Developing a training program: Part 2

Last post we walked through the beginning phases of developing your training program - defining goals, identifying key Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA), and prioritizing those KSA.  Next, we'll talk about choosing training projects to build your KSA.

The priority of your KSA is the primary driver for choosing your courses.  Obviously, there will be other factors that will affect your choices, such as money, time, and distance, but the KSA priority should be primary.  Continuing our previous example: you want to learn how to use your firearm defensively within your home.  Let's say that your highest priority KSA are a knowledge of the legal requirements for using your firearm and the basic skills to use your firearm.  A training project that may meet those KSA is a local concealed carry course that teaches not only the fundamentals of marksmanship, firearm maintenance, and safe storage, but also legal requirements.  Or, you could break it up into two courses such as an NRA Basic Pistol course followed by a Personal Protection in the Home course.  Now, because these courses contain additional information, you may also get to meet other KSA, such as shooting around barricades or knowledge of cover and concealment, but that's a secondary benefit.  I use these courses as examples only because I know what the learning objectives are for the courses, but any reputable trainer will have the learning objectives for their course on their site or will be able to tell you what they are if asked.  This is key when choosing courses for your training project, easily ranking just as important as the instructor's background and experience.

My personal belief is that when you are covering KSA for the first time, you need a professional instructor.  I say that not just because I instruct, but because a professional instructor is an impartial outside observer whose primary focus is making sure that you learn the KSA correctly.  Learning the KSA correctly the first time will save you a great deal of time and money later, as you (hopefully) won't develop poor habits during the learning process.  Many students watch videos or have buddies with little background teach them, ingraining bad habits during the initial learning phase that a professional instructor will have to fight to correct later.  Even as an instructor, I endeavor to take courses periodically so that I can get outside feedback and ensure that I'm not letting bad habits sneak in.

Once you've received initial instruction in your KSA, it is important to work practice into your program.  I won't cover range plans again, since you can read about them here.  I will emphasize, however, that skills with a firearm are perishable and require constant maintenance.  And while it is important to learn new skills and challenge yourself, it's also a good idea to occasionally dial back and focus on the basics, because the fundamentals are the building blocks for everything else you learn.  It's also a good idea to work some standards into your training.  Several big names have shooting standards that they promulgate, but just like you need to make sure that your training projects and program feed off your KSA, you need to ensure that whatever standard you choose fits your KSA.  For example, if your focus is on defending yourself in your home, a carbine standard that involves 100 yard shooting may not be the best pick, whereas a standard that involves engagement around cover in low light may benefit you more.  That being said, your goals may involve intermediate range engagement, which would make the 100 yard standard more useful.

As I've said before, your time, money, and ammo are precious resources.  Building a long-term training program, and identifying your goals and KSA can help you choose courses that maximize all three, and build out sensible training projects that allow you to learn new skills, practice them regularly, and pick standards that measure your success in training.

X Echo 1 is a 10 year veteran of the US Coast Guard, where he has served at various units including the International Training Division and Maritime Security Response Team. He has held qualifications including Deployable Team Leader/Instructor, Direct Action Section Team Leader, and Precision Marksman – Observer. He has deployed/instructed on five continents and served in quick reaction force roles for multiple National Special Security Events in the US. In addition to his Coast Guard credentials, he is also an NRA Certified Instructor, focusing his attention on civilians looking for professional instruction for their defensive needs.

Developing a training program: Part 1

In a previous post, I covered range plans and their importance to maximizing the training you can get out of your limited time and ammo.  In this post, I want to touch briefly on developing an overall training program so that you are reaching your goals in the most cost effective way possible.  A training program guides your range plans, guides your dry fire, and also guides your selection and purchase of outside training courses.  There are a lot of great firearms, preparedness, medical, and other courses available in the United States today, many of them taught by some incredibly knowledgeable and skilled instructors.  I would argue that with the availability and quality of courses today, preparedness and firearms training in America has the potential to be better than it has ever been.  But with so many great courses out there, how do you decide which ones you want to take?  Obviously there are outside factors that influence your decision - price, distance, and time - but the primary driving force should be your training program.

Let's get some definitions out of the way.  A training program is defined by the Business Dictionary as "significant long-term training activity which (as opposed to a training project) comprises of a series of courses, and usually has a flexible time and cost budget."  A training project is "often a short-term training activity comprising of one or two courses with specific objectives to be met within a prescribed time and cost budget." A training plan is the "trainer's outline of the training process he or she will use in a training program." 

