Reread my posts. I never inferred that there are not those who train hard and often. Nevertheless, be realistic. It is human nature to start off with a bang (pardon the pun) then taper off.
Consider how many people buy gym memberships in January, but are no longer going in May.
Also, I am aware of more non law enforcement people that are more accurate on the range than most cops. My neighbor’s granddaughter is the best rail gunner I know. She began beating her dad when she was 13 and has been winning championships ever since .
I also know that one of my Department’s more infamous shootouts had the distinction of having four members of the pistol team on scene. All four fired their weapons, and all four missed. An overweight Detective took the bad guy out.
I live in Arizona near the confluence between Gunsite, Saurez International, and Ben Avery. They are there because they are popular. Some of Gunsite’s best instructors have been military guys rather than Law Enforcement.
Yet, I strongly disagree with the statement that I am “just a citizen now”. No more than anyone should tell a retired military man, that he is just a citizen now, either. Dave, consider the following;
I have been in ten shooting situations. (7 in the Rodney King Riots, two during pursuits, and one other).
I have had five people try to kill me. Three were “laying in wait” with firearms. One was with a knife and the other was with a motor vehicle.
I had my partner shot in the face (and killed) on a traffic stop. I watched him die in the hands of a Viet Nam veteran (who had become a Firefighter Paramedic) desperately trying to save him.
Do you actually think that that stuff goes away when a man retires from the job? Do you think I checked my skills, training, and experience at the door?
And if you think I am critical, get over it. Cops are the most critical professionals I know. When one of us goes down, the rest of us dissect the situation to the Nth degree. I recently revisited the Newhall Shooting because I came across new information. That shooting took place in April 1970. We are critical because that’s how we learn, just like we learned from that overweight Detective.
Now, my point in my previous posts, was that for most people, and especially for the Seniors I train, simple and straightforward is the way to go. Running them through Hogan’s Alley isn’t a good plan. I shouldn’t be personally attacked because I recognize that distinction.