First it was Magpul Dynamics, then I.C.E. Training, next we found out about Kyle Defoor and now Redback One has issued guidance to students that lower round counts are the new normal.
Archive for the ‘Training’ Category
The Training Industry Adapts to Ammunition Shortages – Redback One
Sunday, January 27th, 2013Gunfighter Moment – John McPhee
Saturday, January 26th, 2013
Humility is a virtue and as a trained Catholic I believe in virtues. I’m pretty sure the Pope believes in them as well, but since he is one of the few people I don’t actually know, I’m only guessing. Warriors, this is very important to the Warrior Code. If you want to become a master of war, you will display and demand this quality at all times.
First, humility will always save your ass. Meaning, this is the ability to say you fucked-up and know it. This will lead to a fix! Imagine that in this day and age – a real fix and not just hot air. On the battlefield one can’t afford politically correct answers or political bullshit! Non-answers will lead to your mates’ deaths, and there is no room for this in the warrior world.
Humility, when displayed in front of your warriors, shows you care. If you have to admit that you fucked-up to help the mission, then speak up! This will make you a stronger leader. There’s nothing more I want to hear than my boss saying “it’s fucked,” and drive on to a solution or success. You can never get better by patting yourself on the back. Be real, speak up, and drive on. Okay, the not-so-bright warriors will always just say it like it is. Best guys in a gun fight! “What’s up dogs I feel ya.” Now, all you smart brothers just say the truth, speak up, don’t layer or level the truth. Spit it out and save everyone because we don’t have time for you to say some sugar-coated bullshit. Fucking say it so we can move on before someone gets killed.
Be humble. We might have just killed a ton of savages but…they have families and are people. Sort the situation as best as possible and treat everyone as you want to be treated, while you follow procedures to safeguard yourself and your mates. Now, having said that, plan for the worst. I have been fucked over by some savage MFers quicker than you can figure out what just happened. Do not take shit. Follow your safeguard procedures, and if you have to crush a few people in the act of safe-keeping of your team then do it. War is a dirty business and always will be. Nothing is lily-white and if you have to get wet or red to save or fix a situation, then make it happen and move on.
Next, humility and your ego. First and foremost, let it go, Your ego will always negate any humility, which will always hinder your ability to do anything at a professional level. Big ego brothers, you’re the worst. Your over-inflated egos prevent you from being a force to be reckoned with. Just because you passed Big-man-do school doesn’t make you a commando. Okay, all you other over-inflated douche bags you’re in the same boat. Drop the ego and succeed, or continue the path you’re on and see what happens. Sure, you might be better than some, however, you will always be your own worst enemy and you will never see where you fucked-up. You will never reach your own potential, so stop the bullshit today and get in the game.
Finally, humility and training. Do not think you’re the shit in scenarios or training venues because things went right for once. To do things right takes hard work, dedication and repetition. Do NOT let your ego blind you from the difference between luck and skill. This will always blind you and in combat no one can afford this. See things for what they are and fix them now! Don’t let your ego cost someone you know their life!! A little humility goes a long way.
Shrek out, bitches!
SGM (ret) John McPhee served a distinguished career in U.S. Army Special Operations for over 20 years, retiring in 2011.
John has spent his adult life in Special Operations and Special Mission Units. He is a Master Instructor in all aspects of special activities, missions and operations. He has over 6 years of private special activities consulting and is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in: Special Activities, Operational Preparations, Limited Signature Operations, Reconnaissance, Singleton Operations, High Threat Dignitary Protective Services, Extreme Long Range, Designated Marksman, Advanced Precision Rifle Marksmanship, Combat Marksmanship, Live Fire CQB/CQC, Advanced Pistol Marksmanship, Advanced Carbine Marksmanship, Aeriel Gunnery (Rifles, Shotguns, Ariel Personnel and Vehicle Interdictions, Mechanical, Ballistic and Explosive Breaching, Freefall Instructor Programs, Infiltration/ Exfiltration Techniques, Ground Mobility, Unit Pre-Deployment Training, and Research and Development of; Soldier Systems, Weapons, Ammunition, Thermal and Night Optics.
