Posted: 5/26/2009 7:37:17 AM EDT
| My youngest son is a LEO in central AZ. He is a damn good shot with just about everything even if he was taught by me (a swab jocky). Are there any organized groups where all, most or many of the members are LEO's? I have tried to interest him in reading the various magazines that deal with LEO weapons, gear and "it happened to me" stories but I'm not having the success I want. I once had a very brief association with Cactus Combat but don't remember if any were LEO's. I am not nor was I ever a LEO, but I am interested in my son getting the best training possible. Am I wrong in thinking that there are things he can learn outside of the refresher classes at the local Academy? Yes, I know he could take classes at places like Gunsite but they are not cheap and neither is ammo in today's economy. I think there is a lot to be said for a group of like minded guys getting together and putting a few rounds down range. |
| Get him involved in USPSA matches. We have a lot of LEOs who compete at Rio Salado (in Mesa). You son will learn a lot and really hone his practical shooting skills. Sure, for tactics he needs to go elsewhere, but the gun handling skills he learns could save his life. Its a metric buttload of fun too, so will motivate him to practice. |
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What agency does he work for? You can IM me if you want. I work at Phoenix PD. There are a lot of us who train very regularly. I agree that USPSA and IDPA are valuable training tools.
I also think that the comraderie involved with shooting with other LEOs is a good thing, especially considering the unique scenarios we're presented with. LEOs face different tactical considerations in general when compared to military personnel and civilians. I have a group of guys who train in the west valley fairly often. There are even more who shooton the east side. Again, feel free to IM me if you want to know more. |
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Quoted:
I have tried to interest him in reading the various magazines that deal with LEO weapons, gear and "it happened to me" stories but I'm not having the success I want. Why are you trying to get him to do this? Just my opinion, but if he doesn't want to do it, he wont learn anything from it. Maybe he just wants to chase tail right now. |
| I think there is a lot to be learned by reading, even if some stories read like an old Detective Magazine. He is not chasing tail/skirts, as far as I know, well maybe one (1). He loves to shoot whenever we get a group of family or friends together to do so. I believe he would go if invited to tag along with a group of his piers. If this group practiced things like clearing jams, reloads, stress reloads, weak hand, weapon transition, drawing your backup, etc it could only add to his chance of coming home each and every night. Yes, I'm sure the Academy does a good job but it can't hurt to practice on your free time. Yes, there is a lot more to Police work than knowing how to shoot but just think about the number of Officers lost in the Valley in the last few years. I want to be gone, long before he is. |
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.Well, I for one, being a young Dad myself, can completely understand where you are coming from. I would contact HOBBS as I know him from other circles and he is good people.
Until he can tag up with a group of shooters, have him check out the ranges. I know a lot of ranges have competitions or "steel nights". Most of the time there are a few LEO's or retired LEO guys in the crowd. And even there is not, its a always a very good crowd and I have always felt among friends. Its a good chance to shoot and build skills in the sense you are moving, off angle, off hand, multiple targets, mag changes, multi-position, etc. Great for handling and confidence. It is so much better than just standing there plugging paper. I highly recommend it. |