Frank Garcia 3-day Pistol/M-4 Tactical Operator Course - Frostproof, FL

[VA_Dinger]

Frank Garcia (Universal Tactical Academy) 3-day Tactical Operator Pistol/M-4 High Performance Shooting Course

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Frank Garcia / Universal Tactical Academy
http://www.frankgarciausa.com/uta/index.htm

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Frank Garcia Bio:

From March 2004 until October 2007 Frank Garcia has been working as a Department of Defense Security contractor in Baghdad Iraq. He was the Team Lead for the Counter Terrorist Special Operations Force (CTSOF) Iraq Mentor / Instructor program. He was responsible for the Crises Response Training (CRT) of the Iraqi Emergency Response Unit (ERU), a national level, high-end, rapid response law enforcement tactical unit responsible for high-risk arrest, hostage rescue and explosive ordnance disposal. The ERU has conducted a number of successful missions on national level anti-Iraqi force targets, provided support to other Iraqi Ministry of Interior forces, participated in combat operations in Fallujah, Mosul, and other ongoing counterinsurgency operations. Mr. Garcia was an original member of the core of hand selected Training Cadre that started the ERU/CRT.

During his time in Iraq Mr. Garcia

* Instructed ERU members in advanced pistol, rifle, and Close Quarters Combat.
* Developed firearms training P.O.I.s for CRT, ERU, and SWAT.
* Trained and instructed US military personnel in advanced pistol.
* Trained and evaluated U.S. instructors for the SWAT program.
* Volunteered and conducted numerous Protective Service Details and Motorcade operations for High Ranking US officials.
* Managed Physical Site Security checks of incoming and outgoing candidates for the ERU.
* Assisted Tier One Protective Service Training Units that are now responsible for the protection of Iraq’s Government Leaders.

Since 1992 Mr. Garcia has been Providing Advanced Marksmanship and High-Performance Shooting instruction to the highest echelon, Tier 1 Law Enforcement and Special Operations Forces engaged in Combating Terrorism. Some of the organizations trained include:

* U.S. Army Special Operations Units
* U.S. Army Special Forces
* U.S. Navy Special Operations Units
* U.S. Navy SEALs
* U.S. Marine Corps, High Risk Personnel Instructors
* United States Army Marksmanship Unit
* DEA/FBI firearms Training Unit.
* Federal Air Marshal Instructors
* U.S. Border Patrol
* U.S. Marshal
* Federal Capitol Police
* Italian Counter Terrorist Unit (NOCS)
* Numerous Police, SWAT, and Special Police Units

Mr. Garcia has received numerous Letters of Commendation from different organizations to include:

* Letter of Commendation from U.S. Navy SEAL Special Warfare 2001
* Letter of Commendation from U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit 2003
* Letter of Commendation from DEA/FBI Academy Quantico, VA 2000
* Letter of Commendation from U.S. Army 7th Special Forces SFAUC Committee

Frank Garcia is an International and U.S. Champion Grandmaster Pro.

* Awards, Recognition, Honors
* U.S. IPSC National Champion Pistol
* U.S. IPSC National Shoot-off Champion Pistol
* North American IPSC Champion Pistol
* European IPSC Champion Pistol
* South American IPSC Champion Pistol
* World IPSC Champion Pistol
* World IPSC Shoot-off Champion Pistol
* World IPSC Team Champions , United States of America, Champion Team Member
* 5 time U.S. Area 6 Champion
* 3 time U.S. Area 8 Champion
* 2 time U.S. Area 7 Champion
* North American 3-Gun Tactical Championship Top 10

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Grey Group Training:
www.greygrouptraining.com

Frank Garcia (Universal Tactical Academy) 3-day Tactical Operator Pistol/M-4 High Performance Shooting Course

This course was originally designed for Military Spec Ops and SWAT operators. Paper, steel, man on man, high speed drills, moving targets, shooting on the move, awkward shooting positions, barricade shooting, shooting from windows. at the conclusion of this course you will receive a personalized evaluation by Mr. Garcia and drills made specifically for you to improve in your training after the course. This course focuses on increasing your speed, accuracy, and consistency in high performance shooting. This course will take you to the next level.


