Tom Given's Rangemaster Instructor Course

After a full week at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to take the Rangemaster Level 1 Instructor course in Tucson.  It was on the way home to Austin and at the perfect time!

I have taken several classes as a student, but always tend to look at them from the instructors perspective on what I can add to my own knowledge tool box and pass on to my clients.  I was questioned recently on my life experiences (or lack there of since I have never been a victim of a violent crime or confronted with deadly force) and why I was qualified to be a firearms instructor, or even have an opinion on use of force issues.  I didn't entertain that question because I know who I am, what I know and why I do this job.  But is did inspire me to never have that question asked of me again, I want people to be able to look at my resume and be confident in who I am as an instructor, what I do for our shooting community and hopefully I will NEVER have a personal testimony of being a victim as part of that resume.

I had heard the written and qualification course was very challenging, that Tom's standards for his students are higher than that of the FBI, that I would have a ton of homework and have to teach a class.  I was extremely nervous on Day 1, but so excited to be a sponge.  I took 25 pages of typed notes!  I have been an instructor for almost 5 years for the TX Concealed Handgun License and teaching new gun owners in level 1& 2 skill sets, so I knew I was going to know some of the material presented.  What I was looking for was a fresh approach on how to present that material... and that was delivered as promised!  I am a civilian, I teach to civilians, and having the correct civilian perspective is vital.  I got all of that from this class and so much more.

Tom and Lynn Givens are the nicest people!  They run a very organized class, and the emphasis on safety was paramount.  I am not going to give a blow by blow after action report because I think if you are interested in taking the class you should have the opportunity to experience the way I did, from a fresh set of eyes and the surprise of several light bulb moments.

This course draws a wide variety.  In  my class there were several LEO and Military Instructors, and few like me that were teaching to civilians.  There were people who had never taken a formal training class even as a student (which kind of surprised me, but I guess it you want to be an instructor this would be as good of place as any to figure that out) and those that have years of teaching behind them.  I can say all of us learned something.

So good news.. I passed with a 95% on the written and a 92% on the shooting.  I was hoping to do a bit better on the range, but I was exhausted after SHOT show and had brain overload on everything I had just learned in the last 3 days.   I will take the 92%.