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KellyTTE
10-28-09, 18:06
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MSG Howe explaining a technique at the range

On the advice of a couple of other shooters, I began searching last year for a person or company to help me formalize and streamline my pistol instructor qualifications. I'd never set out with the intention of becoming an instructor of any sort, but especially not pistol, since I've been a average pistol shooter at best and far more comfortable with a rifle. But one of the things that I came to realize is that a defining character trait of a mature person is a willingness to work on areas that you're NOT good at. Its hard to take a long look at what you don't do well and then make the decision to change that. It's a lot easier to say "I'm a stud at rifle/pistol/swords/whatever" and keep right on doing that because you look impressive. Anyhow, after examining several schools and instructors I made the decision to travel to Nacogdoches, Texas to attend CSAT & MSG Paul Howe's (RET) Tactical Pistol Instructors course.

I chose CSAT for several reasons. Firstly, MSG Howe's combat experience is extensive and verifiable. Not to mention that much of this experience was during his time in one of most storied Counter-Terrorism units in the United States. Second, over and over, MSG Howe's ability as an instructor is mentioned in various AAR's floating around the internet. Sure there are plenty of high-speed, low-drag guys with experience, but not all of them make good instructors. These two distinct facets lead me to believe that for what I needed to do, CSAT was the place to go. Now, About MSG Howe himself, there are some interesting words that spring to mind. Sublime. Subtle. Shrewd. Sensible. He is a wise, approachable and patient man all at once. He won't hold your hand, but if you have an honest question, he was always available to answer it. There was no flashy advertising. No brow beating. No chest pounding. Simply put, the man is a top tier example of a quiet professional. The entire experience from talking to MSG Howe down to even the facilities is an immersive learning experience, if your observant enough to take it all in.

The buildings themselves are pretty amazing, there is the main office and barracks which have 24 bunks (a steal at only 25.00 a night), microwaves (2), refrigerators (4), washing sinks (2), bathrooms (3), showers (3), a large classroom, a pro-shop (basically a candy store for gear junkies), a BBQ area out in the back, and a workout area. An interesting feature is that there are also 3 tac vests with soft & hard armor around the building for dry fire practice (rifle or pistol). Outside there is a large shed with 8 weapons stations and then there are the ranges. The ranges have a 100yd Law Enforcement range (24 target stations), a 100yd barricade and movement range (vehicles) with hanging steels (3x) and moving targets, a 20yd steel pistol range with 2 plate racks and a dueling tree, a 25yd pistol range (14 target stations), a 100yd rifle range with steel targets, a shoot house, and a 500+ yd precision rifle range. To say the facilities were top notch would be an understatement.


PROLOGUE

I arrived at the barracks at 15:00 and was met by another student and not long afterwards MSG Howe himself showed up. We were told to make ourselves at home and if we needed to, we could go get supplies. I got directions from Eric (MSG Howe's right hand man) and set off to find a grocery store. Not ten minutes later I ended up as the first responder on an automobile/motorcycle accident just a few blocks away from CSAT barracks. For you guys that haven't taken a tactical lifesaver course, where you learn to deal with trauma, you should get to it. You are far more likely to save a life with your med kit than you are with your gun. There were 7-8 people milling about without so much as a band-aid between them, so I slammed the car into park, popped the trunk and grabbed my med bag and ran to the scene (about 20yds), gloving up as I ran. The impact broke the motorcycle riders left ankle, and the bike being slammed on top of him broke his right elbow (I think) and right leg, plus he had a severe head laceration as well. The bike was hit hard enough to skid him and the bike about 30ft away from the impact point.



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Aftermath of the crash site 1/2

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Aftermath of the crash site 2/2


I had the onlookers help me restrain the rider as I got the bleeding under control and cut his twisted shirt/undershirt off (they were twisted up and choking him). I talked to him the entire time and generally kept things under control until the PD/FD/EMTs showed up. They ended up putting a neck brace on him and then placing him on a backboard for transport to the hospital. I don't think that he had any seriously fatal injuries and I'm not even sure that I 'saved' his life. But at least I kept him from hurting himself trying to move around and kept him alert and talking while 'real' help arrived. I learned a few things today as well. Hand sanitizer. I didn't have any, I do now. I also didn't have sanitizing wipes to clean off gear as I put it away, so I had to tear down the kit when I got back to CSAT to decontaminate it more thoroughly. Like any other critical incident, you'll fall back to your level of practice, not training, I should practice my medical techniques more often. Back at CSAT, MSG Howe listened to what happened and offered to give me a few pointers. He also replaced the items that I'd used up (the bandages, gauze, etc) and refused payment when I opened my wallet. He also helped me setup my aid kit in a more efficient manner. This initial time with MSG Howe gave me a good insight to how generous and open he is about any relevant training subject.