So what are we supposed to get out of those definitions?  A key here is that the training program is long-term - think in terms of years.  It should address initial training (the first time you do a skill) and recurrent training (training the skill on a regular basis to ensure proficiency and retention.)  A training project focuses short-term – think one or two courses or range days designed to focus on one aspect of your program or an emergent need.  The training plan is the plan that your instructor is using to teach you, or it could be your range plan – the outline of what you are going to do that day to accomplish the objective from your training project or program.

How do you develop a training program?  Start by defining your goals.  As an example: do you want to focus on defending yourself inside your home, do you want to focus on defending yourself outside your home, or are you looking for an all-around focus?  Once you have your goals recorded, you would do a Task Analysis, defined by the Business Dictionary as a "systematic identification of the fundamental elements of a job, and examination of knowledge and skills required for the job's performance. This information is used in human resource management for developing institutional objectives, training programs, and evaluation tools." 

For the purposes of this post, we’ll assume your goal is to prepare yourself to defend yourself inside your home.  First, you would sit down and prioritize the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) required for achieving or carrying out that goal.  Example:

Knowledge requirements:

·         Knowledge of the legal requirements for the use of deadly force in your home

·         Knowledge of what constitutes cover versus concealment

·         Knowledge of how to build up multiple layers of defense so that you can reduce the likelihood of having to use deadly force at all

Skill requirements:

·         Firing from cover or around a barricade

·         Utilizing a flashlight either mounted to your gun or handheld

·         Basic movement techniques

Ability requirements:

·         Carry a child or partner up the stairs

·         Carry a child or partner down an evacuation ladder

Now that you have your KSA identified, you would move on to prioritizing those KSA.  Your priority will dictate the amount of time, money, and effort you will devote to each KSA, as well as the order in which you begin attaining the KSAs. 

Next post we will discuss planning training projects as the building blocks of our skills.

X Echo 1 is a 10 year veteran of the US Coast Guard, where he has served at various units including the International Training Division and Maritime Security Response Team. He has held qualifications including Deployable Team Leader/Instructor, Direct Action Section Team Leader, and Precision Marksman – Observer. He has deployed/instructed on five continents and served in quick reaction force roles for multiple National Special Security Events in the US. In addition to his Coast Guard credentials, he is also an NRA Certified Instructor, focusing his attention on civilians looking for professional instruction for their defensive needs.

13th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

Thirteen years ago on September 11, 2001, Islamic terrorists under the banner of Al-Qaeda hijacked four US airliners.  Using them as guided missiles, they struck at the perceived heart of American military and economic might, toppling the twin towers of the World Trade Center, smashing through the rings of the Pentagon, and targeting Washington, DC with a final plane.  What damage the final plane might have wrought is unknown - passengers and crew courageously fought back against the hijackers until the plane finally crashed near Shanksville, PA.  Almost 3,000 Americans died in those attacks: military, civilian, and first responders.  These were friends, neighbors, business men and women, police, fire, EMS, husbands, wives, daughters and sons, military, government service, and contractors.

In the thirteen years since, American has grown weary of constant threat assessments, military campaigns, and the toll of the War on Terror.  The toll has indeed been high, currently standing at over 66,000 American casualties (~9,655 killed, ~56,422 wounded) and $5.4 trillion in spending.  The United States has asked much of our military.  Service members barely out of high school have sacrificed their lives, or watched as their friends and brothers in arms died beside them.  The mental toll is mounting as well, surpassing 200,000 diagnosed cases of PTSD since 2001, and veteran suicides continue to rise each year.  Our military has sacrificed their lives, futures, and families for what they believe in.  They've done this in forgotten corners all across the globe.

Unfortunately, given the continued, and perhaps even enhanced threat presented today, it is extremely likely that the men and women of the military will continue to be called upon to continue sacrificing.  In the current budget situation, those sacrifices may be even greater, as the threat continues but resources shrink in terms of both equipment and training for the troops and in compensation and benefits for their service.  Similar cuts are happening to our first responders: police, fire, and EMS.  The threat is real, and the likelihood of a confrontation with actors such as the Islamic State becomes more and more possible each day.  This confrontation could take place thousands of miles from our shores, or it may take place down the street from your house.  No matter where it occurs, our troops or our first responders will be asked to bear the brunt of the danger.

As you reflect today on the events of September 11th and the years since, honor and remember those who have sacrificed.  You could do this through supporting charities, such as those we have profiled, or one of the many others who support our military and first responders.  You could volunteer to serve with a local charity in your community.  But above all, live your life in a way that those who sacrificed did not do so in vain.  Prepare yourselves and your communities so that you can serve each other in trying times, whether terrorist attack or natural disaster.  Reach out to others and build strong bonds that defy those who would seek our ruin.  Live every day in a moral and ethical way and accept personal responsibility.  Participate in your government - local, state, and federal.  It matters not what side of the aisle you claim, whether left, right, or center.  What matters is that the people of the United States live up to the ideals upon which the country was founded.  Freedom, justice, equality - these ideals are a slap in the face to those who hate us. 

