Just finished up the Kyle 1.5 Carbine class yesterday Southern Exposure in Kathleen FL, north of Lakeland. This class was outstanding training event for those who wish to improve their skills beyond just the basics. The class was maxed out with 24 students, plus the host (Irv) and his wife, shooting most of the training evolutions. The class was mostly civilian with a small mix of former military, LEOs and two MDs. Folks came from all over FL and as far away as Atlanta and Charleston. The civilians were very experienced and most have had 5 to 10 classes at this facility. Everyone was an excellent shot. The facilities were well kept and groomed. One large 100 yard range and 3 side shooting bays. The weather was awesome.
TD 1
SGM Kyle Lamb began with the traditional safety briefing with emphasis on muzzle awareness and sweeping that safety on after every manipulation. He covered ballistics from various ranges, holdovers, basic /modified shooting positions, and basic marksmanship. We then zeroed at 25, 50 and 100 yards, which took most of the time, then performed the Half and Half drill several times.
TD2
Kyle covered malfunctions in depth. Explaining what causes them, what actually occurs when a specific malfunction occurs and how to clear it. We then performed the “Three Kittens” drill, where Kyle and Dan set up 3 different malfunctions in 3 different weapons. We then had to run from the 50 yard line to a group of ARs, attempt to fire, then clear each malfunction, then shoot two rounds. We ran various drills involving control pairs shooting, multiple targets (where driving the gun hard with speed and accuracy was emphasized), shooting on the move from a conga line, where each student, moved down the firing line, engaging several targets. We also performed transition drills when your AR malfunctions, to draw your pistol and continue to shoot while moving. Kyle and Dan also touched on providing covering fire when a team member has to transition or has a malfunction. Turning and shooting in tight quarters, damn near shoulder to shoulder was interesting. The day ended with the Zig Zag drill, performing it several times. Note: I only fired maybe 2 ½ pistol mags during the entire course.
TD3
Performed transition drills from strong side to support side and modified shooting positions for different tactical situations and barricade shooting from 100 yards. All scenarios designed to allowed you to shoot under, over and around vehicles, helos, down hill, off roof tops, drain holes from roof tops). Derek had some issues with a stabilized sitting position, where you had to stack your feet and stabilized your AR on the top foot, while gripping the toe area of the shoe. Improvising, he took his shoe off ! LOL! Kyle and the rest of us were laughing are asses off! (Pics to follow) There was some spanish dude yelling at Derek, following him as he moved from position to position, during barricade shooting that got everyone's attention, "Shoot Faster", screaming various profanities at him, waving his arms in the air like a crazy man. I was like WTF is going on?, then started crying laughing! These positions were pretty physically demanding and wore out my knees and thighs. The last drill for the day was the High Smith. Practice and timed for score. It seems easy when observed, but emphasized speed, accuracy, and correct shooting position throughout this drill. You heard the chorus “Knees” from Kyle and the students observing, when a student used the wrong knee for the position being used., throughout the drill. I used my LMT MRP this day, with the Aimpoint M4S. I was having some aiming problems with the M4S when shooting urban & SUV prone, where your face is literally on the ground while trying to find that damn dot. I'm so used to running the EOTech, that the M4S gave me some problems in unusual shooting positions, but after adjusting and getting used to it, I got pretty accurate with it.
This class experience an unusually high amount of malfunctions which, didn’t really slow the class down, since there were only a few timed training evolutions for score. Luckily, there were no malfunctions during the timed drills. I looked at it as additional training on doing malfunction drills. The most common were double feeds, and failure to extract and popped primers using Federal M193. The student using it experienced this continuously throughout TD1 until switching ammo. I personally had a worn extractor on my 6920, which cause several failures to extracts (cured by throwing in my back up BCG), and a bad mag, which turned my AR into a rack/single shot, until I switched mags (a CProd with Magpul follower, not enough spring tension), and two stove pipes, from shooting from the SUV prone. My EOTech batteries failed on TD1. I clearly intended to change out those batteries prior to class, but forgot. Note to self, replace batteries PRIOR to class, extractor, springs and things, every 4 to 5K rounds to ensure reliability.
SMG Lamb and his AI (Dan) are exceptional trainers. They gave a lot of individual feedback despite the large class. I enjoyed his laid back, funny and very informative teaching style, with an emphasis on “A Way” as opposed to “THE Way”. The high scoring shooter received a S&W M&P and the second place shooter (Derek, who is an exceptional shooter) won a high speed backpack from 511. There was a lot on comic relief throughout the training with some student characters, providing much of it. The host was very nice and extremely Un PC. Which had me dying laughing at every break. Irv had a class breakfast and dinner each day, which gave the students a chance to get to know one another and well as our trainers, Kyle and Dan. If you are in FL or surrounding states, I highly recommend this training facility and the Kyle 1.5 course. I really enjoyed it. I will be on the look out for other VTAC courses to take.
Derek shooting his modified sitting position.
Closer view.
Me shooting strong side urban prone.
Kyle talking with some students.
Support side urban prone. Kid standing to the right using iron sights, did some outstanding shooting. Beating most guys using red dots.
Crazy Spanish dude on Kyles right was the guy screaming at Derek during Barricade relay and movement drill.
Class photo. All good shooters. The guy to my left was actually the top shooter but decline the top prize. Very gracious of him.
Last edited by RogerinTPA; 05-04-09 at 14:03.
For God and the soldier we adore, In time of danger, not before! The danger passed, and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier slighted." - Rudyard Kipling
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