Ain't no time for "Peter Pan"
I can't say enough about the quality of VTAC classes in general or this class specifically. Having trained with other top-flight instructors I can categorically say that Kyle trains at a much higher level REQUIRING you to really step up your game. Being safe required conscious weapons awareness at all times, coupled with the course material you had a lot on your mind when shooting.
Quite a few have mentioned that 1.5 is really a must before moving on to Kyle's more advanced training and I can't agree more. Without the foundations in 1.5 (and dedicated practice/preparation with your local training group prior to attendance) you will be hopelessly behind. More significantly you won't be safe. I don't care who you've trained with, Kyle is a wholly different animal and safety was paramount.
For me the most impressive aspect of the class was the instruction. The student-instructor was about 6:1 but when you considered the operational experience and skill of the assistant instructors who each exceeded most top-flight instructors in their own right it basically was a semi-private class. I would happily take a class from either Dan or DiTo and know I was getting the best instruction available.
The other highlight of the class was the Combat Mindset and Leadership Seminar given on the morning of TD2. The examples given by Kyle were often poignant and drew a clear distinction between those who seek to lead by example and those that serve their own vanity. If you get a chance to participate in one of those seminars I'd jump at the chance.
Lessons learned:
1. You really learn how good a shooter you are when the "wheels start to come off". That's when you dial it back a bit.
2. If I properly execute technique, I can do some things that used to kind of blow my mind.
3. Gear matters, spend the time un****ing it - get a good light and practice using it.
4. Drive the gun - this was something I had always heard but never really understood until this go round. It makes a huge amount of difference.
5. A Dodge Neon can double for a battle tank in a pinch. :eek:
PS - Special thanks to The_Katar who spent many hours on the range with me in the weeks leading up to the class helping me square a lot of problems away that would otherwise distracted me from the quality of instruction.