- Instructor: Frank Garcia

- Class dates:

24-26 June
1-3 July
22-24 July
13-15 Aug
28-30 Aug
15-17 Oct
22-24 Oct
8-10 Nov
22-24 Nov

- Cost: $750

- Location: Frostproof, Florida

- Range Facilities:
http://www.frankgarciausa.com/uta/rangelocation.html

- Travel Info:
http://www.frankgarciausa.com/uta/travelinfo.html

- Class size: Maximum twelve students

Required Equipment:

The following equipment list is the minimal gear required for attendance at a Universal Tactical Shooting Course. Limited loaner pistols, with holster rigs, may be rented for $20.00 per day. Please advise.

* Gun Particular to your course
* Magazines 4 required, extra magazines are recommended
* Belt Suitable to hold holster and magazines
* Holster Tactical leg, Duty belt type, or concealed
* Magazine pouches High capacity or single stack
* Eye Protection Ballistic Wrap-around required.
* Ear Protection Earmuffs, Electronic, or squeeze types are mandatory.
* Slings Recommended for all Carbine and Shotgun courses.
* Ammunition Required - 2000rds pistol - 800rds carbine

If you are interested in attending this class please use this link to the Grey Group Training sign-up page:
http://stores.greygrouptraining.com/-strse-3322/FG-3Day-Pistol-dsh-M4-Course/Detail.bok

If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact me;
training@greygrouptraining.com

[VA_Dinger]

Due to the popularity of Frank's classes we have added additional classes to the schedule.

June 24-26, 2010 has been added.

[rob_s]

I went up to the FL open match to check out the facility

more photos of the match at this link (http://s428.photobucket.com/albums/qq10/tacticalyellowvisor/Competition/100220%20Florida%20Open/).

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq10/tacticalyellowvisor/Competition/100220%20Florida%20Open/googlemaps.jpg

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Lots of covered areas, which is a nice touch in the FL sun. I think just about every bay had a covered pavilion at it, some larger than others.

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Two steel ranges that I saw (weren't in use at the match when I was there)

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plates are all down
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cover/concealment setup

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more barricades

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[VA_Dinger]

Rob_S, thanks for posting the pictures of the UTA range. It does look impressive to say the least.

I cannot wait to head down and attend one of Frank's classes.

[rob_s]

TD1 is down and we shot, and shot, and shot!

More to follow (obviously) but I haven't had time to take pictures, much less notes. We're up over 1k rounds today, and I do not believe it was brass-making at all. Frank has a knack for keeping you moving form bay to bay, steel to cardboard to both, such that we never had to paste yet were productive with every shot fired. We shot dot drills, plate racks, pepper poppers, regular IPSC targets, headless IPSC targes (don't know the name for them, sorry).

I have been in classes before where I thought "wait, can we go try that again, I didn't quite get it". That has certainly not been the case here!

We did pistol all day today, and will probably do pistol all day tomorrow, and then carbine all day Sunday. I'm stoked on this class so far. My pistol skills are badly lacking and Frank is making improvements and giving me the tools and drills I need to keep working on things myself when I get home.

At the beginning of the morning Frank said, "I build shooting machines", and I can see what he means.

[Jay Cunningham]

Been waiting to hear some reviews of this fella's class.

[Kevin]

Since 2003 I've taken about 2 or 3 intensive shooting courses per year, mostly USPSA focused, but for the last couple years I've diversified a little by taking more LE focused.

I've been very, very lucky in that I've trained with Frank several times, both at his place in Frostproof and here in Milwaukee. The very first "shooting class" I took was a one-on-one day with Frank. The part about him building shooting machines is true, just off the top of my head I can think of two of his assisstants that he has helped get to the USPSA GM/USPSA Nationals Champion and 3-gun Champion level. There's probably more than that.

