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Competition, Action Shooting And Training. Competition, Three gun, IPSC, IDPA , and Training discussion here.

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  #1  
Old 08-22-2010, 11:29 AM
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ramzar ramzar is offline
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Default "How to pick an instructor" by Kyle Defoor

The following was written by Kyle Defoor, Former Navy SEAL-Instructor

Before going to TigerSwan, Kyle was head of the Firearms and Tactics Training Division at the US Training Center. Kyle managed a staff of 20 instructors and personally instructed over 5000 students in marksmanship and weapons tactics. He was instrumental in the design and construction in many of the ranges at the US Training Center. Kyle developed and wrote numerous curriculums for many of their military clients.

Kyle is an 8 year Navy Special Operations veteran who culminated 3 years with Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) as a special operator serving as a sniper and an assaulter. Kyle has extensive sniper experience, both as an operational sniper and trainer. He is a graduate of Naval Special Warfare Scout/Sniper School. Kyle has 4 combat deployments and was awarded the Bronze Star w/Valor for his actions in Operation Anaconda.

Kyle is co-host on the Sportsman Channel’s “Tactical Arms”, and “Tactical Impact”. He is a graduate of the Jerry Barnhart Advanced Pistol (High Shooter), John Shaw Advanced Pistol (High Shooter), and has shot expert on every military and federal government carbine and pistol qualification.

Quote:

How to pick an instructor


First of all, the term instructor is over used almost as much as 'operator'. In reality, you need someone who can TEACH, not just instruct or tell you to do a drill. None the less, instructor is the term most used in this business because it sounds better than teacher.

What to look for in an instructor:

1. Experience in the subject - Don't assume that just because someone has had a gun on their side for 20 years they know what they're doing. 20 years the wrong way doesn't equal 6 months the right way. What is experience anyway? In my mind, and especially in today's world, experience is doing, for real, whatever said subject is. For example, why would you pay good money for a carbine instructor who has never engaged another human with a carbine? We're dealing with life and death here. So, would you let a nurse perform open-heart surgery on your loved one? How about a CQB class from someone who has never even entered a room to face another man with a gun, let alone a man who is shooting back? Remember too, that just because someone is from a high speed unit, that doesn't give them carte blanche to teach every tactical subject or mean that they've even done it 'for real' themselves.

2. Performance - This one is simple. If a shooting instructor doesn't demo each and every drill, somethings wrong. If your unit is wearing a duty rig, and the instructor is wearing an open top, or the team shoots Glock 17s and the instructor has to shoot his 'match' gun, you just wasted money. When you're looking for some training be aware that videos are sometimes deceiving. Yeah, he's going fast, but is he getting 'A' zone hits? or just hitting the silhouette in general?

3. Teaching ability - Can the instructor actually get his point across? Or can he just shoot real well? If you're getting yelled at for anything other than safety, that's a sure fire indicator that the instructor has no idea how to correct problems. Ask around, and find out how people like the instructor you're thinking of using. The multiple tactical forums on the net (like m4carbine.net) are a wealth of info.

What to be wary of:

1. controversial background, or lack of background - For some reason, a lot of folks think that if you've been to Afghanistan or Iraq as a civilian independent contractor for a government agency that you can teach any subject dealing with warfare. This is the farthest thing from the truth. A "contractor" who has multiple deployments to Iraq for a PSD job IS NOT a master class shooter or an authority on CQB, sniping, or breaching. A good number of people jumped on the contractor train post 9/11. Where were they beforehand? My estimate is that it takes about 5 to 7 years of military service in a combat unit (obviously SO units will have more experience because of money and overall mission statement), and another 3 to 4 years of professional shooting/instructing experience to be competent enough to teach at a level that will benefit all those involved.

2. tactics geared toward an instructor's "style" - some people do things just to be differnet, or to benefit their own products. Keep an eye out for this. There is probably a reason that not everyone endorses gear specific tactics.

3. My way or the highway - if someone has limited experience, but that experience has had good results, it will be hard for them to accept or change to new or more proven methods. Make sure the instructor you pick is up-to-date with tactics.

The types of instructors:

1. A good one

2. The regurgitation instructor- one who has no experience in the subject but has landed the job. He is smart enough to know this and eventually can repeat, verbatim, a debrief that an experienced instructor gave before. Super dangerous, because he'll sooner or later think he actually knows something.

3. The smoke and mirror instructor - one who has a little experience but a good personality, and could sell water to a fish. Generally takes on the persona or teaching style of an instructor who's school he has been to in the past. Can generally critique and debrief some major points beacuse he has Google.

The bottom line- spend cheap, pay twice.

Source: http://www.kyledefoor.com/2009/08/ho...nstructor.html
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Old 08-22-2010, 1:52 PM
FALCONSECURITYGROUP FALCONSECURITYGROUP is offline
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I have seen this before. Myself and Oddjob have worked with Kyle in the past. He is very knowledgeable and well respected instructor in the community. As far as FALCON is concerned, we have all come from the same mold and been there done that at one time or another. I totally agree with the perspective of, you could be the best operator in the world, but, if you do not have the ability to communicate with 20 different personalities on the line then what good are you as a teacher or instructor?

One of the areas, I belive, that FALCON possess over some of the other schools in the area is the ability to teach, instructor, identify and motivate each student on a individual basis and have each student understand exactly "WHY" we are asking students to perform certain drills. In addition to that, FALCON would never as a student to perform a task or drill without performing a demo and fully explaining the "PURPOSE" behind the drill.

Again, as we have always said to anyone interested in participating in one of our courses or anyone who has taken one of our courses. If at the end of the day you feel as thought you did not walk away a better shooter or tactician then we will be more than happy to give you back your money as you get what you pay for.

Kyle's statement is so true. Spend cheap, pay twice. You get what you pay for. But, if there was a place that offered quality training at a price that almost everyone could afford why would you not attend. Again, looking at the economy and logistical issues that play a role in what courses you attend is a major factor.

Regards,

FALCON
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Old 08-22-2010, 2:17 PM
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Stone Cobra Stone Cobra is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ramzar View Post
The following was written by Kyle Defoor, Former Navy SEAL-Instructor

Before going to TigerSwan, Kyle was head of the Firearms and Tactics Training Division at the US Training Center. Kyle managed a staff of 20 instructors and personally instructed over 5000 students in marksmanship and weapons tactics. He was instrumental in the design and construction in many of the ranges at the US Training Center. Kyle developed and wrote numerous curriculums for many of their military clients.

Kyle is an 8 year Navy Special Operations veteran who culminated 3 years with Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) as a special operator serving as a sniper and an assaulter. Kyle has extensive sniper experience, both as an operational sniper and trainer. He is a graduate of Naval Special Warfare Scout/Sniper School. Kyle has 4 combat deployments and was awarded the Bronze Star w/Valor for his actions in Operation Anaconda.

Kyle is co-host on the Sportsman Channel’s “Tactical Arms”, and “Tactical Impact”. He is a graduate of the Jerry Barnhart Advanced Pistol (High Shooter), John Shaw Advanced Pistol (High Shooter), and has shot expert on every military and federal government carbine and pistol qualification.




Source: http://www.kyledefoor.com/2009/08/ho...nstructor.html
+1

SCT staff members are required to maintain a “show you” capability; nothing required of the students will fall outside of the following sequence:
– Tell You – Show You – Allow You – Evaluate Performance – Repeat –
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