AAR: Combat Rifle / Contact Drills (CRCD) 3/4 May – CG

Corporate Guy (CG) from Carolina

AAR – Combat Rifle / Contact Drills (CRCD) – 3-4 May, 2014

As an aspiring new MVT student, I read many of the AAR’s posted on this site over the months leading up to the Combat Rifle / Contact Drills course (CRCD) I had signed up for.  It occurred to me while reading them that context matters.  Meaning, understanding something about the writer’s background is potentially useful in determining how applicable the comment may be to the reader.  I recently posted an AAR addressing the RMP class – please see that document for relevant background detail.

I recently attended the 3-4 May, 2014 CRCD course.  I assume you have read the class description for CRCD and I will not regurgitate that detail in this AAR.  It plays as described.  For additional perspective, I would also refer you to Barry’s recent AAR focused on CRCD 26-27 April, 2014.

If you have taken the first steps and found your way to the MVT web site and have concluded you need this type of training I would highly encourage you to take the next step and sign up.  The face value of the training is likely apparent based on the course overview and described intent.  But as you read the course description recognize that there is more to it than that.  Frankly, there are some less apparent reasons to attend the MVT CRCD class that I would encourage you to consider

First. This is not your typical training facility.  It’s not a range in the sense you normally would use the term.  It’s a little tough to wrap words around but it’s not that simple.  It’s more like a training environment.  That probably sounds a bit goofy but it’s a fair description.

A great deal of thought and energy went into creating the site.  It’s visceral.  Step out of the Ranger that is used to shuttle you from the parking site to the schoolhouse and you will quickly recognize that you are not in Kansas anymore.  There is no cell service (not much anyway).  There are no distractions.  It’s quickly apparent that you and your classmates are there for the same reason.  To learn some things about what is ultimately very serious subject matter.

Second. Max.  The man is genuinely dedicated to the mission of training the rather diverse group(s) of individuals that grace his facility.  It’s obvious from the first few moments the man is dead serious about the task at hand.  Focused on the clock and not because the scheduled training day ends at five.  The emphasis is obviously focused on making maximum use of the training opportunity.  There is no time wasted but you get the clear sense this about the student’s education and not about dinner.

Third. Student feedback.  If you read my first AAR focused on RMP you may be aware that I had attended a carbine manipulation class previously offered by another trainer.  During that class the feedback was mostly directed at the class level.  The student was compelled to sort it out on his or her own along the way.There really was very little student specific feedback offered during the conduct of the class.  CRCD IS NOT RUN IN THIS MANNER and as a potential student you should be ecstatic about this fact.  Feedback is offered directly to the student on a drill-by-drill basis.  Based on my observation and experience, Max consistently encourages every student, is quick to offer praise when earned, and willing to offer frank constructive criticism to the student (speaking from personal experience) when needed to facilitate a course correction.  I submit you want nothing less.  You aren’t asking him to teach you to play tennis.

Do yourself a favor.  Make the time.  I am going back to MVT in late June.

CG from Carolina