AAR TELLURIC GROUP- COMBAT CARBINE 04/21-04/22

holyfreakincrap [Member]

4/30/2012 3:10:41 AM

Telluric Group Combat Carbine
Instructor: Don Edwards
St. Augustine, Florida

Gear
Smith and Wesson M&P15 (5.45x39), Glock 19, OSOE MWRL w/mini tear off IFAK, magpul ms3 sling ,aimpoint T1 micro

Weather
Sunny and Rainy (It's florida, what do you expect)

Training Day 1
The day began in the classroom with a course overview along with the safety brief and detailed protocol in the event of an emergency. It was explained what was to be expected from you throughout the two day course. This class consisted of a few contractors, some civilians, LEO, former MIL, and a surgeon. We discussed battle zeros, holds, and went over simple ballistic trajectory stuff. Don then informed the class that approximately 80% of the rounds fired in the course, would be from 50 meters and beyond and that accuracy would be held to the same strict standards as if your target were 10 feet away. We headed out to the range, geared up and went over the firearms safety rules. Don then said "This will be a hot range. You're all adults, act like it." We moved into getting a good zero on our rifles from the prone at 100 meters. Don discussed the importance of finding your natural point of aim and remembering your holds. After everyone was good and zeroed at 100m we pushed back to 200 meters to continue the zero process and make any adjustments. "If you tell me you're running a 50/200 battle zero, and you haven't fired your rifle at 200m to check, bullshit." At the point that was spoken, I think it sank in to everyone at how important accuracy was to Don. We did the walk back drill. Starting out at 100 meters, we shot steel silhouettes, standing off-hand unsupported. You were only given three misses total, then you were eliminated. Each time you hit the target, you could move to the next marker. (100m, 150m, 200m, 250m, 300m, etc.) "Remember your holds" Don said. The farthest shot landed was at 400m. Don ran us through a few drills where we had to use different shooting positions in different variations/sequences. Don explained that every scenario or real life encounter you may have, could have thousands of different variables as far as what you have to work with for cover/concealment. Don showed several different ways to shoot for every position (kneeling, prone, etc...) how to enter and exit from them, and then would explain the way he advocates, based on real world experience and what was more consistent. After lunch we did some drills involving shooting and moving, and also shooting and thinking. The VTAC barricades were used and the discussion of how to shoot from cover/concealment was gone over and demoed before we incorporated the techniques into several more drills. We ended the day with a little bit of shit talking fun with the dueling tree. The tree has 6 reduced swinging steel pie plates, 3 on the right, 3 on the left. Shooters stand shoulder to shoulder, whomever shoots all the plates to the opposite side first, wins. Only 10 rounds in each mag, choose who you shoot against.

Training Day 2.
The day began with the safety brief on the range, while it began to pour rain. It made for excellent training. Don brought everyone in closer to the targets (10m) and we did several reload drills, transition drills, turning to engage the threat drills, all taught on the non-standard response. Multiple threat engagement drills were taught along with how to transition from threat to threat by using the recoil of your rifle. We concentrated our shot placement to the reduced a-zone. Everything Don taught at those distances, incorporated stepping off the line of attack upon presentation of the threat, and moving while you're reloading. We ran several primary to secondary transition drills. After lunch we ran the x box drill. I won't really go into or explain exactly what it is but it involves shooting while moving forward, laterally , and diagonally while engaging two reduced a zone steel plates. We ran a mod navy qual and also some shoot/reload drills while incorporating short range (7m) to medium range (75m) target engagement.

Things I Learned
Shooting and moving is extremely important. Most gunfights involve lots of lateral movement, and you're probably only half as good in a gunfight as you are on your best training day. Its important to learn how to use your rifle throughout the spectrum, from long range to short range. Pick a good battle zero (50/200) and remember simple holds. Stop doing things that waste time, IE when your rifle runs dry why the fuck are you looking at the ejection port? It wastes time when you could be feeding your rifle another magazine and staying in the fight. You don't have to sling your empty/partial empty magazine halfway across the range from your magwell by twisting your rifle, cool guy. Spare someone that could be assisting you in a gunfight the injury they could sustain from a USGI or PMAG to the facial region.

I highly recommend this class, or any class that Telluric Group offers. Don Edwards is an excellent instructor, with all the knowledge and real world experience to back it up.

***ONE OF THE SHOOTERS MADE THIS VIDEO***

Don Edwards, instructing.