DAY: 1

We started out with a short classroom session. During this were given the buildings alarm codes, padlock combinations, and basically the keys to the CSAT kingdom. We traded introductions and learned a little about each other. There was a mix of LE, civilian PSD contractors, CCW instructors, gun store owners, a gent from The Wounded Warrior Foundation, and a sprinkling of civilian pistol owners. From that point we were told what each day would entail. Days 1-4 would be our skills development, and then days 5-6 would be us instructing new students under MSG Howe's watchful eye. The program itself is based on a simple series of 10 standards. To look at them at from an outside viewpoint, the standards seem almost too simple, nothing flashy, just a couple of single shots, a reload, some holster work, a malfunction drill, a single long range shot, etc. What's daunting at first is the time standards. As low as 1 second for some of them. But again, what seems simple is anything but. The standards are designed around a very simple framework of shooting situations that MSG Howe ran into over and over during his operational time. The simple fact is that it's better to be excellent at a handful of simple/fundamental techniques than to be mediocre at hundreds of marginally useful techniques. I won't go into details of the standards themselves for a few reasons. The biggest one being that MSG Howe prefers that they remain unpublished, mostly because it encourages people to practice them incorrectly on their own. We started with 16 Instructor candidates and we split into two teams of 8 to help with range logistics and to divide teaching duties.



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The week's schedule

The whole system scales easily upwards from range to sims to actual combat/tactical use. A lot of what you would see in other 'tactical pistol' classes is simply not present. Examples are shooting from supine or prone, extensive malfunction drills, etc. A lot of that comes back to MSG Howe's philosophy of taking ground aggressively and pressing forward. MSG Howe demonstrated each standard dry, live and live with time. Much like watching any artist work, he makes it look easy. Almost deceptively so. MSG Howe give you a lot of latitude, basically enough rope to hang yourself. He never browbeats you with 'do it my way'. He simply says "Well, I do it this/that way, but that's just me". After demonstrations, we practiced the standards for ourselves. We then ended the day with us shooting three of the standard drills, three times each while bring videoed.


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MSG Howe demonstrating a drawstroke

DAY: 2

We started out day two in the classroom again, this time being shown how we looked on video and MSG Howe pointing out where we could make changes to improve technique and where our current technique was failing us. From there we went back to the range to begin learning about modules, which are exercises outside of the standards to both help improve your performance on the standards themselves, while at the same time, the standards help improve your performance on the modules. During the modules we did some 'fun' things like shooting on steel at 80+ yards, precision hostage shots, movement drills and other useful learning tools. We also began shooting remedials, which is where you take the drills that everyone is doing poorly on, shoot them three times, then reshoot the standards to see if improvement has been made. We added a 25yd bullseye drill to help us diagnose shooting issues such as grip, stance, lockout, etc.


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MSG Howe timing us during the first standards run

Once you passed the standards with 80% or better (8 of 10 standards in one course of fire), then you were awarded your instructors hat from MSG Howe and began helping with running the line, drills, modules, standards and also helping prep new instructors to teach the individual drills in the standards and modules for the students coming on Saturday. We picked up two instructors on the first try, one being a Torrence PD rangemaster and the other being one of the civilian contractors. They also happened to be the two team leaders as well. 'Running the Standards' becomes one of the things that weighs heavily on you as time passes. If you don't pass the standards, you don't get an 'instructors certificate', you get a 'certificate of attendance'. MSG Howe doesn't run a 'everyone gets a medal' school, you pass his standards or not. Simple as that. It would seem that in a 8+ hour day you'd do a bunch of things, but at CSAT, you practice fundamentals in a particular flow where each exercise, standard or module improves the other two areas. Its a complex series of simple tasks, nothing more, nothing less.


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Sign as you head into the range

DAY: 3


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MSG Howe timing us during the first standards run

At this point, MSG Howe and the other new instructors begin to fine tune the shooters, fixing small issues here and there. We began to pick up more and more instructors as time went by. I hadn't made it at this point as I was missing two small (but important) pieces of my mental/physical puzzle. We also began making serious preparations for the students that would be here in a day and a half. Modules and standards were assigned to various people, who had to write a synopsis with a partner, then practice it in front of MSG Howe as it would be presented to the students. I was fortunate that I had a great partner for my demonstrations (the malfunction drill and the Mary-Katherine Module) and our presentations went off without a hitch. Other folks hadn't practiced their presentations as diligently and were assigned remedial presentations to polish their instruction points. I shot the standards several times, getting closer and closer, but not quite there yet.


