AAR: Dean Caputo AR Diagnostics and Pat Rogers Carbine Operators

[Gutshot John]

I can't say enough about the 5 days of training over the past week. Thanks to JFreuler for putting on an excellent in-depth program on the AR system. Likewise thanks to all the dealers and manufacturers who were so generous. Especially Bravo Company, LaRue and Magpul. I got to try a lot of gear and several magazines.

After having a rough start with the airline on the way down, things got settled down and we started for two days in the classroom with Dean Caputo. History, ballistics, malfunctions, accessories etc... there was a thorough grounding in the AR system. Everyone should take this class if you shoot the AR and there were many people in attendance with decades of experience with the system. I'm still having to review and refresh the information. The class was not only comprehensive, it was also quite entertaining and gives you the benefit of a lot of real world experience and will pay for itself in terms of saving money on dead-ends.

The EAG Carbine class was excellent. Pat is not only an excellent shot, but he's an excellent teacher. There isn't much concern for "feelings" but then this is a class about fighting with a carbine. It is dangerous and safety violations were dealt with decisively. That being said he treats everyone in the class fairly. For such a large class, I felt that he was interested in making ME a better a shooter. He explained my deficiencies and told me how to correct them. Low and behold I shot a lot better. Shocking.

The first day we started in the classroom, to discuss the safety, the AR system and different pieces of gear selection. Pat took one of his carbines with an M4 Aimpoint and dropped it right on the optic from about 6'. No appreciable effect.

We started and ended each shooting day with a verification of zero. There was at least one case of a bad optic that kept losing zero, so it's something you might want to consider.

Class progressed fairly quickly from there. Positions, marksmanship, trigger control were assessed and critiqued. Malfunctions, immediate/remedial action were covered. Communication (malfunction, standing, reloads) were stressed to instill good habits. We also shot the "Navy Qualifier" as a baseline test. We shot approx 300-400 rounds.

The second day was significantly more intense with transitions, movement and the building blocks of a modified MEUSOC qualifier.

The third day built on the previous two and involved putting everything together. We also shot the AR one-handed which was pretty neat. I had to catch a plane so I left early, but maybe someone else can fill in the details from there.

I can't say enough about Pat and the AI Mike as instructors. They took the time to assess each individual shooter and offer coaching suggestions. There was no coddling but Pat gave a lot of motivation to shoot better. I will be going back for more, especially with Jeff hosting future classes I will be back down there again.

It was an excellent class, filled with good people. The cabins at Howell's Woods were quite nicely stocked with everything you need and provides a comfortable, clean and inexpensive stay while training. Just make sure you use Deep Woods OFF, you'll need it on the range.

[GLOCKMASTER]

Thanks John for getting this started. I have been extremely busy trying to catch up from the five days. Also thanks for cooking for us.

Dean Caputo conducted his M-16/AR-15 Operators Diagnostics Course September 27-28, 2008 in Smithfield, North Carolina at the Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center. This class was not an armorers course, but a course designed to give the end user the knowledge on how this weapon system works, what causes it to choke and how to properly diagnose the problem. Dean is a veteran law enforcement officer and firearms instructor. This experience shows in his teaching style and his knowledge of the topic being taught.

There were 27 students present which included two federal LE agents, a US Gov’t employee, several state and local law enforcement officers from different states, an engineer (who is also an NFA dealer), computer experts, lawyers (one who is a reserve police officer), and other liked minded people. Steve Lowitz the S&W LE sales rep for NC and Matt Swenson the Director of Public Safety Sales for Aimpoint also attended. Also in this class were a father and his thirteen year old son, who I might add was very well mannered and eager to learn from Dean. It is nice to see industry reps in the class learning about the products they sell.

For starters Dean is one of the best instructors I have ever had the pleasure to learn from in my twenty years of law enforcement. Dean carries his lesson plan in his head and he knows how to deliver it. He just uses his Power Point Program as a training aid to reinforce his lesson plan. Today I think to many instructors use the Power Point as the lesson plan and not the training aid it is suppose to be.

Dean started the class with the history of the AR platform. A lot of people found this very interesting as Dean was able to put some myths to rest. This was very interesting to me because after this part of the class I could see how we are coming full circle again with the piston guns.

Dean spent a lot of time covering the operation of the AR. Dean got very in depth here because there are a lot of people who think they know it and actually do not. I picked up on a tremendous amount of information here. Even though I have seen the animated cycle of operation program before, Dean really puts it into perspective by explaining every little part that has a place in the cycle of operation. This really comes into play when trying to diagnose problems.

Also during the class Dean covered preventative maintenance, proper lubrication and cleaning. He really gets deep into this part of the lesson plan which is very good. Dean really explains and hammers into your head that this weapon can run dirty, with proper lube, ammo, mags and having good quality parts in your rifle.

