24 Feb 03

From a friend and student stationed in country:

"While standing near a dreaded 'clearing barrel,' our Group SgtMaj casually pulls his pistol from his shoulder holster and, with his finger firmly in contact with the trigger, points it directly at the Marine standing in front of him.

Standing behind him, I saw what was happening and quickly grabbed his trigge r finger pulling it out of contact with the trigger and placing it on the pistol's frame, while immediately elevating the muzzle. I said, 'Sg tMaj, PLEASE keep your trigger finger off the trigger and PLEASE keep your pistol pointed in a safe direction, not at the liver of the fellow Marine in front of you.' He was slightly embarrassed, but quickly rebutted 'Colonel , I have been shooting firearms all my life.' I responded, 'I'm sure, but yo u don't seem to have learned the first thing about correct gun handling in all those years.' Needless to say, my captains are refusing to stand anywhere near clearing barrels when this guy is around, as incidents like this are not uncommon, even among officers and senior NCOs.

Unhappily, this 'I already know more than you can teach me' attitude is widespread amongst the 'seniors' here. As always, we have an uphill battle."

Comment: Will we ever learn? Must we go through this all over again at the beginning of every war?

/John

24 Feb 03

Didn't take long! On of my LEO students from last week's class in Capetown, SA called this morning:

"Yesterday, just a week after attending your class, I was involved in a shooting here in Capetown. I confronted two escapees from our penitentiary system. As I learned in class, I assumed the interview stance and started moving laterally, as I issued verbal commands. The two suspects tried to get me between them, but I continually stacked them.

One picked up a brick and threw it at me. I moved, and the brick missed. I fired several shots, zippering him up as I had been taught (9mm hardball). I used my sights. All shots fired struck the suspect. None missed. He went down. His partner immediately surrendered and begged me not to shoot him.

One suspect DRT. One back in custody. No one else hurt.

If this had happened two weeks ago, I would have stood in one place, and I would have been carrying a pistol with an empty chamber."

Comment: Good show! This officer came to us on his own volition and on his own dime. At the moment of truth, he was ready and confident. Victory!

/John