FBI Course of Fire Review

 This is a review of the FBI Course of Fire.  I don’t think I’m an exceptional shot.  I can hit what I aim at, but I don’t feel I’m a very technical and precise shot.  I feel I can shoot a decent silver dollar group.  There’s always that flyer though.  Anyway, I can shoot a course of fire and know if it’s difficult and challenging.  I shot this course 3 times with a best score of 58 of 60.  My worst was 52 of 60.  I think it is a moderate course of fire.  The most challenging part is the distance (15 and 25 yards).

I feel that this course is better than many because of the strong/weak hand, reload, and shooting from cover.  Change of stances is also a bonus.  The time constraints didn’t bother me.  If they were a little tighter it might have put extra stress on me.  Overall, I would recommend this course of fire.  Shoot it and see areas you may need to change to make it more challenging.

Mix this with courses of fire and you can get some great practice.  I like the fact that it’s only 60 rounds.  I shoot 50 rounds in my own workout so 60 suits me fine.  

 

FBI Course of Fire

Standards

• Course of fire takes 60 rounds
• The entire FBI qualification is completed on one QIT-99 Target
• Each round counts as one point
• Each course of fire is done from the concealed position
• Any shot within the target area counts
• Agents must get a score of 48 out of 60
• Instructors must get a score of 54 out of 60

Course of fire #1: 3 Yard Line (12 rounds total)

1. Draw and fire 3 rounds in 3 seconds using your strong hand only
2. Draw and fire 3 rounds in 3 seconds using your strong hand only
3. Draw and fire 3 rounds using your strong hand only, switch hands, fire 3 rounds using your weak hand only.  Both courses of fire must be completed under 8 seconds

Course of fire #2: 5-Yard Line (12 rounds total)

1. Draw and fire 3 rounds in 3 seconds
2. Draw and fire 3 rounds in 3 seconds
3. Draw and fire 3 rounds in 3 seconds
4. Draw and fire 3 rounds in 3 seconds

Course of fire #3: 7-Yard Line (16 rounds total)

1. Draw and fire 4 rounds in 4 seconds
2. Draw and fire 4 rounds in 4 seconds
3. Draw and fire 4 rounds, reload, fire 4 rounds.  The entire drill must be completed within 8 seconds

Course of fire #4: 15-Yard Line (10 rounds total)

1. Draw and fire 3 rounds in 6 seconds
2. Draw and fire 3 rounds in 6 seconds
3. Draw and fire 4 rounds in 8 seconds

Course of fire #5: 25-Yard Line (10 rounds total)

1. Move to cover, draw, fire 2 rounds standing, move to kneeling, fire 3 rounds.  Complete the course of fire under 15 seconds.
2. Move to cover, draw, fire 2 rounds standing, move to kneeling, fire 3 rounds.  Complete the course of fire under 15 seconds.

 

Try this practice and let me know if you like it or not.

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

National Preparedness Month: Home Emergency Kit

It is national preparedness month and so I feel every home should have an emergency kit.  This list is a suggestion and a place to start. Make sure you have the basics covered ASWiFF.

The basics of survival are: Air, Shelter, Water, Food, Fire

I also like redundancy in these areas.

If you already have an emergency kit now is a good time to go through it and replace and recirculate.

• Water (2 gallons per person for drinking and sanitation)
• Food (at least a two week supply of non-perishable food)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
• Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape (to shelter in place)
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
• Manual can opener (for food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs:

• Soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces
• Prescription medications. About half of all Americans take a prescription medicine every day. An emergency can make it difficult for them to refill their prescription or to find an open pharmacy. Organize and protect your prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins to prepare for an emergency.
• Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
• Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution
• Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Cash or traveler's checks
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
• Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

As I said before this is a good place to start.

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

September-National Preparedness Month

 September is National Preparedness Month

The following is from FEMA’s Ready.gov website for September.  Check it out!

 

https://www.ready.gov/september

 

FEMA’s Ready Campaign has observed National Preparedness Month since 2004 to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies. The month is a great time to take small steps to make a big difference in being prepared.

