Valhalla Course Review - Part 2 of 2
Let's talk about flashlights. Flashlight was almost always used indirectly.
Only enough light was used to identify the threat, light off, move, shoot.
One handed. No harries, no cigar, nada. Gun at the chest, light at the chest. Light shined only indirectly at about a 45 degree or so...enough to identify the threat and move and shoot. By shining the light elsewhere than you are shooting, the night blindness that comes from shooting at a brightly lit object does not happen with the indirect technique. Light, search, identify, light off, move shoot.
Back to the square range.
Then there was shooting while off balance. Shooting from unorthodox positions. And after we had that all down off to his "figure eight drill." We had a variety of the targets described above on the back wall. Some with no shoots, some off at 90 degrees to the back wall. All numbered. As we walked a figure eight around some barrels set up at 20' - 30' the RO would call out a "threat" by number. We would first identify the threat before beginning our drawstroke. Then from whatever position we're in we addressed the threat. First shot may be one handed, it may be two handed. He proved to us a fast, accurate one handed shot, followed by movement and follow-ups could be MUCH FASTER than turning to face and deliver to the target in a more conventional fashion. "Get that gun in quickly" was frequently the call to the students. Again, we found out why later. Move, shoot, get the gun back into your chest, move, move, move, move.
One time I was shooting away and went to slide lock. As my left arm cleared my sweater and reached for the magazine on my side only to find that my arm waslocked up by the instructor, Mr. Pincus. Further attempts to move the arm resulted in pain. "Fix it!" was the command. So a one handed reload was performed and I was released to continue to fight. Let me tell you that it was not unusual for Mr. Pincus to be "hands on" when making a point.
Simulators, simulators, simulators....again, all from concealed. After each "event" we continued along our way. We were constantly reminded as to what is proper cover or concealment in any situation. When it appeared that the group didn't get it on their individual runs through the maze. Rob Pincus would take us all back through to add emphasis and additional education when needed. One time we had a situation where a target was in a room and I was behind concealment. He said shoot him through the wall. I took three shots through the drywall and down went the bad guy 12 yards away. It was clearly pointed out the dangers of taking such a shot. What/who may be unknowingly beyond it etc.
While my judgement and alignment made the hits and dropped the target through the wall, it was also pointed out the amount of dust noise and such from the drywall on the other side may just "significantly affect the targets ability to present a lethal threat" by sending him back out the door or window even if you missed. He just wanted us to see what realistically happens indoors with shots like that.
We constantly moved back and forth from the square range to the simulators.
Constantly increasing the complexity of shooting skills needed and decision making skills needed to get the jobs done.
On the final day we added simunition and roll playing into the foray. Sometimes there were shooting options. Sometimes non-engagement was the solution.
Everybody students situation was different. And right answers varied. I'll give you just one of our many examples. I'm walking through the park. In the park there are nine roll players. Who were good guys, who were bad guys, you never knew until a threat was presented. Just like the real world. Constantly walking around. I come into a bar with numerous patrons. The bartender, Rob Pincus, tells me that it's closed and out the door I am ushered. Into the parking lot complete with car and others loitering around. I don't like bars, much less parking lots outside of bars so I head to what looks like an exit. A shooting ensues between two people in front of one of the cars. I MOVE FAST to
COVER behind a brick wall. I KEEP THE GUN IN CLOSE TO MY CHEST and observe.
(MY other option was to get the hell out of there but it was an unfamiliar area...LOL) Anyway, I wait, can't tell if they are good guy or bad guy. Moments later a man screams drop your gun, POLICE. I slowly look around to see him holding a badge in my face. I dropped my gun and laid down right there with my hands out in front of me. SAFE was called and the roll play ended without me taking a shot. Intense, after incident review took place with the Sheriff and SEAL role players including Rob Pincus asking me why I did what I did. In my case I told him that I stuck around because I didn't know a safe exit and I didn't shoot because I couldn't tell if they were LEO's or bad guys. Remember I told you about gun-handling and keeping your gun in. The bystanders in these incidents WILL take your gun from you if you leave it hanging in low ready. Do you hear me! It happened to the other students and the point was made to all.
The roles played were various and many. I can tell that the RO's and role players would respond to however the situation evolved based on my actions. At dinner, our four students found that virtually ALL of our role-plays were different scenarios. Much more was learned because of it.
I didn't think about it when I was asked what one word would summarize my experience at Valhalla. I didn't think of it because of the setting. The Elk
Mountain Resort is the Ritz without the ties. Calm, mountain setting with views beyond my eyes. There was a trout filled lake surrounding a beautiful wood lodge, with handball courts, rock climbing repelling tower, tennis, jacuzzis and meals beyond compare. Serene is how I felt while I was there. So it was hard for me to come up with the right word during the class. But as I think back, INTENSE is one word that I would use to summarize the class. That and "exceeded expectations."
Valhalla and CCW go together like a hand and glove.
Finally, let me review costs. The class was $650 for the three days.
Although I think "group deals" are made for a lesser class cost. Frangible ammunition is used throughout the class. We bought it there and I don't know if one can bring their own. Ammo cost were $500 for the 1,550 rounds. The lodge was $129/night. Dinner for two was in the $110 range. For meals that would make the finest restaurants blush. (This will be one shooting trip that your spouse will be glad to accompany you to! My costs for the training and trip were
"comped" as I won the May SWAT Magazine sweepstakes. (Yes, people really do win those things!!!) My brother and a childhood friend joined me and paid their own way. We all agree that we will go back. We all agree that it was expensive but it is was money well spent.
Ken Siverts
http://www.imakenews.com/valhalla/e_article000517781.cfm?x=b11,0,w
