Becoming a Firearms Instuctor

[vdegani1]

I recently was able to teach a buddy from work how to shoot my rifle and his newly purchased pistol. This made me relize again how rewarding it is to teach someone to use a firearm and i want to start doing it as a profession. I found the Pheonix Univeristy online course for firearms instruction but i wanted to hear from other instructors on how they obtained their certification. Im a Marine Infantry NCO before my EAS so I have the background knowledge to do this effectively but it seems like these days everyone says that. So i wanted to actually become certified to give students the confidence that the training they will recieve is legit. So what do you all think i posted the link i was looking at below but if you have better courses i want to hear about them. Thanks for your time.

http://www.instructorlicense.com/gradfeedback.html

[Iraq Ninja]

Stay away from Phoenix State University... a bunch of BS.
An online course with no range time instruction?

If you really feel like you need certification, start with the NRA courses.

Paul Howe runs a great pistol and carbine instructor course. I think LAV has one too.

[Skintop911]

Begin with the NRA and the various programs they offer. Especially if "certification", and all that it entails, means something to you.

Thereafter, attend additional training in instruction and adult learning. Add additional training from every instructor you can find, and repeat the best courses often.

[Steve in PA]

Go the NRA route. While not the "ultimate" instructor course, it is widely accepted.

[HowardCohodas]

http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/instructor.asp

Originally Posted by NRA

Since 1871, a major objective of the National Rifle Association has been to provide education and training in the safe and proper use of firearms.

Today, that objective is being fulfilled through the NRA Basic Firearm Training Program. There are 11 different courses in the program being taught throughout the nation by NRA Certified Instructors. NRA Instructors also teach the three-hour FIRST STEPS Orientation Program (rifle, pistol, and shotgun) to introduce new shooters to a particular firearm model.

Instructors provide an invaluable service in their communities by training hundreds of thousands of individuals annually. As firearm and shooting activities expand, and more Americans choose to exercise their right to carry a firearm, so too grows the need for these courses.

You can be the vital element in meeting this need by becoming an NRA Certified Instructor and conducting NRA Basic Firearm Training Courses. As an instructor, you can experience the personal satisfaction of teaching others the basics -- the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will lead to a lifetime of safe, enjoyable and successful involvement in firearm and shooting activities.

The NRA is looking for new instructors who enjoy working with people, want to share their firearm knowledge and skills with others, and are willing to make a commitment to teach NRA training courses in their communities.

[C4IGrant]

Going the NRA route is certainly a good idea. Having a .Mil background will also help you I think.

I would suggest taking some advanced shooting schools from people like Vickers and Hackathorn to get a better idea of some of the pro's are doing.

I teach carbine, pistol and low light (all basic) at the local gun club for FREE. This is a good way to get your name out there and actually see if you like dealing with a large groups of new shooters.

Good luck.


C4

[rob_s]

Originally Posted by Skintop911

Begin with the NRA and the various programs they offer. Especially if "certification", and all that it entails, means something to you.

Thereafter, attend additional training in instruction and adult learning. Add additional training from every instructor you can find, and repeat the best courses often.

Exactly this.

You need to build a base in certifications, especially ones that are likely to be productive or helpful to your prospective students. In Florida, for example, an NRA certified instructor is good for the requirements for CCW, and it would be a good idea to be certified to teach the "G" security license needed for armed security.

In the not-to-distant past the path to becoming a self-sufficient instructor was through teaching at Gunsite for awhile to build your cred. With a war on, and lots of guys returning looking to avoid the 9-5, there are a lot of folks looking to short-circuit that type of process.

Additionally, learning how to teach is as important as learning what to teach, and understanding that 40 year old accountants and lawyers aren't going to respond the way that 19 year old recruits do is key. Yes, there is a certain "outward bound" mentality that wants to be yelled at but by and large the open-enrollment market isn't going to go in for that crap.

[CarlosDJackal]

The NRA Basic Instructors Training (BIT) is a great way to get your feet wet as well as your creds. The methods they teach are very applicable not just to Firearms Training, but also other venues.

From there you can get your certification in other disciplines.

Good luck!!

