Would you have a problem being trained by me?

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Black92LX

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I am highly considering taking all the instructors courses next year after i have finished all of my personal training. So that I myself can become a basic firearms instructor. Now my question is would you have a problem being instructed by someone in their early 20's??

I have been contemplating this because Cincinnati really only has one instructor that teaches the NRA courses to everyone. Granted there are a couple clubs that give instruction to their members. So i thought it would be something to try, to give more people the opportunity to be trained in firearms handling. But a lot of time I fell I am looked down upon for being young and am worried that being a 22 year old instructor would not fly well with some maybe many.

Then i thought maybe focusing more upon training younger woman.

I don't really know just random ideas in my head, but just wanted to see if anyone would have a problem being trained by someone of my age.
 
What are you training people to do? Basic firearm safety is dependent more on common
sense then age. I wouldn't mind being refreshed on safety by someone your age considing that I've haven't been around guns for seven years.

Bill MEadows
 
I'd not mind... you're older than I am anyhow... :rolleyes:
Then I thought maybe focusing more upon training younger women.
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An interesting way to meet 'em--at least you'll know right off the bat what their views on the RKBA are :)

Sounds all in all like a good way to get active and help out the world (well, okay, maybe just Cincinnati, but every bit helps)
 
I can only speak from a certain biased perspective, but here's my $0.02...

I wouldn't mind learning basic safety stuff from someone in their early 20's who was well-spoken and of reasonable appearance. Yes, appearance means very little but someone with a professional demeanor who is decently dressed and with no visible tattoos or piercings inspires more confidence in me than a grunged-out, unshaven guy with visible tattoos and a pierced nose or eyebrow (for example...;) ).

When it came to learning shooting skills, I would be very hesitant. Of course, I am a bit beyond the basics and am older than my early 20's :)( ) so I'm obviously prejudiced. Even a guy that age with combat experience would be a little suspect because of a perception of the guy not having the perspective to actually USE the experience, learn from it, and convey the learning.

Please keep in mind that this is totally my opinion and there are probably plenty of guys out there who would be great to learn from...but there are likely more that you wouldn't WANT to "learn" from...

Anyway...

For basics, I wouldn't see a problem. For advanced stuff, I would have a problem unless the guy was personally vouched for by someone older whom I already respected.
 
I'm part of an instructor group of around a dozen different men and women. Most of us are 40+, but our flat out no questions asked best handgun instructor was barely in his 30's (he has since moved to Maine) when he started teaching with us. He posts here all the time. He's GRD and you could probably PM him and get his thoughts on what it is like to be a younger instructor.

Be knowledgable, be prepared, be willing to say "I don't know" when you don't know the answer. Try to teach with at least one other instructor. In order to have a safe class you pretty much have to.

And do what you can to make the class informative and fun. You'll do fine.
 
I think your abilities should speak for themselves. If you "da man" and everyone sees that. You will have no problems with students in your class.

If you need help "instructing" the younger ladies, perhaps an older, fatter balder, married-er man would lend you credibility.

I'm up here in "Klumbus" and will work for phone numbers:evil:
 
I am highly considering taking all the instructors courses next year after i have finished all of my personal training.
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Even (or especially) as an instructor your personal training is never done.

-smn
 
In my style of boxing one of the best instructors I have is 10 years younger than me (his early 20s). However, he is the instructor's son and has done it since birth! I have no problem giving him my undivided attention.:D

As for shooting, it depends. How many hours do you have? What schools have you been to? Were you "on the job" in the militree or po-po? What are you teaching--basic pistol, carbine, what? How long have you been teaching? What are your credentials for teaching? What do prior students say about you? What's your personality?

To me, the crazed Zen monk of THR and professional gun fu student, these questions matter a heck of more than someone's age. However, as you suspect, it takes time to accumulate experience.

Start small. Nothing wrong with being a range monkey (or range badger:D) to see how things are done. Best of luck.

smn nailed it. One never stops being a student. The best instructors realize that they know little and continually seek to destroy Yeehawism via education.

Now for the Zen monk sayings: "There is a sky above a sky; there is a mountain above a mountain." "The taller the bamboo grows, the lower it bows."
 
Instructor courses do not an instructor make. You seem pretty new to firearms, so make sure your proficiency is there. Even in a basic class you had better be able to far exceed the course requirements in your own demos. Be able to demonstrate everything you want the students to do flawlessly, everytime. Besides, demonstrated skill equals authority when you are teaching.

