20 June, 2007
John,
So that this will not hopefully sound like empty praise or paying homage
to some doctrine that I have chosen to follow to someone who may not
know the my background, let me start with that.
I have been involved in law enforcement since 1979. I have served
in various positions from walking a foot beat and pushing a patrol
car to
working
undercover narcotics and vice cases while with the Baltimore City Police
Dept. (MD) . In my career I have been involved in numerous critical
incidents in which force was used against me (handguns, knives, clubs
and a machete).
I have had to use various levels of force to include deadly force to
defend myself. As my career progressed I became an instructor in firearms,
tactics,
officer survival, chemical munitions, baton, etc. I have trained all
levels of law enforcement officers from rural to urban and members
of the military
and currently federal officers and agents with an agency of the Dept.
of Homeland Security. As part of my development as an instructor I
have had
the opportunity to attend various schools and training programs, especially
firearms training courses. On occasion I like to attend a "basic" school
as a student as a refresher of my personal fundamentals. Enough about
me. Let's just say that I am not in the habit of giving out empty praises
to
any and every school that I have been to. In fact, this is the first
such letter that I have ever written about a school that I have attended.
After having completed the Level I - III handgun classes taught by
you and your staff this past weekend (16 - 18 June 2007), I can honestly
say that this is the only school that I will ever spend my personal
funds
to
attend. I will be returning and bringing family members with me.
The amount of quality material covered in three days was incredible.
I have cannot recall attending any other school open to the public
that not
only covered how to shoot. But also why and when to shoot and what
may follow after a shooting. The training in preparation for a gunfight
and
more importantly how to develop an awareness and lifestyle so that
you may never have to be involved in one was some of the best that
I have
ever seen.
What was taught in the classroom, was reinforced on the range. The
fundamentals of shooting were covered so that those who do not yet
understand "gun
speak" were able to not only understand but more importantly apply
them and be able to shoot groups very quickly. Side note to Dave B.,
I am stealing the line up the bumpy things on top and press the swinging
thing on the bottom line for future use!!! Those students that were having
trouble were given the assistance that was needed in a very relaxed not
confrontational way so that no one felt undue pressure from the instructors.
The dedication and professionalism of you and your staff to each individual
student was unlike any that I have experienced prior. The diversity
of your staff is fantastic and greatly benefits any and every student
be
they civilian, law enforcement or military. Your facilities may not
be as fancy
as some of the bigger names in the training industry, but every thing
that needs to be done can be done on your ranges.
I will sum all of this up with the following recommendation to anyone
who reads this letter;
If you are looking for a training program that will teach you or a
loved one not just how to hit a target. But, how to plan for and operate
in
a lethal force encounter and WIN!!!
You need look no further than TDI and it's staff.
Jack L. Patterson
Baltimore, MD
De inimico non loquaris sed cogites
Do not wish ill for your enemy ... plan it