Thinking Man's Corner

Article By: Leo H.

Recently, I had the opportunity to assist on the range with a group of mandate students. The academy I was working with assigned students to a specific lane and the various instructors tended to work the same lane throughout the day. The instructors lead their students through drills called by one of the range staff instructors. At times, the staff instructor might just explain the drill. Other times, they might perform a demonstration. The firing line was then turned over to the assisting instructors who lead the student through the prescribed drill… firing the allotted number of rounds… during a time span largely controlled by the staff instructor who was focused on checking the box for each drill scheduled for the day.

As I looked down the line, I observed quite a difference in the methodology used by the various instructors who had volunteered to assist in the “training.” There were many different “hats” being worn. Looking at the targets along the line following each called drill exhibited varying levels of demonstrated understanding relative to the concepts of shooting fundamentals. The instructors were giving their best. The students were working hard; after all, their future employment hinged upon their ability to fire a “qualifying” score at the end of the planned training session. Sometimes everything came together and targets began to look acceptable. Other times, the targets were not such a joy to behold. Such is life.

Upon reflection, I mentally identified several types of instructors I have seen or encountered over the years. Some were very good. Others were not even close to the same coin. As you read through my list below, I am sure you can recognize instances where you have met the same folks. I believe there are times I may have fit into one or two of these categories myself. I have listed them in no specific order… just however they came to mind.

The Gamer

Depending on the student, they may be the perfect instructor. They are usually a good shot and have the tendency to shoot, reload, transition, and problem-solve extremely quickly. Most are willing to share their “secrets.” Often, they are a competitive shooter and are hooked into the tricks of the trade. They will be shooting the newest gun which is fitted with the most recent vogue of sighting system. They will be wearing whatever the most current high-speed-low-drag equipment and gear currently available on the market might be. They will provide advice on any shortcut available that enhances speed or score. Shaving the rules to gain technical or tactical advantages is their forte. Speed rules.

The Salesman

These folks are closely related to “The Gamer.” The primary difference is they probably work for a gun store or range thereby having a direct financial benefit from your purchase of guns, ammo, training, and related equipment. Sometimes, they have received certification as an instructor through military training, a law enforcement source, or competent civilian provider. They could be the owner of the store or just a relative who needed a job. Sometimes they are a knowledgeable hunter or competitive shooter. At times, their advice will be well thought out and relevant. Other times, they are just trying to make a sale. They will do their best to make you feel good about yourself… even when you should not. They will never make you cry with “mean” dialogue. Your time means money.

The YouTube Groupie

This instructor has all the drills from all the top YouTube former military, delta force, seal team-six, ultra tactical influencers locked in. They will have you performing super-fast reloads after firing multiple shots at a myriad of targets; all while running from cover point to cover point, clearing instructor inducted stoppages, and shooting hundreds of rounds a day. The drills will be run to their best interpretation of the video they watched online and with limited understanding of the actual training objective of the original drill designer. You may not learn much… but, it will be fun and you will shoot a lot of ammo.

The Mathematician

They will know the qualification course as a series of numbers. They can constantly calculate your current score and advise you of the number of hits or misses you are permitted at the next stage of fire. Time is a number and they will have it down to the second. You will hear suggestions about shooting cadence or announcements of numerical based strategies. If your shots are hitting six inches left… they will tell you to aim six inches right. They tend to provide little instruction which would serve to facilitate skill development, focusing primarily upon the eventual outcome of the qualifying event as evidenced by their play-by-play tally of each shot fired. While some may find this constant dialogue helpful, most seem to wish this type of instructor be stricken with a case of instant laryngitis until the final shot has been fired.

The Authoritarian

Life has provided them with absolute control of the training environment. These are the “my way or the highway” types of instructors. At times, they are competent instructors. Other times, circumstance has merely placed them in the position of authority. They are the type that begin at zero-whatever-hundred no matter if the conditions are right for learning or not. If it is on the schedule, it will happen. You have been allotted a certain amount of ammunition to be shot in a certain amount of time. If learning occurs… great! If not, well that is just the way it is sometimes.