Qualifications;
Special Forces Target Interdiction Course
US Army Sniper School
NRA Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun, Instructor
NRA Range Safety Officer
Advanced Mountain Sniper Course, Instructor
Advanced Freefall, Instructor (Ratings Current)
Freefall Coach (Ratings Current)
California Personal/ Executive Body Guard Certification (Rating Current)
2005 Budweiser World Cup Super Heavyweight Jiu-Jitsu Champion
2004 Presidential Security Detail (Ariel Heavy) Cartagena, Colombia
He has trained countless U.S. Special Operations forces, thousands of International Tier 1 Operators and Special Forces around the world. He is one of the handful of operators with over a decade of combat having served in multiple theaters from Bosnia and South America to recent war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn they offer some words of wisdom.
OR – SOLOSHOT
Friday, January 25th, 2013Of everything I’ve seen at OR I’ve got to say that this has the most potential. The SOLOSHOT is a camera controller that pairs with an RF sensor that you put on a subject. This allows the camera to track the guy wearing the sensor. It was designed for sport use but imagine putting a camera downrange and tracking a shooter from the target’s POV! The camera will track the shooter even behind cover and as he moves across a complex range scenario.
The RF sensor is fully waterproof with a 5 hour battery life. Both the camera controller and sensor charge piggy-back fashion from a wall outlet.
New Class from Mike Pannone
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013Mike Pannone 2-Day Covert Carry
Course description: 2-day Covert Pistol is a fast paced course designed to give students not only the technical but the practical understanding of the effective employment of their pistol from a covert concealed location.
The CTT-Solutions covert pistol program is designed to exercise and refine the skills necessary to access and effectively use a concealed handgun with a high level of speed and efficiency day or night. This course is based upon training I received at 1st SFOD-D, provided to the Federal Air Marshal Service while I was the head range instructor at the FAMS school, the chief in-service instructor at the Seattle Field office of the FAMS, taught and used during protection operations in Iraq and refined for a course recently taught to high level SOF assets prior to high threat deployment. Students will be required to use the same gun and holster throughout the entire course. Time will be allotted in the first day to identify the best type, location and wear of holster and associated equipment. The remainder of the course will be dedicated to making the use of the weapon from that configuration rapid, sure and effective. Although courses of fire will go out as far as 50m, the bulk will be multiple partially obscured targets with multiple shots per target at 03-15m.
The course is designed to safely make you an extremely competent legal concealed handgun carrier (civilian, military or law enforcement) and give a foundation of drills and concepts for you to maintain your skills at your own range. Tactics will revolve around awareness and avoidance with shooting always being the last resort.
Kyle Defoor Reduces Adjusts Round Counts for Courses
Monday, January 21st, 2013Trainer Kyle Defoor has taken a look at current ammo scarcity and adjusted the round count for his courses; balancing training objectives versus ammunition expended.
Adjusted Ammo Counts for 2013
With the recent spike of ammunition prices and scarce availability I have come up with an adjusted round count option of 400 total rounds for my OE 2 day pistol, carbine, or combo classes for those that want to train but supply/cost/availability of ammo is an issue.
Simplistically, some drills are simply cut in half, however there are some factors that many don’t consider which I’ve tried out with some custom and mil classes already this year. I have had no complaints so far, only positive remarks from those who I’ve done this with. Again, 400 rounds total for both days is possible. Hopefully this will help some out.
Alias Training – John McPhee Aerial Marksmanship Training
Saturday, January 19th, 2013Aerial Heavy Carbine Marksmanship course was designed to teach you to be “quick to shoot”, make the SHOT from a helicopter. Being accurate is final, but being accurate on the fly is better.
You will learn helicopter basics and safety considerations, the DOs and DON’Ts around helos. You will rehearse many shooting positions and techniques for making the SHOT. You will fly several courses of fire in progressive learning patterns to be as accurate and safe as possible as you become “quick to shoot”. Bring what you have; we will make you good with it. Learn to use your rifle, scope, reticle and any accessories for them. On the fly use hold offs, hold unders, and holdovers to increase your time to rapidly and accurately hit your target. You will shoot for score, for time and against your own skill to make the SHOT. Learn from your misses, where the shot went, why and correct for a hit in seconds or less. Teach you to correctly and rapidly reload, correct malfunctions and stoppages to get back in the fight on the fly.
Do these things while applying the Perfect Fundamentals of Marksmanship. Practice doesn’t make perfect, Perfect Practice Makes Perfect.
