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Assistant Instructors & The Work Unseen

Writer's picture: Memphis BeechMemphis Beech

Problems that I’ve seen Assistant Instructors fix that you had no clue about:


-The door to the range had an issue. It was fixed before you woke up.


-There was issues with several target stands. It was fixed yesterday before you checked into your hotel.


-A range scheduling snafu occurred, modifying the lesson plan. You never noticed it. Class got out on time.


-The AIs identified 6 beginner shooters in an advanced class that wasn’t made for beginners. This was possible because the AIs met students in the parking lot, said “Hi,” and helped carry their bags. The AIs made it a point to answer their questions during breaks, and ensure they understood instructions. The Lead was aware of this, but needed to change nothing. Class proceeded without adjustment and finished on time.



During class, the AIs listened to the classroom lecture and observed the students in class. Here’s what they learned:


-Two students were left-handed. They learned this because they took notes and wrote with their left hand. Those students were placed on the right side of the firing line, so the AIs can better see their trigger fingers.


-One student was often disruptive in class, interrupting the Lead with incorrect or outdated information. The AIs noticed this in class. They discussed the interruptions with the student, and they ceased. That student was placed on the far side of the firing line to prevent distractions with other classmates. No further disruptions occurred.


-One student was a victim of trauma. The AIs learned this from another student (a family member) during a break. The AIs adjusted lane assignments to prevent the student from being triggered by others in class.


-Two students brought revolvers. The AIs put the students together and they became lifelong friends.


-The AIs took more notes than many of the students. Some of the notes were about class material, but most of the notes included:

-Who came with who? Who’s paired up?

-Who’s left-handed?

-Who’s wearing glasses?

-Who are beginners?

-Who is being disruptive?

-Who’s nervous? Who needs extra assistance?

-Who has disabilities or medical needs?

-Who’s neuro-divergent?

-Who needs electronic hearing protection?



Problems on the range that I’ve seen fixed by Assistant Instructors that you never knew about:


-One student had a diabetic episode that was immediately handled by the AIs. The Lead was informed once it happened but it was already handled and class suffered no interruptions.


-One student was a heat casualty. During a break, AIs noticed signs of heat exhaustion and rendered assistance. While the student missed large portions of the class, no disruption occurred. The class finished on time. You never noticed this, but your FB chat group had been blowing up your phone so you turned on “Do Not Disturb.”


-A student had an emotional episode and couldn’t stop trembling and crying. The Lead was notified non-verbally, and an AI escorted the student to a common area. The student & AI returned less than 10 min later and finished the course of fire with the other classmates. No additional time was added to the class and the Lead changed nothing in the stage plan.

(You didn’t notice, but you did notice your neighbor had two shots go low and left.)


-One class, AIs prevented 12 negligent discharges by warning shooters about their trigger fingers. Five of these were from one student, and he was coached privately by an AI. You never noticed because one “flyer” kept you from a perfect score.


-One student turned to show that his gun had a malfunction, nearly muzzling his neighbor. The AI was close enough to stop him. You never noticed.


-Countless injuries and deaths are prevented by good Assistant Instructors, and often without you ever knowing about how that sausage was made.


Assistant Instructors are the oil that allows this machine to run. Without it, the machine will wear, will have to work harder to run, and will likely malfunction or break.


You need to get with Aqil Qadir & Tiffany Johnson of Citizens Safety Academy. Their “Effective Assistant Instructor” class should be required training for anyone that helps instructors with classes.


If you can’t make the live class, take the online version. You can find it at https://citizenssafety.com/assistant-instructor-training/



Assistant Instructors are not wallflowers. The class is not just hang-out time. AIs should be actively looking for work. They should be in the classroom to observe students and help the Lead. Students should not have to set up the range, because it should already be set when they arrive. While the students get breaks, the AIs don’t. The brass should be swept. The lanes should be clear. The problems should be fixed before they become problems.


The students should enjoy the sausage. No one wants to see how it’s made.


Thanks, Aq & Tiff. Always pushing me forward.

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