We like to define the priorities for the use of defensive force as Mindset, Skillset, and Toolset, in that order. Perhaps that could be described as knowing what to do and when; being able to do it; and having the tools with which to do it.
The tools may include firearms, non-firearm weapons, less-lethal weapons, and lights--more than just firearms. But one thing is clear: just having the tool cannot make us safe, even if we have become proficient in its use. There is more to self preservation than the effective use of weapons. Our objective is not to win a fight, it is to not lose one.
We have had many discussions here about training. They all start with tthe subject of shooting, and for defensive firearm use, that is right and proper. But we should never stop there.. The defender, whether ciiviian or sworn officer, can be an excellent marksman, and can even be very skilled in accessing a firearm quickly and in putting several holes and heach of a couple of targets in a coplue of seconds--and that is still not enough.
He must recognize a potential threat in a fraction of the time in which we see that done in screen fiction, which is slowed for the benefit of the audience; decide what do before it is too late; if that involves binging a gun into play, that must be done without hitting a bystander, and without failing the shoot/no-shoot question on the test.
Devleoping that skillset is a tall order, and I do not think that one should expect to do it at the shooting range.
Really good force-on-force drills with Simunitions can be extremely helpful, if one can take advantage of them. Similar exercises with Airsoft guns can help. I've never tried them, but my neigheor can present a hard sell just by describing how defenders have been "killed" and have "killed" the wrong people in FoF training at Asymmetric Solutions outside Farmington, MO.
Neat stuff, for sure, but that may not be the best way to go.
Airline pilots do put in a lot of hours of real flight time with instructors, but real flying is not conducive to training for some kinds of very serious emergencies that emerge on llanding or takeoff or when coming near another airplane.. For that, they use high-fidelity simulators. And when I was still working, our customers trained the users of our products using new technology: Air combat pilots trained in large simulators and went though hundreds of scenarios, with the enemies using hundreds of different tactics. That is today's world.
Some years ago, Rob Pincus tried out a then-current-tech 300 degree simulation facility at a now-defunct Gander Mountain Academy facility. He was "killed" at least once, and he found it very stressful. That kind of training helps with developing th skills to recognize and deal with an attacker,and with shoot/no-shoot decisions. They are the current version of the set-up of plywood store fronts that was so highly touted in the movie The FBI Story.
We hear that police departments are starting to send officers to simulation training, particularly for active shooter tactics. Many of the scenarios are suited only to law enforcement--traffic stops, apprehending a suspect, hostage resue, et. But developing other scenarios is relatively simple these days.
I did a bit of searching, and I came across what looks like a good outfit in Springfield , MO. I noticed a $50 per hour price item. I'm sure there are others. Perhaps some of our members could help create at least a partial compendium for us.
The tools may include firearms, non-firearm weapons, less-lethal weapons, and lights--more than just firearms. But one thing is clear: just having the tool cannot make us safe, even if we have become proficient in its use. There is more to self preservation than the effective use of weapons. Our objective is not to win a fight, it is to not lose one.
We have had many discussions here about training. They all start with tthe subject of shooting, and for defensive firearm use, that is right and proper. But we should never stop there.. The defender, whether ciiviian or sworn officer, can be an excellent marksman, and can even be very skilled in accessing a firearm quickly and in putting several holes and heach of a couple of targets in a coplue of seconds--and that is still not enough.
He must recognize a potential threat in a fraction of the time in which we see that done in screen fiction, which is slowed for the benefit of the audience; decide what do before it is too late; if that involves binging a gun into play, that must be done without hitting a bystander, and without failing the shoot/no-shoot question on the test.
Devleoping that skillset is a tall order, and I do not think that one should expect to do it at the shooting range.
Really good force-on-force drills with Simunitions can be extremely helpful, if one can take advantage of them. Similar exercises with Airsoft guns can help. I've never tried them, but my neigheor can present a hard sell just by describing how defenders have been "killed" and have "killed" the wrong people in FoF training at Asymmetric Solutions outside Farmington, MO.
Neat stuff, for sure, but that may not be the best way to go.
Airline pilots do put in a lot of hours of real flight time with instructors, but real flying is not conducive to training for some kinds of very serious emergencies that emerge on llanding or takeoff or when coming near another airplane.. For that, they use high-fidelity simulators. And when I was still working, our customers trained the users of our products using new technology: Air combat pilots trained in large simulators and went though hundreds of scenarios, with the enemies using hundreds of different tactics. That is today's world.
Some years ago, Rob Pincus tried out a then-current-tech 300 degree simulation facility at a now-defunct Gander Mountain Academy facility. He was "killed" at least once, and he found it very stressful. That kind of training helps with developing th skills to recognize and deal with an attacker,and with shoot/no-shoot decisions. They are the current version of the set-up of plywood store fronts that was so highly touted in the movie The FBI Story.
We hear that police departments are starting to send officers to simulation training, particularly for active shooter tactics. Many of the scenarios are suited only to law enforcement--traffic stops, apprehending a suspect, hostage resue, et. But developing other scenarios is relatively simple these days.
I did a bit of searching, and I came across what looks like a good outfit in Springfield , MO. I noticed a $50 per hour price item. I'm sure there are others. Perhaps some of our members could help create at least a partial compendium for us.
