This was my first class with Jeff Hogan, and his last under the DCT name. I was honored to be at this class. LMS has just gained a phenomenal instructor.

This class was designed and taught by law enforcement for the civilian shooter who may encounter an active shooter situation. How to deal with and neutralize the bad guy, but also how not to get killed by the responding law enforcement. Sounds good to me.

Day 1: Day 1 started in the classroom with what I thought was the best classroom portion of any class i have taken. Jeff explained to us what exactly the class was about, and what an active shooter is. An active shooter is: An armed person who has used deadly force on other persons and continues to do so while having unrestricted access to additional victims. We went in to further detail what the actions of an active shooter were, and how they were likely to act once the shooting starts. I'm not going to lie to you, its scary to think of just how easily it would be to inflict massive, widespread death on a highly populated soft target before any law enforcement would have a chance to react to the threat. Thats where the civilian warrior comes in. Why is that, because the sheep that they think they are going after, will hopefully also contain some sheepdog ready and eager to stop the bad guy. Notice I didn't say kill, I said stop. Remember, the goal is to neutralize the threat by denying access to additional victims, rescuing injured victims, and rescuing potential victims. Since historically active shooters have not tried to escape or conceal their identity, it usually means that the only way to stop them is to employ lethal force, but not always. We also looked at past active shooter scenarios, specifically at the ways the shooter(s) acted, planned their attacks, and carried them out. Looking at past shootings is a great example of what to expect if you encounter an active shooter.

After talking about how active shooters usually carry out their shooting, we went in to detailed discussion on building entry, room clearing terminology, communications, and how to hold a perimeter. Even though the majority of the tactics were covered on the range, we needed to have at least a basic understanding of the main entry types, and procedures. This was taught using a powerpoint presentation which made it much easier to visualize what we needed to do, and how to do it.

For the LEO's in the class we also went over the extreme necessity to have a well rehearsed SOP for an active shooter. Once the shooting starts, your have to act fast, not try to formulate a plan. Its too late at that point. Topics included, inter-agency communication, chain of command, officer responsibility, establishment of a central command center, and other topics pertinent to Law enforcement.

We Broke for lunch and headed to the range. Note to self, green chili = pain unlike any other

Once back from lunch we hit the range. Before we started shooting we went over our man down plans, range rules, and our schedule for the rest of the day. Everyone "kitted" up and moved to the 10 yard line for our range qualification.

* Writers note: This was not a class for a beginning shooter. It was understood that you were a competent shooter with reliable weapons, and a solid knowledge of the function and maintenance of said weapons. The ability to shoot under stress, from various positions, and while on the move, and make your hits count. This class didn't teach you to shoot, how to zero your weapon, or how it works. This is, in my opinion, an advanced class geared towards shooters who have already made the decision to take offensive, not defensive, action if they encounter an active shooter.

We showed our proficiency in shooting on the move, reloads, weapon transitions, shooting with a partner etc, and they we hit the shoot house. With no gear of any kind we went in for instruction on how to move in to the house, negotiate doors, guard halls, and clear rooms. In my mind this was key. It let us focus 100% on the movement and tactics we needed to use in the house, without having to worry about weapons just yet. It may not have been that great for some of the others in the class, but for someone who has never cleared a structure before, it helped greatly. Let me tell you, if you have never cleared a structure before, you are in for quite a surprise when you finally do. Its nothing like what I thought it would or should be. There are so many places a bad guy can hide and wait for you, and just how easy of a target you can be when searching a building. There is always that nook or cranny that is just out of your line of sight, and you can't leave it unchecked. Until you you do it, you can't imagine it. You owe it to yourself to do it.

We learned that your situation dictates your tactics even more so than normal when it comes to working an active shooter. For example, if you just so happen to have 2 of your friends with you when the shooting starts, you can send 2 people in the room to clear it, while the 3rd guards the hall. With 2 people you have to go in the room by yourself, and leave 1 guarding the hall, and if you are alone, you have to do it all yourself. I learned that doing it solo was much much harder to do than with a partner. Until you are in a scenario where you have no clue where the shooters are, you can't truly appreciate how reassuring it is to have a set of friendly eyes watching your back.

I had the extreme pleasure of attending a wedding party for Jeff and his lovely wife Saturday night. Thats when I held Jeff's daughter. Many long happy yrs to you J&T.

Day 2 started bright and early at the square range to shoot a bit before hitting the shoothouse with full force. I started running 1-3 people dry runs in the house, and looking at how different each entry has to be depending on how many you have on your side. 2-3 people in the group, and you can quickly and fairly safely, clear a house. 4+ and you can own the house. Now try it alone, and all that stuff goes out the window. You have to clear the room, and watch your rear, all at the same time. Its tough as crap, lemme tell ya. Then Jeff told us to remember that anytime we heard rapid gunfire to immediately enter the house and eliminate the threat.

Then we went live fire in the house in as many different scenarios as Jeff could conjure up, every time with a different partner, even using other folks guns. I could try to put in to words the enormous amount of knowledge I gained in a few hrs, but I can't accurately put it in to words. Words couldn't and wouldn't do it justice. We did this until lunch.

When one of the officers went to pick up lunch, I took the opportunity to use the shoot tower and practice my long range shooting. Along with Eerico and The Swede, we engaged targets from 40 to 472 yards with our rifles and pistols. Steel IPSC targets at 472 yards, are well within reach of a 10.5 SBR. This was a welcomed break from the strenuous training we had been doing for the previous 1.5 days. We grabbed a bite to eat, and just when we were finishing up, BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG, the school was being shot up! We all grabbed what gear we had and rushed to the entrance of the shoot house. I managed to grab my rifle, and a spare mag before I went in. I cant remember who I went in with, but we cleared the house just fine.

Once we were all geared back up, we continued running through the shoot house over and over and over going through different scenarios each time, and each time it got smoother, and more "second nature" to me. It all ended with a full-team assault on the house. Complete with simultaneous room searches, live fire, and flash bangs. Jeff said we did really well for a group that had never worked together before.

we ended the class with a very detailed discussion on how the civilian can help in an active shooter scenario. Everything from how you act, to what you look like, and what your responsibilities are. Something that needs to be taught in every class IMO.

Jeff also agreed to teach Kelly, Heather, Dan and me some low light technique. WOW, amazing, just amazing. I learned so much in that 1.5 hr of low/no light shooting with Jeff at the range. New ways to use my handheld light with both my handgun and my rifle. Jeff also shattered the myth that you cover the target if you illuminate it with your weapon light. Thats just not true. Go try it folks. Cut your lights out at home, and turn on your weapon light. I assure you that you can point your gun at the floor in front of your target, turn on your weapon light, and have enough illumination to identify your target. I also learned that once that light comes on, to leave it on. Reason being, if you are shining enough light to identify your target, then you are also shining enough for him to see you as well. Folks, if you have a chance to do some low light training or shooting, you owe it to yourself to do it.