Live your lives every day in a way that honors those who have sacrificed so much for this country - be they military, first responder, or civilian.  They deserve no less.

"It is the common fate of the indolent to see their rights become a prey to the active. The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt." – John Philpot Curran

Review of the Haley Strategic Partners/G-Code INCOG holster

 For the longest time, I carried exclusively outside the waistband.  Maybe it was because I was used to it with my duty holster, maybe it was because I just never bothered to take the time to really appreciate the advantages of inside the waistband carry.  Either way, I've thankfully grown out of my previous dogma of concealed carry, and I've started to expand my carry tools.

Back in April, I wrote a review of the Raven Concealment Vanguard 2 holster system.  I’m a huge fan of the Vanguard 2 due to its versatility and its comfort.  My only real concern with the Raven system is the inability to re-holster.  Because I wanted to have that ability if the situation required it, I started looking for another holster that would meet that specific need.  Thankfully, my search was quick, as I found one produced by a company that builds some of my favorite carry gear – G-Code Holsters of Jacksonville, NC.  Their INCOG holster, a joint venture with Haley Strategic Partners, is a “minimum bulk, multi-positional, deep concealment holster.”  Most of their videos and illustrations show the INCOG being carried appendix carry style, but not being a big appendix carry aficionado (it’s just not comfortable for me), I usually carry at the five o’clock position.  Thankfully, the INCOG is easily adaptable to this position either by simply sliding the holster around, or with the removal of one of the two belt hooks.  The holster’s design allows for easy draw and re-holster, and fits comfortably for all day carry.

The holster itself is made of Kydex with a suede “Tactical Fuzz” outer cover.  Two unique mounting clips secure the holster to your belt.  These clips are different from virtually every other belt clip I’ve seen in that they angle out, away from the holster.  What this does is push the holster away from the belt and closer to the body of the person carrying.  As a side benefit, they also make it easier to tuck a shirt behind the clips if you so desire.  Whether due to the clip’s design, or just the overall holster’s design, I also find it easier to access my pistol with my off-hand with the INCOG.  The clips are heavy duty plastic, with an aggressive lower hook that grabs a belt, but also has a lip to pull the hook open for holster removal.  I normally wear the INCOG with a 1.75” Bianchi leather belt, and it has no trouble handling the almost .25” thick belt.  It’s probably the most secure belt clip I’ve seen that doesn’t require contortions to remove.  The holster ships from the factory with 3-hole clips to adjust the height of carry, but 4-hole clips for deeper carry are an option as well.  As with most Kydex holsters, the INCOG is a friction retention holster with a screw for tension adjustment.

There is also an optional magazine caddy that connects directly to the INCOG to carry an additional magazine in case you need to reload or conduct immediate action.  It is available in matching color schemes to the INCOG holster.

I tend to think of the INCOG and the Vanguard 2 as complimentary systems that I can call upon depending upon the needs of the moment.  I still haven’t built up a concealed carry wardrobe to match with my IWB carry, so for times when I need to wear my smaller pants, or maybe a little bit deeper concealment, the Vanguard will be my go-to.  The Vanguard would also be my choice for carrying in a bag (or a purse for the ladies).  However, for my day to day needs, the INCOG is by far my holster of choice.

The INCOG is available in four different color combinations for $69.95, or add the mag caddy for an additional $42.25.  Orders are made as they are placed, and there is typically a four to six week waiting period.  Visit http://www.tacticalholsters.com/product/INC/INCOG.html to order, or for additional details and options.  

See Haley Strategic Partners breakdown and draw tips below:

X Echo 1 is a 10 year veteran of the US Coast Guard, where he has served at various units including the International Training Division and Maritime Security Response Team. He has held qualifications including Deployable Team Leader/Instructor, Direct Action Section Team Leader, and Precision Marksman – Observer. He has deployed/instructed on five continents and served in quick reaction force roles for multiple National Special Security Events in the US. In addition to his Coast Guard credentials, he is also an NRA Certified Instructor, focusing his attention on civilians looking for professional instruction for their defensive needs.

Steps of the draw

One of the most basic skills for the armed citizen (other than the fundamentals of marksmanship) is the draw.  In my time teaching, I've seen many different variations on the draw, some of them unsafe, but most of them simply inefficient.  Even though an individual's draw may be completely safe - ie, the firearm is never pointed in an unsafe direction, their finger remains outside the trigger guard, and the safety (if equipped) remains on - if proper technique isn't practiced, they could easily introduce inefficiencies in their stroke.  The danger in these inefficiencies should be readily apparent - when the time comes to draw your firearm, you want it in action as quickly as possible because you're drawing in reaction to, (or anticipation of) a threat.  As my Green Team Chief said, "You have the rest of your life to get that gun out."

