Thoughts on a Plane

I’m sitting on a plane, flying out to Las Vegas to run a week-long Patrol Rifle class for an agency.   They asked us to set up a Patrol Rifle program for them.  We are going to be traveling all over the country to teach their agents the basics of Patrol Rifle.  Once that’s accomplished, we will be holding advanced training for their in-house instructors.  In a sense, we will be teaching ourselves out of a job. 

I’ve been sitting here and contemplating how far I’ve come as an instructor.  My major motivation at first was to simply help the average citizen get better training in firearms.  That goal is reflected in the number and type of articles that we first started publishing on the LTAC website.  In many ways, that is still my primary motivation and goal, but I’m also thinking about and focusing on so much more.  While I sit here on this bird, I wonder if there are new “shooters” who see all that we offer and are intimidated to sign up for a class.  Maybe this is you, or maybe those of you reading this know someone this applies to?

We all start somewhere.  Yes, everyone starts somewhere.  That might be hard for you to imagine or see for yourself, but the important thing is that you start.  One of the greatest advantages of starting your individual path of training with LTAC is that you WILL get a solid foundation.  We will teach you the 8 Principles of Shooting and not cut any corners.  There is a plethora of other “trainers” and “companies” that try and market their classes by advertising the cutting of core fundamentals.  “Why do 20-minute abs when you can do 15-minute abs with us?” That whole argument is basically saying, “Why put in the real work when you can fake yourself out?” 

I do teach a lot of advanced classes. In fact, later this year I’m teaching a Master Class on rifle engagements in a wooded environment.  It will be a small class, limited to 5 students, and one of the more advanced blocks of instruction that I have taught.  But for the student to excel at those advanced concepts the class is based on, they must first understand the basics.  I believe that you need to keep going back and refreshing yourself with those basics to continue to progress as a shooter. 

For those of you who are new to shooting, our Level One classes are the place to start.  You will not only be taught the “How”, but also the “Why” of the principles of shooting.  The more you understand these core truths, the better you will be able to compensate when you are not able to get in that “perfect” stance, for example, in a real fight.  Three of Lodestone’s primary cadre have been in gunfights and from that firsthand experience, we know what works.  We know what is real and what is just fantasy. We, as individuals, keep going back to the fundamentals.  You want to build your foundation on what works. 

What are the 8 Principles?

                Stance

                Grip or Mounting the gun

                Sight alignment

                Sight Picture (red dots have certainly made these last two principles easier)

                Breathing control

                Trigger control

                Follow through

                Recovery

If the place you are checking out to teach you how to shoot isn’t starting with a detailed description of those 8 principles, then I’d rethink going there.  There are too many reliable places that will start you off right (with those 8 principles), for you to go somewhere that cuts corners.  At our Level Two classes, we can definitely tell the difference between students that have gone to our Level One (or a real equivalent) compared to others that were basically cheated.  They come with a false sense of accomplishment and then struggle to keep up.  For the most part, it’s not their fault. They were just taught by poor instructors. 

Now, that is not to say don’t go and try other places.  After you get that good foundation, then we encourage you to try other companies.  You can learn a lot by trying other places, even those cut-corners, “15-minute abs” types.  You will be better prepared because of your Level One training with us.

So, what is the point of my thoughts while I ride in a plane?  If you are undecided on taking that first step of training, there is no better time than now. Come out to class.  You will not be sorry.    

—Jared