I would have to say the best part of the class was how to properly diagnose malfunctions and identify the parts or the source of the malfunction. This was worth its wait in gold and really opened my eyes.
We also reamed quite a few chambers with Ned Christiansen’s Chamber Reamer and we staked some gas keys with his Pocket MOACKS. I lost count on the number of chambers I reamed but I took a wheel barrow load of metal out of several. However there was a few that needed only a touch up. I added both of these tools to my armory range kit last year. Thanks Ned for making designing and making these tools.

Overall this is one of the best classes I have ever attended involving the AR platform.

I would like to say thanks to Bravo Company and LaRue for providing schwag to give the students. They really went out of their way for this class and I really appreciate their generosity.

My biggest thanks go out to Dean for coming all the way over to the right coast to deliver this information. Also thank you to all the students that attended. You all were very good company to spend two days with during this class.

Finally, thanks go out to Johnston Community College and the Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center for allowing us to have this class at their wonderful facilities. Some of the students stayed in the cabins that are on the property which allowed them to socialize after class.


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[GLOCKMASTER]

Students relaxing int he cabins after class.

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Dean performing his seventh inning stretch.:D

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Hey John look familiar. Thanks to the dude who picked the lock on John's cabin door.:p
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[GLOCKMASTER]

EAG Conducted a Carbine Operators Course in Smithfield NC, 29 Sept- 01 Oct 2008.
This was an open enrollment class, and typical in all respects as there were cops, military and average Joe’s (even including several Lawyers).

WX was typical NC, with heat, high humidity and threatening skies, but T1 was an excellent shooting day. T2 started cooler and more humid with a brief shower mid day, but finished up bright and clear. The WX on T3 held right up until appx 1430 when rain and T- storms came across.
The range was located at the Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center, part of Johnston Community College. The facility includes a pistol range with turning targets and a 400yd rifle range.
Also typical for NC was the plethora of crawlers and flying vectors who feasted hungrily on the assembled multitude.
Gear issues: Because the population ran across the full spectrum with professionals who train regularly and relatively new guys for whom this was a first of second class, there were more gear issues than normal.
Gloves are always an issue- at least for those who don’t normally shoot with them. One shooter had glove that- because of his hand configuration—were too loose. This caused him some grief, and he initiated some interesting attempts to fix the problem.
A reality is that in most classes, many will reconfigure their gear after T1. When doing our gear check on T1 is was apparent that several would have to change their kit to function.
One student wore a plate carrier (without plate, which in itself is kinda’ ghey), with two, three cell mag pouches, plus five 30 round glock mags, as well a glock knife, upside down on the vest. He also wore a subload with additional 30 rd glock mags and more M4 mags.
This student was not receptive to suggestions, but he wound up ditching the plate carrier later on T1as he came face to face with reality. He did switch the upside down glock knife to his new chest rig, as well as all of those 30 rd pistol magazines. He left a trail of magazines and other gear when going to prone or kneeling, with the end result that he stopped doing anything but standing, using his weight and other physical issues as an rationale..
You don’t have to be a stud to attend class, and some who attend have great physical issues and still do really well.
However, being obese and then overloading yourself in the hot sun is a sure fire path to the big dirt nap. In this case, this student was a safety violator on T2, and earned himself a slot on the NFE list.

We had some interesting ammunition issues. Two very hard shooting VA cops started keyholing on T2. They were running 11.5” bushamsters (yeah, I know) and we initially thought that they might have been shot out.
However, the ammunition acquired from their agency, loose packed and moly coated, also keyholed out of a 416. Using good ammo, the impacts in the target were round.
Another shooter had keyhole issues using Canned Heat, which went away when that ammo went away.
Of our 5 LWRCI guns, one started having some Type 2 malfunctions at the end of the last class. It ran fine on T1, but started again on T2. We replaced this gun with another, and will let the LWRCI guys look at it in FL at next weeks class.

This class was unusual in one respect. There were some very talented people from several walks of life in this class. The level of experience is may not always be the same, but the ability to interact with others who may be average earth people, cops, military or whatever is always a very good thing. It is also something that makes an open enrollment class fun. Good attitudes can bridge a lot of gaps, and create strong friendships.
Of course there are exceptions. Common sense should prevail, but sometimes doesn’t, and regardless of wants, needs or agenda, can backfire.
For example, when walking into a room full of cops and lawyers, when asked if you are a cop, the correct answer might not be “No- I can look at myself in the mirror in the morning”. This may be especially true if you are a blivet, have nipple piercings, and have difficulty walking more than a few feet at a time without exertion. And even more so if your agenda in life is to be confrontational with cops in the first place.
It may not be a good idea to start the class festooned with an upside down knife, multiple 30 rd glock magazines, multiple M4 magazines, and an inability to process information or have the stamina to function on a firing relay.
The problem is that the superior attitude can take a big shot in the butt when you have an ND on the line, in front of all of those people that you have an attitude with. And especially when we haven’t experienced an ND at class that hasn’t gone into a berm or a target in a lot of years- and then you do that in front of me.
That superior attitude can go right down the porcelain receptacle damn quick, and earn you a permanent spot on the NFE list.

