Primary & Secondary Article Library
Explore the Primary & Secondary Article Library: practical writing on firearms, defensive training, law enforcement, equipment, tactics, mindset, and the people who contribute to the professional training community. Articles are organized to help readers find durable information, professional perspectives, and useful resources by subject.
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Forward Movement as Part of the Shot Process
Forward movement should support a tactical purpose while preserving muzzle control, awareness, balance, and an accuracy standard appropriate to the task.
Read articleThe Training Value of Shooting Competition
Shooting competition provides pressure, measurement, accountability, and unfamiliar problems, but it should complement—not replace—tactical training.
Read articleBallistics Terminology: Key Concepts Explained
A practical glossary of internal, external, and terminal ballistics terms, including trajectory, velocity, zero, energy, momentum, and penetration.
Read articleMovement in the Rifle Shot Process: Principles and Categories
Movement affects stability, aim, control, awareness, and communication. Train it progressively and use it only when it creates a meaningful advantage.
Read articleDeveloping Wide-Band Situational Awareness
Situational awareness means noticing changes, interpreting patterns, and taking proportionate action without fixation, stereotyping, or constant hypervigilance.
Read articleBuilding a Standardized Range Safety Brief
A useful range safety brief covers orientation, commands, emergency response, equipment, hazards, responsibilities, and active enforcement.
Read articleWhy We Fight
“ War is not violence and killing, pure and simple; war is controlled violence, for a purpose.” -Robert Heinlein, Starship Troopers We are continuing our discussion on why we…
Read articleIntroduction to Ballistics
‘There were over thirty of them in continuous action, and all I could do was touch the Germans off just as fast as I could. I was sharpshooting.…
Read articleTransitioning From a Primary to a Secondary Weapon
A weapon transition is a context-dependent decision shaped by urgency, distance, cover, weapon condition, equipment, and mission—not an automatic response.
Read articleUsing the Engagement Skills Trainer Effectively
Use the Engagement Skills Trainer as a diagnostic and rehearsal tool with clear objectives, deliberate coaching, and transfer to dry and live-fire training.
Read articleImplementation of Dry-fire into the Training Calendar
“As there is no ammunition, every day when they come here for training, the shooters just aims the gun, pull the trigger to hear the ‘tick’ sound, and…
Read articleTraining Emphasis on Weapons Mastery
For TrainingTuesday, we are starting a new discussion on how to train our Paratroopers more efficiently. Specifically, we will be addressing how to train more efficiently. The reference…
Read articleMalfunction with a Primary Weapon Part 3
For Manual Monday, we are continuing our discussion on Control. Specifically, we will continue our discussion on malfunctions as we address when in the cycle of function immediate…
Read articleSkill Drills vs. Scenario Training
Skill drills isolate component skills; scenario training tests perception, judgment, integration, and adaptability. Both are necessary when used for the right purpose.
Read articleIntegrated Weapons Training Strategy Doctrine
For Walkthrough Wednesday, we are continuing the discussion on the Integrated Weapons Training Strategy and the changes that are going to be taking place in doctrine. Master Jhoon…
Read articleInstructor Background, Teaching Ability, and Student Value
Credentials and operational experience matter only in context. Students should also evaluate an instructor’s evidence, communication, diagnosis, safety, humility, and results.
Read articleCitizens Defense Research’s The Armed Parent/Guardian AAR
So my friend John Johnston of Ballistic Radio called me out on a recent Primary and Secondary modcast to check out his class Contextual Handgun: The Armed Parent/Guardian.…
Read articleCritical Firearm Equipment: Reliability Before Accessories
A framework for identifying and maintaining critical firearm equipment through inspection, testing, confirmed zero, service intervals, replacement parts, and measurable training.
Read articleAARs for Scenario-Based Training: How and Why
A practical method for conducting scenario-training AARs using chronological review, guided questions, video evidence, and feedback matched to the learner.
Read articleSucked Down the Tube: A Failure in Training
Much, if not all training and practice is conducted on flat ranges under calm conditions with no surprises. We shoot steel and paper that we purposely place and…
Read articleInches, Minutes, Clicks- Zero That Blaster
Zeroing is literally one of the most important thing we need to accomplish with our rifles and #spacegun pistols. There is much talk around the technique to accomplish…
Read articleA Reminder About Patience for Firearms Instructors
Keith Morgan explains why firearms instructors should combine firm safety standards with patience, diagnosis, clear feedback, and respect for the beginner’s cognitive workload.
Read articleRunning the Irons.
Iron sights have been part of shooting since the very least April 19th 1775. Aiming was a major part of our tactics that helped defeat the British unaimed…
Read articleMalfunctions
We are continuing our discussion on Control. Specifically, we will be addressing how to handle malfunctions, which is a particular part of the shot process that was not…
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