Topics covered:
Basics of the Heavy Carbine rifle
Weapon manipulation
Helicopter Safety
Weapons Safety
Load/ unload clear weapon
Scopes/Reticles
Zeroing
Ammo, overview
Ballistics
Fundamentals of Marksmanship;
Malfunctions
Hold offs;
Holds
Land-marking
Reloads
Mounting accessories
Required Gear;
*Large power scopes not recommended
– Optic 1-8 power variable (or smaller 1-4), with any reticle – Red dot scope w/ magnifier also acceptable
– Brass catcher
– Ballistic Eye Protection or Ballistic Goggles, Hearing Protection
– 4 magazines
– A way to carry 3 mags on your body or belt
– Kneepads
– Rifle sling
– Riggers belt (to safety line to helicopter)
– Safety Lanyard to hook to your riggers belt
– Self locking snap link
*Optional ballistic computer (will reference and use them)
NEXT CLASS IS IN Texas;
aliastraining.com/johnmcphee2-dayarielmarksmanship-march23-242013-mcallentexas
DBT Launches Training Division – Partners with Ashlar Technologies
Wednesday, January 16th, 2013This is an interesting move by Diamondback Tactical.
Diamondback Tactical, a world leader in mission-specific tactical armor systems, announced today the launch of its new training capability. Partnered with Ashlar Technologies, a premier security, training and intelligence solutions group, Diamondback will now offer to its law enforcement, military, and specialty clients state-of-the-art security training and technology solutions. In addition, this powerful combination allows Diamondback and Ashlar clients the ability to design and build customized armor product systems to meet their specialized needs.
In conjunction with Ashlar Technologies, Diamondback will expand its training opportunities to include more adaptive approaches for its own product training, and offer clients specialized training in special weapons and tactics, tradecraft, advanced technologies, and special operations. The depth of training that Diamondback Tactical and Ashlar Technologies can provide with this partnership directly supports Diamondback’s growing law enforcement, federal, specialty, and private contractor client base.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome Ashlar Technologies to the Diamondback team,” said Andrew Bair, Chief Executive Officer of Diamondback Tactical. “The capabilities and level of sophistication that Ashlar brings to our training division is impressive, and our clients will benefit greatly from their depth of knowledge, experience, and proven capabilities in the special operations, training, and intelligence communities.”
Led by Paul Mullis and Steve Stormoen, who are both former CIA officers with backgrounds in special operations, Ashlar brings an approach for elite training, tactics, and systems solutions that greatly complement Diamondback’s advanced-technology mission-specific armor.
“Based on our experiences in the special operations and tactical environment throughout the world, we have partnered with Diamondback because their products lead the market in quality and technology, and we have 100% confidence in their ability to protect our clients in all scenarios,” said Steve Stormoen, Executive Vice President of Ashlar Technologies.
To learn more about the training programs offered by Diamondback Tactical, contact a field representative, or visit www.diamondbacktactical.com.
New for SHOT Show – SOTech Range System
Sunday, January 13th, 2013
Considering every step from the gun safe to the firing line, SOTech designed a modular range bag system for handgun shooters. Multiple pull out pistol cases Velcro against the wall in most gun safes. These padded pistol cases accept most large frame handguns. On the outer face is a pouch with slots for 3-5 magazines and a box of pistol rounds. On the flap there is ample Velcro for a nametape identifying the pistol inside, and the name of the owner for identification on the range. The shooter chooses his pistols and drops them into the range pack. The pack also has pockets for 4 boxes of pistol ammunition, paper targets, markers, a staple gun, first aid kit, eye protection and ear protection. Because of the padded sling strap, the bag can rotate around for quick access to range ID and log books, and for gun checking at the range office. On the firing line, the pack rests on its side on the shooting bench behind the firing points or at the firing point. The pistol case modules can be removed and carried to the line with eyes and ears hanging from hang straps on the lockable pistol cases. After shooting, the pistol cases return to the pack and the cleaning case can be opened exposing a fold-out light colored rimmed cleaning tray with slots for brushes, rods, patches and oil bottles. The individual pistol cases and range bag lock for transport home, and the pistol cases extract for insertion back into the safe. The pack also has a concealed back slot for carry of a hydration reservoir or a defensive weapon. The main pack can also be emptied and used as a briefcase or a Police patrolman’s warbag. Check out the system at SHOT at SOTech booth #20113. Bag will be available March 2013 at SOTechTactical.com.
