Training our Soldiers for War

     I will start by saying this is not a feel good or warm and fuzzy post but sometimes you have to feel proud of what you and a team of guys have accomplished.

     As you know I teach and train with a wide range of people from civilians who want to learn the basics of marksmanship to Law Enforcements Officers and Soldiers who are in harms way protecting us from the evils of the world.  I enjoy teaching all these groups for different reasons.  Civilians so they can protect themselves and their families, the LE guys who protect us all everyday and night to the soldiers and Marines who protect us from foreign enemies.

Soldiers shooting the 400 Point Rifle Aggregate

      This past week I along with a great group of instructors (Allan Holland and "Matt" both LE guys and "Ski" and "LB" both from "Green") taught 40 motivated soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division who are about to deploy to Afganistan in a 5 Day Pistol/ Carbine Course with some NODS and Lasers work in there as well.  This was a very long week to say the least.  These young soldiers all had a basic understanding of shooting their M4's and very little time on the M9 with some only shooting it once prior to this course.  As most of you know the curriculum I follow during my courses so I will not re hash that but tell you about the overall improvement in these guys shooting and the confidence they started to achieve with real instruction and time on the guns.

     When we started these guys could not hit the paper with their pistols and after a week of instruction and constant mentoring from the instructors they were putting shots in the black and even holding themselves accountable for their shots if thrown out of the bulls eye.  By Friday morning we had 5 guys shoot over 600 on the 700 point pistol aggregate with one shooting a 617.  That's awesome and those who have shot it know. 

This Staff Sergeant shot a 617 on the 700.  AWESOME!!!!!

  
     On the M4's the guys learned the basic of shooting the prone, seated and kneeling positions and were tweaked throughout the week as they added kit along the way.  The guys also corrected many bad habits during the close up or CQB shooting and learned how to really operate the carbines in an aggressive manner putting shots where they need to be on a person.

Shooting the 400

Soldier shooting the seated position using the open ankle technique.  Notice the elbows in the pockets of his knees.

     These soldiers were like sponges absorbing the information.  We taught them not only how to shoot but how to handle their weapons as a professional and most importantly how to go back train themselves and their new soldiers.

Notice the lefties have to use their thumb or trigger finger to manipulate the safety on their issued M4's.  No ambi safeties here. UNFORTUNATELY

Soldier "Go's Big" with his M4

  These guys felt and looked much more confident when they left than when they arrived many of them telling me they wish they had had this training prior to other deployments.  They were able to train safely on techniques they had never been taught and actually shoot while moving on the range which is extrememly important.

                                   

Soldiers shooting on the move.  Something most had never been taught or been allowed to attempt off the battle field.  Plus with the lighting I thought this pic was just Badass.

     So after the bus roles off the range, we (the instructors) sit back, take a deep breathe of air not filled with lead and reflect on the week.  We agreed classes like this one make it all worth it.  These guys are ready to kick some ass on behalf of the United States, I am proud of them and the country and families should be as well. 

     Then after a beer and a high five the stories and lies started as always, so thats all I will say about that.  On behalf of myself and the guys, we wish these Soldiers the best and if the time comes "Die Well"