Reminiscing and Recommitting

Last weekend I was in Lynchburg, VA at a martial arts retreat. Today, I just got back from the range checking out the shotgun I’m taking to a class next weekend. I also had a couple of my rifles out there testing some ammunition. It was hot but all turned out good. This coming weekend, I’ll be doing a couple of days of combatives training.

While I was on the range today, there was a large group of LEO on the next range over shooting what appeared to be a handgun qualification course. As you might guess, they had all their tactical gear on … well, at least their gun belts. I was hot after all. Not throwing any shade on them. I have been there done that many times … in the heat, cold, rain and even snow. Like Will Sonnet used to say, “No brag. Just fact.”

All that got me thinking about training … again. I realized that in a few days, I’ll be celebrating my 56th anniversary in the martial arts. There’s been a lot of water under the bridge in that time and a LOT has happened. I recall all the training I/we used to do and how it still impacts me today … Negatively and positively. The negative part would be my four artificial joints and multiple daily aches and pains. The positive is that I can look back at all I have accomplished and the discipline I gained.

The same with my firearms training. I remember when I first started out on the police department, and I hung out at the range as much as I could. I was basically a “range monkey” - the guy who helps put up targets, pick up brass and trash, etc. I got to keep all the live rounds I’d find and maybe even get some practice time in. Sometimes the Rangemaster would even “pay” me with a box of practice ammo! When I was on the department pistol team, I remember that the team and I practiced 3-4 times a week. We would take 2000+ rounds to the range and usually shoot it all up during a session. Since we were shooting revolvers with remanufactured ammunition, the guns would turn black as would our hands. We even developed permanent calluses on our trigger fingers from all the double-action shooting! I still have mine.

As I approach my 71st trip around the sun in October, I tend to reflect on the ‘old days’ a bit more than I used to. That’s what old guys are supposed to do, right? Well, it doesn’t hurt to think back on your glory days as long as you can keep it all in perspective. I realized a long time ago that I can’t do what I was doing at 25. Hell, I can’t do what I was doing at 50! But it’s okay. I can still do quite a bit. While I was in Virginia last week I overheard one of the participants say, “I don’t think I’ll get down on the floor. I only have so many ‘get-back-ups’ in me, and I may need them sometime,” I laughed but I knew he was right. Reminded me of the Toby Keith song, lyric, “I ain’t as good as I once was but I’m as good once as I ever was.” Lotta truth there.

Over the past 6-7 months, I have been dealing with some issues that have put my body through the gauntlet. Nothing serious but bad enough that it sidelined a great deal of my training and conditioning. I am now starting over and getting back on the horse. Physical training, range time, dry-fire, attending classes, the whole enchilada. I still do some training that would make people look at me strangely, but that’s okay too ... I’m used to it.

If you’re looking for the point to this blog, it’s this … I’m not putting myself on a pedestal but, there are a ton of folks out there who carry a gun for protection who are sadly lacking in many skills. Going to the range a couple of times a year and putting holes in a paper target is fun but can be counterproductive. At best it may be helping enforce bad habits. At worst, it may be making you overconfident and giving you a false sense of security.

Like my friend John Farnam says, NEMO CURAT – no one cares. No one cares you have a gun. No one cares you shot 100% on your last qualification. "When victory is always easily attained, you must reevaluate the worthiness of your ambitions."

Get some training. Get some coaching. Get off the couch. Get it done!