The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - What are you looking for in a Firearms Instructor?

TexasSeaRay · March 17, 2008, 10:59 PM

Bottom line is, "can you teach?"

I've had flight instructors many moons ago that could fly like Lindbergh, Yager and Top Gun all put together, but couldn't teach you the difference between the mixture and throttle.

Likewise, some of the best shots I ever saw in the elite units of the military couldn't teach--however, this was somewhat more rare as most chiefs and sergeants CAN teach because teaching is part of their job.

I agree with Double Naught Spy--leave the ego in the filing cabinet or gun safe. You can list your qualifications on the intro sheet. Same for telling war stories--those are fine for lunch of afterwards, not while the money clock is ticking.

But above all, communicate right off the bat that your goal is to help each and every single student in your class/workshop/seminar leave your class an improved shooter so that they feel that they got their money's worth.

Jeff

March 17, 2008, 10:59 PM	#13
TexasSeaRay Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 810	Bottom line is, "can you teach?" I've had flight instructors many moons ago that could fly like Lindbergh, Yager and Top Gun all put together, but couldn't teach you the difference between the mixture and throttle. Likewise, some of the best shots I ever saw in the elite units of the military couldn't teach--however, this was somewhat more rare as most chiefs and sergeants CAN teach because teaching is part of their job. I agree with Double Naught Spy--leave the ego in the filing cabinet or gun safe. You can list your qualifications on the intro sheet. Same for telling war stories--those are fine for lunch of afterwards, not while the money clock is ticking. But above all, communicate right off the bat that your goal is to help each and every single student in your class/workshop/seminar leave your class an improved shooter so that they feel that they got their money's worth. Jeff __________________ If every single gun owner belonged to the NRA as well as their respective state rifle/gun association, we wouldn't be in the mess we're in today. So to those of you who are members of neither, thanks for nothing.