Thanks to Mike for his hard work in keeping the class and the guns running. Thanks to Donna for her hard work in dealing with the admin issues- and there were a lot with this class.
Thanks as well to Jeff Frueler of the NC Highway Patrol and Howell Woods Environmental Learning Facility for hosting us. The onsite cabins were very good to go, and the facility was better than we expected. Jeff is a 3x student of ours, and has been to many classes. He runs an absolutely first class show, and he and his assistant- Jay January- are the right people to be in the NCHP Ordnance Section.
And of course special thanks to Larue Tactical, BravoCompany USA, TangoDown, Viking Tactics, Slip 2000, BlueForce Gear, H&K, Noveske, MagPul Tactical Springs and Aimpoint for continued and generous support.

We are fortunate to have such good friends in the industry. Mark Larue, who has been supplying us with optic mounts for students as a reward for shooting well (and also for replacing crappy mounts from other makers for those in need) for several years now also gives each shooter a bag containing a ‘dillo engraved with the EAG logo and “Pat Rogers Class of 2008”, Dillo Dust, hat and other goodies.
Paul Buffoni supplies a bag with one of his mags and a Lancer L5 mag, several bolt Upgrade Kits, Cap and mouse pad.
And MagPul provides each student with two PMAG’s.
That is a fair amount of useful equipment right at the beginning of the class, and we greatly appreciate that support. It helps us keep the students guns running, and cements the relationships within this industry.

Thanks Guys!
Cut and Pasted with permission of Pat Rogers

Fayetteville , NC SWAT Cop. One of the best shooters I have ever had the pleasure to train with. A very hard dude!!
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[GLOCKMASTER]

The man, the myth, the legend with some of his bling, bling on.:cool:
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A NG Capt. and two SWAT Cops from Harrisonburg, VA.
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The start of another well thought out drill.

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Jay shooting on the move.
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[GLOCKMASTER]

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The one who was removed from the class for the ND.

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[Hootiewho]

I made it out to the Caputo class before Pat rolled into town and Dean Caputo has forgotten more about the M4/AR15/M16 weapon system than most will ever know. Anyone who puts training and knowledge before buying toys and has not been to a Caputo class yet owes it to themselves to get out and make it to one of his classes. You will cut through years of figuring out stuff on your own from what he teaches in 2 days, especially diagnosing malfunctions. For what he charges for a class, it is a great value and he should probably charge more.

Jeff did a great job of getting this class together, and although it was a long drive up there it was worth it. I just hate I wasn't able to stay for Pat's class.

[GLOCKMASTER]

Pat giving instruction during a school circle session.

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[Hootiewho]

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On second though, I am kinda glad I didn't make it out to Pat's class. Damn, at least his pants stayed up. +1 for Wilderness Belts.:eek:

[Gutshot John]

Hey John look familiar. Thanks to the dude who picked the lock on John's cabin door.:p
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Yep...I learned all kinds of crazy stuff that week.

Thanks again Jeff...I look forward to the next class and this time I'll drive. :cool:

[GLOCKMASTER]

Yep...I learned all kinds of crazy stuff that week.

Thanks again Jeff...I look forward to the next class and this time I'll drive. :cool:

John considering how your trip started, you had a great attitude and you took it a lot better than I would have.

Again thanks for cooking. :)

[GLOCKMASTER]

I made it out to the Caputo class before Pat rolled into town and Dean Caputo has forgotten more about the M4/AR15/M16 weapon system than most will ever know. Anyone who puts training and knowledge before buying toys and has not been to a Caputo class yet owes it to themselves to get out and make it to one of his classes. You will cut through years of figuring out stuff on your own from what he teaches in 2 days, especially diagnosing malfunctions. For what he charges for a class, it is a great value and he should probably charge more.

Jeff did a great job of getting this class together, and although it was a long drive up there it was worth it. I just hate I wasn't able to stay for Pat's class.

Chad thank you and thanks for coming to the class. It was nice to see you again and I hope to see you again in the future.

