Paying homage to those that have assisted me in my firearms training

Gratitude.

It’s not a word I would have link right next to teaching people about firearms. I’ve been a police officer for a lot of years and never looked at it that way, but perhaps I should have. I’ve had many people teach me and train me in various ways and there were a few that stood out over the rest.

I can picture their faces and recall their names as I’m writing this. They were the instructors that took the little extra time to work with me or other officers and assist them to come along with their training and improve their skills. I do recall looking on the training schedule and going to the range when a particular instructor or two would be there. Not because I thought they would be easy, it was because they would be thorough and challenge me. As a matter fact, I would challenge myself.

Usually as funding permitted, the police firearms training schedule would be two to three times per year and would encompass several days to accommodate all the different shifts and squads inherent in a medium sized police department. We would get our orders to report one of the days and go through the necessary process to qualify ourselves. If my schedule permitted, I would go everyday. At first I was looked at strangely by the Police Firearms Instructors. They would see me come back and thought I hadn’t qualified previously and had to do it all over again. Once I would tell them that I was there to get in more practice and training, I could see that some of them appreciated that. For me I was just challenging myself.

I’ve seen a few officers that weren’t very skillful with their firearms go to training and leave discouraged without anyone saying anything. The better instructors, would see that they were having trouble and would pull them aside and work with them individually.

Those are the men and women that I honor with this post. There assistance and help goes much farther than they will ever know. They personally inspired me to become and instructor. For all they’ve do and do, I salute them.

Until Next Time…,

Be Alert, Be Aware and BE SAFE!!

Blog Post by: Jeffrey Washington-Lead Firearms Instructor