I was talking to someone the other day who had taken at least one gun safety class. They noted something about the way I presented myself.
"The other instructors were kind of, I dunno, gung ho." they said. "They projected a kind of,...How can I put this?..."
"They were aggressive." I said.
"Yeah, that's it! And you are, I dunno...."
"I'm protective." I said.
"Yeah, that's it!" they said. "The other guys wanted everyone to know that they could handle themselves in a fight. They seemed so enthusiastic at times that one wondered of they were hoping for trouble."
I've noticed this attitude myself, and it can be off putting. But you really shouldn't judge those guys who act like drill instructors too harshly.
(Please click on all pictures to see if a larger image is available.)
Some of it is due to macho posturing, sure, but generally the people who do this sort of thing are just trying to instill confidence in their ability. If they could prevail in an armed encounter, then you are well served when they teach you some of their hard earned skills.
Another reason they present themselves as barely contained jerks is because it is expected. For better or worse, people think that those who raise their voice to motivate their students, and who can't stop talking about their fantastic combat skills, are real professionals. The volume and openly contemptuous attitude is confused with competence.
So why don't I act like that? There are a few reasons.
The first is that I generally deal with people who have been through some very rough experiences, and they are sometimes still trying to deal with the aftermath. If they are skittish already, then they will have a hard enough time dealing with the natural nervousness that comes from firing a gun for the first time. One thing they don't need is to be scared that their instructor will yell at them if they show how uncertain they are.
The second and most important reason is that I don't do this for money. Oh, I've given the necessary classes so people could get their CCW license here in Ohio, but my main concern is my charity work with violent crime survivors. I don't feel that I have to put on a show because they aren't paying me anyway.
And that leaves the last reason why I don't yell, posture, or act like I'm the biggest badass in the world in order to establish my bona fides. It's because, after all this time, I really don't have to. People hear of me via word of mouth, and they come to me. If they aren't satisfied with my services, then they can go somewhere and pay for the same thing.
So don't judge your instructor too harshly if he acts like he's auditioning for R. Lee Ermy's stand in. He's just desperate to impress you, and this is the only way he knows how.
UPDATE
Mutt has some thoughts of his own on the subject.
Comments (2)
Interesting point of view. I grew up in WV, and my dad is someone who could be very dangerous when he needed to be, and he gave that ability to all three of his sons. Dad's short, about 5'1", and was fairly skinny until he was in his 50s. Unlike a lot of short, skinny guys, my dad didn't act like he had a chip on his shoulder or try to be a jerk to people. Dad joined the Marines when he was a month or so shy of his 18th birthday, and was about five pounds under the minimum weight. He was always the smallest in his company, but he kept up with them.
Everyone in my family tends to look at people who swagger and act like they were a bada** like they were a moron. Both of my brothers have bullet scars in their chests where arguments got out of hand, and we all walk with a kind of quiet, respectful confidence that you don't see a lot of anymore. We usually figure people who are yelling and swaggering are insecure. Frankly, even my mother's not someone that should be lightly crossed.
I guess it boils down to confidence. When you really have it, you don't need to advertise it. Shoot, writing this post is almost embarrasing, even though I'm talking about my family, who I'm proud of.
Posted by Phillip | March 22, 2008 12:02 PM
Posted on March 22, 2008 12:02
People I know and have known that you wanted to have "watching your six" and to be there when things got bad in the lonely places didn't project any "bad ass" image. If anything they strive to blend in with the "background noise" and are the ordinary, unassuming, quiet type. My best description is of an aloof, wiry, observant feral cat, keenly aware of its environment, lurking silently and almost invisibly on the fringes, but ready to pounce in a heartbeat.
Harry could blend in anywhere, and did so because his life on the job depended upon it. He was the real "invisble man" and liked it that way. He could be the devoted father, school teacher, banker, homeless bum, taco vendor, shoemaker, trash man, cab driver. But while invisible he could appear out of nowhere, quick thinking, agile and fast on his feet as well as with his hands, a knife or a gun. If going into the scary dark places want I somebody like him on the team and not an obnoxious loudmouth who draws fire.
Posted by ke4sky | March 27, 2008 10:37 AM
Posted on March 27, 2008 10:37