Check Ego At The Door: Quality & Focused Firearms Instruction

The firearms instruction community continues to evolve. Leading instructors are pushing for an approach prioritizing competence and continuous learning over credentials or background.

Ego can be a significant barrier to effective firearms instruction. When instructors let their pride or past accomplishments overshadow their teaching mission, it creates an environment that hinders learning and growth. As firearms instructor Sarah Paskey notes, "You have to be willing to accept the fact that you're not always going to be right. You can learn from anybody, and you have to take a step back and take your ego out of it."

This perspective emphasizes that even the most experienced instructors should maintain an attitude of continuous learning. As Paskey explains, "I could be the best shooter in the world; there's always going to be someone better than me that I can learn from, and I have to be open to that because if you stop learning as an instructor, you might as well turn in your instructor shirt certs."

Focusing on Competence

The key to quality instruction is demonstrated ability and ongoing improvement, rather than background or credentials. As Paskey emphasizes, "We need the right people. We need people who care about what they're doing and want to truly help others learn."

Instructor Callie Farill reinforces this point, noting that success in firearms instruction depends on ability and dedication: "Are you good at your job? Are you just going to let your actions, your fitness, and your lifestyle speak for themselves?"

The Fundamentals Matter Most

Quality instruction starts with mastery of the basics. Farill breaks down what this means: "Let's define the basics... What that means is how to apply pressure appropriately on your pistol. Do you know where and how to grip it and then where you should be squeezing? Basic number one. Basic number two trigger press. How do you pull the trigger? How do you pull the trigger correctly and find your reset? And then, how do you do that at speed? How do you do that up close, and how do you do that at a distance?"

Setting the Example

Effective instruction requires walking the talk. Instructors must be able to demonstrate the skills they're teaching and maintain the standards they expect from their students. As Paskey explains, "My job as an instructor is to set the example physically, mentally, emotionally, mechanically... if I can't go and shoot what I'm asking my students to shoot... then I don't feel like I should be here."

This commitment to excellence extends beyond just shooting skills. Instructors must recognize the serious responsibility they hold. As Paskey notes, "You are training them to survive the worst day of their life. You are going to be either the good thing or the bad thing that will have them come home or have a knock on their family's door... do not take that lightly."

Moving Forward

The future of firearms instruction lies in moving past ego-driven teaching to focus on competence, continuous learning, and student success. Whether dealing with new shooters or experienced practitioners, the goal should be the same: providing quality instruction that helps people develop their skills effectively and safely.

Farill sums it up well: "The people who are the best at firearms understand the three basic things the best. They have just ingrained that and made it... unconscious competence. You don't have to think about it anymore to complete it."

By focusing on these fundamentals - both in shooting skills and instructional approach - the firearms community can continue to evolve and improve, creating better outcomes for all students.

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This article is based on episode #521 of The Protectors® Podcast with Callie Farill and Sarah Paskey.