I suppose one could make the argument that the farmers who fought the Revolutionary War, or the approximately 70% draftees that fought WW2 thought they would never need that kind of training, yet there they were.
Perhaps we should be careful of what we declare as need, as I’m sure our Govt is deciding what we need right now, and it probably does not jive with what you and I think we need.
Bob
First, let me say that I, for one, genuinely appreciate your service to our country. I know that I wouldn’t be here having this online debate otherwise. Having said that …
When you do think is a good time to learn about threshold braking and controlling a vehicle in a skid? (pick one)
[ol][li] Before you get into an accident.
[/li][li] After you get into an accident.[/ol]
[/li]
Unless the Corps is now teaching Marines how to scry the future with crystal balls, I’m pretty sure neither you nor I can predict when or if any particular person will need shooting & tactical skills. Average people train for what’s likely. Exceptional people train for what’s possible.
They aren’t:D That’s why our Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen are loaded down with too much weight.
Things that annoy me include search nazis and threads like this.
Hammer, nail, head.
Things that annoy me?
People that moan all the time about what annoys them.
Like the rest of us care…
None of our SME’s complain “all the time” about what annoys them.
What FTS is sharing is excellent advice.
Besides, the threads that spawned this one are enough to make the Pope cuss somebody out.
Thanks man. I definitely use the hell out of the search function, pretty much a pro at it by now. Will definitely have some questions in the future though.
Thanks
Yea! Because everyone should just answer your question, no matter that its been asked and answered before, numerous times, and often fairly recently.
Why should someone have to do a little work.
Bob
Things that annoy me:
Getting old and gradually losing my physically agility and flexibility.
Forgetting where I put my keys and glasses.
Losing my retirement money to greed and corruption.
Illegal drug users who complain about drug cartel violence.
Watching the county that I love change before my eyes in ways that are harmful to the values I believe in.
Whiners who express their entitlement to things right now that I had to work hard my whole life to earn.
Lack of personal responsibility for one’s own situation.
Living beyond one’s means, then complaining when it is time to pay the bill.
Religious extremists regardless of religion.
Lying and corrupt public officials.
And, just to get it back on topic, calling magazines clips, and referring to semiautomatic rifles as assault weapons.
Yea, but that goes w/o saying;)
Bob
1.) ALL anti-gun folks. ALL of them. Sometimes, this includes folks who own guns and judge other gun owners for having different preferences. Zumbo is an example. (Personally, I’m no fan of blackpowder, but I wholeheartedly defend to the death the right of any individual to like them, own them and use them.) Gun owners need to remember who the enemy really is. Arguing with each other as to why our preferences are more valid than others’ furthers their cause.
2.) Folks who use “want” and “need” interchangeably. I need a lot less than I want. So long as we can pay for our wants and not reach into others’ pockets, it should be no one else’s business.
3.) Folks who argue preference as if preferences were principles. They are not. Principles tend not to change over time, whereas preferences and opinions often change with the times. The principle of training for the incident of encounter will not change over time. Training styles and which piece of kit is in vogue will change, to be sure.
4.) Folks who make choices, then suddenly feel the need to have their choices validated by other people, and then get upset when others have different choices or disagree with them. If YOU want to post YOUR preferences on the Internet and then ask others what they think about YOUR preferences – remember YOU invited it. If you expected people to AGREE with you – you’re a dolt no matter what industry you work in, or what media you used to broadcast such preferences.
I am a dolt. I am also a veteran, an AD cop for over 23 years, retired SWAT member, AD police manager and an AD trainer for various platforms in various venues for various reasons. Depending on whom to which you speak, I get paid some pretty serious money to learn from others who know much more than I do – so I prefer to be surrounded by people smarter than I am. It’s good for business.
As to preferences, I prefer to be considered a serious student, who occasionally has to use these tools seriously, and I sincerely hope I and the people I care about (which includes the American people, in general) never have to NEED them for the most serious of encounters.
I would rather HAVE something and not NEED it, than NEED it and not HAVE it.
For the most part, I want what I want, and so long as it isn’t illegal and I can afford it – I don’t care even a little bit about as to who validates my choice or opinion. I just hope I was humble enough to learn from those with even more experience than I that my choice was an informed one.
In the meantime, a lot of anti-gun folks are looking to make many of the tools (and training) I want illegal – while some of us clack away on these keys and cry – usually because someone disagreed with us.
There are a lot of good people on this board, and some humility as to learning betters all of us.
I agree with surrounding yourself with people who are smarter than you. Otherwise your life can devolve into arguing over who is the tallest midget.
PR, we’ve got to get you out to a Vickers class or something in Virginia sometime.
Dinner is on me.
+1. A teacher of mine once called that phenomenon “pooling ignorance.”
I am annoyed by folks that drive in the left lane when they are NOT PASSING.
I am annoyed when things you count on such as cars, furnaces, washer/dryer and many more break on you.
I am annoyed by not having money on the side.
I am annoyed by the fact that life costs so dang much. It’s expensive to live today in society. Grizzly Adams had the right idea!
I am annoyed by the fact that I can’t afford “the best” millitary equipment and get slammed from time to time for having what I can afford.