Preparedness Starts at Home, the 2025 theme, focuses on getting back to the essentials of preparedness. In addition to sharing the tips, messages and graphics you can find on Ready.gov, there are four key actions you can take to prepare for any disaster you may face:

• Know your risk
• Know what could happen where you and your family live. This helps you figure out what you need to do to stay safe. You can explore various disasters and emergencies on Ready.gov.  
• Make a family emergency plan
• Making a plan early helps you reduce stress and save time and money. Follow four easy steps and create a free Family Emergency Plan quickly and easily with our fillable form.
• Disasters are costly but preparing for them doesn’t have to be. Taking time to prepare now can help save you thousands of dollars and give you peace of mind when the next disaster or emergency occurs. Visit Ready.gov’s low and no-cost tip page to see how you can be better prepared without spending a lot of money.
• Build an emergency supply kit
• Having enough food, water and medicine can help you stay safe and comfortable until help arrives. Having what you need can also prevent injury and damage to your home.
• Build a go-bag with all the essentials you might need, so you don’t need to scramble in an evacuation situation. Find a list of supplies at Build A Kit.
• Get involved in your community by taking action to prepare for emergencies
• Emergencies can happen fast, and emergency responders aren’t always nearby. You may be able to save a life by taking simple actions immediately. You can learn these steps when you take a first aid class through many organizations in your community..
• Join a Community Emergency Response Team program and get trained on basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.
• Take a free online independent study course through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute or a CPR course through the American Red Cross to learn more about how to help your community become more prepared.

Read the Trump Administration Presidential Message on National Preparedness Month.

I'm not a big FEMA fan, but there is some good information on their website.

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

The Possibility of A Connection Between Mind and Body in Practice

This article is not mine.  I did not write it.  I have searched to see if I could identify where it came from to no avail.  If anyone out there recognizes it, I would like to credit it to the author and website.  Burn

UNDERSTANDING THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION

NEURAL PATHWAY DEVELOPMENT

Exceptional marksmanship begins with how your brain processes shooting fundamentals. Each repetition strengthens neural pathways that affect your performance. To refine your brain training:

Deliberate Practice: Focus on precision, even at a slower pace. Quality repetition enhances neural connections more effectively than rushed practice.

Quality Over Speed: Develop fundamental accuracy before focusing on speed, which will naturally increase over time.

Consistent Form: Maintain proper technique in each repetition to avoid bad habits.

Neural pathways are like trails. Repeated practice makes them more reliable, while poor habits create unwanted detours.

MUSCLE MEMORY FORMATION

Reliable muscle memory supports executing skills without conscious effort. Focus areas include:

Draw Stroke: Practice smooth and consistent drawing from your preferred carry position.

Reloading Procedures: Build efficiency in tactical and emergency reloads.

Sight Alignment: Achieve consistent sight picture acquisition.

Shooting Positions: Master stable shooting stances for various scenarios.

Before each session, perform deliberate draw strokes focusing on perfect form to prime muscle memory.

BUILDING YOUR PHYSICAL FOUNDATION

A stable platform starts with physical conditioning, focusing on:

CORE STRENGTH

Planks and stability exercises enhance shooting stance.

Strong core muscles reduce fatigue.

Improve recoil management through better control.

GRIP STRENGTH

Hand exercises enhance firearm control.

Focus on both crushing and pinching grip strength.

Include endurance training for extended sessions.

CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS

Improved breathing control under stress.

Better recovery between drills.

Enhanced mental clarity.

SHOOTING RANGE TRAINING PREPARATION

Optimize professional instruction with proper preparation:

BEFORE TRAINING

Review fundamental concepts.

Practice movements dry.

Prepare questions for your instructor.

Ensure all equipment is functioning.

DURING TRAINING

Take detailed notes.

Video record demonstrations (if allowed).

Ask for clarification.

Focus on understanding principles.

AFTER TRAINING

Review notes within 24 hours.

Practice new skills dry before live fire.

Incorporate new techniques.

Plan follow-up training sessions as needed.

ESSENTIAL SHOOTING RANGE TRAINING EQUIPMENT GUIDE

Prioritize quality gear for effective training:

PRIMARY EQUIPMENT

Reliable firearm for your goals.

High-quality holster system.

Sufficient magazines or speed loaders.

Eye and ear protection.

TRAINING AIDS

Shot timer for feedback.

Target systems for drills.

Competition-grade belt setup.

Medical kit for emergencies.

MAINTENANCE SUPPLIES

Cleaning kit.

Spare parts kit.

Lubricants.

Tools for basic repairs.

SHOOTING RANGE TRAINING SKILL DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE

BEGINNER PHASE (0-6 MONTHS)

Focus on safety and fundamentals.

Build accuracy at close range.

Develop grip and stance.

Master basic loading and unloading.

INTERMEDIATE PHASE (6-18 MONTHS)

Increase shooting distances.

Add movement to drills.

Introduce time pressure.

Begin position shooting.

ADVANCED PHASE (18+ MONTHS)

Complex scenarios.

Stress training.

Competition prep.

Specialized skills.

STRATEGIC TRAINING PLANS

WEEKLY STRUCTURE

2-3 range sessions.

1-2 dry practice sessions.