Position 1 - Accessing the gun

Fortunately, the draw is a very simple four-step process.  Once you grasp the fundamentals, the rest is practice, which doesn't have to be done on a range.  In fact, you can practice the entire draw dry in the comfort of your own home.  So let's go through the four steps, referred to here as Positions 1-4.  For the purposes of this discussion, we'll assume we're drawing from concealment:

Position 1 - Acquiring the grip

Position 1: The first priority in Position 1 is accessing the gun.  Since we assume we're drawing from concealment, this means moving your cover garment aside (whether sweeping a jacket or lifting a shirt hem/pant leg) or breaking the entrance to a purse/man-bag.  Once you have accessed the gun, you acquire a proper grip with your firing hand.  This is critical, as you may or may not get a chance to adjust your grip.  My money's on may not.  As you are acquiring your firing hand grip, you are also releasing any retention device your holster may have, such as a thumb snap, hood, automatic locking system, etc.

Position 2: In Position 2, the firearm is drawn and rotated to face the threat.  The rotation allows you to engage the threat if you are in a close quarters situation and don't have the room to push all the way to Position 4.  If your firearm comes equipped with a manual safety, it should still be on in this position unless you are actively engaging a threat. In Position 2, your support (non-firing) hand should be indexed somewhere out of the way of your draw.  I personally prefer placing it in the center of my chest once I am done moving my cover garment.

Position 2 - Drawing the gun

Position 3: In Position 3, your support hand meets up with your firing hand and your full firing grip begins to take shape.  Your muzzle should be pointed straight in the direction of your target or a little lower.  I don't recommend having the muzzle pointed upward.  Position 3 is also referred to as the "retention position" and you can fire from this position if necessary.  As in Position 2, shooting from this position is only recommended for close quarters situations.  Your finger should still be indexed alongside the frame, and any manual safeties engaged.

Position 2 - Rotating the gun

Position 4: The term Position 4 also encompasses the movement from Position 3 to Position 4.  As your pistol moves outward from Position 3 to Position 4, you are acquiring your final firing grip, and establishing your sight alignment and sight picture.  The movement from 3 to 4 is a straight push - like extending your arms directly outward.  The reason that you are acquiring grip, sight alignment, and sight picture during the movement is that once you have made the decision to fire, your trigger press should break right as the pistol arrives at full extension.  If you have a manual safety, it should be taken off as you extend.  Position 4 also encompasses the follow-through to your shot and any further shots that are needed to remove the threat.

Position 3 - Support hand meets for firing grip

Once you have removed the threat, you must assess the situation to determine if any other threats exist.  This can be done from either Position 3 or Position 4.  If done from Position 4, the pistol is only lowered enough to see over the firearm, a maximum of 2-3 inches.  Assessing from Position 4 has the advantage of being able to re-engage faster if necessary, but Position 3 allows a greater degree of mobility, in my opinion.  No matter which way you choose to assess, you need to asses 360 degrees - front, left, right, and behind.  I don't recommend turning your back on the original threat unless absolutely necessary (ie, another threat is present), as the original threat may be feigning the severity of the injury in hopes of lowering your guard.

Position 4 - Full extension

If you need to re-holster, simply perform the steps of the draw in reverse.  It is critical that you are familiar enough with your equipment to re-holster without looking at the holster.  Looking down at your holster distracts from any threats present, and should only be done in cases of extreme necessity.

I highly recommend practicing the draw and re-holster with a dry pistol.  Start by practicing step by step, but be sure to focus on smoothing out the steps into a fluid motion to maximize efficiency.  Avoid "bowling" the draw - moving in a bowling motion from Position 1 to 4, skipping Positions 2 and 3.  "Bowling"  eliminates the possibility of close quarters firing, and presents your firearm to the threat with only your firing hand gripping the gun, leaving it vulnerable to a grab.

It takes a lot of dry practice to build solid habits, but by focusing on your technique each and every draw, you will see improvement.

X Echo 1 is a 10 year veteran of the US Coast Guard, where he has served at various units including the International Training Division and Maritime Security Response Team. He has held qualifications including Deployable Team Leader/Instructor, Direct Action Section Team Leader, and Precision Marksman – Observer. He has deployed/instructed on five continents and served in quick reaction force roles for multiple National Special Security Events in the US. In addition to his Coast Guard credentials, he is also an NRA Certified Instructor, focusing his attention on civilians looking for professional instruction for their defensive needs.