hundreds of armed engagements with the enemies of our country.  In his experience, prevailing in these engagements came down to “being able to shoot well,” on demand and under stress.  It wasn’t anything fancy, it didn’t require a lot of high tech props or equipment, and it wasn’t “special tactics.” It came down to being faster and more accurate than one’s adversary.

The best instructors we’ve ever had the honor to train with have all been those who discussed these issues and focused on providing their students a solid foundation to build on.  That foundation is built on by self-development and seeking out ongoing training to further ingrain the fundamentals.  Of the thousands of hours we have committed to our own professional development, it is the lessons of these mentors that have lasted and serve us well.