WomenShooters

Kris · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 2

This is my first attempt at an after action report, so please bear with me.

Chappy is always telling me that understanding the students paradigm is important in their learning, and I suppose I’m no different. I am a 30 something professional woman, who has spent most of my professional life in the confines of a climate controlled office. I began my journey on this warrior path a couple of years ago, and attended several pistol courses at Front Sight. I was introduced to the carbine after going to work at LMS Defense, and developed a strong desire to learn to fight with it. My personal goal is to introduce women to the empowerment offered by learning to defend themselves with firearms.

Following what turned out to be some great advice, I began with the Smith & Wesson M&P 22-15 .22 LR carbine. Using this system allowed me to get comfortable with the system, and learn to properly manipulate it, without the weight, recoil and cost of a 5.56 system. I used the M&P 22-15 for my first carbine course, a Carbine 1 LMS Defense class. Next, I attended the EAG Carbine Operators Course, using the M&P 22-15 for half of the course, and Pat’s prototype lightweight EAG carbine for the other half. This allowed me to begin the transition from the .22 system to the full power carbine.

I wanted to keep my training momentum going, and when the opportunity to attend the EAG Shoothouse course in Alliance, OH came up, I decided it would push me sufficiently out of my comfort zone to create some good learning opportunities. I was a little nervous, but having trained with Pat, I trusted he and Mike to teach me at the speed I could learn effectively.

For gear, I used my M&P 22-15 for the first day’s runs, then completely transitioned to the 5.56 for the remainder of the course. I wore my Glock 19 in my daily carry JM Custom Kydex belt holster. My armor was the wonderfully comfortable and easy to wear US Palm Defender vest. I love this vest! I wore my LMS issued Gunfighter cut MICH helmet with the Opscore chinstrap.

Training Day 1 was a steep day for me. I have no experience handing a weapon inside a structure, and all of the angles, competing priorities and risk assessments were overwhelming. I was partnered with Chappy, and that, combined with Pat and Doc Speers instructing, allowed me to learn at my own pace. Each evolution seemed designed to focus on one learning point, which helped me crawl along at my own pace. Pat and Doc Speers instructional style helped me learn, through their combination of exacting expectations and calm patience. I was frankly a little relieved when weather forced us to forgo the night portion of the day, as I was spent and the time off allowed me to internalize some of the lessons learned.

During the next three days, I felt myself beginning to grasp the basics of the problems, and the procedures used to address them. I found the low light portions on days 2 and 3 to be especially helpful in identifying things I need to work on.

The largest learning points for me during the course were:
I have a long way to go to be unconsciously competent with the carbine. Several times Pat had to point out that I had a malfunction in the .22 system when I failed to properly execute my after action procedure after firing. I have the luxury of doing maintenance training weekly at work, so I will be continuing to focus on weapon handling procedures.

I am ready to train full time with the 5.56 carbine. The M&P 22-15 was a great way to get introduced to the basics of the weapon, but I think I am ready to condition myself to the full size gun now. I will be working with the 5.56 gun full time now, and will be taking as many carbine courses with it as I can, particularly the EAG Carbine course. I am blessed in that I work at a training company, and can train pretty much anytime. I will continue to take advantage of this.

I need to decide on a vest and begin training in it all the time. I also need a battle belt. Finding one that will fit a 28 inch waist may be problematic I am told, but I put Chappy on the case… ☺

After gaining more competence with the 5.56 gun, I need to take a team tactics course, a low light course, and a few more EAG shoothouse courses.

I was very impressed with the other students in the class. I continue to be amazed by the quality of the men and women I meet in this world. They make me proud to be an American.

Mike Jones and all of the team at Alliance PD were simply amazing hosts. Mr. Grumpy was, as usual, a pleasure to hang out with. Pat Rogers is an awesome instructor. His ability to teach me at my level is simply genius.

I can’t wait to take this course again.
_________________
Kris Rambur
Customer Service Manager
LMS Defense, Inc
www.lmsdefense.com