Tactical Response - Fighting Pistol Oct 31 - Nov 1 AAR

This was a quick writeup I did specifically for GetOffTheX.com Forums, but I thought I'd share it with you guys. I REALLY got a lot out of it and it happen to be one of the best weekends I've had, EVER. I will add more details if anyone is interested. Thanks for reading!

I came across Tactical Response by a fluke. I had an opportunity to watch the Fighting
Pistol DVD about a year prior to this class, and I found myself asking why I
wasn't prepared to protect myself and my family. I figured it was time to act, and that's when
I found out Tactical Response was in Camden, Tennessee. I happen to be from Nashville, and at
that point I thought it was a door opening in my face that I'd be stupid not to enter. I have
had no shooting experience other than a few shots here and there with years in between them. I
have never owned a gun, and never had anyone to teach me about hunting, self protection,
fighting, or target shooting. I am thankful that I am building a solid foundation consisting
of a wise mindset, tactics that work, skills (to be added to my toolbox), and gear that does
not malfunction.

There were 12 of us, and it was a real Oregon Trail-mix of people. A surgeon, a computer
guy/EMT, contractors, a principle/cover model, a Marine, and more of course that I'm leaving
out not that I don't love them all. I saw names on guns like H&K (cough), Sig, Kimber, S&W,
Glocks - My 19, the one alumnus's 19, a 22 and 23 (i think) a 17L (this cat was shooting the same
hole in his target all damn day).

As soon as I got to the gear shop on day 1, I had some XS Big Dots put on my Glock 19
(thank you very much Allen), I figured I didn't hardly have any experience shooting with stock
sights I may as well switch now, and I'm very glad I did. I'll never go back either because my
sight picture is acquired much faster now.

The classroom lectures were really a treat. I have been in school my entire life sans a
few infant years (I'm 22), and I know a good teacher when I see one, and there happened to be
a few at Tactical Response. Jay and Brian kicked us off in class on Halloween morning Oct. 31,
2009. The lectures were brilliant even though I have seen Fighting Pistol DVD more than a
couple times. There's nothing like being in the class yourself, asking questions yourself, and
taking notes and letting the information sink in. There is a LOT of information given, and it
would have been completely foreign to me without the Fighting Pistol DVD. Then again without
the DVD, there would be no class for me. Redundancy is the only way I can see this stuff being
imprinted in your head for quick recall emergency use. Buy the DVD, then take the class. I
simply lucked out on this order of operations. James finished us up in class on Day 2 in class
for 3 hours before range time. I learn more every time I listen to the guy. Redundancy is the
key to learning this stuff, and is the key to memory recall under stress. I got most out of
the mindset lectures.

After class it was off to the range. I have been waiting on a Raven Concealment holster
and mag pouch for about 5 weeks, and of course it didn't come in time for Fighting Pistol, but
that was no problem. I just got my ass to Camden and the rest was really smooth as can be. I
borrowed a Blade Tech OWB. I didn't tell anyone, but that was the first holster I'd ever put
on. When I practiced my draw stroke that I learned from the DVD it was always with an "Air
Holster", and I'm telling on myself now so that you dip****s out there will stop thinking you
have to get to a certain point in your gear knowledge or "get better" before you go to
Tactical Response. I'm not saying show up without half the gear list because you can't afford
it, but I'm also not saying put off the class for a year or two because you need that one last
piece of gear. Build your house on the rock, not the sand.

The instructors really showed their talent for teaching on the range. Safety was put
first; it was well explained in class and translated well to the range. New shooters are going
to do unsafe things myself included. Tim, Jay, and Brian were all on their "A-game" spotting
the screw ups, and they really kept their cool even in the most opportune times to chew the
hell out of somebody. I got excellent feedback from all three of them, in all the drills we
did. You will do things at Tactical Response that are not available at other places. I can't
tell you how privileged I feel to have started at this point rather than have to fix years and
years of screwing up fundamentals of shooting and fighting. A perp is not stuck behind the
rules of a range master when he whips out a gun on you; why should I be constrained in my
training!? Things that I really improved on were grip, sight picture, drawing, and I'd say the
thing I may hold on to the most out of the practical portion of Fighting Pistol is getting off
the damn X. It is MORE important to MOVE than to MAKE SHOTS if there's a choice between the
two because when you stop, you're dead. It makes perfect sense when you analyze it; dead is
bad, alive is good.

Some of my favorite time spent was just hanging out chatting. I stayed in the Team Room,
and it was like home. I can't thank James Yeager enough for letting us stay in his house. I
don't know if I'd be an alumni if that wasn't a part of the training experience. Staying in
the team room is something I look forward to doing again and again... truly a life-changing experience.

I'm glad you learned something from your training. You have opened a can of worms, though, in all probability. There seems to be some...consternation...over at least one of the training videos I have seen. May I suggest CIS in your area as another school to visit in your area? I have heard some great things about their courses and intend to seek out some training there myself.

As for this thread...

Background please? I'm not familiar with them. I'm sure others of us would like to know as well.

There are instructor bios etc on their .com. Youtube Tactical Response as well.

Good write up. Regardless of people's opinions, glad you got something out of the class and see the need for additional training. Keep it up!

Well, since everyone else is weighing in without having looked the man in the eye..... I'm the gunfighter I am today partially because of Yeager, and I'm thankful for him.

Originally Posted by Smith

and it begins................

Originally Posted by SureShot308

LOL, any bets on how long it takes?

Ok... this really needs to stop. I admit that I am not a fan of James Yeager but this forum is a TOPIC ORIENTED forum and these comments are completely off-base and ruin the value of the thread itself.

Let's focus on the fact that the original poster went out and got additional training. That's more than probably 99% of HCP holders in Tennessee do.


PS: I am particularly disturbed that some of the participants in this melee were moderators. Come on, guys. Thread hi-jacking? In a topic oriented forum? NOT cool.

I'm interested in what the round count was for this training. I'd also like to know what made the team room such a great part of the course.

I like the idea of additional "training"...its also on the Christmas list. Good write up...

Originally Posted by TGO David

Ok... this really needs to stop. I admit that I am not a fan of James Yeager but this forum is a TOPIC ORIENTED forum and these comments are completely off-base and ruin the value of the thread itself.

Let's focus on the fact that the original poster went out and got additional training. That's more than probably 99% of HCP holders in Tennessee do.


PS: I am particularly disturbed that some of the participants in this melee were moderators. Come on, guys. Thread hi-jacking? In a topic oriented forum? NOT cool.

I disagree. I think they are entirely on base. It is part of Yeager's background history etc. Regardless of what he "teaches" it is/will always be influenced by his professional history which, he basis his teaching on. At least the parts he likes.

That being said glad the OP got what he thinks is good stuff.