I apologize for not posting any pictures with my AAR. I had my hands, I mean hand, full during this course and lacked the ability to take any pictures.
COURSE
Aim Fast, Hit Fast Poconos, PA May 8-9, 2009
Let me start off by saying, if you ever have the opportunity to take a course or some form of training with an ailment (provided it can be done safely without further harm to yourself or others) DO IT! I shot this entire course strong-hand only (without painkillers since oxycodone and firearms are not a good combination) as a result of three fractures to my weak-hand wrist. Could I have backed out and sat at home nursing my wounds? Yes. But would I have experienced a challenge that really pushed me outside my comfort zone? No. I’m not making this statement looking for applause or self-gratification. The reality of the situation is when something goes down, we are most likely going to have to deal with less than ideal conditions. Why train any other way when the opportunity presents itself?
Aim Fast, Hit Fast is not a beginner’s course; I would classify it as strong intermediate. And as John previously commented, it is also not a tactics/fighting course but a shooting course. As the title preludes, Aim Fast, Hit Fast is about blending speed with accuracy.
After the paperwork (Hmm, I wonder if Todd ever went to law school?) and a safety review was completed, TD1 began with some simple marksmanship drills at different distances and the first of four FAST tests. Our performance was evaluated to see where the class stood as a whole. From there we moved on to drills to build on our marksmanship skills, or lack of. Other drills included building speed without sacrificing accuracy and press outs. TD1 ended with dinner at the club house for those that stuck around. I left with a sense of accomplishment, clarity on where I needed to improve, and two aching wrists. Shooting 700 or so rounds within eight hours with your strong hand only really starts to take its toll.
TD2 focused on strong and weak hand only shooting, as well as shooting on the move and shooting from cover. We also did the infamous Dot Torture drill. I really wish I could had done that drill again. Going into TD2, I think a lot of the class was worried about the strong and weak hand only shooting. From what I could see, I think everyone did better than they had originally expected, especially when the slowed down. TD2 also provided drills with heightened stress and that made you react quickly. Imagine have a course of fire laid out only to be told immediately before the buzzer that you had to make all shots from your weak hand only. For my stress inducer, I had to sit in a chair like I was handicap or something. TD2 ended with the final FAST test and graduation.
We had a team drill each day that was very interesting and extremely fun. (Sorry, no spoilers here.) While this course wasn’t about leadership or team-building, I could certainly see these drills being used in military and LE training. Aside from the “team-building” aspect, the drills mixed healthy competition, thinking on your feet, and stress. The team drill on TD2 was a hoot!
Instructor – Todd Louis Green
Todd is an outstanding instructor. His vast experience and jovial character bring the right balance of professionalism and humor that promote a progressive, instructional, and fun experience. He is respectful of others practices but provides sound and constructive critique without stepping on the receiver’s toes. He kept the drills rolling and paid only enough attention to those that fell behind the curve to maintain safety and provide some criticism. I really appreciated that he provided me with input despite me being a “gimp” while not obstructing the fast-paced nature of the course. Todd also readily provides input, recommendations, and stories based on his experiences. I know that he definitely kept me engaged and motivated.
Favorite Instructor Comment: “Man, I’ll help load your mags, but if you’re going to jerk-off during the course, I’m going to have to shoot you.” – Todd Green to me as I was trying to adjust my belt one-handed.
Class
The class was a great group of 14 guys (minus one on TD2). Experience varied from a few guys who have only been shooting a few months to seasoned competitors and a very skilled LEO. The handgun platforms were a varied mix, and as Spence mentioned, included M&Ps, Glocks, Sigs, two 1911s, an XD, and a Beretta 92. I don’t think anyone had any major problems with their guns, even though Todd tried to put a voodoo hex on the 1911s. Overall, you could see an improvement in the class’s speed and accuracy.
On a personal note, I would like to thank everyone who helped me keep may mags topped off and who were willing to help me out when and where needed. I am greatly appreciative and indebted to you.
LOCATION
Facilities
The course was held at Blue Ridge Cherry Valley Rod and Gun Club near Stroudsburg, PA. I had no problem finding the range and highly recommend using GPS coordinates; they got me to the front gate with no problem. The handgun range was a little small compared to what I am used to, but there was plenty of room given the drills and class size.
Host
Kevin hosted the course, and what can be said other than he did an excellent job. Heck, the guy even made us T-Bone steaks for dinner. I think it was John Frazer who stated the Kevin is the “host with the most.”
Kevin, thanks for the great job and for filling our stomachs!
PERSONAL GEAR
Firearm
I shot my S&W M&P9 kitted with Bowie Tactical operators and the
JohnO DIY High-Viz front sight treatment. There were no mechanical issues except for one FTF which was the result of a clump of dirt being in the magazine. I ran my Crimson Trace grips (with the laser off) and had I really thought of it, I should have changed the grip size to small to provide a fuller one-handed purchase. I was really happy with the M&P9’s performance, especially shooting it strong-hand only. --Added: The M&P9 was dirty going into the course (about 3,000 rounds) and was not cleaned during the course. The only maintenance was a little lube at the end of TD1--
Magazines
I used ten (10) S&W 17-round magazines. Some were 1st gen (both black and gray followers) and 2nd gen which were equally rotated throughout both TDs. No issues with the mags except for the clump of dirt I mentioned above. This really wasn’t the magazine’s fault. The amount of self-inspection was lacking on my part since others loaded my magazines for me.
Holster & Magazine Carriers
For this course I used Comp-Tac’s belt holster and magazine carriers. I had no problems with them. The holster saw significant abuse as all my reloads were done from the holster. If anything, I should have lightened the tension a little on the mag carriers. The tension was a little on the heavy side, especially for the angle my strong-hand pulled the magazines at. It definitely felt slower but was not detrimental.
Ammunition
I used Remington UMC 115gr. 9mm. My total round count was 1,237 for the two days. I didn’t think to count at the end of TD1. My count is most likely higher than others as I participated on both lines for several drills. No ammo related problems whatsoever with the UMC, and it was all from the same lot.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
AFHF was an excellent course and I had a great two days. I didn’t shoot near as well as I had hoped or am accustomed to. I would like to blame that on a combination of the pain from the wrist fractures and shooting strong-hand only, but when I really think about it, there are no excuses. In a real-life SHTF situation, there are no excuses… either you survive or you die.
Some of the lessons learned: I need to SLOW down. I need to concentrate on the front sight and work the trigger during press outs. Mind over matter is really true. Murphy is present even afterwards at your hotel. (There was a wedding reception with plenty of attractive chicks in attendance and it was ladies’ night at the hotel’s bar/club… Where was I? Back in my room taking painkillers and sleeping. The chicks would have loved my pink medical wrap!)
While I may not have earned a FAST challenge coin, Todd did cut my T-Bone steak for me, which I consider a close second!
In Spence’s AAR, he made it sound like he can’t shoot worth crap. Spence is actually a great shooter (provided he doesn’t stand rigidly upright). I know you gave Todd back his $20, but I think you owed him more than that!
I would highly recommend this AFHF to anyone who has some other courses and/or competitions under their belt and is looking to further build their accuracy at speed. I am without doubt going to take this course again once I am all healed up. Maybe I’ll even try to host… how does AFHF Hollidaysburg, PA sound?
Thanks to Todd, Kevin, Spence, John, and all my other classmates!
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