[Pami]

All of Lars and Shay's posts on the OODA loop and subsequent discussions got me thinking... just how many different types of trainings are there? What are the benefits of each one?

I understand that taking classes from different instructors is beneficial for several reasons. Even if the basic premise of the class is exactly the same, the approach to the lessons taught may be completely different. Or, the approach could even be the same, but there may be some fundamental piece to the puzzle that gets added with a new instructor.

My lead in to this is going to be more pistol based because that's what my limited experience has given me so far, but I'm curious as to what everyone else thinks, as well.

To start off with, you have classes like your NRA Basic Pistol course which essentially teaches you very basic gun safety rules, the two main types of pistols used in modern self-defense (semi-automatic and revolver), how to field strip and clean the gun, loading, grip, stance, basic marksmanship and some minimal shooting.

"Fighting Pistol' classes seem to cover a broad spectrum. At a minimum, they teach you to draw from your holster and marksmanship from various distances. Hors d'ouvres type courses throw in additional shooting positions (kneeling, standing, prone..) and some worst-case-what-ifs (shooting from retention, weak hand, one-handed...). But you're still relatively "safe" because you're shooting at a paper target that is ultimately not aggressive, unless you're standing in a breezy bay.

Moving on to Force-on-Force type trainings, I'm beginning to understand these cover quite a broad spectrum, as well. They can start on a very basic level with a very limited threat/stress level such as what the Fighting Pistol classes offer, except you're shooting paintball guns at a live person instead of a paper target. They can move into several days of intense real-world scenarios where a person intends to do you actual harm (all within the safety guidelines of being at a training rather than in the real world).

I also know there are courses that focus on major medical trauma and how to deal with those situations. I know that some courses focus more on accuracy or speed, and others really make a point to drive home the importance of mindset. There must be courses that are geared more toward competition shooters, while others focus much more on self-defense.

So look at this as a discussion starter. What types of trainings are available, which ones do you like, and why? I know there are a thousand options. I'm curious to know what they are, and why you like or dislike them.