Upon receiving a deposit for a class, Defense Training International sends each student a detailed handout. The handout includes information regarding the types of firearms that are recommended and the modifications that are allowed. There is an extensive do and don't list -- for example, don't wear contact lenses and do bring both sunglasses and clear safety glasses for low light shooting. Also included is a student check list of items to bring. It is important to us that students are as well prepared as possible so they are able to focus on learning.
After signing in, the course begins with a classroom session where students introduce themselves and John Farnam presents an overview of the course activities. When students move to the range, each firearm is carefully inspected. Instuctors will also inspect each of the student's belts, mag pouches and holsters. During the next section, students will go through "administrative" drills concerning loading and unloading their firearm, as well as charging their magazines or speed loaders. Once John is satisfied that students have accomplished these tasks, we move on to live fire.
DTI courses are taught using reactive steel targets. The student knows immediately if they have made a successful shot. After warming up, students will begin drills that allow them to become familiar with a grip and stance that works best for them. As the day continues, students will learn to draw from concealment and work on reloads and stoppage reduction. Tactical training is conducted in a realistic manner, stressing the correct use of cover, movement, challenges, and other important individual tactics.
Later in the course, there will be another classroom session concerning the force continuum and use of lethal force for self-defense. John is an expert witness with many years experience. Many students consider his session on courtroom savvy one of the highlights of the course. Other classroom subjects include:
The second day of the class will include cover and movement, performing under stress, and precision shooting combined with shoot no shoot drills. The low light shooting session is designed to allow students to practice target scanning and quick identification both with and without a flashlight.
The class ends with the DTI basic proficiency test. There is no sufficient test to determine whether or not a person is ready to survive a life threatening encounter. One will only know that he/she was ready for any particular encounter when he/she walks away a survivor. But with that in mind, it seems both prudent and necessary to be able to measure a student's progress and basic proficiency, so we require that students pass this test before receiving certification through DTI. A student achieves a passing score if he/she hits all the shots, does not commit any safety errors, and does not commit any procedural errors (e.g.: improper event sequence on reloading.) Students qualify only at one hundred percent hits. Even one miss means a failed attempt.
Recently, a student at one of our classes asked John if the time it takes to draw a pistol from its holster and bring it up into the sighting plane is timed during class. John replied that the draw is usually timed and that he likes for it to be done safely, but quickly. But, in an actual lethal encounter, how much time will I have to draw my gun?, he finally asked. You will have the rest of your life! was the answer. That is how much time you have, too.
Many students who attend Defense Training International courses find that they are physically tired at the end of the two days, but they have acquired a tremendous peace of mind as they are confident in their ability to use a firearm safely and correctly. They feel more comfortable about their options for personal safety and are proud of their accomplishments in learning or improving their shooting skills.
If you are seeking information and instruction in the use of firearms we invite you to contact us. We welcome the opportunity to further discuss how our training programs can benefit you.
Please see also the
"What to bring to a DTI longarm course?"
and "What to bring to a DTI handgun course?"
pages.