I’ve decided to make a change on what is acceptable when posting comments regarding those in the firearms training business. I’ve let things slide for too long.
Character assassination is unacceptable behavior. If this is your MO, your post will be deleted. I don’t care who you are or, who you are talking about. Not everyone gets along. That’s life. If you don’t get along with somebody, do it somewhere else. There’s no quibbling about this either.
However, you may discuss the merits of the content as well as the quality of instruction if you have first hand knowledge. For example, you took and class from a trainer and it was great, feel free to share your experience, as well as why. Likewise, if you felt like you didn’t receive your money’s worth, or you see a technique or advice that you don’t agree with, please share and once again, put it in perspective. A simple, “I hate him” or “He sucks” will get your post deleted.
You can thank a few who checked professionalism at the door while visiting SSD for this policy clarification.
Any questions?
Interesting. In my opinion there may be three dynamics at play. Pre-9/11, the number of competent, well-qualified independent firearms trainers probably numbered under a dozen. Now you can’t swing a sling without finding someone who is, or claims to be a firearms trainer. Second, there really isn’t a metric to determine the quality of a trainer, after all, the best fights are won without a round being fired. Third, if I want to hear politics, I’ll go to a politician. I don’t want to hear about politics from my barber, orthopedic surgeon, flight instructor or firearms trainer, nor do I care what there views are. They are paid to deliver a service, no more, no less. Their expertise in cutting hair, repairing spines, teaching navigation, or training people to shoot does not confirm upon them with extraordinary political knowledge
There’s only one dynamic at play, people need to learn to act right. Apparently some can’t control themselves so I have to make rules. That’s the same reason we end up with crappy laws, because a few people can’t control themselves.
“There’s only one dynamic at play, people need to learn to act right.”
^ Boom.
Agreed, far too many “experts,” and too many of these “experts” attempt to draw clientele by out “bad ass-ing” each other. But still. Grow up. It undermines your argument’s credibility to jaw-jack someone about their jaw-jacking.
I agree 100% with Bill and this new policy. Let’s keep it professional and on task. Now, maybe after the training is complete and we’re sitting around drinking some beers . . . that’s a different story.
Interesting. In my opinion there may be three dynamics at play. Pre-9/11, the number of competent, well-qualified independent firearms trainers probably numbered under a dozen. Now you can’t swing a sling without finding someone who is, or claims to be a firearms trainer. Second, there really isn’t a metric to determine the quality of a trainer, after all, the best fights are won without a round being fired. Third, if I want to hear politics, I’ll go to a politician. I don’t want to hear about politics from my barber, orthopedic surgeon, flight instructor or firearms trainer, nor do I care what their views are. They are paid to deliver a service, no more, no less. I choose them based on the quality of that service, no more, no less. Their expertise in cutting hair, repairing spines, teaching navigation, or training people to shoot does not confirm upon them extraordinary political knowledge or insight. I don’t care about their personal opinions outside of their subject matter. And if they are spending what is ostensibly training time proselytizing about their own personal beliefs, they are wasting my time, and everyone else’s. So restricting firearms trainers to discussing firearms training and firearms training only is a great idea.
Apologies for the double-tap. I wasn’t well trained on selector switches that don’t have little bullets on them.
This made me giggle a little.
My mom used to tell me if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all.
Wise words I try to live by… It ain’t rocket science!
I don’t know, sometimes some people really need to get called on their bullshit. 🙂
I do generally agree and follow the same advice though.
Unless I’m driving…
…and I get cut off…
…then it’s a whole list of words that I get to use. lol.
I think constructive criticism should be factual, polite and honest. It need not be nice. If someone has had a bad experience with an instructor, company or product I personally would want to hear about it.
The only thing as useless as baseless mudslinging and name-calling is hollow compliments and mutual back-patting.
no complaints about SSDs decision.
So does this mean Crye won the Army’s camo competition?
So does this mean Crye won the Army’s camo competition?
In all seriousness I understand the argument Bill is making. There are too many experts anymore. Drives me nuts. I think SSD is making the right decision though.
Hello,
I agree there is to many cooks calling themselves chiefs these days. However, even with the top tier trainer I look beyond the topic or their expertise. I look for education and training on how to teach, psycho-motor skill learning & development, and a kinestheology background. I’ve had to learn these topics to be a state (Washington) instructor and with how to apply it to my field of expertise (LEO Defensive Tactics) has improved my ability to teach, analyze, and perform to a whole new level.
With the topic at hand I agree with SSD that professionalism should have never been checked at the door. However, this is the internet and the flora and fauna are exotic to put it nicely.
Thank you keep up the great work,
Brent Coomes
Good choice SSD. It’s high time folks started being more gentlemanly to one another instead of acting like kids at the playground talking tough. If an instructor is subpar or someone is inflating their resume, spend some time and point it out legitimately…this benefits the community and raises the standard. As a relevant aside, one of the probable (but by no means the only) reasons the Anti-2A effort has gained so much traction is because it is often so easy to paint the Pro-2A crowd as a bunch of trash-talking morons, and this allows them to take the high ground (or appearance thereof) with a chunk of the undecided and unknowing population. Honorable, intelligent men and women shouldn’t and generally don’t broadcast ignorance with the sort of comments SSD is going to be banning. It elevates the discussion.
Well said Jacques and SSD. Let’s not give the “other side of the fence” more things to throw back on our side. Professional feedback, whether it be positive or negative, will benefit the entire industry.