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The Torrence PD gentlemen during their presentation

DAY: 4

This was the final day of prep before the students started to arrive. The weather was pretty sad that morning, raining, about 35 degrees and very hard to keep warm as the humidity sucked the heat out of you. Although I'd come very close (within 1 drill of passing) the standards the night before, I made a big mistake. I opted to shoot the standards again while my mind was more focused on the cold than on what I needed to shoot. I did pretty badly and this was a hard blow to my mindset. In retrospect, it was a learning experience about where your mind needs to be, but it was also a lesson in patience about choosing a battlefield that puts the odds in your favor. Again the day was filled with practice, presentations, dry runs, planning and more of the prep that leads up to when the students actually begin to show up. Again, there is so much subtle learning during this phase of the instruction. MSG Howe isn't there saying 'do/say it this way or that way', but he wants presentations to be clear and concise when working with a new teammates in front of the student. If your verbiage is a bit different, he's ok with that, so long as the point is getting across and is sound. You learn even when you're not aware that you're learning.

Once it warmed up and my fingers began to cooperate, I shot the standards again, coming very close to passing, so I knew at this point I could do it. I got pretty annoyed and swore at myself out loud at missing the drill by two hundredths of a second. And even though my anger was directed at myself, MSG Howe wasn't having any of it. An instructor has to maintain a calm, even demeanor at all times no matter how frustrated or angry or annoyed that s/he gets. I got mentored for it and glad that it happened. I asked about a specific problem and in one sentence, MSG Howe gave me the pieces of the puzzle that I needed to clean up the trigger control issue that had been dogging me. I went back to the barracks that night and dry fired for about an hour with the new technique before bed.


DAY: 5


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The students first day out

The weather was much improved and folks started showing up. We were slated to have 24 students but we ended up with about 18 total. This proved to be really nice because we had a near 1:1 student to student-instructor ratio. We started out with safety, then introductions all around, we discussed the standards and their practicality and then moved onto the range. We spent the morning with the new instructors demonstrating and explaining the first half of the standards, and then running the class through them. At lunch, I ran the standards with MSG Howe on the shot clock and I passed them and received my hat. I had a serious brain fart during the malfunction drill, but I still finished it out. I felt really dumb because up until that point I'd not failed the malfunction drill at all that I can recall and considered it my best drill of the ten. Regardless, I didn't realize how much pressure I'd been putting myself under and had to decompress a bit at lunch. Even when you're feeling good, sometimes your mind can be your own worst enemy. Anyhow, after lunch we had the students shoot the rest of the standards and then video taped them, just as we had been videoed ourselves and we broke for the day.


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MSG Howe video taping the students

DAY: 6

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The students shooting the standards on shirts covered targets

This was the final day, weather for Saturday and Sunday had been pretty much perfect. 70's, light cloud cover. We had a great group of students, several of which were very talented and a couple of guys that needed some work/guidance. Some of the instructors were tired, and being on your feet for 6 days straight had been an eye opener to a few. After a classroom review of the video we hit the range and broke the students into smaller groups to shoot modules: barricades, shirts, movement. After those modules, we broke for lunch and then had the students shoot the standards on shirt covered targets to show how people don't have scoring rings and you still have to maintain your accuracy. We also shot the Mary-Katherine module (hostage drill) and I'm quite pleased to note that our team did very well in its 200 shots. After the modules were all done we had the students shoot the standards under time. None of the students passed, but they did get to take the standards with them as a baseline for future performance. And I'm sure that CSAT will be seeing a lot of those faces again.. and again..


EPILOGUE

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The Instructor Class Photo

When the final curtain fell, we had 13 new CSAT instructors. Unfortunately, we had a few folks that didn't make it. They were very close, but time and pressure were ever present enemies. I suspect that at some point in the future, they'll be back having practiced the standards to demonstate to MSG Howe and I wish them the best of luck. I know that we all gained tremendous insight into teaching and the why/how of MSG Howe's methods. There were no burning cars or flashy explosions or cool guy drills, but I wouldn't trade what I learned for any of that. I cannot emphasize how valuable this sort of learning is when you're learning from the source itself. If you get the chance, you should mark CSAT and Nacogdoches on your map.


