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STTU ADVANCED TACTICAL FIREARMS TRAININGINTRODUCTION Advanced tactical training forms the backbone of many STTU programs. However, we have found that tactical training (Raids/SWAT/HRT) is of little or no value if the agents and officers involved lack safe weapons handling skills or a high degree of shooting ability. To this end, STTU has developed several lecture and range programs designed to meet the operational and training needs of federal agents, patrol officers, investigators, firearms instructors and special operations teams. The STTU shooting techniques are based on many years experience in combat competition, advanced tactical training and actual operations. They are under constant review and periodically up-dated to stay abreast of modern technology, weapons development and the changing needs of the special operations community. All STTU programs are designed by, and come under the direct control of the Training Director, Mark Lonsdale. Lonsdale is an FBI trained and certified Police Firearms Instructor, has taught at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and has been the driving force behind the Training & Studies Group for the past 20 years. He has also ranked amongst the US Top Ten in combat shooting and represented the United States on an international level. COURSE OVERVIEW The STTU firearms programs vary in intensity and duration from 8-hour basic seminars to the more demanding 40 to 80 hour instructor level programs. Programs are structured and modified to meet the time, budget and training requirements of the host agency. Each firearms program is a balance of academic and practical exercises. In the classroom, the theories of modern tactical shooting are reviewed through lecture, demonstration and STTU's unique audio-visual training aids. On the range, the shooters are taken through a carefully structured training progression from basic shooting up to more advanced skills. Training is intense, but at no time is safety sacrificed for speed nor are the needs of the slow learner neglected. Trainees will find the lectures dynamic and academically stimulating. The range will be run efficiently so there will be no wasted time, no waiting on the instructors and more than enough trigger time to develop the necessary skills and muscle memory for fast, accurate shooting. ADVANCED HANDGUN PROGRAM Even with the introduction of shotguns and submachine guns into civilian law enforcement, the handgun remains the primary weapon of most police officers and federal agents, and an important back-up for special operations personnel. The handgun is also the weapon that is most difficult to master, therefore STTU programs place significant importance on attaining a high degree confidence in the individual’s personal handgun shooting ability. Experience has taught us that there is no substitute for intensive initial handgun training, supported by lesser amounts of frequent practice. Weapons familiarity, safety, confidence and ability can only be achieved through competent instruction, adequate range time and supervised disciplined shooting. The STTU Advanced Handgun Program is usually a 4 day course (however one, two and three day condensed programs are also available). Subjects covered include:
FIREARMS INSTRUCTOR PROGRAMS STTU's Firearms Instructor Program is an intense 40-80 hour program that places heavy emphasis on not only demonstration level shooting ability, but more importantly, solid communication and teaching skills. (We have spent too many years watching new shooters get frustrated by their own in-house instructors who are neither professional educators nor good communicators). Instructor candidates will cover everything in the STTU Basic and Advanced Firearms Programs, plus learn how to teach these courses. Apart from handgun training, they will be exposed to all the weapons available to law enforcement in the United States. Firearms instructors can no longer simply run the range from the control booth in the old "Ready on the firing line!" manner. In addition to rangemastering, they must be teachers, trainers, record keepers, resident weapons experts, armorers and program administrators. They must become professional educators with a sincere interest in turning out good shooters. Instructor trainees will be given a series of graded lecture and teaching assignments throughout the program. They will be evaluated on shooting ability, demonstration level weapons handling, program development, speaking ability, knowledge and leadership. All participants will receive a certificate of completion, but may not be certified as instructors unless they can demonstrate an acceptable standard of both shooting and teaching ability. In addition to the material covered in the STTU Advanced Handgun Program, and many hours of shooting, instructor trainees will be taught:
INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS The Instructor Development Programs are for certified Military, Police and Federal Firearms Instructors wishing to expand their knowledge and training methods. Part of these programs, called "How to be an Effective Instructor", was developed at the request of one federal agency after their firearms instructors had gone through an STTU Advanced Handgun Program. They were so impressed by Lonsdale's training and range procedures that they felt all their instructors would benefit from additional classes in this area. This program was run at FLETC-West. All to often, individuals become designated "Instructors" without ever being good educators let alone competent shooters. A firearms instructor does not need to be a nationally ranked shooter, but he or she should have demonstration level gun handling skills and the ability to communicate clearly. The STTU Instructor Development Programs can be one, two or three day programs, drawing on material from the Advanced Handgun and Firearms Instructor Programs. Instructors are given the opportunity to study the STTU training materials, shooting exercises, range procedures and teaching methods in a structured but informal manner. These are very much hands-on programs where shooters learn and improve by doing. Participants will also be given classroom and range teaching assignments that will be open to evaluation and discussion by the group. The emphasis again is on demonstration level gun handling and good communication skills. Be assured that Certified Firearms Instructors will learn many techniques and training methods that they will want to incorporate into their own programs. SPECIAL WEAPONS PROGRAM Many agencies have certified firearms instructors who are very familiar with basic and advanced handgun training, but less familiar with other weapons systems. To fill this void, STTU offers several custom programs designed to certify users in submachine guns, shotguns, assault rifles, sniper rifles and stun munitions. Each program varies in duration depending on current levels of training and the number of agents to be certified. Time requirements are also dependent on the host agency’s need for basic familiarization, advanced tactical or instructor level programs. CONCLUSION There are several reasons that military and law enforcement administrators should seriously consider an STTU firearms program for their agency. One of the most significant is budget. By utilizing qualified contract training services, the agency saves on the recurring costs of maintaining a full time, in-house training staff. Other factors are:
NOTE All training is by contract to the host agency. Please make all training requests on official agency letterhead. We do not have training for individuals or civilians. Agencies or associations are encouraged to plan ahead and contact us early in the year. |