[Skintop911]

Originally Posted by rob_s

Additionally, learning how to teach is as important as learning what to teach, and understanding that 40 year old accountants and lawyers aren't going to respond the way that 19 year old recruits do is key. Yes, there is a certain "outward bound" mentality that wants to be yelled at but by and large the open-enrollment market isn't going to go in for that crap.

So important, that it bears repeating.

Learning how to effectively transmit information to students cannot be shortcut. One can attend every HSLD course in the world, and have great technical proficiency, but if they can't deliver the info to the target audience they are of little use.

I know SWAT studs and combat vets that have great skill and extensive experience in doing what they do, but are terrible instructors even in the arenas they serve.

[Farva]

Paul Howe is going to be releasing a book on this subject soon.

[Blake]

It is also important note that there are many, probably several on this board, that want to see specific credentials from instructors. Like special operation background, LE Firearms instructor, SWAT member/instructor, gun fight survivor...etc. That isn't to say that others can't be great instructors, but it is a fact that many out there, want guys that have "been there and done that". I think that one can be a great instructor without being a legendary gunfighter. However, there are limits to what some would take as gospel from those that are not from certain backgrounds. In the end, I think, there are great shooters that can do a great job of teaching the basics of safety, gun handling, and shooting. I am not an instructor and I don't play one on the weekends, but I know that I could offer up some fairly decent advice to a beginner, based on the fact that I have had a some different experiences of formal training. I think there are many guys out there who have taken a decent amount of quality training, that could instruct to particular groups.

[vdegani1]

Thanks for the responses. I didnt have a warm and fuzzy about the Pheonix university course but i didnt know if anyone else had experience with them. But non the less im going to go the NRA route. My goal is to bring markmenship and weapons handling and safety to the ordinary citizen. Ive seen enough new AR owners at the range to realize that they could benefit from some instruction and may not be able to travel for the well know courses and instructors. I dont expect to make them all recon ninjas but i do want them to be able to handle the weapon effectively and for its purpose. Again thanks for your input.

V

[Iraq Ninja]

V,

At least your heart is in the right place.

I think we are seeing more people who are new to firearms in general, buying ARs as their first rifle. In the old days, people grew up shooting .22 rifles, BB guns, etc. Now they sit behind a keyboard or the Xbox. The new shooters are starting from scratch.

Reminds me of when I started to learn guitar. It was my first musical instrument. I had no idea what music theory was about. My friends who had learned piano already had that knowledge. I never paid for a guitar lesson. I learned from friends and from people who had a passion for music.

[signal4l]

Earn certification from LAV, Mr. Howe or Henk Iverson. Continue your education with more courses. Demonstrate the techniques you are attempting to teach while your students watch.

To many so called "instructors" have done nothing more than attend a 40 hour class that awards a certificate for being present and breathing air.

[Skintop911]

Originally Posted by vdegani1

Thanks for the responses. I didnt have a warm and fuzzy about the Pheonix university course but i didnt know if anyone else had experience with them. But non the less im going to go the NRA route. My goal is to bring markmenship and weapons handling and safety to the ordinary citizen. Ive seen enough new AR owners at the range to realize that they could benefit from some instruction and may not be able to travel for the well know courses and instructors. I dont expect to make them all recon ninjas but i do want them to be able to handle the weapon effectively and for its purpose. Again thanks for your input. V

V- Thank you for stepping forward and taking ownership in the future of the shooting sports. We all appreciate the help.

Parting thought: Find a good mentor who does the things you want to do, and who does them well. Emulate the good things about them, and mold your own methods around that positive influence. The value of a mentor can't be overstated.

With the understanding that very few people ever make a living wage as full-time instructors outside of salaried employees of the government ...

Step 1: Get NRA certification. It is relatively inexpensive and will make your life much easier. It's almost a necessity if you want to get liability insurance. Most importantly, unlike most classes you'll see being taught, NRA instructor certification programs actually address pedagogy rather than simply teaching shooting skills.

Step 2: Assist. Find NRA and CCW classes in your area and volunteer to help. Get some experience presenting information to students and diagnosing shooters. The most important part of this is you'll be exposed to a lot of mediocre shooters with incomplete or bad safety habits ... building up your 'range safety radar' is critical.

