Over the Labor Day weekend, three of the NRA Training Counselors from the Piedmont NRA Instructors held a three day seminar for 10 instructor candidates. At the end of the three days, the candidates completed the training requirements for certification as NRA instructors in Home Firearm Safety, Basic Pistol, and Personal Protection. Because of our close working relationship with the NRA Headquarters training staff, we were able to present the new Basic Pistol course material for the first time. The Piedmont NRA Instructors had been teaching the new material to basic students, but this was the first time that instructor candidates were trained to teach these new lessons. As you can see from looking around the room in the picture above, there is a lot of written material for the candidates to absorb.
The instructor seminar was held at the Westlance Arms shooting facility near Jones Springs, West Virginia. The chief instructor for the seminar was Mack Elliott, shown on the left. In the middle is Randy Mays (and where have we heard that name before, eh?). To the right is Nan Sanders. This was the first full seminar for Mack and Nan. Randy has assisted senior TC Berny Hostrop with seminars in Warrenton, Virginia. This picture was taken at the end of the second day, just after completion of a lengthy session out on the range. During the seminar, the Basic Pistol and Personal Protection range lessons were taught on Sunday afternoon. Half the instructors taught the other half on Basic Pistol, then switched and became the students for the Personal Protection lessons.
This picture shows the range setup. We were expecting some rain so the "EZUp" canopy had been erected. The two benches were used to teach the basic benchrest shooting positions.
Betsy Hostrop, a Training Counselor from Warrenton, Virginia helped with the class on the second day, covering special topics on training women to shoot, and joining in the range session. This picture shows Betsy talking to Mike while Mack and Rob look on. In the background are the bowling pins and poppers used for an informal match after the seminar had concluded for the day. The informal match was a training opportunity in itself. It demonstrated that while anyone can shoot a small group on a piece of blank paper, the stress of competition demonstrates that "real" shooting can be a lot different.
Instructor candidates take a lot of tests. Here are Mike, Melinda, and Rick using their open books and notes to make sure they have the right answers.
At last, after three long hard days, it pays off with completion certificates - the first step to certification. NRA Instructors are charged with the responsibility of conveying three things to their students: knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Gun safety becomes their mission, along with introducing others to a great lifetime hobby.
It wasn't the fanciest podium, and the air conditioner could be loud at times, but when the books were put away we were all satisfied that the TCs and instructor candidates had accomplished quite a bit.
If you would like more information on becoming an NRA Instructor or Training Counselor,
take a look at the NRA's Web Site or contact the Piedmont NRA Instructors.
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