I've been lucky to be able to train with his assisstants also, one is a full-time firearms instructor at my PD. Both are top-notch instructors and champions, and very patient, understanding and humble. You don't shoot quite as much with Manny or Ted, but you will get to listen to them blab...a lot. (Like a bunch of women. You might even want to pay them a little extra just to shut up so you can go shoot more!) :D

You will definitley shoot a lot with Frank, generally about 1,000 rounds a day. I understand some think that's just sprayin' and prayin', but it's nothng like that. He believes in a lot of repitition. IIRC, just about everything is a 2-to-6 round drill, done many, many times; with Frank always there to provide gentle correction. He also demos everything he does.

He is extremely patient, as are his assistants, and I've never felt rushed or like my questions weren't important or answered completely. Believe me, he's had to really simplify things so my dumb a$$ could understand, but he does it with a smile on his face and never rushes you.

His facility is awesome. That steel range that rob_s posted a pic of? Those poppers are pnuematic. Shoot 'em down, and open a valve to stand em up again. His pistol bays...he's got 12 or 13 of them, are all pretty big, and flat. He's a huge supporter of LE, MIL and USPSA. The Florida Open is usually referred to as "Frank's Match." It's one of the best USPSA matches you will ever shoot, it easily rivals the USPSA Nationals.

He has also spent a lot of time overseas lately, so he's got quite a bit of practical experience. He does both competition and LE/MIL based classes. It's been a couple years since I've trained with him, but I will take classes with him in the future.

Very highly recomended.

[VA_Dinger]

I am seriously looking forwarded to the full AAR and some photos from this class.

:D

[rob_s]

I am seriously looking forwarded to the full AAR and some photos from this class.

:D

I just walked in the door, ate supper, and am about to plop on the sofa with a glass of wine and my woman to ignore the Oscars. Tomorrow will have to do! :p

[Vinh]

Notions of >1k rounds per day has piqued my interest. Kind of wish rob_s and I had similar training backgrounds so I could better understand his perspective when he posts his AAR, but the facilities alone may be worth the 14 hour drive. I'd love to put my callouses to good use. :D

[VA_Dinger]

That does sound like a damn fun three days but Frank's round counts are not that high now. :D

This 3-Day class requires 2000 handgun and 800 carbine spread over three days. Obviously Frank and his in-house instructor staff keeps up a fast pace for their classes and hate idle time.

[rob_s]

Todd, I could easily see that happening with Frank. We were two far-from-Master Class shooters and we hit over 1200 on TD1 with him. and that was after an hour lecture portion and 30 minutes of dryfire so we really didn't start shooting until 10:30, not to mention the hour+ for lunch in town.

I got my notes typed up this morning and reviewed my photos, so I'll be working up my AAR over the next day or two. Very few photos unfortunately due to the small class size so I'm sure some won't even read it. I guess I won't have anything to contribute to the "training class picture thread". :rolleyes: LOL

[rob_s]

AAR Here (http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=49523)

[VA_Dinger]

Due to popularity the following dates have been added to Frank's schedule.

22-24 July
13-15 Aug.
8-10 Nov
22-24 Nov

[VA_Dinger]

Frank has added more dates to his schedule and is coming home for good next month. This means Frank will be around for every class very soon.

New Photos of Frank's (Universal Tactical Academy) facility;

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[rob_s]

Cool pictures! Looks like the FL Open.

Another student and I are going back this Saturday for a private one-day with Roy. I believe we're going to do 1/2 day pistol and 1/2 day carbine but since it's just us we can do whatever we want! :D

[VA_Dinger]

FYI: We still have some open seats in Frank's classes. He has an amazing facility and is one of the most respected instructors in the industry. No doubt his many national & world competition titles, plus his operational experience in Iraq/Afghanistan helps a great deal.

If anybody is interested in signing up for one of Frank's UTA classes please let me know.

Thanks,

Paul