So why did you become an NRA Instructor

[chip]

Just curious.

[C0untZer0]

To become a bounty hunter for instructors that I think are using deception to steal my prospective students.

 

Vendetta much?

[chip]

To become a bounty hunter for instructors that I think are using deception to steal my prospective students.

 

Vendetta much?

 

Can I plead the 5th? :-)

[sirflyguy]

I think this poll might be unscientific!

[pdpsc]

To fight for truth, justice and the American way.

[chip]

Have all boated who fish?

Have all boated who fish?

Have all boated...who fish?

[papa]

Sorry , I'm not an instructor . Just had to do it.

[smcgath]

Have all boated who fish?

Have all boated who fish?

Have all boated...who fish?

[pyre400]

After mastering the continental stitch, I was enraged to realize that there was no certification.

 

 

So I had to lean on my other hobby. Incidentally, it comes in handy for instructing friends and family.

[TimGiblin]

Wheres the I was already teaching for over a year and a half and wanted the cheap insurance rates option? but that was back when I was still in college and was broke just helping out at the range teaching new shooter orientation classes. Now I keep it because teaching CPL courses in Michigan was fun and a very good way to meet students and have them realize I don't do assembly line, and that a singular 8 hour course doesn't make them rambo as many instructors lead students to believe.. I have taught the NRA PPITH for 6 years now, couple hundred CCWers taught, had two shoot dogs now, none shot people. took me 2 years as an assistant to get profficient enough teaching it to be a head instructor for classes.

 

My only real comment is if you became an instructor in the last 12 months, go help out and be an assistant for a while, it takes a while to learn what to look for to ensure a safe class.

 

OP I get your annoyance, most NRA instructors aren't teachers, many aren't good shooters. I have had a myriad of students referred to me by ranges that had their NRA PPITH certs, michigan CPLs and still running both thumbs behind the grip on semi autos, tea cup grips, waving the guns around and all sorts of scary practices. Which is why I don't believe the laws make sense, you make a check the box requirement, and you get assembly lines. They just pass people, many instructors don't shoot properly themselves but they have the "certs" I saw one where the instructor shot a revolver with a thumbs forward grip a few months ago. He picked up a .357 he hadn't fired before and was bleeding.... still wouldn't listen to what he did wrong. As soon as we make it "mandatory" the students don't come to learn and you end up with a highschool style environment.

 

I don't allow for that in my classes. You show up at a NRA PPITH course of mine not knowing the safety rules I refer you to my introduction to pistol course and tell you to leave. (I can legally make you skip the firing portion, sit for the class/legal and after you take the intro give you the NRA cert if you want considering we do that entire course of fire in that class as well) not a complete waste but you won't leave with a cert.

 

I don't feel the laws should be mandated but if I put my name on a cert your going to be a safe shooter.

[chip]

^^^^^^^

THIS!!!

 

Great post Tim.

[Rockdiver]

I have been bringing people" into the light" with firearms and teaching people to shoot for quite a long time. I became an NRA instructor because at the time it seemed to be the best program for articulating the concepts of firearms safety to new shooters who have little to no foundation in firearms. I love doing this and always have. It is one of the few things I have ever been exceptionally good at.

 

Since I began working with The Range and Field Training Team I have taught 30 to 50 courses a year. Because the uninitiated tend to associate value directly with dollar signs, and because I worry that that may direct them to diminish their perception of the quality of the training (espcially in instructor development workshops) I usually don't call attention to this fact........but almost all of the training I provide is FREE. There are probably a lot of instructor candidates who have asked me how much I make to teach the courses while doing a course budget worksheet in BIT at one of our workshops, and when I tell them I don't charge a dime they look at me as if I might be partially retarded. I work with local camps and masonic groups whenever I get the chance. I work with local law enforcement chapters on qual prep and skillbuilding. The only time I charge for my services as an instructor is when it is a course I post directly as Black Flag. Every cent made from these courses goes Directly into the equipment and consumables of the courses I teach. I am not a wealthy man.

 

I Love doing this, and I only hope that bleeds into the courses I present. It is also why it stings so badly when I see TCs and instructors that have so utterly failed their students and candidates. In removing some of these personel, I would like to think I have made a difference.

If you thought I do so with mercenary intentions in order to glom on to prospective students, I take extreme offense. I will forgive it because we have never met, but if you were so inclined as to ask the instructors on this board I have worked with if I do not go out of my way to see that they qualify, you might find that I encourage as many instructors as possible to meet the rising demand for training. If they have a rough day and need to come back or meet me at another facility as long as I feel they have the propper attitude, I am thrilled. I have no fear of being driven out of my passion as long as we are all playing the same sport.

 

By that same token, fireams instruction at any level is not an endevour thst lends itself to the "everyone gets a trophy" mentality. This is a meritocracy, and in the coming months we will be seeing an influx of students who will in all likelyhood not care about the training as it a means to a permit. That demand will make it extremely easy to foster lax programs that are little more than pushing cattle and you know it. I fear the products of this environment while the paradigm of just who is seeking training shifts so rapidly in IL.

 

I know you are passionate about what you do. I hope you can see why I feel so strongly about this.

 

Rocco

[wtr100]

Currently to teach shooting in the BSA - we'll see how much of the BSA is left after the recent 'improvents' But doing rifle and shotgun with Scouts is great fun.

 

Before I taught adults and met very interesting folks along the way.

 

IF the State Bless weekend instuctors such as myself it might make a nice supplement to family income. Not holding my breath on that rumors of memorandum of understaning.

[chip]

Right on Rocco. Very cool.

Like you, I donate a lot of my time to my local club and fellow shooters.

