Class post here:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=8&f=10&t=325189
My AAR:
First my background:
I've taken several course including shooting and tactical courses from several of the big names. I take roughly 4-5 courses a year and have been doing so for the last 3-4 years. I shoot more ammo and train much more then I can afford. I hold G, D, CC licenses and hold NRA Instructor credentials in all subjects. I am currently working on my K license.
Gear I used:
I used my daily carry rig. A 511 leather belt, an XD-45 Compact with TFO's, Springer Precision trigger kit and a Boresight solutions stippling job. I used a blackhawk IWB leather holster and a open button down shirt for concealment. I shot the complete second day from concealment. I used a blackhark leather single mag pouch and just kept extra mags in my pocket till they were moved to fill in the pouch when empty. I used wolf .45 exclusively and the setup ran flawlessly as expected.
The class:
This class was very different then anything I have previously taken. Understandably, every firearm class I have ever taken has been firearm centric. This class was a hand-2-hand course first and a gun course second. Everything we did revolved on the theory that gun fights happen at very close distances and the class taught us how to fight and survive at those distances. Sometimes a gun was deployed, sometimes a knife and sometimes neither. Class concentrated on deployment and retention when engaged at arms reach with an opponent. Underlining theme was always "never quit" and always "press on". The basis of MCS is to take the way that we all instinctively react to certain situations and to use these pre-programed responses that come so naturally to us in KISS techniques that can save our lives. Having taken many classes I can't say that I saw anything new, I haven't seen anything new in a while in this industry, but the MCS course is new and fresh in the sense that it is the only course I have seen concentrating on fighting with a gun in a TTL scenario yet keeps the material so simple that anyone can keep up.
Instructors:
Funny ass group of guys ... Both instructors excel at describing, demonstrating and explaining their techniques. They also do a great job at explaining why the techniques work and why they excel in a close quarters situation. Its quite evident to me both instructors love to teach and love to share the knowledge they have with their students.
The bad:
I always try to pick something that I would liked to of seen different in every class I have taken. In this case the only thing I can think of was class duration and intensity. This may be more of a personal issue with me since I like training "balls to the walls" but I would love to of seen this course go from 8am to 10pm and include night tactics both days. I would of liked to of had more time on the mat to practice techniques learned. But, I do understand that no everyone there would of been into this and some may of not been physically capable of it.
Summary:
Im glad I took this class. I look forward to training with George and Seth more in the future. It was truly a pleasure and well worth my time and money.
Sounds like a solid course. Having instructors that like what they're doing & seem to be having fun makes a class much more enjoyable. On the length issue, a good instructor will see when people are starting to fade- especially possible with a combo shooting/FOF/H2H class like this or ECQC. How much FOF/hands on training have you done (like this class or ECQC)?
We're usually pretty aggressive individuals in these classes & pushing past that fatigue, while good for conditoning & experience can ruin someone's day real fast. I've seen a few guys that went too hard too soon or too late & ended up sidelined for a long time after. IMO it's always best to call it before you get to that point in a group class. If you're working with a training partner & both of you are on the same page the continued stress & fatigue training can be beneficial but you have to be careful.
