Poll: Membership Experience Base

[Oscar 319]

The recent thread about the sites conversion to a 24 hour clock (“Military Time”) got me thinking. I would have assumed that the bulk of the membership here would be familiar with this format. I know, stupid assumption.

With the recent spike in new members we have also seen a spike in the sites “signal to noise ratio”. I’m saying that as nicely as possible. I do find it irritating that the new guy who joins the forum and asks what his first “SHTF/zombie slayer” should be, and then 2 months later that same member is spouting off opinions and advice to others seeking the same. This leads me to ask about the demographics of M4C’s membership and experience base.

Working at a gun store does not make you a gun expert. Not all members of the military have experienced combat. Not all people who have experienced combat are weapons experts. Police Officers carry firearms for a living, yet most are not gun enthusiasts. You see where I am going with this.

That said, the guy who has seen combat will have experience to impress upon the competition shooter. Lessons learned by the competition shooter can be given to those going into harm’s way regarding equipment and shooting techniques. Those in the shooting industry can introduce the LEO to the latest and greatest in tools that could save his/her life. Experienced LEO’s have real world experience that can be taught to those serious about self defense.

Most of us fall into multiple categories, some all. We are all enthusiasts; otherwise we would not be here. It is also a safe assumption that we are all into self/home defense, therefore that was not listed.

So, my question is; if you were to place yourself into a category, based on the bulk of your experience, what is it? This is not for chest pounding or to belittle anyone. It is just to get an idea of the experience breakdown here. The poll is anonymous.

[Iraqgunz]

Since my time was evenly split between military and air soft/ Call of Duty I had to pick military.

[variablebinary]

The chance to be LEO and Military happened at the same time.

I chose military.

[DaBears_85]

Interesting idea for a thread, I've been pondering this myself since reading the 'Military Time' thread. I draw the bulk of my experience from being in the military, though I've been shooting for the better part of my life. I don't consider myself to be an expert in any way, shape or form though. However, I am proud to admit that I've learned more about weapons, tactics and training in the little over a year that I've been here than all my military and serious civilian shooting career (for lack of a better term) combined, which is a little over 10 years.


J

[jaxman7]

Kinda hard to answer that one. I checked off the military box because of my time as an 11B but I've got to admit I've vastly improved my skills across the board through a few classes, 3 gun and pistol competitions, reading up on here, and through alot more practicing.

-Jax

[500grains]

The recent thread about the sites conversion to a 24 hour clock (“Military Time”) got me thinking. I would have assumed that the bulk of the membership here would be familiar with this format. I know, stupid assumption.

No, not at all. As a 24 hour clock is easier to understand than Roman numerals, and since it is on every digital watch, I would expect anyone who finished 6th grade to understand it. That is not meant as an insult, just an expectation.

With the recent spike in new members we have also seen a spike in the sites “signal to noise ratio”. I’m saying that as nicely as possible. .

Actually I think you mean a drop in the signal to noise ratio. Or a spike in the amount of noise. If there were a spike in the signal to noise ratio, there would be a strong signal with little noise.

[6933]

We have some members here that really don't fall into any of these categories. This would be an individual that routinely trains/has a training budget, as well as hits the range on their own regularly.

[HES]

For me my knowledge base is 9 years of peace time military service. I will say that I have learned more in the past 4 or so years on this board and in training than I did during those 9 years.

[Alex F]

I voted military.

I'm looking at taking some pistol and carbine courses over the next couple of years, though.

[Oscar 319]

We have some members here that really don't fall into any of these categories. This would be an individual that routinely trains/has a training budget, as well as hits the range on their own regularly.

You are right. What would you call it? "Training Junky"? "Professionally Trained"?

rob_s comes to mind. He is a competetive shooter that has attended many classes. He is not military or LEO. He wears a yellow visor.

Rob is also "The Chart". He is a wealth of information and questions everything. If he does not know, he figures it out and shares it with others. His info is credible and thorough.

There are many others here that fit that mold. Help me out. What would you catagorize it as, and what would be the criteria for being there? I will add it to the poll (if it can be edited?).