Tweet
I took Carbine III at ITTS (International Tactical Training Seminars) this weekend... it was my 12th class there, and as usual, I have nothing but superlative things to say about the training and instructors.
I considered not singing their praises publicly, as the *only* annoying change that's happened over the years is the huge uptick in classes and class sizes. 10 years ago, a weekend there was usually a single class with maybe a dozen students. Now it's generally 3 classes per weekend, with sometimes as many as 20 students per class.
But I realize this is a selfish gripe, and I'm happy that ITTS has become so successful. It's a true testament to the 100% perfect safety record of ITTS that they can run three separate classes - this weekend it was Handgun 1 (beginners), Handgun 3 (Intermediate) and Carbine 3 (Advanced) - with ZERO degradation of safety or training content. They have enough space and foresight to make sure everything always runs smoothly.
For our class... despite the advanced level... it was fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals. 2 days, 8 hours each of just running the basics over and over again, in wildly different drills. Whether it was hitting a 1" sq patch at 3 yards, or a nighttime headshot at 75 yards, we got trained to the highest possible level of gunfighting. And it was amazing. I've never felt so confident with my skills and weapon platform. I got to test out all my gear, find out what works, and how to adjust. (Day 1 was mostly at night, and nothing gets your mind right than having to fix malfunctions while laying prone in total darkness... especially with Scotty bellowing at you "Fix it... work it... millions of lives are at stake!!!")
The class was (as it usually seems to be), about 25% military, 25% LEO, and 50% civilian (me). And I think it speaks to the high level of instruction that we were all shooting at generally the same level by the end of the class. Uncle Scotty and his instructors are equal-opportunity Hard Asses... they don't care if you're a Ranger or a screenwriter, they will drill you into the ground until you get it right.
And speaking of instructors, I can't imagine a training school with better staff. Scott Reitz is obviously a legend, and you can look him up if you don't know his story. But everyone on his staff has amazing credentials: each has dozens of years of experience as weapons instructors with LAPD SWAT, USMC, Navy SEALs, etc. They're not teaching you to win trophies... they're teaching you life-saving gunfighting skills based on their real world experience.
The final piece of the puzzle that makes Uncle Scotty and ITTS so amazing is the camaraderie amongst the instructors and students. It's a 2-day camp/retreat that feels like family. You make friends, form bonds and leave with an amazing feeling of personal accomplishment. If you're lucky, it rains and you're all soaking wet, covered in mud together at the end of the weekend. I'm fairly certain that the main thought in everyone's head as they drive off is "I can't wait to sign up for the next class."
Just my 2 cents, and even though my review may make my next class *more* crowded, I can't recommend them enough for any shooter, no matter what your level of experience.
I considered not singing their praises publicly, as the *only* annoying change that's happened over the years is the huge uptick in classes and class sizes. 10 years ago, a weekend there was usually a single class with maybe a dozen students. Now it's generally 3 classes per weekend, with sometimes as many as 20 students per class.
But I realize this is a selfish gripe, and I'm happy that ITTS has become so successful. It's a true testament to the 100% perfect safety record of ITTS that they can run three separate classes - this weekend it was Handgun 1 (beginners), Handgun 3 (Intermediate) and Carbine 3 (Advanced) - with ZERO degradation of safety or training content. They have enough space and foresight to make sure everything always runs smoothly.
For our class... despite the advanced level... it was fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals. 2 days, 8 hours each of just running the basics over and over again, in wildly different drills. Whether it was hitting a 1" sq patch at 3 yards, or a nighttime headshot at 75 yards, we got trained to the highest possible level of gunfighting. And it was amazing. I've never felt so confident with my skills and weapon platform. I got to test out all my gear, find out what works, and how to adjust. (Day 1 was mostly at night, and nothing gets your mind right than having to fix malfunctions while laying prone in total darkness... especially with Scotty bellowing at you "Fix it... work it... millions of lives are at stake!!!")
The class was (as it usually seems to be), about 25% military, 25% LEO, and 50% civilian (me). And I think it speaks to the high level of instruction that we were all shooting at generally the same level by the end of the class. Uncle Scotty and his instructors are equal-opportunity Hard Asses... they don't care if you're a Ranger or a screenwriter, they will drill you into the ground until you get it right.
And speaking of instructors, I can't imagine a training school with better staff. Scott Reitz is obviously a legend, and you can look him up if you don't know his story. But everyone on his staff has amazing credentials: each has dozens of years of experience as weapons instructors with LAPD SWAT, USMC, Navy SEALs, etc. They're not teaching you to win trophies... they're teaching you life-saving gunfighting skills based on their real world experience.
The final piece of the puzzle that makes Uncle Scotty and ITTS so amazing is the camaraderie amongst the instructors and students. It's a 2-day camp/retreat that feels like family. You make friends, form bonds and leave with an amazing feeling of personal accomplishment. If you're lucky, it rains and you're all soaking wet, covered in mud together at the end of the weekend. I'm fairly certain that the main thought in everyone's head as they drive off is "I can't wait to sign up for the next class."
Just my 2 cents, and even though my review may make my next class *more* crowded, I can't recommend them enough for any shooter, no matter what your level of experience.