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Above the barracks bar

GEAR USED

Stock 3rd Gen Glock 17 (w/ Glock extended mag & slide release)
TLR-3 Weapons Light
Bladetech OWB Belt Holster
Sellier & Belliot 9mm
Spec Ops Brand Riggers Belt
Spec Ops Brand Dump Pouch
Uncle Mike's Dual Mag Pouch
Coyote Tactical Trauma Kit
Howard Leight Impact EarPro
Ice Tactical's Training Log

Written by Kelly H.

All information is the intellectual property and copyright of TTELLC.net and may not be reproduced by any means, known or unknown without prior written authorization.

Jay Cunningham
10-28-09, 19:40
Absolutely outstanding. Thanks for this great AAR.

LockenLoad
10-28-09, 20:57
that was a great read, thank you

Doggiecop
10-28-09, 21:17
Good review, Congratulations on your Instructor Cert !!

KellyTTE
10-28-09, 21:28
Good review, Congratulations on your Instructor Cert !!

Thanks for the compliments guys. It was a truly amazing experience.

http://www.combatshootingandtactics.com/schedules/CSAT_Course_Descriptions.pdf

There's the round counts. I think that the 6 day classes are all 800.00 plus 100.00 for lodging. I'd email/call Eric and ask to be honest. I know that the 2 day classes are 400.00.

Wayne Dobbs
10-28-09, 22:20
KellyTTE,

I did this class with Paul last November and like your experience, it was an outstanding experience! Paul is at the same time humble, non-egotistical, professional, extremely knowledgable, an outstanding communicator and quite deadly. It was a real privilege to train with him. He is highly recommended as a stop on your training journey.

vaspence
10-28-09, 22:23
Excellent review and great pictures. Way to persevere! Paul and Eric are great guys and run a top notch facility. I did the course in March of this year and as has been stated it was an outstanding experience.

M4arc
10-29-09, 06:21
Outstanding review!

VA_Dinger
10-29-09, 08:44
Absolutely outstanding AAR, thanks KellyTTE.

FYI to everyone: Please look for a lot more CSAT classes going up on M4c in the very near future. As soon as Paul has completed his 2010 schedule the classes are going to be handled through Grey Group Training. The vast majority of the classes will be held at Paul's facility in Tx, but we are planning an open class in Fayetteville 2010.

2010 is shaping up to be a great year for training. :)

John_Wayne777
10-29-09, 08:54
Thanks for the AAR. It sounds like a phenomenal class...one I'd like to get into one day.

So many good training options...so little money. :mad:

RogerinTPA
10-29-09, 09:07
Excellent AAR KellyTTE an fast thinking on your part to react to the scene of the accident you witnessed. Great job!:cool:

David Thomas
10-29-09, 13:42
Back at CSAT, MSG Howe listened to what happened and offered to give me a few pointers. He also replaced the items that I'd used up (the bandages, gauze, etc) and refused payment when I opened my wallet. He also helped me setup my aid kit in a more efficient manner. This initial time with MSG Howe gave me a good insight to how generous and open he is about any relevant training subject.


He is a generous guy. When I was there I did not bring enough money for some goodies they had including CSAT coffee cups and a couple of shirts. They insisted that I take the items and that I could just mail them payment. Well, actually they tried to give me the coffee cup. Anyway, I intentionally overpaid for these items when I mailed in my payment. MSG Howe sent me a check for the difference, and refused to accept the money.

MSG Howe and Eric are both class acts as well as great instructors.

gfunx2000
10-29-09, 14:51
Good review. CSAT is very, very high on my list of places I want to train.

Jim D
10-29-09, 15:55
Kelly, have you taken any of Paul's carbine classes...or do you plan to in the future?

I'm debating on which to take first from him. I'm leaning towards pistol.

KellyTTE
10-29-09, 16:13
Kelly, have you taken any of Paul's carbine classes...or do you plan to in the future?

I'm debating on which to take first from him. I'm leaning towards pistol.

This is my first CSAT course. My understanding is that in the big scheme of things, pistol is the harder start. If you do well with the pistol, then going over to the rifle is 'easier'. Or as easy as anything gets at CSAT.

My grand plan is to take Tactical Pistol Instructor (done), Tactical Rifle Instructor (pending) and Shoothouse Instructor (pending), in order for me to help with a volunteer position I've been working on.

Jim D
10-29-09, 16:32
This is my first CSAT course. My understanding is that in the big scheme of things, pistol is the harder start. If you do well with the pistol, then going over to the rifle is 'easier'. Or as easy as anything gets at CSAT.

My grand plan is to take Tactical Pistol Instructor (done), Tactical Rifle Instructor (pending) and Shoothouse Instructor (pending), in order for me to help with a volunteer position I've been working on.

