Adventures of HG at NRTI

Oh boy! So I passed my firearms course this week! I'm so happy and it certainly was not easy. I'm still waiting to hear how I did on the written test that I took yesterday, but that's the last portion of firearms and a lot of it was common sense. Unfortunately, the test was nothing like I expected. I studied the nomenclature (parts) of the gun over and over and I can tell you what each part is, what it does, where it goes, etc., but did they ask any of that on the test? NO! It was questions about what we learned on the range this week. There might have been two questions out of our workbook. That was upsetting, but fingers crossed, I think I passed anyways.

I can't tell you how much I learned this week. All of the instructors were absolutely AMAZING. I started this course off knowing that a gun has bullets and that's about it. I couldn't tell you a 9mm from a 40 caliber or how one essentially worked or even how to hold it, but after this week's training, I feel very confident that I can safely carry, clean and use the gun if need-be. I'm sure the guys that shoot every week didn't appreciate the step-by-step instructions, but the instructors really did take their time with us and thoroughly explained each step. I learned how to properly hold the handgun, both right and left handed. I learned how to shoot with my sights, including in the dark. In case you don't know anything about guns, there are two small sights on the back of the gun and one on the front. You are supposed to line the small front one up level and in between the two back sights. Believe it or not, the sights have a very small amount of radioactive material in them and they glow at night. This was so cool and I loved night shooting. Although I did find out yesterday that with flashing red and blue lights, it's very difficult to find your front sight. Something I will certainly keep in mind for the future.

I even shot (and qualified) from the 75 foot range. That was pretty difficult so I think I'll be heading to the range on a regular basis now to keep practicing. Unfortunately this week was the only real handgun training we get. In April we have shotgun training. I'm anticipating that my shoulder is going to need a lot of ice that week, but I'm looking forward to it.

Oh! I almost forgot. This week we have Monday off which is great because this week was super long with two 12 hour days. But guess what else? We have taser training this week! No mom, I'm not going to get tased, but I will learn how to use one. I have to memorize the nomenclature before Tuesday. AND we are also getting pepper sprayed (a.k.a. OC) this week (I think Wednesday afternoon). I am so not looking forward to that, but I think it will be beneficial for me to get sprayed and learn how to defend myself if it happens out in the field. I've seen a number of cop shows (don't tell the commander) where two cops are fighting a suspect and one of the cop sprays the suspect and also hits his partner accidentally. Hopefully that won't happen to me. :)