As for the age;
My flight instructor is in his mid 20s. If you know your stuff, I don't mind learning from younger people.
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If someone is teaching me about something that can kill me I want to see firsthand proof(his grey hair) that he has survived not only his own mistakes, but the mistakes of thousands of stupid students.* That way he won't be too flustered by my stupidity. I started taking flying lessons from a guy like that, in three flights he had me about three weeks into the deal, very calm and reassuring. If you're young you better be very good. Being young and very good without coming off as a pompous ??? in the classroom is very hard to do. Work hard if you decide to go for it.

* That's why my desire to bungee jump is a non-starter, I just can't feel good about nose ring's safety brief or rope stretch calculations.
 
I have ammo older than you! I was in your shoes once. I was given a chance to be a police chief. The officers were not too happy. I was an outsider, young, well educated and progressive. There were lawsuits and every command decision was challenged in court. The upshot? I am retired now. If you are good, the students will come and word of mouth will get around. If you are bad, your age isn't a question.
 
I am in the same position as you. I am trying to get into an instructor's course in the next month and I am also in my mid 20's. I think that if you are teaching a basic safety course then anyone coming to your class will know less than you most likely. It may take you dazzling them with your knowledge to put down anyone who thumbs their nose at your age but if you have the chops 99% of people will recognize that and listen.

I worked for large corporation and became a supervisor by the age of 23. I was leading training classes and instructing those that were much older than I and also had been with the company many years. After my first few classes not only did I earn the respect of any in my classes but others who had heard from their co-workers about my abilities.

I took my first safety course from a very young women and It never occurred to me to not take her seriously. She spoke with confidence and took questions very well. It ended up that it was her first time instructing and by the end of the course it was evident that I was a few years ahead of her with practice and knowledge but it didn't occur to me until later on because of her confidence. (I only took the course to as a requirment to obtain a permit, I have been around firearms for many years) the fact that I knew more than her and I actually helped teach the last half of the class didn't hurt her any with my other classmates because she exuded confidence.

So make sure that you know your stuff and speak with confidence and I think you should be fine.
 
Well, there's not a lot you can do if you encounter someone who has a bias against listening & learning from someone younger ... but that's THEIR problem, and not YOURS.

Personally, having been the younger person teaching & training ... and then being the middle aged guy being taught & trained by younger folks for various classes ... I can say that if you have your act together, and not only exhibit a command of the subject matter, but are able to present yourself in an adult, professional manner, you'd receive my attention.

Common sense ... a professional demeanor ... evident familiarity with the subject matter, as well as confidence in your ability explaining it to "students" ... a bit of a "command" presence when speaking in front of a group of people, but without becoming officious, condescending or excessively "authoritative" ... being able to not only realize the difference in how adults "learn", versus how "young people" learn, but being able to use it to your advantage so older students can have an opportunity to maximize their learning from your presentation ...

The only real "disadvantage" you might encounter is that you may very well find yourself speaking before folks that actually have more "real world" experience than you do ... understandably so, at least at this time in your life. As long as you don't pretend you have more experience than you really do, I suspect you'll find most older students who are serious about learning what you have to teach, will be willing to listen to what you're teaching ... without being excessively distracted by your younger age.

And you'll probably find that you'll "benefit" from the experience as much as most of your "students" do. It's been known to happen ...

All of us that have been instructors have found ourselves in this situation, you know ...

If you're sincerely interested in helping your students learn, you'll probably find you'll learn quite a bit about yourself from your students. The "teacher-student" experience CAN be a beneficial experience for both ... regardless of the respective ages of the folks involved.

Just my opinion ...
 
Two Lessons

I was helping on the line at a very basic level class awhile back when it became obvious that there was a man on my end of the line who had a problem learning from a female. After a few minutes thought, I waved over one of the other ROs to take my spot, and moved down the line.

Lesson: If they can't learn from you, they can't learn from you. Sometimes all you can do is acknowledge this truth, and hand them over to someone who they can learn from.

Later, I asked my mentor what she does in similar situations. She's been an instructor for quite a few years and has obviously handled many such encounters. She smiled and said, "They'll usually listen better after you outshoot them."

Lesson: Strive for excellence. If you excel, people will want to learn from you.

pax

I am always willing to learn, however I do not always like to be taught. -- Winston Churchill
 
I have seen National Guard soldiers stand up to teach classes that look like they just finished decorating the gym for the Junior prom. Usually as soon as they start lecturing all doubt is removed. If you're sitting in a classroom you have decided you need instruction. If you didn't, you wouldn't be there. So what does it matter if the guy teaching the course is younger than you? You can't be an expert on everything yourself.

