Poll: Membership Experience Base

**CoryCop25** · 02-17-11, 12:06

VERY GOOD POST! I had to pick Law Enforcement because all of the formal training that I have had has been from Law Enforcement related schools. HOWEVER.... the saying that most cops are not gun guys is and understatement. I am the gun guy in my department. I control anything that has to do with things going bang. I have to admit that I am the minority. It's like pulling teeth to get my guys to train. Hell, I even offer free practice ammo and NO ONE TAKES IT! I also work in a gun shop. It is also true that a lot of gun shop workeers and owners are not well versed in the true quality of firearms and accessories. THere are many reasons for this and theat is a whole other thread. Military is a whole other arguement. I have spoke to and read posts from some VERY knowledgeable trigger pullers on M4C but my personal experience with military personnel are little to be desired. Most of the guys from my HS that went on to military were morons who had no choice but to enlist because they couldn't make it on thier own due to an extreem lack of dicipline. These types could care less about weapons and tactics. The guys that have a true love and willingness to learn about what real quality firearms are are a rare breed. I am glad I found this forum and love to suck in as much quality information as I can from it. I always say that a good cop realizes that he doesnt know everyting about his job and when he/she thinks they do, it's time to find another job. This can also be said about the firearms community because of the ever evolving technology and ideas with products and training. Oh yeah, I also play a s^*t load of Call of Duty!

**rob_s** · 02-17-11, 12:54

Should have included the option to pick multiple categories.

Anyone that spends more that a couple of days around a volume of shooters will quickly discover that there is NO background that automatically bestows any kind of competency on the person claiming same.

People survive gunfights, and combat, every day in spite of, not because of, their level of ability. This is also true of the commute to work, a walk in the woods, etc.

**SWATcop556** · 02-17-11, 12:56

I fall into the LEO catagory. Many years on patrol, gang unit investigations, a stint in narcotics, and a member of our tactical unit.

Most LEOs are not gun guys and the military needs cooks and clerks too. I take anyone's advice with a grain of salt unless I know for certain their background.

**Irish** · 02-17-11, 13:10

Originally Posted by CoryCop25

Hell, I even offer free practice ammo and NO ONE TAKES IT!

I'll PM you my address.

A little bit of military and a lot of hobby/sport shooting and training classes for me. I'm definitely stepping up my training regimen this year and I think another good option for the poll would be for guys who attend a lot of training like mentioned earlier.

Oscar - My avatar's super excited to see your avatar!

**Littlelebowski** · 02-17-11, 13:12

I've learned most about mindset from the military.

I've learned the most about shooting from civilian training and practicing with friends.

**dookie1481** · 02-17-11, 13:31

Originally Posted by Littlelebowski

I've learned most about mindset from the military.

I've learned the most about shooting from civilian training and practicing with friends.

What The Dude said. I learned a lot about small-unit tactics, weapons employment, and mindset from the military. However, my emphasis is on pistol shooting, for which I received very little training from Uncle Sam's Misguided Children.

So it's split.

**Oscar 319** · 02-17-11, 15:04

I should have included the category “Professional Training”. I cannot modify the poll, and doing so may be too late.

Mods- could one of you drop that into the poll?

Rob- I considered the multiple categories, but I felt it pulled away from simplicity of the info I was seeking. This was partially motivated by your “Did Someone…” thread.

I also fit into several categories; however, I base most of my opinions/advice from 15 years of LEO experience. I have definitely learned more technical details from outside of Law Enforcement. It just seemed easier to quantify if you were limited to only one choice. Would you be willing to make a new poll, and we’ll consider this a rough draft? You are the guru at this stuff.

I am open to adding/refining/removing categories. As it stands right now, 35% military, 27% hobby/sport and 20% LEO. If we could refine this, I think the results would be interesting.

Irish- Bring ammo. I need to blow off some steam. I will hit you on our other top secret encrypted communication channels.

**rob_s** · 02-17-11, 15:21

Originally Posted by Oscar 319

Rob- I considered the multiple categories, but I felt it pulled away from simplicity of the info I was seeking. This was partially motivated by your “Did Someone…” thread.

I also fit into several categories; however, I base most of my opinions/advice from 15 years of LEO experience. I have definitely learned more technical details from outside of Law Enforcement. It just seemed easier to quantify if you were limited to only one choice. Would you be willing to make a new poll, and we’ll consider this a rough draft? You are the guru at this stuff.

I am open to adding/refining/removing categories. As it stands right now, 35% military, 27% hobby/sport and 20% LEO. If we could refine this, I think the results would be interesting.

I clicked "competition" because that's what Pat Rogers calls me.

The problem with that definition is that it's so open/confusing for many people. USPSA is not IDPA, 3-gun is not High Power, etc.

I think looking at people's backgrounds is useful for gauging their frame of reference, but we have ALL seen idiot threads here from people claiming pretty much every status or former life.

**Oscar 319** · 02-17-11, 17:25

Originally Posted by rob_s

I clicked "competition" because that's what Pat Rogers calls me.

The problem with that definition is that it's so open/confusing for many people. USPSA is not IDPA, 3-gun is not High Power, etc.

The same could be said for LEO; Experience can range from Barney Fife to FBI HRT. People who work in the firearms industry could vary from working the gun counter at a sporting goods store, to producing some of the best custom weapons available. Sport shooters can go shooting and expend one magazine from each gun and call it good, while others may run through 1,000 rounds from the same weapon in one session.

I think looking at people's backgrounds is useful for gauging their frame of reference....

And that is the only place I was going with this.