Training Retreat

[Gunblade]

I was just handed the prospect of going on a vacation.
I've decided to take that time to train in one of the fine training camps in america. I know of;

Blackwaterusa
Tac-Pro Shooting Center
Thunder Ranch
Gunsite
Frontsight
PDI (Personal Defense Institute)
Smith & Wesson Academy
Canadian Academy of Practical Shooting
(etc)

Has anyone here actually been to any of these places?
What were the living quarters like?
Are they worth the money?
Will they look good on a resume?

 

[ilbob]

Will they look good on a resume?

It depends entirely on what kind of job you are applying for.

If it is an armed security job, the answer is it may help.

Most any other kind of job it would be irrelevant and an employer might be inclined to wonder why you would put such things on a resume.

 

[Pilgrim]

What kind of job are you seeking?

Pilgrim

 

[El Tejon]

Gunblade, I, as well as others, have written reviews of the courses we have taken on THR and THR's ancester TFL. Run a search and you will find plenty.

Here's a couple of reviews I did for classes at Thunder Ranch--Tejas:

Rifle class at TR: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=18068&highlight=Tejon+returns+Tejas

A return DHG class at TR: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=89372&highlight=Thunder+Ranch+Tejon

 

[michaelbane]

My experience

I went to Front Sight. The training was very professional. But I don't know if they're going to be around much longer due to the scandal with the home site sales (that's another topic on another thread somewhere on THR).

You might want to check out this place, http://valhallashootingclub.com/. I've never been there, but I would like to. They have an airplane cabin and a subway station to practice in. Way cool.

 

[brownie0486]

Gunblade;

You might also check this link for reviews of the ITFTS courses.

http://www.threatfocused.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=19

There have been reviews on this forum as well you can search for under Integrated Threat Focused Shooting Systems. When students come out to Arizona, they stay at my home as our guest during their training at no additional cost.

Brownie

 

[Gunblade]

Thanks everyone

I'm currently seeking a job in professional security, preferably "armed"

 

[Mtnvalley]

I've been to Frontsight and TDI (Tactical Defense Institute in OH, one you didn't mention). I could recommend either for different reasons, but proximity is also a factor in my choice of where to train more (TDI is drivable for me).

Two points in reference to your specific questions:

Neither of the above have "living quarters", though both have reasonable-priced and suitable motels within a 25-min drive.

As for "resume pad"-- well, I hit a lot of websites, and have never seen a bad word in print about TDI; I also can't recall ever seeing a bad word about the TRAINING at Frontsight from anyone who's actually BEEN there (plenty of non-training negative stuff to be found, much but not all of which is parroted hearsay IMHO).

But both are probably better known for training armed civilians (such as myself) and street cops etc. than for producing "operators" (although I met at least one self-described contractor as a classmate in each school). If you're just looking for a security gig lower down the food chain, I'd think the fact that you'd had ANY formal training (at any of the schools you listed) would give you an advantage over some other applicants.

 

[Gunblade]

I'm currently working on going to the "Valhalla Shooting Ranges" in the Elk Mountain Resort.

It was featured in Personal Defense TV and the lodgings seem to be conveniently placed

 

[Fred Fuller]

What gun(s) are you interested in learning to run?

Have you looked at the itinerant instructors to see if any of their schedules are bringing them close enough to you so that you don't have to spend so much $$$ on travel/lodging (and might thus be able to get in one more class)? ( http://yfainc.com/ , http://www.defense-training.com/ , http://www.guntactics.com/ etc).

Best wishes for a successful session,

lpl/nc

 

[AndyC]

Graduating from any of the well-known schools should ideally give you a leg-up on other candidates for a specific job - assuming the HR-people know (or even care) anything about those courses, which they typically don't. Life isn't fair and you'll find a lot of companies that won't give a rodent's behind about the number (or even the quality) of courses you've completed.

Case-in-point: One of my team-mates spent an absolute fortune doing bodyguarding courses and the like before he was hired. The interviewer told him "I'm interested in your military and combat experience, not that other nancy-boy stuff you've done". A bit embarassing, but the point was well-made: if you're looking to work in, oh, let's say Afghanistan or Iraq, a week-long course in pistol-shooting isn't going to impress very many companies in the slightest.

Why not first contact the companies you're interested in working for and ask them which credentials they're looking for and what they would recommend?

 

[Sweatnbullets]

Gunblade, I could sell you a grey certificate for a four day course at Frontsight for $100 plus shipping and paypal ($108.) This will give you a solid fundamental foundation.

After that course, while you are still in Vegas I can run you through my Reactionary Gunfighting course. This is where you can take those fundamentals and add on some very advanced concepts and skills.

 

[Gunblade]

The reason I care so much about the lodgings is that I live on the east coast, in New Jersey, so commuting to many of these schools is out of the question.

 

[The Cavalry]

My drive from NJ to the SigArms Academy was just under 6 hrs, taking my time and enjoying the trip.

Highly recommended both for the quality of training, as well as the chance to breathe free air for a while.

 

[Rob Pincus]

GUnblade,

Thanks for your interest in Valhalla. I would suggest the Concealed CArry (2 day) or Advanced Concealed Carry (3 day) followed by the Executive Protection Tactics Course. This spring, you could take CCT and EPT consecutively on the April 9th-13th.

-RJP

 

[Gunblade]

Mr. Pincus

Are there any longgun (preferably rifle/carbine) courses in Valhalla?

Are there any pamphlets/brochures that can be sent to my house?

 

[Rob Pincus]

Email me at [email protected] and send a mailing address.. I'll get you a complet packet.

You can check out the complete course list at the http://www.valhallatraining.com website.

We do offer some rifle training, though the close in stuff is our specialty.

-RJP

 

[Gunblade]

Does anyone know if a 20 year old can rent a handgun to train with in shooting schools in general.

 

[Nitrogen]

I've been to frontsight and will highly recommend their training.

 

[ShackleMeNot]

I don't know your location but if you are near Tennessee or can catch one of our classes on the road you should think about training with us.

Search for 'Tactical Response' here for some of our students' reviews of our classes.

 

[Rob Pincus]

We have under 21 year olds use our range guns all the time.
-RJP

 

[Gunblade]

GREAT!!!

I think i'll also take "combat focus shooting."