The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: garand4life on August 19, 2010, 09:59:57 AM
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Tomorrow I am conducting my first official handgun/CCW course without the aid of any other instructors. I only have 3 students fortunately, one of which is an old shooting buddy and former co-worker of mine, and another is a former LEO. Any words of wisdom from you trainers out there to help calm my nerves? Does and Don'ts are okay but I've heard alot of those already. And to preempt FQ, I do remember which way to point the gun... With the big open end pointing toward me right???
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If yer talking about 'nerves' remember. They are there because they WANT to hear what you have to say. You know the material AND have plenty of practical experience. Be friendly, informative...be yerself! LISTEN to their questions and let that guide how much time to spend on each subject. If you end up needing to spend a lot on basics the guys that don't really need it will understand as they too want the beginner to get the 'best of it'. Draw the class into the discussion, don't just lecture.
Hope that helps.
Haz who has spent years teaching in the military and industrial fields.
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If the rules require that you keep your pupils at the course for the ridiculous number of hours that the Texas CHL course does then be prepared with lots of anecdotes to fill in the time.
Sincerity, sincerity, sincerity...........once you've learned to fake that it should be easy.
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After teaching around 450 military students. Just relax and when you goof say there is Murphys law I dropped the ball and go on do not dwell on mistakes. I had a Captain grill me for 30 minutes because I told him what the army standard was and what was going to really happen and he started sharp shooting me. I finally told him that if he wanted to pass my course he would take a seat and follow the instruction or he would be sent to my boss the Commander, and he would be recycled through again. He did not want another 10 hour day with me again.
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You will do fine, Garand. You know the stuff and with 3 students, it can be more like a rap session than a formal class.
Just have a coach gun next to you and begin to reach for it anytime someone starts to raise their hand. ;D ;D
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Haz who has spent years teaching in the military and industrial fields.
Uh, you were a Drill Sgt..... "friendly and nice" is not what comes to mind..... ::)
;D
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhlWddAXSRA
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If yer talking about 'nerves' remember. They are there because they WANT to hear what you have to say. You know the material AND have plenty of practical experience. Be friendly, informative...be yerself! LISTEN to their questions and let that guide how much time to spend on each subject. If you end up needing to spend a lot on basics the guys that don't really need it will understand as they too want the beginner to get the 'best of it'. Draw the class into the discussion, don't just lecture.
Hope that helps.
Haz who has spent years teaching in the military and industrial fields.
+1
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Don't let them rope you into a shooting demo! Just be yourself and remember you are in charge. Give them what they pay for. Remember...it might be a setup. One of your students might be a ringer to make sure you are teaching what is required!
Good Luck,
Richard
PS: Aren't I the trusting type? LOL
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Nathan, you'll do fine. The only thing I can add is remember, people taking these classes might have more bad habits than good. Be patient and be helpful.
Not all LEO know firearms, don't assume anything.
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What Haz said. With the additional comment: You'll do just fine.
Offered by a confident Crusader.
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G4life, I have taught lots of classes, a few tips, you teach the class, don't let them get you distracted with Shaggy dog stories, and what if's, teach your course, and there is plenty of time afterward for the what if's, We practice a thing called FPPF, fairness, patience, persistence and fairness, 1st tell them what you are going to teach them, then teach them, and them tell them what you taught them. By telling them in the beginning what you intend to teach, you should now have taken control of the class, be prepared with visuals if possible, literature, overhead projector etc... You take the lead, be prepared and your butterflies will get better.
Best of luck.
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Haz who has spent years teaching in the military and industrial fields.
Uh, you were a Drill Sgt..... "friendly and nice" is not what comes to mind..... ::)
;D
I wuz also an instructor at the NBC school and in civilian life at hazardous waste handling and confined space.
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Not all LEO know firearms, don't assume anything.
Was eavesdropping on a private instructor yesterday at the range. One of the things he pointed out to his student was that LEOs (and security officers) only have to know enough to pass qualification, not to be proficient.
Nor do they have to know anything about any gun except the basics of handling their model.
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I wuz also an instructor at the NBC school and in civilian life at hazardous waste handling and confined space.
A man after my own heart! ... That didn't sound right, but we did some of the same stuff anyway.
EMT, First Responder, Fire Fighter, HazMat Response, Confined Space, High Angle Rescue and still doing OSHA and Blood Borne Pathogen, but in a different field.
Am now in the process of getting into carry instruction to add to my firearm safety and hunters ed area.
Confined space when you have claustrophobia is a joy!
Back on topic - G4L, How did it go?
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Not all LEO know firearms, don't assume anything.
Just ask Haz. BTW, Haz, how's that deputy-constructed skylight working out for ya?
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Just ask Haz. BTW, Haz, how's that deputy-constructed skylight working out for ya?
Oh my!...Not a .40 inch circular skylight? (or similar size)
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Oh my!...Not a .40 inch circular skylight? (or similar size)
.357 ;)
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Back on topic - G4L, How did it go?
It went very well. Both students were very, "go with the flow". There several times I felt like an idiot going through the NRA curriculum, especially when it came to the sections about nomenclature and basic components of a semi-auto/revolver. So once we got through that section everything tightened up and was very cool. When we got to the range I finally got into a rhythm. One of the students was shooting, of all things, an LCP (for the first time) while the other was using a KelTec P-11. I have about 8 people waiting for the net course now that they know I am conducting it. Thanks for the words of wisdom and encouragement.
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Good to hear it! 8 in the next class! Word of mouth is GREAT advertising buy fliers at gun shops work well too. ;)
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Awesome G4life, the 1st is the hardest, let it flow and let it go. In my range officer schools, the best compliments me and my partner always got was " I am not sure I want to do this " to which we would reply, you were paying attention.
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Don't follow this guy's example. ;D