Step 3: Broaden your skills. Take classes from different instructors. Take notes ... not just about what they're teaching but how they teach. Pay attention to what they do well and what they do poorly. Practice a lot; becoming a good instructor means understanding the WHY of everything you do. WHY do you hold the gun that way? WHY do you manipulate the trigger a certain way? For many burgeoning instructors, getting involved in practical shooting events like IDPA, USPSA, and 3-Gun will (a) motivate them to practice more, (b) expose them to what a truly high-level shooter can do, and (c) provide a lot of range time and understanding of various approaches to group range safety.

At the local level, depending on your specific situation, the "market" for instructors may be bleak. At the range where I do most of my practice, the number of "will teach for food" type advertisements on the bulletin board goes up every day.

One last comment regarding the "background" issue that Blake brought up. If you are in this business long enough, you will meet six types of instructors:

• Been there, done that types who are excellent shooters and excellent teachers
• Been there, done that types who are excellent shooters but lousy teachers
• Been there, done that types who can neither shoot nor teach
• Never-been there, never-done that types who are excellent shooters and excellent teachers
• Never-been there, never-done that types who are excellent shooters but lousy teachers
• Never-been there, never-done that types who can neither shoot nor teach

You will also meet students who think scalps on the wall are the only indication of your worth as an instructor and you'll meet those who couldn't care less what your day job is (or was) as long as you teach them things that make them better ... and every shade of grey in between. The key is to stay in your lane and never lie or exaggerate about your background. Do those things and if you're good at what you do, students will show up at your doorstep.

Over the years, I've had a dozen or more students fill out a post-class critique with statements like "skills taught would be useful in competition but not in combat; needs LE experience to teach LE officers." To a man, this comment comes from guys with neither competition nor combat experience.

That's another important part of being an instructor. If nineteen cops (or other students) in a class are happy and have improved their shooting but one guy wants to shit in your wheaties, get over it. If only 95% of my students come back for additional training, I'll consider that a success.

[ZDL]

Originally Posted by ToddG

With the understanding that very few people ever make a living wage as full-time instructors outside of salaried employees of the government ...

Step 1: Get NRA certification. It is relatively inexpensive and will make your life much easier. It's almost a necessity if you want to get liability insurance. Most importantly, unlike most classes you'll see being taught, NRA instructor certification programs actually address pedagogy rather than simply teaching shooting skills.

Step 2: Assist. Find NRA and CCW classes in your area and volunteer to help. Get some experience presenting information to students and diagnosing shooters. The most important part of this is you'll be exposed to a lot of mediocre shooters with incomplete or bad safety habits ... building up your 'range safety radar' is critical.

Step 3: Broaden your skills. Take classes from different instructors. Take notes ... not just about what they're teaching but how they teach. Pay attention to what they do well and what they do poorly. Practice a lot; becoming a good instructor means understanding the WHY of everything you do. WHY do you hold the gun that way? WHY do you manipulate the trigger a certain way? For many burgeoning instructors, getting involved in practical shooting events like IDPA, USPSA, and 3-Gun will (a) motivate them to practice more, (b) expose them to what a truly high-level shooter can do, and (c) provide a lot of range time and understanding of various approaches to group range safety.

At the local level, depending on your specific situation, the "market" for instructors may be bleak. At the range where I do most of my practice, the number of "will teach for food" type advertisements on the bulletin board goes up every day.

One last comment regarding the "background" issue that Blake brought up. If you are in this business long enough, you will meet six types of instructors:

• Been there, done that types who are excellent shooters and excellent teachers
• Been there, done that types who are excellent shooters but lousy teachers
• Been there, done that types who can neither shoot nor teach
• Never-been there, never-done that types who are excellent shooters and excellent teachers
• Never-been there, never-done that types who are excellent shooters but lousy teachers
• Never-been there, never-done that types who can neither shoot nor teach

You will also meet students who think scalps on the wall are the only indication of your worth as an instructor and you'll meet those who couldn't care less what your day job is (or was) as long as you teach them things that make them better ... and every shade of grey in between. The key is to stay in your lane and never lie or exaggerate about your background. Do those things and if you're good at what you do, students will show up at your doorstep.