Keep your eyes open for future classes to be held at this facility.;)

[scooterp]

Jeff, great job with the classes. Dean is a fun instructor. We learned a lot about the rifle as a system, not just how to keep them running. Good mix of like minded people. I enjoyed putting faces with names of several people from this and other boards. I look forward to training with you again.

Scott

[GLOCKMASTER]

Jeff, great job with the classes. Dean is a fun instructor. We learned a lot about the rifle as a system, not just how to keep them running. Good mix of like minded people. I enjoyed putting faces with names of several people from this and other boards. I look forward to training with you again.

Scott

Thanks Scott.

With these two classes I learned a lot about hosting a class. Future classes will only get better.;)

[Gutshot John]

John considering how your trip started, you had a great attitude and you took it a lot better than I would have.

I mostly give you the credit for that. I thought my head was going to explode but I didn't want to look like a schmuck.

Thank you very much Jeff for all the hard work and flexibility you showed. I appreciate your help and support in getting to and from the class. It was really nice of J. to give me a ride back.

I'm be proud to cook anytime for you guys. It was a wonderful experience in getting a chance to meet, socialize and basically live with these guys for a week. Everyone was really just cool. I loved Fayetteville SWAT pulling up with "Rage Against the Machine" blaring out of the speakers...and quoting South Park at the drop of a hat. "No Kittee".

The high speed guys (LEO and Mil) were always more than willing to talk and give advice to those of us without their credentials and really just hang out. These are the people we trust our lives to, and I was proud to see that this trust is not misplaced. Their quiet, confident, bearing inspired a lot of confidence.

I was amazed at the number of real trigger-pullers, with plenty of ELITE training under their belt, who got a lot out of the class. It provided an example to aspire to, and the realization that I need to take THIS class at least once and probably twice more. It also speaks to the quality of the material covered.

That Pat took as much of an interest in us as he did them speaks to his teaching philosophy. I've taken lessons from some excellent shooters, but not all of them can teach.

[Battlepack]

What happened with the ND?

[Citpitch02]

While conducting a shooting on the move course of fire Fat Bastard caught some hot brass down the back of his shirt from a very squared away Marine Major who thank goodness has excellent SA and realized since he was next to said Fat Bastard he should give him a couple of steps. Fat Bastard then begins to flail around like someone poured boiling water down his back, all the while keeping his extremely fat digit on the trigger! End result = ND in the ground about 6 inches in front of his target!

Pat had the foresight to be standing behind this scumbag when the incident occured, for some reason he just had a feeling he may have some issues shooting and walking since he couldn't shoot while stationary either! Pat took care of the situation by promptly punting said A-hole out the class, earning him a place on the NFE list!

I give the Major and Pat a lot of credit for handling the situation as they did. I happened to be about three firing positions away when this occurred. Had I been closer I cannot say I would have handled it as gracefully!

[taliv]

I also thoroughly enjoyed these classes. It was my 2nd EAG carbine class and I'm definitely planning to attend more.

The aforementioned Marine Major was pretty impressive to watch, as was the Fayetteville guy who took top shooter (guy in first pic of Jeff's post). I watched intently as the latter shot both the graded drills. His muzzle control on a short-barrel with FS was better than most guys with brakes and compensators.


I also want to express my thanks to blue force gear, magpul and Bravocompany for all the goodies. They came in very handy!

thanks to Jeff and Pat and Mike, too!

[MTR7]

Just wanted to chime in. As normal it was a great class. I never cease to be amazed at the quality of folks I meet at the classes. One student and I were in another class last fall. Great to see him again, a quality guy. As to Pat and Mike helping the invidual student who may be a bit below the SWAT/ instrauctor/ Marine WTB level. I have felt atht no materr who I was in a class with I received lots of individual attention and coaching (some times too much..). Pat and Mike do a great job of keeping every one moving along as a group, but also progresing as inviduals. I am addticted to the Qual Course, and miss it every day. Great guys, sans one, huge mean ass bugs. Well organized, Jeff great job.

Regards
MTR7, AKA Matthew R.

[Ruffbo]

Just wanted to say I had a great time shooting with you guys. I really appreciate the support provided by Bravo Company, LaRue, Magpul, Lancer, NCSHP Jeff Frueler and EAG Pat Rogers and AI Mike. I took home some good shooting drills and knowledge for our team here in Fayetteville. We had a blast. If we can do anything for you, let us know. In addition, I wanted to give props to the non LEO/Mil guys in the class in their quest to learn how shoot, fight, and maintain their weapons system properly by taking this course and courses like this. As we all know, there are some irresponsible gun owners out there who have more money than common sense and don't get the proper training or just don't listen. We all saw one that got canned. RIGHT ON PAT!!!

PEACE OUT!!


Sgt M. Ruff
FPD ERT