Question for the trainers/instructors:

[Jackson]

I've noticed an increase in the number of people offering classes or private instruction in the use of firearms. (Or maybe I'm paying more attention.) I was curious how you all got in to doing training and when and how you decided that you had reached a level where you had enough knowledge and experience to be paid to share it?

If those of you offering classes have the time and wouldn't mind sharing, I would be interested in your background and what led you to becoming an instructor.

Thanks,

Jackson

[esrice]

Good question!

tagged

[Steve MI]

You never ever reach a place were its enough knowledge.


Well lets see i had been a life long shooter at 19, I knew it all until i took a job that required me to carry a gun...

then I started taking every single class I could and then more then more, and do so every year. sometimes 4-5 per year.

Istarted teaching CPL/CCW classes for alocal shop then was drafted by NTFT to teach from there i went to classes about how we teach people to teach and how people learn. having a good personality and prick switch didnt hurt... but then it became the ablity to get the message across to others and learning there abilites.
and the ablity to make people have fun while being serious

what works for some of them and what works for others. also having the ablity to demo to the class in front of students and showing them that you know WTF your doing, and the ablitiy to make mistakes as well and explain to them why and how and what was done wrong. and how to correct it. (AKA make mistakes on purpose) and show them what and why. and to get them to interact.

but having the insight and foresight and hindsight to have people to trust what you are teaching them based on what you have learned and been taught here is the next big key.

Credit were its due...... honest. in this line of buisness everybody knows everybody and if you screw one your screwed....

I moved on from NRA Liablity programs because in honest they teach you nothing about fighting with a gun or your hands, or for your life. its range rules and legal's (sorry not to offend but its true)

I then gained the trust of many of those I trained under, taught next too, and more someof those that have mentored me and given me high prasies for my ablities to do and teach.

Now i have trained under those with super secret Ninja backgrounds and gotten zero out of the there classes because they were there and killed a million people doesnt mean they can teach you.

gain trust of local ranges i first started on farms and yards after i left my first place.
then gravel pits and ranges once I took on liablity INS and AI's and my AI's are my life and Blood

In a nutshell.
I learned that after years of doing everyone's else dogmatic programs, students werent getting what was needed to Win, I decided it was time to pass on what i had been taught and trained to do for years it was time to pass it on......

its a full time job now and buisness for me that has grown huge.... and gettign better every day....


sorry for the ramble but i daydreaming and thinking back to were it all started in 1999

[Jay]

Fair question.....

I started shooting in 1955. Shot my first dove, and deer in 1956, and I've been shooting and hunting ever since. Things got a bit more interesting in the Marine Corps in 1965, and I was able to display a bit of marksmanship hardware. I spent two years exchanging rounds with some folks, and learned what it's like to shoot, and get shot at, shoot someone, and get shot. I got out because I wasn't impressed with the peacetime military. Kept up shooting sports on the side, and became an instructor for the Red Cross in First Aid, and CPR, in 1975, and found out I could teach subjects that I knew about. Taught rifle and pistol classes for 4H and Scouts, then got involved with NRA. I do teach NRA courses, and I teach some that the NRA doesn't include, but I don't get into what I'll call "exotic" training. I teach basics plus common sense, and some things from experience if folks want it. I'm an expert only on myself, but I didn't get into my 60's being stupid, and the Marine Corps indelicately removed what little tact I started out with. I don't advertise much other than word of mouth and a few cards, and I stay busy enough to keep me off the streets. I do not accept payment for a class until the student is comfortable that they got their money's worth, and students are more than welcome to a no cost refresher outing at any time. I've never had a student opt not to pay, and some I haven't charged because I knew they couldn't afford it. I don't teach to make a living, I teach because I'm good at it, and I enjoy it, and people shouldn't have to take a second mortgage to pay for their chosen method of protecting themselves, and/or a very rewarding family pastime. I've taught folks from 10 years old, up to 75 years old. One of my students gave me a couple of acres to build a private range on (and he was in the Navy, no less, and also a member here), and that lets me keep costs, and prices reasonable for most everybody.

Shoot safe.......

[Annie]

Originally Posted by Jay

the Marine Corps indelicately removed what little tact I started out with.

I do not accept payment for a class until the student is comfortable that they got their money's worth, and students are more than welcome to a no cost refresher outing at any time.

I teach because I'm good at it, and I enjoy it

I can vouch for this ^

[Jay]

hmmmmm, I would have figured that with all the quality instruction available, there would be more response to this question.... I wonder why only two of us replied ?

[Coach]

The background of all of our instructors is available on on website.
Adaptive Consulting & Training.

I was asked to become a part of the team at ACT to handle the instruction and direction of the competition shooting. I also assist with instruction in other courses. I was asked to join ACT, because I was observed giving some private instruction to a new shooter and my teaching technique was considered to be good. I shoot competition 2-3 times per month sometimes more, and locally I am near the top most of the time.

I feel like I have some insight to offer students in the area of competition, and in defensive situations as well. I have been shooter for all of my adult life, but have spent a huge amount of time on the range since 2004.

I teach for a living, and have coached plenty of football and wrestling over the years. I look at my role as an instructor as I am coaching and teaching which I have been doing for 19 years. The subject is just different, and very rewarding.

Anyone who thinks they know it all and have nothing more to learn is sadly mistaken.

[minuteman32]

I started giving informal assistance on whatever range I was @, if someone wanted/needed it, as well as friends that I'd take shooting.

I, wife & some friends attended a UT CFP class & my wife kept leaning over saying, "you could do this..... you SHOULD do this!"

I became an NRA Pistol & Personal Protection In the Home Instructor & later that year became a UT CFP Instructor.

I mainly teach the UT CFP classes, but have taught the NRA Pistol class, too. I still offer informal instruction, as well.

I would say become an NRA Instructor in the area(s) of interest to you & branch out/specialize as time goes on.

[mercop]

Good question. I guess I started around 98/99 with my first firearms instructor course. It was the LE NRA course. Over the next 10 or so years the dept sent me to around 45 specialized schools for everything from edged weapons to SWAT. Between all the courses and my traditional martial arts training what I saw was a massive lack of continuity between all skill sets. This was the beginning of the Modern Combative System. MCS is the blending on open hand combatives, impact weapon, edged weapons and firearms within seven yards.

Folks here who have attended MCS classes can tell you in gun classes you will learn edged weapons, in edged weapon classes you will learn about gun, and in all classes you will learn about open hand combatives.

Just recently I have certified two people as adjunct edged weapons instructors. So far I have no adjunct firearms instructors. I consider myself a teacher more than an instructor and require the same from my adjunct instructors.- George

[Jackson]

Originally Posted by mercop

I consider myself a teacher more than an instructor and require the same from my adjunct instructors.

Can you explain what you mean there? What's the difference in how you're using the terms?