IT'S TIME TO COMPETE
At Green Ops, we believe there are five tenets—or pillars—of performance that every shooter should actively pursue: Dry Fire, Live Fire, Shot Timer, Video Analysis, and Competition. These elements are essential for becoming a better shooter.
Competition plays a major role in your development, but many people overlook it or dismiss it with excuses like, “I’m a tactical shooter, not a competition shooter,” or “Competition will get you kilt in the streets.” These mindsets limit growth and miss the broader value that competition offers.
Here are five key benefits of participating in shooting competitions like USPSA, IDPA, and 2-Gun events for law enforcement officers, concealed carriers, and anyone who wants to improve with a firearm:
Stress Inoculation & Decision-Making: Competitions simulate high-pressure environments that force quick decisions under time constraints. This helps shooters become more comfortable and effective under stress—critical in real-world encounters.
Improved Weapon Handling & Accuracy: Repeated exposure to dynamic shooting scenarios develops faster draw times, better recoil management, quicker reloads, and more accurate shot placement—skills that directly translate to defensive situations.
Realistic Movement & Positioning: Unlike static range training, competitions require movement, use of cover (to a degree), shooting from unconventional positions, and adapting to variable targets.
Gear Familiarity & Efficiency: Regularly running your carry or duty gear in competition helps identify weaknesses in your setup, leading to better holster placement, magazine access, and overall equipment reliability.
Accountability & Performance Tracking: Competing provides measurable feedback, highlights your strengths and weaknesses, and encourages continuous improvement—something not always present in routine qualifications or standard range time.
Competition is often the hardest of the five pillars for shooters to engage in, for many reasons—whether it's a lack of local matches, fear of embarrassment, or limited time to commit. As a result, many people avoid it altogether. That said, we strongly encourage you to make an effort to get out and compete as much as possible.
Because we at Green Ops believe so strongly in the value of competition, we’re launching our own online monthly shooting competition starting this August. Each week, you'll video yourself shooting the designated drill, upload it to Facebook, and at the end of the month, a winner will be selected to receive a prize.
It’s that simple.
Head over to the Green Ops Alumni Facebook page and keep an eye out for the August drill to be posted.