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Thread: Revamping agency's Firearms training.

  1. #1

    Revamping agency's Firearms training.

    I have to be honest, my agency's firearms "training" is pretty lame. In fact it shouldn't be called training because we shoot the state course once a year (25 rounds), followed by a different course of fire 3 other times throughout the year. As always ammo is skinny and I guess I should be thankful we shoot 4 times a year. Anyways, I notice that a lot of guys and gals I work with struggle passing the state course every year. I've recommended that they revamp the "training" to include basic firearm manipulation along with drill that improve combat accuracy and etc. My recommendations have fallen on deaf ears.

    Any suggestions on how to sell this idea would be extremely helpful.

  2. #2
    Quote Originally Posted by redbeard1 View Post
    I have to be honest, my agency's firearms "training" is pretty lame. In fact it shouldn't be called training because we shoot the state course once a year (25 rounds), followed by a different course of fire 3 other times throughout the year. As always ammo is skinny and I guess I should be thankful we shoot 4 times a year. Anyways, I notice that a lot of guys and gals I work with struggle passing the state course every year. I've recommended that they revamp the "training" to include basic firearm manipulation along with drill that improve combat accuracy and etc. My recommendations have fallen on deaf ears.

    Any suggestions on how to sell this idea would be extremely helpful.
    IME, if your chief doesn't place a high priority on it then it most likely wont happen. You aren't alone...we qualify once per calendar year. Yes you read that right...we could literally qualify in January and not qualify again until December of the following year. Our last time span between qualifications was 18 months.

    I do think that we are beginning to change that by adding an extra range day between quals. It's not enough by any stretch but it's better than the alternative.

  3. #3
    Unfortunately, training devolving into simply qualifying is a frequent occurrence.

    Thankfully, I have a great boss who sent me to some of the top trainers out there and then gave me a free hand with our firearms training. I can't claim that I am getting it 100% correct, but I can tell you what I am doing.

    First, qualifying is an administrative hoop. Spend as little time and ammo on it that is needed to check the box. Then concentrate on the actual skills.

    This past year, I put all of our guys through a class that focussed purely on speed, specifically draw speed and getting on target faster. Then I did another class where everything had to be done with the support hand.

    For 2015, I am designing a number of 50 round sessions that will be held frequently during the year in hopes of keeping their skills "recent". I have assigned one of our other instructors to hold a low light course prior to the time changing back. I am developing a discretionary course, and we have some rifle training planned.

    The 50 round sessions mentioned above will be doing things like shooting the Rangemaster Core Pistol Skills test, the FAST combined with the Casino Drill, putting together some things like the Hackathorn Head Shots with the Bill Drill and the like. Basically, it will be things reinforce a speed and accuracy standard.

    I also presented several options for moving forward to our personnel, and they unanimously voted for dividing personnel up into groups based upon skill level so that the hard chargers can go full speed ahead while those that need more work on the fundamentals get the time they need.

    Finally, I am trying to get our other instructors exposed to better training so that it trickles down into their teaching. Last year I was able to get a few through a Givens class. A couple went on their own dime for a class with Frank Proctor, and one went to a class with Farnham. I have Givens coming back this year as well as SouthNarc.
    I had an ER nurse in a class. I noticed she kept taking all head shots. Her response when asked why, "'I've seen too many people who have been shot in the chest putting up a fight in the ER." Point taken.

  4. #4
    Very Pro Dentist Chuck Haggard's Avatar
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    You are asking for advice on an age old question that everyone in the industry fights on a day-to-day basis.
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  5. #5
    Site Supporter 41magfan's Avatar
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    The truth is, there are only a handful of things that motivate any of us to do anything. You know your Bosses better than anyone, so tailor your proposals to scratch them where they itch. Some Bosses fear liability, some like looking "progressive" to their peers. In all circumstances, give them options (all of which will be acceptable to you) so they feel like some of it is their idea.

    Regardless of your ultimate goals in training, accept that notion that incremental change will likely be your only option, so start small and be patient. If funding is a barrier, I would also suggest that you do things initially that don't costs much and slowly worm your way into getting them to spend money.

    I've worked in an environment where I was given free reign and I've also worked at an agency where progress was tedious at times. The important thing to do is just get started doing something to get things moving in the desired direction. As the saying goes; Rome wasn't conquered in a day.
    Last edited by 41magfan; 01-25-2015 at 01:43 PM.
    The path of least resistance will seldom get you where you need to be.

  6. #6
    25-rounds, sounds like Ohio. My agency just overcame the "no training required" mindset. We train quarterly now with both carbine and pistol. Many of the officers enjoy it while the other half tolerates it. If it wasn't mandatory, I'd wager that 1/3 would opt out of the training. It is really sad.

    I am good friends with the gentleman who came up with most of the Ohio qualification standards and whenever the topic comes up, it gets rather heated. In these times, we should all be somewhat proficient, but when I hear of some agencies only requiring the 25-rounds per year, that is gross negligence!

    My big argument when I took over our firearms training is that it isn't "if" but "when" and you either mitigate the liability or litigate the outcome. We used to be a 25-rounds per year agency with over 16,000 rounds of duty ammo on hand for the sidearms and 20,000 rounds of 5.56 for the carbines. The excuse was always ammo availability and cost. Really? Thank God we got a new proactive Chief.
    Last edited by gtmtnbiker98; 01-25-2015 at 01:45 PM.

  7. #7
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    Some "leadership" is very resistant to anything that didn't originate in the void between their ears, in that case don't make recommendations, try to plant ideas. If you can get the higher ups to think that they have a great idea, they're usually a little more motivated to see it come to life. Finding the right way to subtly push people can achieve amazing results.

    Try to figure out what the hot topic is and put it in those terms. Sometimes putting things in terms of "increasing transparency", "reducing agency liability", "reducing likelihood of DOJ investigation", and "reducing the likelihood of a high profile media event", tends to spur a different kind of urgency than "officer safety and survival".

  8. #8
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    I won't repeat the well-thought out ideas mentioned above, but I'll add some suggestions.

    If you have any discretion on the qualification course, design one that tests what you consider the most important skills. While qualification isn't training, you want to get as much value from it as possible.

    Don't try to go too far too fast. If command staff lengthens the leash, it is tempting to try to train in every skill you're read or attended training in. You're better off with a couple of good exercises rather than five poorly orchestrated ones.

    In my experience, the troops invest in and enjoy exercises that are relevant to their world. If the purpose of the drill seems rather opaque to the masses, explain its relevance. For instance, a box drill makes no tactical sense and the non-gun savvy people may have no idea why you're having them perform this ballistic ballet unless you explain it to them.

    Try to make at least one exercise exciting and fun. (I realize "exciting" can be a bad thing on a range, but you know what I mean.) It never hurts is you mention that this drill is done by HRT/SOG/D Platoon/Agents of SHIELD.

    Ensure safety. The troops get turned off if they think an exercise is dangerous on the range or would be reckless if done on the street.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by jnc36rcpd View Post
    Ensure safety. The troops get turned off if they think an exercise is dangerous on the range or would be reckless if done on the street.
    That's one worth repeating.....A workers comp claim can kill a training program in its tracks.

  10. #10
    Yep, North Central Ohio.

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