Black, I'd keep in mind that people are going to be coming to you for instruction, not the other way around. If they have a problem with your age then either they didn't need your help in the first place or they're idiots. Just stick to the course curriculum and you'll leave little to complain about.
 
I wouldn't mind so long as you knew your stuff and were able to demonstrate proficiency with what you were teaching.

In some areas we can take advice from folks who have attained the "book knowledge" ......in others experience paves the way. No man can tell a woman how child birth truly feels. An unmarried marriage counselor would find it difficult because he/she would only have the experiences of others to draw on and not their own. I'm sure the list could go on and on.

Age has no merit when it comes to experience. I've known older folks who were dumber than a box of rocks. I've also known younger folks who have gone through a lot and learned from it.

So sure...I'd welcome to opportunity to attend anyone's class. But if I do then be prepared to be a level above where I am so I can learn.

Good Shooting
Red
 
I'd only suggest taking the instructor's training if you realize that it isn't the "be all and end all" of your training and knowledge. I've been teaching classes for a year now and I'm still running across new situations and learning new things. This is after shooting for 15 years and training ranging from NRA Basic Pistol to LFI 1 and LFI 2. I don't consider my training "complete" in any sense of the word and I'm still looking for ways to further my knowledge, improve my skills and effectively pass along the info to my students. I learn something from students in every class.

Personally, I wouldn't have a problem receiving instruction from a younger instructor as long as they knew their stuff AND were willing to admit when they didn't know something. If you don't know, say so, and then find out later. Don't bluff when it comes to firearms knowledge because it will bite you on the ??? later, one way or the other.

I look for competence, professionalism and the ability to teach when I look for an instructor to take classes from or to work with me on one of my classes. Age is irrevelant as long as those standards are met.

One last thought, you don't have to be a SWAT team member or ex-SF soldier to teach basic firearms safety or CCW classes, but I'd look askance at anyone teaching real "high speed - low drag" stuff like dynamic entries, VIP protection or hostage rescue techniques who hasn't done the stuff in real life.
 
Age of the instructor makes no difference to me, as long as you know your stuff.

Try to BS me, and I'll figure that out pretty quick. If asked a question that you don't know, Say "I don't know, but I will find out." Then find out, and inform us all.

While appearance shouldn't matter, it really does. I am much more apt to pay attention to the neat, clean professional looking person of any age than I am the "Dirty, greasy unkempt" type with 5 Lbs of assorted piercings and a couple of gallons of tatoo ink under their skin.

Just my humble 1/50 of $1.
 
Age isn't the issue, here...

Don't know if I could take instruction from you though. Come on, a BLACK 92 LX?

My 92 LX is Burgundy. How could I believe you know what you are talking about if you drive a black LX?
 
I would because I know you. But I know first hand that perception is reality and that age can be a learning obstacle for some. The resonces above give you an idea what to expect.

I have taught various subjects for twenty-some years, from CPR to law school classes. I've learned that being a good teacher -- being tuned to what your students are understanding or not understanding on a real time basis -- is far more important than your age or apparent level of experience.

Go for it. It can't hurt to try. We can team up and I'll give the "legal" portion of your classes.
 
My 92 LX is Burgundy. How could I believe you know what you are talking about if you drive a black LX?
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burgandy come on now that's the color for the ladies with the automatics:neener:

i am just a fan of black cars, not sure what it is but i love them. hard to keep clean but when they are they look great.

I love my LX but i do believe it is going to be replaced by an 05 when i graduate. Considering there is talk of another LX type V8 starting at
$20,000

Go for it. It can't hurt to try. We can team up and I'll give the "legal" portion of your classes.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a plan. You back in town?
 
I firmly believe that every training class has something to offer the intelligent student, even if it's more along the lines of what not to do or what not to say. Sometimes watching the ??? that is your instructor can be very educational.*

While your experience overall is limited, through no fault of your own, you can still bring valuable knowledge to those that are at your level. Someone with your, or my, limited knowledge and experience probably wouldn't be able to teach much pistol-handling to a seasoned SEAL, but we could teach them about the legals regarding civilian concealed-carry. Sure, they could break you ten ways from sunday, but do they know about the "mundane" things?

If you focus on a target audience, like the 18-24yo new shooters, you should do well and build your knowledge base while you do it. I'd be glad to hang out and see what I can learn.



* note that I did not say anything about watching the instructor's butt!!
 
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