Day Twenty Three

Friday 09/23/2011

M I S S E D ! ! !

Friday was a looong day. Advanced Shield Training went well. We reviewed most of what we learned in the basic course. One thing I especially wasn't fond of was the way they incorporated bunker / bunker cover while incorporating a long gun. Rifle was held up with one hand (strong hand) and supported by the shield up to either a fore grip, or the magazine well. You would then bend your torso down to your strong side and attempt to line up your sights. I was fortunate enough to have a partner with an AR that had an EO Tech...iron sights would have been really tough. Using the EO Tech was tough enough under the circumstances.

Surprisingly, I was able to hold the rifle up longer than my partner was. I went first and never lowered it during the drill / course of fire. When he was up, he lowered it a few times. I'm not sure if that was a testament of my cardio, or a testament to my partner's lack thereof.

We also did a live fire officer down rescue (downed officer played by a plastic pretty light barrel), and a few other house clearing scenarios with airsoft guns. To end the day, we did some shield work on stairs. That's always been a tough one. I like the ways I've learned in the past better...for the most part. Officer down...while I understand the reasoning, I'm not crazy about the technique. They went over approaching the downed officer on an angle, as to where I vividly remember stepping over the downed officer (in another course by another instructor). Their reasoning was you don't want to draw anymore fire towards the downed officer than necessary. To me...either way you do it, fire is going to be directed towards him. Most direct route prevails in my mind.

By the time I got home, I was done! I don't remember moving much from the couch. I did however have 1.5 beers and I remember feeling disgusting afterwards...later on that night and in the morning. The partial beer I drank Sunday night, while sick, was much better. I guess my body enjoyed the break and had to re-adjust...