Educating the Educator, my AR-15 Instructors’ Course

On my way back from the AR-15 instructors course I took in Alabama, I had time to reflect on my time there with the instructors, the other instructor candidates, as well as time alone. 

Although this was a gun course, it very much reminded me of my time in college when there was a given pre-course work both in written and video form. The instructors stressed how most successful students, and eventually instructors, watched the instructional videos and reviewed the written course work at least two to three times. I took this to heart and did my diligent work at times a little worried that I would not meet the criteria of the curriculum. 

I did get through college and that muscle memory and discipline of studying came rushing back even after 30 years had passed since graduation.  The days were filled with instruction, note taking, and shooting under teach-backs by the other instructor candidates. The nights I spent busily cramming for additional teach-backs the following day.  There was little time for rest and no time for sightseeing. Even dinners with our new found friends would have to wait for another day. 

I did pass and when I met with the instructors one-on-one they let me know that they knew I had studied and was more than ready for the course and that the teach-backs were exceptional. Their words; not mine. The instructors confidence in me was inspiring and encouraged me to work even harder at becoming the shooting instructor that I envision myself to be. 

Why take classes? Why train?

As a firearms and martial art instructor I can pass on my knowledge and instruction to you, the student. I can also teach you how to train and improve your skills. 

The competency that you achieve is up to you. First, don’t compare yourself to others. Set your own bar, out perform your last performance and grow to your own goals. You need to ask yourself a series of questions.  1. What am I good at currently?  2. What areas do I need improvement?  3. How do I improve on those things with the limited time and resources available to me?  

Some people will never work on their weaknesses with excuses such as I don’t have time, my family/job/church comes first. Some have limited financial resources to train. Yet others may not have any clue how to train. But, they are just that, excuses. The hungriest of students will find a way and a teacher.

When the student is ready the teacher will appear. - Tao Te Ching

Go to a competent instructor and they can help you answer the above questions and guide you to improve on your weaknesses. And after you have studied for a while you will find your own way.  My former martial arts instructor, Dan Inosanto has said,

“Research your own experience. Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, and add specifically what is your own.”