I am annoyed by the fact that I can’t find ammo to buy.
I am annoyed by getting fatter as I get older. I’m just as active outside of work, yet the belly grows and the grey hair multiplies!
I am annoyed by my dog that will only shit on the blacktop driveway. WTF?
I am annoyed by my son who is as smart as any yet refuses to turn in homework and bring home D’s and E’s.
I am annoyed by gas key bolts not being staked properly. It’s such a simple thing yet few do it in a way that is meaningfull.
I am annoyed by my Millet red dot optic using some bull crap battery that is unavailable that I have no clue how to buy. Also that I left it turned on in the safe for 2 weeks and killed the battery.
I am annoyed by cars with enough processing power to take over the world that can not get decent fuel economy.
I am annoyed by a govt that thinks it has to protect me by taking away my rights.
I am annoyed when teeth drag on skin. It ruins the entire thing.
I accept! I’m just upset that I missed Todd’s class in Sacramento this last weekend! Of course, the recent birth of my second daughter kind of put a damper on it, so I was expected to get over it pretty quickly LOL!
Still, I have family in Richmond and Vienna, so when mommy and infant are ready for travel – I will try to make it out there!
There is a much greater likelihood that I will come just to escape for a few days to prevent becoming a victim of postpartum hatred! LOL
Thanks, brother – you’re a good man – no matter what anyone says about you!
Always the best,
Alan
thats funny…
BTW, its not getting slammed for only purchasing what you can afford, but , and this may not be you, but, those that plau the “just as good as” game, when that is rarely the case.
Bob
The very first lesson taught in the very first class on my very first day at college:
We all rise or fall to the level of those with whom we associate.
Or as I tell people about my marriage, in every couple there is someone who traded up and someone who traded down. My wife lost big time. 
I got the CDD D-M4 by accident, the gun store owner talked me into it. He bent me over for it, but it is the only high quality AR I have. I have put about 1500 rounds through it, mostly your gonna gag Wolf. Of the 3 I own, this “feels” the best, shoots the best, and looks the best. It’s a sharp riffle, no doubt.
I got the Stag because I really wanted to own 3, and it was $845 out the door for the Stag1L. I could not pass that up 3 months ago in December when prices were stupid. Plus being a 1L… Lefty… really piqued my interest as I am a left eye dominant shooter that shoots rifles South-Paw. I ended up really loving the Stag.
Then, a Bushmaster Carbon 15 came in that was used with a C-More tactical red dot. My wife had been asking about wanting to learn to shoot these rifles, and I talked to the gun store owner and he told me for $625 I could have it. No way could I pass that deal up.
The Bushmaster got a new Bushmaster BCG before I fired it because the cam pin was cracked. It has been fired about 60 times since then, but I’m not using it for my own shooting. It is the wife’s and will wait for the days she decides to go out and play. Like when her boots wont get muddy… she does not like standing in wet mud. I just don’t get chicks. Been married for 15 years and still don’t have a clue.
Then, about a month ago I sold some personal items and my local gun store got 20 Charles Daly Defense stripped lowers in. Just so happens that I also have a 3 year old son. Well, now he has a stripped lower to build when he grows up! It is in the safe resting.
I don’t claim to know jack about a Colt…hell… I have never seen a Colt AR aside from in pictures here or on other forums. I’m sure they are great, and instead of the rape I got for the CDD I should have gotten a Colt… but how would I have known. I did not know Colt from Yugo when I got my first AR. If I remember correctly I paid around $1400 for the CDD D-M4, that is most likely Colt territory.
Like some, I try to train myself and my oldest son to be the best we can be. I really don’t hope to ever use any of these for defense, but if the highly unlikely event came to pass, I do wish to be at least better at home defense than the other guy(s) are at home offense! If not, I may be looking down from heaven to see my wife and daughter being raped and or killed, and my 2 son’s getting killed.
I totally understand why we as vigilant gun owners wish to train ourselves to some level or another. It is our duty as firearm owners to know how to respect as well utilize our weapons. It is also our duty to attempt to spread good tidings to others that may show interest in firearms and try to be good ambassadors to our cause.
At the same time, I honestly do try to have fun with my toys. Both for my sake and my boys. I want him to have fond memories of him and his dear old dad spending hours out in the pasture shooting and talking. I also want him to learn to be safe, accurate, and responsable. He will one day be a man, and then I may not be there beside him to smack him in the side of the head and correct him. He must know by then, and he is well on his way there now. At 13 yrs old, he understands the situation to the extent that a 13 yr old can. I preach and preach, I ask the same questions over and over. I am brain washing him with the basic rules of firearm handleing.
Anyways, point is that we all set at different stations in life. We are not all equal, nor are we all the same. Each of us must do and decide what is the best for our situation, and we work with what God has given us.
If a man were to proudly show me his rusted and dented 1985 yugo and tell me it is his very finest car ever owned, I would lay a hand on his shoulder and smile warmly as we walked over to inspect his new found treasure. For him, it may be the greatest accomplishment of his life. Who am I to take that feeling away from him?
May peace and joy find each and every one of you!
I think your village is looking for you.
C4