1 skills assessment.

At least 1 rest day.

SESSION COMPONENTS

Warm-up drills.

Skill development.

Challenge drills.

Cool-down practice.

Performance documentation.

SPECIALIZED TRAINING FOCUS

PERSONAL DEFENSE

Scenario-based training.

Low-light operations.

Close-quarters techniques.

Force-on-force training.

PRECISION SHOOTING

Wind reading skills.

Distance estimation.

Position development.

Environmental factors.

SUPPLEMENTARY CONDITIONING

MENTAL TRAINING

Visualization exercises.

Stress management techniques.

Competition mindset development.

Performance psychology.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONING

Shooting-specific exercises.

Endurance training.

Flexibility work.

Recovery protocols.

Some may balk at this information, maybe even me.  But I think there is a mental aspect to shooting and defense.  I don't know if I agree with everything here, but most of it I feel is valid.  Judge for yourself.

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

Gun Ranges: Source of Skill Improvement

 Everyone can use a shooting range. Whether you hunt, plink, compete, or defend yourself, you will need to practice. I belong to a shooting range that is outdoors. I love it but feel I need the convenience of a home range. I’m in the planning stages.

Whether you shoot for fun, sport, or defense practice is required.
As retired NBA basketball star Allen Iverson so eloquently said, “We’re talking about practice, man, we’re not even talking about the game, when it actually matters, we’re talking about practice."
Correct. We are talking about practice. We are talking about how important time at the range is to a shooter’s overall chances of success. It’s not just about making sure your gun shoots accurately; it’s about you. Practice builds skills that improve your accuracy. Skills that make you a better, more confident shooter.
It seems bow hunters practice more frequently than gun hunters. This isn’t an all-encompassing fact, of course, but generally speaking, I believe it to be true if for no other reason than shooting a bow is more convenient (and less expensive) than shooting a gun.
Just about anyone with a quarter-acre in a tight subdivision can set up an archery target behind their house, pace off 20 yards and fling arrows. Firing off a 12 gauge in the neighborhood is probably not such a great idea.
Shooting firearms requires a proper location. Such locations include public or private gun ranges, rural property, or if you’re lucky enough, the backyard. Whatever your situation may be, make the most of it.
Let’s assume you do not have the good fortune of being able walk out the back door to a personal shooting range. Most people can’t. So where do you shoot? Thankfully, a number of organizations are working hard to ensure you have plenty of options.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, exists to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. A large part of their mission is making sure there are plenty of places to shoot. On the NSSF web site (www.nssf.org), you’ll find endless resources for shooters. To prove just how serious it is about helping you find a place to shoot, the NSSF has designed a separate web site devoted to helping you find a range. The web site is simply called “Where to Shoot,” and can be found at www.wheretoshoot.org. The National Rifle Association has a similar web site located at www.nra.org/nralocal.aspx.
Shooting ranges are nice for a number of reasons. They usually have quality shooting benches and target stands set at established distances. There’s also the camaraderie. Chances are there will be other shooters at the range. Where else can you approach a complete stranger while wearing a Glock .40 on your hip and feel perfectly comfortable striking up a conversation while he’s busy reloading a 30-round magazine for his AR-15? Ahh, the comfort of kindred spirits.
If you have enough land and live where shooting is acceptable, you can build your own range. Having a gun range at home is convenient. After supper, you can grab your rifle or shotgun and head out to the range to practice a few shots. You don’t even have to use your centerfire rifle. Even regular practice with a .22 helps. The more you shoot, the better your hand/eye coordination becomes. Your trigger press improves and the overall process of shooting becomes more natural.
Putting together a decent shooting range doesn’t take much time or money. You really only need four things: a shooting bench, a shooting rest, a target stand and targets, all of which could be homemade or purchased from a sporting goods retailer.
If you choose to go with a homemade range, you can use or build a picnic table for a bench, fill a couple of sand bags for a rest, build a target stand out of 2x4s and use cardboard or paper plates for targets. If you’d like a bit more serious shooting range, companies like Caldwell Shooting Supplies and Shooter’s Ridge manufacturer everything you need. You can buy a weather-resistant shooting table, a quality shooting rest, a target stand and plenty of targets for well under $500. Get a couple buddies to pitch in the cash together. It won’t take long to see the value of your investment.
Make sure it is legal to have a range where you want to put it.
No matter what, safety must always be your first priority when shooting. Wherever you decide to set up your range, be sure you are in a safe location. Be positive of what lies beyond your target. Either set your target stand in front of a proper backstop, or take the time to build one. Mound up dirt or a wood pile. And of course, always wear hearing and eye protection.
Semper Paratus
Check 6

Burn