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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Surface Danger Zones
Understanding Surface Danger Zones We are starting a discussion on Surface Danger Zones. Specifically we will discuss what the different types are, and the different parts that make…
Read articleBallistic Considerations of Machine Guns
Time to start a new discussion about Machine Guns. Specifically, we will start to address the specific ballistic considerations that come into play when employing machine guns. We…
Read articleShooter and Compound Conditions in Rifle Engagements
How movement, weapon cant, protective equipment, visibility, firing position, and overlapping variables affect aiming and accountable rifle engagement.
Read articlePlanning and Maximizing Dry Fire
Due to the importance of dry fire, we are continuing our discussion on dry-firing. We have established what drills we need to do at a minimum according to doctrine,…
Read articleRange Facility Management Support System (RFMSS) Continued
We will now be continuing our discussion on the Range Facility Management Support System, or RFMSS. For those not familiar with the two-week calendar format it is set…
Read article25m M16/M4 Zero Target
This one was primarily written by Mike Lewis who was the 82nd Airborne Small Arms Master Gunner before me. He worked with Ash Hess , John Brady , and Paul…
Read articleIntegrated Weapons Training Strategy (IWTS)
We are continuing our discussion on the Integrated Weapons Training Strategy (IWTS), specifically, we will be addressing how to use it for planning and resourcing our training. Considerable…
Read articleEverything You Wanted To Know About Wind, Target Conditions, & Shooting Moving Targets (But Were Afraid To Ask)
We will be continuing our prior discussion Aiming as a part of the shot process. Specifically, we will be focusing on how Target Conditions, moving targets, the wind,…
Read articleFoundations of the Shot Process: Dryfire
We will discuss dry-fire. Where do we start at to build a solid foundation for our shot process? What References do we use? TC 3-22.9 dated May of…
Read articleComplex Engagements
To continue the previous article about aiming as a part of the shot process. Specifically, we will be focusing on what complex engagements are, what three conditions affect…
Read articleAchieving Zero With An M4
For this one we will be discussing how to achieve a good zero with the M4 Rifle. This is the first rounds that the Paratrooper will be firing…
Read articleUsing RFMSS to Plan and Schedule Military Ranges
A practical overview of using the Range Facility Management Support System to check availability, identify conflicts, coordinate resources, and support military range planning.
Read articleArmy Integrated Weapons Training Strategy: An Overview
An overview of progressive Army weapons training from preliminary instruction and simulation through dry practice, zero, qualification, and collective proficiency.
Read articleShot Process: Aiming
TC 3-22.9 dated May 2016, states that aiming is “the continuous process of orienting the weapon correctly, aligning the sights aligning on the target, and the application of…
Read articleShot Process: Stability
Today we will be discussing the first functional element of the shot process: Stability. While some would say that stability is the most important element, we want our…
Read articleThe burden of adult based learning in an Alpha world: A tale of willing ignorance.
In modern law enforcement we are forced to train to the lowest common denominator. Blame it on budget, admin’s general disregard for line staff, or rainbow farting unicorns,…
Read articleP&S ModCast 87 — Plateaus
An experienced panel discusses plateaus in training, learning, and skill development, including practice quality, feedback, measurement, motivation, and long-term improvement.
Read articlePushing Shooting Capabilities Beyond Qualification
Minimum qualification standards do not define competence. Harder, measurable drills can expose weaknesses and guide deliberate practice without sacrificing safety.
Read articleSWAT Team Leader Course & Vetting Entities…
I am teaching another Team Leader course in a few weeks. During the course of a year and with different topics being taught, I invariably get asked whether…
Read articleSpeed Costs Money……
Speed costs money, how fast do ya wanna go With the election upon us, it seems as if everyone now wants to buy, buy, buy firearms and gear…
Read articlePoint Shooting According To Roland
Point shooters practice using “muscle memory” to consistently repeat gun alignment to make shots. Through enough reps even a broken watch is right twice a day. But because…
Read articleSentinel Concepts Practical Urban Carbine 6/11-6/12 Part Four
This is part four and the final installment of my AAR of Steve Fisher’s inaugural course. The rest of the series can be found at https://primaryandsecondary.com/articles/. Day two…
Read articleThe Basics of Hosting a Training Class
By Adam Syfrett Many people entertain the idea of playing host to a professional instructor, in the hopes of potentially mitigating some of their own personal logistical hurdles…
Read articleFun With Shockey At DARC Part 3
Once the class is done, it’s time for cleanup and it’s not a light clean up. We fired somewhere in the ballpark of 70,000 simuntion rounds during the…
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