AAR CCJA M4 Carbine I Course 1/16/10

This is my first time taking one of Tom Perroni’s classes. I was a bit skeptical at first because I had never taken a one day course before. I have a few two, three, and five day courses under my belt but never a one day course. “How much quality training can I expect in an eight hour training course?” Should be interesting.

The day started at 0900 sharp at the Commonwealth Criminal Justice Academy (CCJA) classroom located in Fredericksburg, Va. Tom began by introducing himself and gave a brief rundown of his background, training, and teaching experience. You can read more about Tom’s background on his web/work page www.ccjatraining.com. We then each introduced ourselves. It was a small class with only four student’s total. The roster consisted of a contractor, local businessman, a civilian shooter with very little carbine experience, and me. After introductions we proceeded to the admin and classroom portion of the course. It was the usual range safety, weapons safety, nomenclature, field stripping, maintenance, BZO, etc… All the stuff most of us are already familiar with but good info none the less. You never want to stop reviewing the basics and the rules. After a short lunch break we proceeded to the range. Please bear in mind I am writing this from memory. So if I stumble or forget anything I apologize.

First was BZO’ing the carbine. Most of us were pretty close to zero and it didn’t take long before we proceeded on to the first drill. Again I am recalling the events form memory. We started with shooting from our backs! Yep! Lying on our backs! The premise was, “If you get knocked down, what do you do?” The answer is simple, “Fight your way back up!” From flat on your back, to sitting up, to kneeling, to standing! We did a few more drills involving multiple hits to transition drills.

Next was the “Conga line “! This drill consisted of putting 5 hits into a bad guy or threat, “popping out” to put a hit on steel and then peeling back to the rear of the Conga line so the next guy can engage. We each ended up peeling back maybe 5 times. Extending the range each time.

Team movements were next. We moved in pairs of two laterally and back. Shooting, moving, and covering our partners’ movement. SHOOT, MOVE, COMMUNICATE! We did this a few times until Tom felt we had an understanding of how it all should work. By this point I was having A LOT of fun! Next was the “Serpentine”! Moving through obstacles forward and backwards while engaging threats. Another fun exercise that will humble even the most experienced shooter. Shooting from stationary to shooting while moving is like night and day! Doing this while shooting steel was also humbling and gratifying at the same time. Hits are obvious but so are misses! Did I mention I was having a blast at this point? I was having such a good time at this point I asked Tom if I could go through the exercise with my pistol? Tom, seeming to enjoy watching his students’ progress, without hesitation said “sure!” Even more humbled gratification!

Next was shooting from various positions utilizing “the wall”. A wooden structure with various cut outs with a porch and a curb. This structure made the shooter utilize the more unconventional shooting positions. Support side, kneeing, crouching, prone, lying right side, lying left side, you get the picture. Again all shots were on steel!

This pretty much summed up the day. Once the course of instruction was completed Tom allowed us to shoot whatever drill we enjoyed most during the course. For me it was practicing my support side shooting from “the wall” on steel! I rarely, if ever, get to shoot steel and take advantage of every opportunity!

All in all it was a great class! Tom quickly put my skepticism to rest with his varied real world experience and training methodology. With a unique twist of humor and outspokenness, Tom managed to keep the normally dry portions of the course (classroom) interesting. In a short period of time A LOT of information and techniques were passed on. The previously mentioned civilian shooter made leaps and bounds in his skill level by the end of the course. From previously having little knowledge of the carbine, to ringing steel while moving with iron sights, is a testament to the quality of instruction received. I was impressed to say the least! Tom and his staff are very confident capable instructors and I am very happy with the course. My buddies and I are looking forward to the next opportunity to train with CCJA. Highly recommended!

Gear used:
Carbine: Bushmaster
Optic: EoTech 512
Sling: VTAC two point
Pistol: Glock 17
Holster: Safariland 6004 drop leg
Vest: Blackhawk Chest rig (2, 30round Mags, 2 pistol mags, 1 utility pouch)
Hearing protection: Howard Electronic
Ammo: Wolf FMJ 223 and 9mm

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=45322

Truth about Training/Instructors and a Review

I wanted to write an opinion post for those looking at developing their skill sets through training programs/instructors. I first must give you a little background so you understand my opinion and thoughts so you can determine for yourself whether they apply to your situation and if they would meet your objectives.

