Many people complaining about “training scars” rarely have anything of value to add. It’s a concern and catch phrase popular with the incompetent. Quite often these same complainers will completely contradict themselves.
An example how this goes down. First, someone posts a shooting video.
Then, someone else feels compelled to comment what was “wrong.”
supervetteC6
How about you do drills where you have to take cover and shoot through cover instead of dick in the wind drills where you are standing out in the middle of nowhere. I’m sure this situation would happen but most of the time you will be taking cover so that you don’t get easily shot.
So, what does this self-appointed tactical genius offering unwanted advice do instead? What does he post online to demonstrate how he avoids these “problems”? Here’s a video posted by said commenter showing how he does range stuff:
Any fool can make idiotic comments claiming anything is “incorrect.” It does not mean they can do it better.
Firearm User Network 
Patrick T
Nov 01, 2015 @ 08:01:06
But, but, setting up cover on the range for drills takes extra work!
I tend to think that regular practice, and more importantly awareness and self-analysis during that practice, will make up for any “training scars.” If you practice awareness during regular training and shooting matches, if bad things do happen, you’ll have a better frame of mind for it.
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John M. Buol Jr.
Nov 01, 2015 @ 08:20:20
>> If you practice awareness during regular training and shooting matches, if bad things do happen, you’ll have a better frame of mind for it.
Very true.
The mere act of bothering to measure results, doing something organized with those results, and measuring again at a later time to demonstrate improvement solves it as well. A good way to insure awareness is being practiced is by making it a practice to be aware of what’s happening by measuring and writing things down.
Many claimed “training scars” are imaginary due to people erroneously believing that an approach deviating from their preference is automatically “wrong” when it may merely be different.
In the rare case a habit is actually bad, training scars only harm those not bothering to test and measure. A person with good, proven training habits can quickly eradicate a flaw because he knows how to do so and is willing to put the necessary work.
People pretending to be tactically minded with the mistaken belief that “training” only occurs during paid instruction classes often miss this.
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Ted Sames II
Nov 01, 2015 @ 11:33:36
This is a viable statement and question, if I read it correctly. He should have gone into greater detail. “Shooting through cover” can be safely done to avoid ricochets. What are we talking about? Is it 2D range training or combat competition? Or, realistic training techniques. Without realistic training, we have an abhorrence to shoot through intermediate obstacles to reach the Bad Guy-esp if we own the item being shot through. Case in point, cops HATE to shoot through windshields even if the Bad Guy presents himself in such a way where that’s the only method of stopping him. I taught our deputies–and now civilians–to do this. There was a definite mental block in doing this exercise even though we use junk cars. We did it safety so no one would get cut. There’s a science to it also…the cop or civilian must know where to shoot because of the curvature of the glass. The same goes for shooting into a vehicle. At certain angles, the bullet will travel right over the Bad Guy Driver many times. Here’s the trick for realistic weapons training: Moving before, during and/or after engaging the Bad Guy. The next step: Doing the same for a moving Bad Guy target. Most people do not MOVE while training–they shoot standing there as if they are bullseye training. In a battle, make sure you get “off-center” from the Bad Guy and make it hard for him to connect on you. SISSTRAINING.com
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John M. Buol Jr.
Nov 01, 2015 @ 11:55:53
>> This is a viable statement and question, if I read it correctly.
Sure, it’s possibly viable if/when we’re dealing with people skilled enough to worry about such things. Watch the second video again. Does this appear to be a skilled practitioner well versed in solid marksmanship and gun handling fundamentals ready to tackle new, potentially viable tactical concerns? A person that should be evaluating the skills of other? Or does it look like an under-skilled plinker still fumbling with basic gun handling?
>> What are we talking about? Is it 2D range training or combat competition? Or, realistic training techniques.
How about we start with something simple and work on it until we’re at a level above suck before moving on. Moving before, during, and after shooting? Shooting around and through cover/concealment during a dynamic incident? How about we first learn a simple, single shot presentation with a good hit under a little time pressure without having to first look at the damn rifle to remember where the controls are before shooting it.
You’re doing a great job highlighting a major flaw common in tactical instruction circles. People get worried about specific and/or special applications before being capable of demonstrating solid fundamentals. Shoot standing there as if they are bullseye training would be an improvement for many. At least they’d be measuring skills and working to improve something.
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Ted Sames II
Nov 01, 2015 @ 13:09:35
I was not able to see the video. Was the video from the guy you quoted? I will try to bring it up now.
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Ted Sames II
Nov 01, 2015 @ 13:14:15
These are good Intermediate drills. They are not realistic in any stretch of the imagination. It teaches basic skills such as multiple targets, transitioning to pistol, reloading skills, marksmanship skills, some movement skills, etc.
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John M. Buol Jr.
Nov 01, 2015 @ 16:35:13
>> These are good Intermediate drills. They are not realistic in any stretch of the imagination.
– Mike Pannone
https://firearmusernetwork.com/2014/12/30/mike-pannone-drills-scenarios-tactics/
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Ted Sames II
Nov 02, 2015 @ 15:00:36
I know what drills are and I now what shooting scenarios are an teach. I literally have two pages of each in my own instructor’s book. Here’s the real problem–95% of the people are quite happy obtaining their CCW class training, which in Florida is more like State law and weapons safety topics. They are required to fire only ONE shot in a safe manner. The other 5% may take a Precision Pistol class. Few people advance past this stage. My theory: We are arrogant Americans.” Our grandfather, who served in WW II, taught us how to shoot” and” My dad was in the Rangers (Cop, Infantry, etc)” are very common reasons they give not to train. Many give religious reasons why they do not train or even own a firearm. Some own weapons but they are locked away in safes. We have also become frightened and have fear of weapons.
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John M. Buol Jr.
Nov 02, 2015 @ 16:41:12
>> Here’s the real problem–95% of the people are quite happy obtaining their CCW class… They are required to fire only ONE shot in a safe manner. The other 5% may take a Precision Pistol class. Few people advance past this stage.
Thanks for providing further details and examples proving my point.
As you say, most folks (and this includes police and military) aren’t doing anything beyond whatever is mandatory. They aren’t doing drills or scenarios, even if they do understand the difference. Worrying about how something might cause a “training scar” is foolish when nothing is being done. It would be progress to create training scars because that requires something resembling semi-regular activity.
The issue is bridging the gap from minimal, mandatory instruction into a desire for something more.
Telling people that attendance at local, readily-available, inexpensive shooting events where skills are actually being measured causes a “training scar” is completely counter productive. Especially when there is ZERO proof behind the claim.
It would be a HUGE win to get most gun owners to show up for or work on ANYTHING on a recurring, semi-regular basis. Like you say, the vast majority do not. Having some half-skilled retard pretending to be a tactical trainer (and probably never been to a match or in a fight) warning against imagined “training scars” concerning drills, matches, or anything else is detrimental.
Go try something. Make some mistakes in a safe, controlled environment. Learn something. You’ll be better off than most self-appointed tactical timmies in the long run.
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