AAR - Green Ops - Advanced Pistol Fundamentals (Virginia)
Photo credit: @GreenOps_Yoshi Instructor demo
Posting an AAR that I've been meaning to write for a long time. TLDR-- the course is fantastic, Green Ops instructors are fantastic. Highly recommend if they've got classes in your area!
Class Name: Green Ops Advanced Application of Pistol Fundamentals
Class Date & Location: September 21, 2024, Culpeper, Virginia
Course Duration: 8 hours
Gear & Equipment Used
Handgun: Glock 1 Gen 5
Optic: EOTech EFLX
Holster: Safariland 7TS ALS Low-ride Duty Rated Level 1 Retention
Belt: Esstac Enhanced Shooter’s Belt 1.75”, Esstac KYWI pouches
Magazines: 4x Glock OEM Magazines
Eyepro: Oakley Prizm
Earpro: AXIL GS Extreme
Round count and ammo used: Brought ~500 rds of 9mm, used ~300 rds
In-depth Review
As an Army veteran and former federal law enforcement officer, I’ve been lucky to experience premier military and law enforcement handgun training over the course of almost 15 yrs. Even so, this Green Ops course was one of the most valuable pistol trainings I’ve ever received, and Josh, Luke, Julian, and Phil are among the best instructors I've ever had. By the end of the course, I was able to identify and markedly improve on aspects of my pistol fundamentals—some improvements that I’d been hoping to make as well as skills that I didn’t even know I could improve.
The team’s method is straightforward and keeps things fun, making the day go by quick. They start by explaining and expertly demonstrating an aspect of pistol fundamentals (i.e. stance, sight acquisition, grip, trigger press), then moving efficiently through iterative drills, exercises, and “competitions” to allow us to experience and improve on each skill. Each of the instructors was great at identifying individual deficiencies throughout these exercises and working one-on-one to help you improve on them.
One of the most significant takeaways I got from this course was improving my accuracy at distance. Before this course, I was underconfident in my ability to shoot accurately beyond 25+ yds. After Josh and Luke worked with me to refine my grip and trigger control, by the end of the course I was able to confidently make 50-100 yd shots on an IPSC silhouette steel target.
The skills I learned and improved on in this course not only improved my confidence in pistol shooting, but measurably improved my performance during my next competitions and firearms qualification.
Recommendations
Because of how short the course is, there's little room to add much more. But it would be nice to begin the day with a short session to confirm zeroes. There were a couple of shooters who struggled for a bit because they weren't zeroed in (the instructors fixed that quick), but they lost some valuable practice time because of it.
My second recommendation is actually for prospective students of the course. While it is called "advanced applications", the course description does say the course is beginner-friendly, and while the instructors did a great job adjusting the course to a range of skill levels, I'd highly recommend already being comfortable with manipulating the pistol (loading, reloading, sight acquisition, etc.) and well as drawing in order to get the most out of the course. I think the course content/structure is best geared for those looking to refine their fundamentals, not necessarily learn or apply them for the first time.
Bottom Line
Overall, I can't say enough good things about the quality of instructors and the instruction. Not only are each of them incredible shooters and teachers, they're also humble, fun, and down-to-earth (none of the "Navy-SEAL-starting-a-podcast mentality", if you know what I mean). If you're looking for a great pistol course with experienced, capable instructors, Green Ops is the way to go.