I am in my late 40’s, military background, multiple adventures into the sandbox as an armed contractor but not a “shooter” but a principal. I have been taking a minimum of 3 training courses per year for the last 11 years from multiple instructors, companies and their development programs by many discussed and advertised on this forum, my life and the lives of my security detail depend on it so no expense was spared on training or gear. When I start with a new instructor I never mention any prior training and I always start in their “beginner” training program and work my way through their civilian, military and then contractor (or most advance) course. I have no loyalties/obligations to companies or instructors in writing this post, I do not get a “discounted” rate for future classes by advertising on forums, I write this as an unknown to those companies/instructor that I have had the privilege to train with since the company that employees me pays for training, gear, ammo and weapons.

Evaluation of Instructors
I start with the first and what I consider the most critical for those seeking to be proficient in the art of gun fighting. I have had instructors who’s only claim to fame is the past, what they were over 20-years ago. The enemy has changed, tactics have changed and weaponry has changed. I talked with one instructor during a break in their most advanced course and asked about fighting out of a vehicle and he told me “when I was in we only fought out of helo’s never vehicles”, which is fine if you’re not in “Contractor Prep Course” like I was but we had no training on exiting or fighting from a vehicle.

Many instructors were and are not only great warriors but have become great teachers as well. The hardest thing I believe an instructor can do is to dissect his extensive training/experience into compartmentalized segments that students can grasp as skills to learn/experience during their selected course so they can practice and perfect on their own time.

I look for instructor attitudes that say “this is a way” and not “this is THE way”. Many mechanics/techniques do not work for a student for many different reasons. I remember one class that all the instructor was concerned about was promoting a piece of gear/equipment or his next “advanced” class. Don’t get me wrong, I’m looking for the best products, I am interested in his next class because I took it but advertising every hour is a bit excessive.

I have learned from experience and my employer’s dollars that instructors/programs with accreditation from multiple agencies (more the better) have a much higher level program/instruction than those who’s only claim to fame is a “high round count” which brings me to the next issue.

Round Count Courses
My ammo cost me nothing; pulling the trigger puts a smile on my face so I am a big proponent of pulling the trigger but several programs I have been through had very little substances but an extremely high round count. The instructor to student ration was low, criticism/corrections were non-existent, their only focus was getting you to burn ammo and telling you what a good job you did even though I along with the rest of the class were muzzle swept a dozen times during the class and watched horrible (get you killed) fundamental breakdowns with no critique.

The higher the round count in some cases is a result in minimal instruction/corrections and program substance. I will admit some classes have worked my butt off and my round count was high but everyone in the group were of extreme advancement and the instructors knew it and pushed the students to the limits which was greatly needed and wanted by the students. This leads me back to great instructors, these experienced training professionals can “read” a student in a matter of one drill or kit observation during gear up and determine what their dealing with, I have seen and experienced this first hand and been called on it.

Purpose of Post
I only belong to 3 forums and usually only ask questions and read others post so I can stay current with the latest. I have decided to stick my neck out and give you an unbiased opinion of each training course I attend in the present and future classes. I hope those looking for help in their selection of courses/instructors will find this beneficial.

My recent course was with Tom Perroni, Training Director of the Commonwealth Criminal Justice Academy (www.ccjatraining.com) in Fredericksburg, Virginia which is a very long haul from my location. The course was their beginner “Basic M4 Tactical Carbine and Patrol Rifle Course”. The class was a one day (Saturday) consisting of 3 hours class room and 4 hours range time for $150 which is a great deal compared to some of the others I have taken. One of the great things about the Academy is the location of the accommodations which is the Hospitality House Hotel ($70 per night with Academy discount) in the center of one of the largest shopping centers in Virginia with plenty of restaurants and things to do and only a few hundred yards from the Academy. (continued)