30Aug06

Sage comments from a friend and student in the Philippines:

"An acquaintance and I were stuck in traffic last week, and talk dri fted to training. He recalled that several years ago, I took the time to attend two

courses in the States, one from you and the other from Louis Awerbuck. I described both in detail and sincerely suggested he do something similar. I was disappointed with his response, 'That's all basic. I can do that already. I want to study only high-speed stuff...'

He is a competitive shooter and very comfortable. Yet, when on the range together, I am always able to hit far more consistently than is he, albeit slightly slower. He brushes aside his many careless misses as a 'ne cessary component' of a real fight. Just as importantly, I have managed to maintain my awareness to the point of spotting threats faster than he can, even when he is supposed to be watching my back. This, despite the fact that I am able to afford far fewer toys.

My training DTI and Awerbuck accented (1) certainty of hits and (2) follow-through, If anything, your training emphasized that personal victory is predicated on mastery of the basics, and the ability to perform them subconsciously. Many have an adolescent romance with cinematic gunfights and tactics. The cold fact remains that most deadly encounters are quick, extremely violent,

and devoid of drama. To ignore a periodic review of basics, under the watch ful eye of a professional, is foolish, and will preclude one from ever obtainin g the ethereal, high-speed/low drag skills that he may naively seek.

The haunting memory of missed Rotators is what drives me to be cautious and

deliberate with all my shots. I never properly thanked you for that lesson . It's profound value has now become clear."

Comment: My friend, I'm sure, could have obtained similar training from any

of my esteemed colleagues. I am honored to have been the one to influence him.

/John

30Aug06

Vicki, along with two colleagues, spent last week with resident instructors

at the USMC facility at Parris Island, SC. I was not there. Here are her comments:

"I spent last week observing and training Marine instructors, enlist ed and officers, at the Recruit Depot at Parris Island, SC. Our classes concentra ted on the subject of teaching women to shoot, in this case, the M-16 Rifle.

Everyone there is absolutely dedicated to doing everything possible to teach the young women in their charge to become competent and confident. T hat is the reason we were asked to come on board. While there, we were able to share with them information about the way women listen and process informat ion, in contrast to the way men listen and process the same information.

Perhaps the most astounding aspect of the week's training was when w e realized that there are so many topnotch, young women willing to step up and defend our country. We hear precious little about them, but we all should be proud ."

Comment: It has been our honor to train Marines on a number of occasions over the past two years, in CA, AZ, and now SC. Student rank has ranged fr om PFC to three-star general! Our students have been characterized by extreme

enthusiasm and capricious willingness to adopt new methods, even alter thei r entire training philosophy. We've shown them, for example, that:

(1) Hot ranges are superior, in every way, to cold ranges, because Marines need to spend lots of time handling and carrying loaded guns. Spending tim e handling unloaded guns is of little value.

(2) "Safety" should be defined as =80=9Creasonable measur es and procedures taken in order to manage risk," instead of the more common, "a man iacal preoccupation with the categorical eradication of all risk, to the point wh ere training goals are swept aside and eventually forgotten entirely," and

(3) We're here because our students are here, not the other way around. We

exist to serve them.

It is our intent to continue to influence the System every chance we get!

/John