Day three - should I be doing this?
I had the jitters about this class and I'll explain why, I haven't done much work with a carbine since getting out of the military 20 years ago. Sure, I've shot them at the range but running and gunning. NO! So basically I've slid down to the GED education level of gun manipulation and well, I was taking a doctorate level class from a world class instructor.
Let's start by introducing the instructor Mike Pannone, USMC Force Recon and Delta operator. Here is Mike's bio from his web page. He is no joke, and the work he has done to become an instructor is second to NONE! Even after his injury, he can still knock the wings off a fly a 50M. He has a daunting presence about him, but don't let that fool you, he loves to teach, he loves to pass on knowledge and does an amazing job at it.
The class started as all should, a brief talk, and when I say brief, I mean it. The bio of his web page took longer to read than he spent speaking of himself. He instead used it to explain his teaching methodology and why were were about to learn what we did. We then we zero'd our rifles then moved into target acquisition and sped up from there.
This wasn't, I'm sure a high speed class, we took our time, shot when needed and we discussed flaws that needed to be fixed. Instead of just putting rounds down range we were taught why we put them down there, why the body reacts to certain movements and then we adjusted. Simply put, when someone this good grabs the rifle and demonstrates what you should be doing, everyone pays attention and everyone adjusts. Mr. Pannone means to take you out of your comfort zone and force you to take the advice and to a man, each one of us noticed marked improvements. The majority of those taking the class were veteran SWAT officers, very few had the experience level I had.
Everyone can put 5 shots in a 4" square while walking to a target in 10 yards, but can you do it while reloading? By the end of the drill, we all were doing it, quite flawlessly too. I'm not sure if it was simply because we wanted to prove we could all do it, but I am sure we all had the proper techniques and guidance which lightened the motor skill learning curve.
After lunch we did a few more drills and then moved into the meat and potatoes of the class. Probably the most beneficial for me. We did malfunction drills. So, maybe you just asked why that would be so beneficial, weapon manipulation and familiarization is now at a whole new level. Not to mention, I can clear just about any malfunction in a few seconds.
We teamed up and practiced jamming guns for our partner. Mike's method of clearing isn't rocket science, it's tap, rack, bang but on steroids. I'm sure you can Youtube him doing his system and too boot he does it blindfolded. After several drills he then had us lay three sets of 5 guns out and we all cleared 5 jams and shot at target (50M) until each one of us were feeling just cocky enough to watch a master do it blindfolded in about 4 seconds per rifle. Fun stuff.
The day ended with 100M shots. By the end of a hot day, this was easy. Right up until the guy next to you bury's his shell casings down your shirt! That asisde, my grouping went from about 6" at the start of the day to just under 3". Not that I'm a master marksman, but after the teachings and day we had, my comfort level with the rifle was never better, my patience never greater and my guide on my journey, I couldn't have picked a better one if I tried. Well done Mr. Pannone - Thank you!
Take away of the day - if you have time to set up, line up your sights and take the shot you want, it isn't a gun fight, it's a shooting. (I paraphrase this but it doesn't take away from the sentiment- that's truth).
Day Four - Drawing from a holster.
The prior day, I was out of my comfort zone and worried. When I woke up this day, none of that was there. I'm good with my pistol, it's what I shoot! In fact I shoot it a bunch. We soon found out that this class would further tell us, what we thought we knew, we didn't....
We lined up and started with accuracy drills but slowly and methodically. Drawing each time. This wasn't about speed! We were being ever so slightly indoctrinated into his styles, his system.
From that point on 2/3rd 1/3rd was going to be ingrained into us. Speed happened in the 1st 2/3rd of the draw and the final 1/3rd was putting a proper and accurate shot on target. It was then we heard and knew...A gun fight lasts the rest of your life.
It felt like we did a lot of drills, but in reality we didn't do that many but we did do them properly. Accuracy was improving and then...the steel targets came out. We were no longer looking to put the hole in paper on a line or in a circle. We were going to put it on a steel figure from a much further distance. Because you never knew where a gun fight would happen only that you had the rest of your life to do it!
By lunch time I was feeling good about myself. We've been timed, we worked thru clothes hang ups and put many rounds down range. Then Mr. Jacques taps you on the shoulder and tells you - put one on target, one on each target, two on each target - oh and the class is watching you while I time you and write this down. Without really saying so, he just amped up the stress and put 30 sets of eyes on you. Suddenly, things didn't go as smoothly as they once did. You, just, work, thru, it.
After lunch we worked malfunctions, reloads and smoothing out the draw. We touched on one handed shoots and shooting while holding something. Then came the spot we all wanted to be in. Shooting from cover/concealment from about 30 yards. The targets seems smaller all of a sudden. Technique is the key to this series of drills, but now you are tired, hot and dare I say, over confident in your shooting. No doubt, this is a great towards the end of the day drill.
The drills conclude with a duplicate of the cover/concealment drill only this time, you are racing against the shooters next to you, you shoot, move and shoot until you get tapped out or you win. Simple! Until you start to miss or become tired.
At the end, you have a brief discussion and question period. The eye opening thing is how many got the same bit of good out of the class as I, myself did. Repetitive drawing is something more of us should do and by the show at the end of the class, everyone is on that same page.
Because, you only have the rest of your life in a gun fight.
Wrap it up
Sorry for the length of this blog post. It's been fun writing these and recalling all the tid bits of info I've already filed away. All in all, the OTOA is a top notch organization and their philosophy on training is second to none...everyone should have the training they need.
So to my class mates, instructors and fellow 1st responder, thanks - for not only getting proper training but caring enough about the citizens you serve to get better. To the OTOA people in charge, well done. I wish all organizations would care this much on getting all 1st responders trained to this high level.
To learn more on Mike Pannone classes and here. Facebook page.
To learn more on Matt Jacques classes. Facebook page.
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