Gotcha, thanks! A friend of mine went though his carbine/ carbine instructor courses, and loved it.

I do a lot more pistol shooting than I do carbine, so I'm thinking that it'd make more sense to take that first. I tend to shoot the carbine standards clean or 90%, while I don't think I've cleaned the pistol standards yet.

Was there a lot of fine tuning of techniques for folks who already were making the standards? Or was time primarily spent getting folks to pass the standards...then move on?

KellyTTE
10-29-09, 16:40
Was there a lot of fine tuning of techniques for folks who already were making the standards? Or was time primarily spent getting folks to pass the standards...then move on?

*thinks*

There was a little of both. Once you pass the standards, you're free to shoot the standards with more restrictive time constraints or different platforms. Some folks brought both 1911s and Glocks to see what worked best for them. But the vast majority of time was spent between practice/demonstration of modules/standards and getting instructors thru the standards so to get them on the line training students. Once the students were there, the whole focus turned to them. You shot the standards on your own time (before class, lunch or after class).

YammyMonkey
10-30-09, 01:43
Hey Kelly, good job with the motorcyclist. I’ve been toting around pretty substantial med kits in the vehicles for a long time but (depending on how you look at it) fortunately haven’t had to use them.

Have you had any additional med training since the class out by Centennial Airport a few year ago?

Had you read Leadership & Training for the Fight &/or The Tactical Trainer prior to the class? After the class? Thoughts on the books/class combo in terms of clarifying points or as reminders after the fact?

Great AAR on the class. Paul’s pistol & carbine instructor classes are on my list for sure. I don't know if I’ll be able to swing them next year- Kris really wants to hit the NTI so that’ll soak up a lot of the training budget & my job location is up in the air.

Do you have a plan for the carbine instructor class?

KellyTTE
10-30-09, 07:21
Hey Kelly, good job with the motorcyclist. I’ve been toting around pretty substantial med kits in the vehicles for a long time but (depending on how you look at it) fortunately haven’t had to use them.

Have you had any additional med training since the class out by Centennial Airport a few year ago?

Thanks. We did one range day (the one where Heather took that steel penetrator core ricochet to the knee) where we were practicing self-tourniquet application, but no 'formal' classes since TacSolutions.


Had you read Leadership & Training for the Fight &/or The Tactical Trainer prior to the class? After the class? Thoughts on the books/class combo in terms of clarifying points or as reminders after the fact?

I hadn't, but I did finish reading Leadership and Training for the Fight while I was down there. And yes a lot of the book dovetails into the classes. Again, its a subtle experience, and I won't go into it, because it spoils the effect if you know what to look for. :)


Great AAR on the class. Paul’s pistol & carbine instructor classes are on my list for sure. I don't know if I’ll be able to swing them next year- Kris really wants to hit the NTI so that’ll soak up a lot of the training budget & my job location is up in the air.

Do you have a plan for the carbine instructor class?

Well, if you want to work on the materials, let me know. I have a pretty bad case of tendonitis from a previous injury that flared up pretty badly during the class, so I'm supposed to rest that arm for 3 weeks, but I'll be glad to work on it with you. As for my plans, if we can swing it Heather and I may try to hit Rifle Instructor in April. I generally just rent a car and drive down. Saves wear and tear on my vehicles, and I can carry all the gear that I normally take.

KellyTTE
10-31-09, 09:32
Some more pics:

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Despite plenty of student-instructor, MSG Howe was always willing to lend a hand

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Running the students through the movement range while dryfiring

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Students taking the standards, the final 25yd shot

DacoRoman
11-03-09, 19:45
Kelly, have you taken any of Paul's carbine classes...or do you plan to in the future?

I'm debating on which to take first from him. I'm leaning towards pistol.

I will be taking the CSAT Tactical Carbine course in a couple of weeks, so I'll let you know how it compares to the Tactical Pistol course.

I took the Tactical Pistol course in late October and I was actually part of the Tactical Pistol class that Kelly and the rest of the Instructor class helped instruct during the last two days of their course. Kelly did a great job by the way as the rest of the instructors.

Anyway the instructor's course is obviously longer, but I thought that the 2 day, 16hr, Tactical Pistol Course I partook in was excellent and it really helped to clarify and consolidate, and in some cases re-adjust (based on great instructor input and also by the use of video tape of one's shooting form), the essential fundamentals that have to be attained in order to continue to improve one's shooting correctly. Being good after all is just a matter of applying correct fundamentals in a more efficient and effective manner.

Paul Howe is also incredibly kind, patient and one classy American Hero.