VATA Group Intro to Tactical Carbine
5/23/10
Instructor: Greg Lapin, Destin Mounts, Gary Kessel.
Location: VATA Training facility Covington LA
Weather; Sunny, humid 94F
Website: www.vatagroup.net
This is my 3rd VATA Class but first with the carbine I'd like to thank them for an outstanding period of instruction.
Our day started out with a discussion on the basics of marksmanship, stance, gear set up, rifle set up, zeroing and the different zeros out there. We had a mixed group of students. Some with LEO experience and a couple with no formal training.
The past 2 attempts at this class were cancelled due to heavy rain so this time we were hoping for sun. We were rewarded.
We started out zeroing out rifles at 50 both with irons and optics.
Greg and Gary covered magazine changes, transitions, target engagement, post engagement, malfunctions, positional shooting (kneeling, prone) . They also made sure we knew where to aim when taking up an unusual position barricade use, (behind cover) in order to make hits. We ended the day with some light competition and some steel shooting at 150 yds.
I enjoyed shooting from the all distances during this course especially up close for multiple target drills. Most of my experience with rifles of any kind has been from long distance.
Gear wise I used my Bushmaster A3 with Eotech (and dpms irons) and 2 point sling. I wore my duty gear and Raid vest for most of the day after zeroing was done. I found it very useful training positional with all the gear on and finding out what I can and can't do and finding out how quickly I can change positions with all the gear on. I learned what gear I like, what I don't like and what I would like to change about my gear.
Overall I had a great time. I enjoy watching Greg, Destin and Gary teach and they provide a well organized class. The only down time was a 15 minute lunch break and occasional water breaks, after all it was 94 degrees pretty humid and gear doesn't help. With only 7 shooters in class we were shooting most of the day. I burned through roughly 300 rounds. I had one magazine related malfunction and one self-induced malfunction. My weapon held up perfectly through the day though we proactively added oil at least twice.
I lent some older mags to a classmate and he had some FTF issues (which we determined to be my mags), needless to say those will be replaced.
Anyone that has ever thought about taking an VATA Group training class should step up. They offer top notch training at the right price. I'm going to attend their other pistol and carbine follow-ups for sure.
My classmates, myself included made comments all day about how info packed the class was and how we had never heard/learned so much of the info/tactics before.
I'd also like to add that VATA did a great job making sure everyone stayed hydrated and fueled up. For as hot as it was with the addition of wearing gear everyone stayed safe and went home safe. Greg as usual keeps straws on hand.
I'm sure others can chime in with some things I missed but I always learn something when I attend the VATA classes; about tactics, my gear, my weapon and myself.
Great class, great instruction!
Thanks again to Greg, Detsin and Gary.
5/23/10
Instructor: Greg Lapin, Destin Mounts, Gary Kessel.
Location: VATA Training facility Covington LA
Weather; Sunny, humid 94F
Website: www.vatagroup.net
This is my 3rd VATA Class but first with the carbine I'd like to thank them for an outstanding period of instruction.
Our day started out with a discussion on the basics of marksmanship, stance, gear set up, rifle set up, zeroing and the different zeros out there. We had a mixed group of students. Some with LEO experience and a couple with no formal training.
The past 2 attempts at this class were cancelled due to heavy rain so this time we were hoping for sun. We were rewarded.
We started out zeroing out rifles at 50 both with irons and optics.
Greg and Gary covered magazine changes, transitions, target engagement, post engagement, malfunctions, positional shooting (kneeling, prone) . They also made sure we knew where to aim when taking up an unusual position barricade use, (behind cover) in order to make hits. We ended the day with some light competition and some steel shooting at 150 yds.
I enjoyed shooting from the all distances during this course especially up close for multiple target drills. Most of my experience with rifles of any kind has been from long distance.
Gear wise I used my Bushmaster A3 with Eotech (and dpms irons) and 2 point sling. I wore my duty gear and Raid vest for most of the day after zeroing was done. I found it very useful training positional with all the gear on and finding out what I can and can't do and finding out how quickly I can change positions with all the gear on. I learned what gear I like, what I don't like and what I would like to change about my gear.
Overall I had a great time. I enjoy watching Greg, Destin and Gary teach and they provide a well organized class. The only down time was a 15 minute lunch break and occasional water breaks, after all it was 94 degrees pretty humid and gear doesn't help. With only 7 shooters in class we were shooting most of the day. I burned through roughly 300 rounds. I had one magazine related malfunction and one self-induced malfunction. My weapon held up perfectly through the day though we proactively added oil at least twice.
I lent some older mags to a classmate and he had some FTF issues (which we determined to be my mags), needless to say those will be replaced.
Anyone that has ever thought about taking an VATA Group training class should step up. They offer top notch training at the right price. I'm going to attend their other pistol and carbine follow-ups for sure.
My classmates, myself included made comments all day about how info packed the class was and how we had never heard/learned so much of the info/tactics before.
I'd also like to add that VATA did a great job making sure everyone stayed hydrated and fueled up. For as hot as it was with the addition of wearing gear everyone stayed safe and went home safe. Greg as usual keeps straws on hand.
I'm sure others can chime in with some things I missed but I always learn something when I attend the VATA classes; about tactics, my gear, my weapon and myself.
Great class, great instruction!
Thanks again to Greg, Detsin and Gary.
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I am scheduled to be home the beginning of September and will hopefully have some courses posted on the calender in the next couple of days for the first two weeks of September. We appreciate your guys patience and enthusiasm. Hopefully we'll be meeting all of you soon.