The Drill Instructor/Contractor

These instructors usually have some sort of military background. In the military, their job description may not have had anything to do with training. They can be identified by their “kit” which will display enough equipment and ammunition to hold off a platoon of attackers for at least three days. The only real firearms experience they may have had was during their basic training or when they were issued a weapon during an overseas deployment of some sort. They will be loud and possess the ability to immediately recognize any small mistake you might make to the benefit of everyone who may be listening within several miles of the range. They will spout the jargon associated with properly shooting a firearm repeatedly. They will check every box on the various drills they will run in a methodical and regimented fashion. They will have a close association to “The Authoritarian.” At times, they will possess the ability to provide you with useful instruction, if they deem you worthy of sharing their air.

The Life Coach

Usually, these instructors have your best interests at heart. They see how well you do or do not perform as a reflection of their abilities as an instructor and work hard to show you in your best light. They are generally knowledgeable of the working fundamentals of shooting and well versed in all the current terms and training trends. They are in your ear constantly like a Jiminy Cricket of firearms fact. They provide you with instant insight for everything required to shoot an accurate shot before you even think to draw your weapon from the holster. If you like letting someone else think for you they will be your best friend. If not, they will drive you crazy with their constant chatter and advice as to how you can fix what you have done wrong before you have a chance to do it. Learning can happen whenever you finally get the chance to process what they are saying/suggesting.

The Coach

Is wearing a “Been-there, Done-that” shirt. They may be a bit rough around the edges and can hurt your feelings with voiced criticisms. They are usually very good to excellent shots, with both hands. They are very knowledgeable about the entire process involved in shooting quick and accurate shots. They recognize the importance of understanding the difference between precision marksmanship and combat shooting skills. They can easily provide direction concerning what you need to know, when you need to know it, in clear and distinct terms. They have little, or no, patience for students who are “taking up space.” They teach hard lessons toward specific objectives, always with winning in mind. They possess the ability to make you “cry.”

The Professor

A student of multiple weapon systems, the art of shooting, and anything remotely related to their use. They are good to excellent shots who have attended multiple training classes and continue to actively seek knowledge and skill from wherever it is available. They will possess a large collection of video-based training sources for their continued edification or the documentation of poor or unsafe practices. They will have a large personal library covering multiple opinions from recognized “experts” in the various fields associated with marksmanship tactics/techniques and the related mental aspects of shooting. They can remove the dynamic of ego from their evaluations of explored ideologies. They have studied and practiced differing philosophies related to the adult-learning model and competency-based training principles. Their main desire is to pour their hard gained knowledge into the heads of the students they have been entrusted to teach/train. No two classes attended where they have taught will be the same as they will have learned something new in the interim. They strive to explain the “why” often to the extent of ad nauseum. They have a sincere desire to teach so that you will learn. Students who will learn most from these types of instructors must share the same thirst for knowledge. Not everyone wants to know… many only want to do.   

The Shootist

They are not there to provide instruction… they just know and do. They usually will not provide lecture or range-based demonstrations of their knowledge and ability. They just train independently on their own quite corner of the range. They may, however, teach by asking questions that cause you to think and learn. Questions like, “Have you considered…?” or “Where did you learn that?” could be identifiers that class has begun. They will be wearing minimalist gear and shoot only the amount of ammunition required to meet the goals of the training session. They will not be modeling the most advanced holster, newest optic, or the brightest light… unless that is what the circumstance they are training for requires. They will, however, share their wisdom to those who watch to see… to those who seek to understand… to those willing to put their egos aside for a moment so they might learn. Every range has at least one of these shooters. With luck you will find them.

I am sure you may be able to think of other examples of instructor type that I failed to mention. I am also quite certain that I have been one or more of these folks on various occasions. In fact, I would suggest the best instructors are made of a blend of instructor types, each of which rises to the surface as the need would dictate. It is important the potential student learn a bit about an instructor’s background to properly gauge the validity of the advice they may offer. It is not about the drill… knowing what you need to learn and then choosing an instructor who can relate to you, in the fashion you need to learn, is much more important. Performing a task well, when it has no beneficial significance, makes little sense.  Just as in most everything else that truly matters, you get what you pay for. Choose wisely.

“Know how to listen and you will profit even from those who talk badly.” – Plutarch

Semper Optimum