Previously we'd used Combative Solutions, headed by Tyler Christian for a 20 hour instruction block to train our team on basic security concerns and stratagems, concentrating on threat recognition and non-shooting confrontations. Impressed with the caliber of the instruction, this class was specifically for those who choose to carry a handgun while performing church security duties, which is primarily during weekend services; we're a medium/medium large church in a major metropolitan area in the Pacific Northwest.
This instruction dovetailed in with the previous instruction, building on the concepts established, but adding in the dimension of armed response. Given the disparity of skill level and experiences of the individuals concerned, Tyler oriented this towards the basics, but the course was challenging for all. A strong tenant of the instruction and exercises were immediate responses to close-in threats, with an emphasis on controlled, but fast reaction firing, concentrating on intuitive firing, indexing on the gun and hand/thumb positioning for rough aiming, as opposed to utilizing the sights per se.
Further in the instruction, sighted/more precision firing was discussed and exercised, with both types encountered in the shooting exercises, both separately and then intermixed. Reacting through physiological flinch reactions was stressed, modeled and exercised.
The session concluded with a "figure 8" drill, where students walked in a figure 8 pattern, and the instructors called out specific target(s) to be identified and engaged. Subsequent to completion of the drill, all participants successfully qualified on a local law enforcement qualification, which was a very good confidence builder, as all demonstrably saw how what had been taught throughout the course made the qualification easy to achieve, with superior scores by all participants, far above the minimum passing score required.
The course was conducted on an indoor range, and consisted of 5 hours; approximately 1/4 classroom and 3/4 shooting. Round count was approximately 400 rounds per person; handguns were in 9mm, .40, and .45 ACP, with 9mm and .40 predominating.
I strongly recommend this course (which was specifically tailored to our needs) and Combative Solutions/Tyler Christian. Material was very well presented, and the range superbly conducted and controlled. All participants were additionally provided with a flashdrive containing the salient instructional materials for individual review and refreshing.
Best, Jon