Put In The Mileage
The mission of this blog section is to provide a basic method for programming weapon and skills training/practice. This text is centered around training and practicing to use firearms, but can have spillover to any other physical skills that require dexterity, precision, timely reflexive action, etc. As far as I am aware, there is no other skill out there that compares to the amount of discipline, coordination, and awareness that firearms require. It will take an ungodly amount of focus, time, and energy to reach milestones.
Qualification target for my Arkansas Concealed Carry Permit (2022)
I do not want people to get the impression that I am some master of shooting. I usually find myself performing above average when competing, and I outrun most red dot users with just my iron sights. I am not interested in becoming some Grand Master in IDPA. My interests in firearms skill are centered around self-defense and small unit tactics. I have not found competition to have enough relevant spillover to the skills needed in critical incidents, and I will revisit this topic in a later article. With that said, I have participated in my fair share of competitions, gone through a lot of training as an individual and as a member of groups, and even had the responsibility of training individuals and groups. I have had to refine my techniques, change the way I do things, and adapt to new technologies through the years. I have also had to lead others in the same changes and challenges. Fortunately, the basics never change and we all learn the same way, the difference being your interest and level of your attention to detail. I am not reinventing the wheel of training or practice, but rather making a functional reference manual you can use to build and conduct your own training/practice.
THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS
As this blog is designed to help guide the layman in their training, a lot of what is discussed is simplified as much as practicable. I am NOT offering a training “HACK” by any means. Training and practice are not something you can shortcut like the Kung-Fu lessons Neo got in ‘The Matrix’. I am simply attempting to introduce the reader to the training concepts, make this information easier to digest, and encourage further research and learning. I provide added sources of reading so you can follow up for a more thorough understanding of the subjects discussed. These are sources I pull from often and they are responsible for a lot of my progress.
THE USE OF THE WORD “TACTICAL”
This text uses the word ‘tactical’ as a catch-all for anything involving the use of force. When engaging another human being in self-defense or as an armed professional, tactics will be important. This is true for a fist fight, stick fight, knife fight, or a gun fight. Tactics is just the way in which physical skills and drills are applied to a given situation in order to give you the most likely chance of winning with the least risk. In a fist fight, you may use your agility and powerful strikes coupled with deception to get the better of your opponent. There is nothing tactical about agility or punching, but when those proficiencies are coupled together to achieve an outcome, they form a tactic. Therefore, practicing and training on certain maneuvers can fall under the umbrella term of “tactical training”.
TRAINING VS PRACTICE
This blog will separate training and practicing instead of using them interchangeably. The way you will train is different than how you will practice. ‘Training’ is used to describe an introduction/familiarization to a new procedure or movement pattern. If you are altering a procedure to include another step or to take a step out, you will conduct training on that change. A sequence or process is trained until it is established and understood on a cognitive level (You can articulate what you are doing and consciously follow the process and even visualize what right looks/feels like). Then that process can be handed off to practice.
Practice is used to identify repetitions of a trained process. The goal of practice is to develop that process into a subconscious act, or at least one that is less cognitively demanding. As long as the procedure itself is not changing, it is practice. Practice can be done under a variety of different situations, positions, energy levels, lighting levels, morale levels, and weather conditions. This is not recommended right away, but when more advanced, this random and chaotic application teaches the brain versatility in that skill.
THE SACRIFICE
If you want to get really good at anything, you will have to take time out of your day and put the work in. Many armed professionals will practice off the clock, and still pay out-of-pocket for classes. These professionals may get some training from their unit/department, but in order to exceed the minimum standards they are often encouraged to practice on their own time. There are no quick answers or hacks when it comes to skill development. It is going to require work, work, focus, more work, imagination, some more work, research, and more work. No one in history has acquired a skill without having to sacrifice time with family, friends, or comfort.
The amount of time, money, and energy you will have to sacrifice depends on the complexity of the skill you are trying to learn. The time you are taking to read this is part of that commitment. Just beware that this is not a quick fix or a magic pill and no one can promise instant/permanent performance outcomes. This is merely a reference guide on how to get yourself organized so you can set your compass and put in the mileage. To be a master at a physical skill, and stay a master, you will be on a never-ending journey.
I will do the best that I can to list literary references where applicable, but remember that this blog is about HOW to develop yourself. I will have articles reviewing books, gear, and even historical scenarios through a tactical lens. However, this is not meant to give quick answers to the end user, but rather display OPTIONS and to encourage critical thinking and a desire to learn and know more.