Field Report – December 5, 2009
Field Report - December 5, 2009
Combat Pistol Training
You knew this was going to be a very serious course as we received our orders in the mail from Sgt. Skolaut the week before. In it he laid down the safety rules (which makes sense) and the next to last paragraph did lighten the mood as it went like this,
“Don’t be a Dumb Ass. Always, Always wear ear and eye protection!!!!!”
His last Paragraph was the Law, and I knew Bill would enforce it to the T.
“THIS WILL BE A COLD RANGE TODAY LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
IF YOU HANDLE YOUR WEAPON WITHOUT A RANGE OFFICER PRESENT YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE!”
Again safety first, just like a range should be, everyone’s safety and protection is paramount as it is at all of our training sessions.
The second page was some words of encouragement that “we should know our threats, options and limitations. That we can learn from each other, as no one ever knows everything. There is no best way to fight, but learn to fight smart. Nobody can tell what it will take to win your fight, as each one is different.”
And finally, that there are three kinds of people. Predators, those who cannibalize their own species. Prey, those who allow themselves to be eaten. And those who refuse to be neither, an armed and trained citizen.
Now we get to the day of training, The temperature was 12F that morning. We all got together at 0900 and with a few latecomers had the formation at 0930. Prayer, pledge intel briefing, and of course the all important safety briefing. Range officer and safety personnel were introduced and then we headed to the range. Our newest member was prior service (Army) where he was a COOK, and had been doing reenactments where he was the COOK. And he wanted to come out and COOK for us, and boy did he come prepared, with Brownies and some meat to make a stew. (Which was excellent by the way.) And he decided he wanted to join the unit at the end of the training, which is great for us. Oh by the way, did I tell you he’s a COOK? And a good one too!
At the range the Sgt. had set up three different courses, this is how the first one went.
First Course:
WHO’S KNOCKING AT THE DOOR?
The shooter is sitting in a recliner with his feet up reading a magazine.
Suddenly the front door is kicked open and an assailant rushes in (target mounted on a sled) and he is coming at you. Drop the magazine and access your pistol (sitting on the end table beside your chair) engage these two targets, two on the left by the window and one on the right.
Targets are to be double tapped for a total of 10 shots. The target on the right is next to your wife so your shots that way have to be accurate. Hit the wife and you’re in trouble. Remember time is important, but so is safety; this drill takes a little practice.
Second course:
WHATS UP WITH ALL OF THIS TRAFFIC?
You are sitting in traffic at an intersection with your spouse in the car.
(We used a real vehicle for this, a Mini-Van, no holes in the glass or the vehicle please.) All of a sudden you see 4 men coming at you quickly, two on the drivers side and two on your spouses side. Retrieving your weapon, you must engage all four targets, quickly but safely. 8 shots to be fired, at your own pace but again safety first, and no holes in the vehicle please, again thinking this one through and doing a dry run helped.
The Third Course:
This was a room clearing exercise where a team of four men using air-soft rifles had to engage several targets. We did a talk through, and then several runs with the weapons and everyone learned that having a team that has practiced this is great. Everyone knows his job and what he has to do to support the team, if one man fails in his responsibilities then the team could fail. Teamwork gets the job done.
Mental practice of thinking of all the what if’s that can happen helps, doing dry runs makes your actions smoother and practiced. Then, doing them in a live fire situation like we did really gets the old heart pumping. And that’s what we do in the militia, practice to be of help if called upon.
Three new people joined us, A Doctor, another Army Vet, and a COOK.
We also had five other new people come out for training and they expressed a desire to join us. Just coming out to a training session or two doesn’t obligate you to join. But don’t be surprised at the quality of people you find here, individuals who volunteer and sacrifice to be here if called on for the community and our State.