The primary reason I got into firearm instruction is because it meets two of my goals, to promote shooting sports, and to help people be safer and better shooters. I really get a "bang" out of helping people go from being afraid of firearms to being excited about being safe and accurate with them. I often put together free classes at my local club to help members become more accurate as well as more efficient. I think we're on the same page.

 

- chip

[Craigcelia]

but almost all of the training I provide is FREE.

 

Can I get my deposit back from Chief RSO then? J/K of course.

 

Yes, I have personally seen you over and over try to pass students when they are not quite there on the range.

[sirflyguy]

I have joked that becoming an NRA pistol instructor was a midlife crisis for me. I love to shoot, I love to teach (I have taught literally thousands of guitar lessons through the years), and so it seemed a good fit. It has been. I love teaching NRA Basic Pistol, and the vast majority of my students really seem to love the class. Kudos to the NRA folks for making a really good program and for making it easy to teach. Also, I learn something new every time I teach it. I also just love when you can see in the student's eyes that he/she "gets" it. I had a student a few weeks ago who was so worried about class beforehand (she had never shot) that it was almost making her sick. At the end of the range time, the look on her face as she was shooting about a 5" grouping was absolutely priceless. It really makes it all worthwhile when you get to see that, or to hear that the people can see how shooting becomes addictive.

I look forward to getting my first PPITH class going (very soon!) to add some variety to what I do. The cool thing is is that most of the Basic Pistol folks want me to let them know when I do a PPITH class so they can take it.

[bigdiogi]

I'm so new I'm still waiting on my credential from the NRA. Basic Pistol Instructor, fresh outa class.

 

I have been teaching all of my life. There is a joy when someone “gets” what you are sharing. And they gain the confidence that, “Hey, I CAN do this!” It's one thing in life I'm good at.

 

Lately, I've been starting virgin shooters. Safety briefing, simple nomenclature, how guns and ammo work, and shooting basics followed by range time. They have all been safe and accurate right out of the box and quickly gained comfort and confidence. They have all acquired firearms and been strongly encouraged to get further training. And I've thought, “Wouldn't it be rewarding to do this for a living?”

 

As I've recently become more involved in shooting, after a lifetime of casual interest and enjoyment of the sport / lifestyle, my eyes have been opened to the direct connection between the Second Amendment and our great countries future. I see the Second Amendment as the lynchpin upon which our liberties rest. It kills me to see our elected officials casually chipping away at our most basic liberties. And every time we manage a small victory for liberty I smile.

 

It wasn't that long ago that NO state in the union had a concealed carry shall-issue law. Maybe as people discover the empowerment of that basic liberty, they will regain a taste for all the other freedoms we have surrendered without a fight over the last hundred years or so.

 

Guns = Liberty

 

Health issues have closed the door on my last two professions, and indeed limit my options for current employment – but I can do this. Thought for many years that I would need to be a super shooter with a den full of trophies, or a LEO or military operative to be a shooting instructor. My shooting skills ain't bad, but many can out shoot me. But I can teach. And that was an epiphany for me.

 

I badly need an income stream. I saw the need for training all the individuals waiting for a brand – new concealed carry permit as a golden opportunity for me. To be involved in arming our population for their own defense while serving the cause of furthering our basic liberties. All while making a living doing two things I love, teaching and shooting.

 

Yes, I need to make a living. Some on this board have acted as though that is somehow dishonorable. I totally reject that. The free market is more American than the 1911. Some may think I am one of those “gougers” but I plan to let the market set whatever rates I am able to charge.

 

At the same time, unless I am mistaken, I started the first thread on this forum about holding low / or no cost training for some to whom the training requirements might be a burden.

 

I see community service as a plus. Some donated time, some reaching out. But why should I provide no or low cost training to someone making a better living wage than I make? Why is charging an as yet to be determined fee “gouging” or as one board member put it, “standing there with your hand out.” I have exactly zero people that provide me with free goods or services. Every single one of them expect to get paid. Providing someone with a service that they value enough to pay for is the American way. And yet there seems to be an attitude on this board that somehow that is dishonorable. I don't get it.

 

Sorry to go on so. Most of you probably stopped reading several paragraphs back, But you asked. And I get kinda passionate about this stuff.

 

I love teaching.

I love guns.

I love liberty

I need money.

 

Maybe should have started with this. Been a lot shorter post, huh?

[chevsuz12]

I was born and raised in Southern Louisiana where guns are as much a part of the culture as Cajun Food is. Having always been around guns I naturally took up shooting as a hobby, and would shoot in my backyard on a frequent basis. After moving to Illinois in 1995, I quickly realized the loss of my freedoms, and thus began to get involved in gun legislation and following politics.

 

My professional career led me toward the path of training, and I fell in love with it. Having been a professional trainer in the field of Industrial Automation for over a decade, it was natural for my hobby and career to collide. I have always enjoyed helping others learn, and the overwhelming satisfaction I recieve when my students gain knowledge in a subject they know little of.

 

After attending a Utah CCW course, I was not impressed with the instruction I recieved (and no, it was not from anyone on this board). I decided I could do better. Since then, I have taken the NRA Basic Pistol, and PPITH instructor courses, and continued developing my shooting skills. I have also taken the steps to form my own training company, getting licensed, insured, and planning my first class.

 

Sure, like many others here I hope I can make a little extra money in this venture. After all, the training dedicates a lot of time. Time away from family, and friends; so I do not feel it is unjust to make a little profit for your time, and in return I hope to provide a great training experience for my students.

 

On a side note, Chip created a great topic, and I look forward to reading each of your stories.

[TFC]

My cat told me to....