Over the years, I've had a dozen or more students fill out a post-class critique with statements like "skills taught would be useful in competition but not in combat; needs LE experience to teach LE officers." To a man, this comment comes from guys with neither competition nor combat experience.

That's another important part of being an instructor. If nineteen cops (or other students) in a class are happy and have improved their shooting but one guy wants to shit in your wheaties, get over it. If only 95% of my students come back for additional training, I'll consider that a success.

Not that I know anything about formal firearms instruction; that just sounds like a solid business plan all around. Well done.

[Blake]

Todd,

Those are excellent comments. I personally would train with anyone that could improve my current skill level. Of course I would most likely check with others to insure they are not teaching off the wall stuff. I'm not overly experienced, so there are a lot of people that can improve my skill level. In my opinion, the game changes a little, when the training involves gun fighting dynamics or particular tactics. I may choose to train with someone who has direct experience. I think some times people over think the resumes of instructors, but I don't think you should overlook the issue either.

It is not a prerequisite for me, but I have heard numerous people say, they will not train with someone who has not survived a gunfight/been in combat. This is not a requirement for me. It is nice, but not necessary. For a certain amount of classes, I believe this has no impact on the curriculum being taught.

I hope my comments above did not allude to the fact that you have to be a BTDT type of guy to teach a quality level of firearms instruction. As mentioned, just something that some look for. Especially with the level of special ops guys that have become involved with teaching in the last half decade.

[ZDL]

Originally Posted by Blake

Todd,

Those are excellent comments. I personally would train with anyone that could improve my current skill level. Of course I would most likely check with others to insure they are not teaching off the wall stuff. I'm not overly experienced, so there are a lot of people that can improve my skill level. In my opinion, the game changes a little, when the training involves gun fighting dynamics or particular tactics. I may choose to train with someone who has direct experience. I think some times people over think the resumes of instructors, but I don't think you should overlook the issue either.

It is not a prerequisite for me, but I have heard numerous people say, they will not train with someone who has not survived a gunfight/been in combat. This is not a requirement for me. It is nice, but not necessary. For a certain amount of classes, I believe this has no impact on the curriculum being taught.

I hope my comments above did not allude to the fact that you have to be a BTDT type of guy to teach a quality level of firearms instruction. As mentioned, just something that some look for. Especially with the level of special ops guys that have become involved with teaching in the last half decade.

Instructors who work to demystify the process are the ones people should be making checks out too. Does it follow whats natural for the human body under stress (if it's a defense class)? Is it heavily relying on gross motor skills over fine motor skills? etc. The personal defense world is heavily laden in false confidence and marketing really, re: what that actual product is, intended for, and will provide. Another thread.

I don't care what the instructor is capable of re: his own performance. I'm interested in what he can make me capable of. Therefor, in the general sense, I don't care what is in the instructors background. If they are effective communicators and educators, and the lesson plan is something I feel I can apply to my life/job then I'd gladly write a check. If they've been there done that... all the better. Because Todd or some other instructor can put holes in man sized targets with a .45 at a mile means jack shit to me from a student seeking instruction. Can he teach me to do it, is the question.

[KellyTTE]

Originally Posted by ToddG

You will also meet students who think scalps on the wall are the only indication of your worth as an instructor and you'll meet those who couldn't care less what your day job is (or was) as long as you teach them things that make them better ... and every shade of grey in between. The key is to stay in your lane and never lie or exaggerate about your background. Do those things and if you're good at what you do, students will show up at your doorstep.

Very well said. I'll add one thing to the whole 'You gotta be a BTDT to be a great teacher' theory. I've known some great martial artists and shooters over the years that were horrible instructors and some really quiet guys who you'd never hear about that could pass on what they knew consistently and repeatedly and the students often went on to bigger and better things.

Anyone who who Bela Karolyi is?

Nadia Comaneci's coach. I can pretty much guarantee that Mr. Karolyi was never a 13yo female gymnast but he has produced some of the most talented and amazing gymnasts ever seen.

Past experience ≠ good teaching ability or relevant coursework. All that it provides a particular frame of reference to that instructor which may, or may not be applicable to the student in question. The thing I hate the worst is the 'do it like me' dogma, and then when you mimic them, it turns to 'why do it like that, your mission/job/competition isn't my mission/job/competition.