I have seen it mentioned here a few times that LAV’s Carbine 1 class is more like an INTERMEDIATE class with other instructors, and a previous “basic carbine” class is a prerequisite, so before I become “THAT GUY” can someone who has been through this class explain what was expected of you on Day 1 and on?
What does he start off with? Can you list the skill sets he teaches as he progresses through the class?
What should you have down solidly before even thinking of this class?
How physically demanding is this class? (I’m not a lean, mean, fighting machine…)
I noticed a few openings still left in the VA February class but I’m apprehensive that my skills are not up to where they need to be to enter this class or that my fat a$$ may slow me too far down…
I am strong on AR skills but weak on transitions and pistol, and I’m sure El Snatcho rides my back…
Any examples from YOUR classs so I know what to expect?
It mentions transitions, for example, but not to what level is expected BEFORE you enter the class. Anyone can fuddle through a transition, but is it expected of you to have SOLID SKILLS in transitions and he builds on that?
What does LAV call “timed fire drills?”
Is his class like boot camp where you are go prone, then pop up to kneel/sit then stand and go back to prone, over and over again till your legs are shaking…? (Been through one of those courses before… thought I was back in the Army BT)
I just want some examples of what the two days consisted of…
You should have your weapon zeroed. You should have a sling, a two point sling is fine. You should know the four firearms safety rules. Most importantly don’t point your muzzle at anybody and keep your finger off the trigger. You should know how to load your magazines, know the basic operations of your weapon.
Not very demanding. The oldest student in one of our classes was 60.
He will go over transition and pistol. Bring an open mind. Don’t party the night before, get a good night sleep. Go easy on that coffee the morning of the class.
The rest you’ll have to experience yourself, I’m not going to give you the spoilers.
I think there are some guys who are psyching themselves out before they even get to one of LAV’s classes…
You are there to learn from Larry; it’s a class, not an exhibition. You KNOW what a transition is. LAV will teach you the proper technique and when it’s appropriate.
Some tips:
put your ammo loose in cans
zero your carbine!
if you want to try out a new whiz-bang gizmo, that’s cool but have a known quantity as a B/U
stay switched on, listen to LAV and observe the 4 rules
Ok, on day one, the first thing he does is line everyone up with their AR’s in hand. He then has everyone throw their (beloved) AR over their shoulder and let them hit the deck. Whatever falls off is not needed.
Then, he puts you in push up position for a good 50 count singing the Star Spangled Banner.
After that, it is cold bore shots at 500yds shooting at golf balls. If you miss, you have to run one lap around the range with your pants around your ankles sucking your thumb.
Timed fire drills is he’ll tell you to fire X many shots in Y seconds (called PAR time). Another version is, fire X shots and you’ll be timed from the buzzer until last shot. Have you shot any competition, like IDPA or USPSA? Those are examples of timed drills.
No boot camp stuff. Although there may be a little jogging involved, mainly 25 yds at a time.
If you want to score bonus points with Larry, just to remember to always load my magazines for me.
Don’t bother Larry with why he strongly approves of this behavior as he considers asking him this question to be highly un-cool. Just accept this as a positive thing and drive on.
Just remember, that keeping my mags topped off will show Larry what a stand-up guy you are!
I know neither Larry nor I really believe in that whole “intermediate” and “advanced” class labeling. Intermediate and advanced is nothing more than the basics executed well. Once you get a grasp of the basics of marksmanship and firearms handling, all you are really doing is tweaking those and executing them better and more efficiently. Nothing “advanced” is substantially different from anything “basic”, it’s just done better.
I think one of Ken Hackathorn’s basic skills tests sums up the theory well: from the ready, fire 5 untimed shots at a 10 yard bullseye target, then 5 shots in 10 seconds, then 5 shots in 5 seconds, and, if you want to go further, 5 shots in 2.5 seconds. Pretty much everyone will drop a shot out of the 3.5" 10 ring somewhere in that sequence. You’re doing the same basic thing when you shoot it in 2.5 seconds as when you do it in unlimited time. The faster times just show more efficiency and a better execution of the “basics”. The same trigger control, sight focus, sight picture, and recoil control apply.
Everyone that pulls a trigger starts off in the same exact place and no one here is going to look down at anyone for dropping a shot or being at a different place in the learning curve. As long as you are safe and willing to listen, you wont have a single issue.
For his class, is having a bunch of fully loaded magazines ready to go the BEST SOLUTION?
I keep 10 PMAGS unloaded for use in training and I could easily unload another 10 or more of the EXPENSIVE STUFF (MK262 seconds) to use as well, so I could easily have 20 PMAGS pre-loaded before I even got there…
Then I have over 30 USGI mags I could load up as well…
Seems like that would save me a lot of time loading mags… more time learning.
If you have enough magazines to preload for the entire class, that would be excellent. You wouldn’t have to bother with loading during the class and you can spend that precious time hydrating and listening for important tidbits.
