Training files?

[OneBadV8]

Question for the training junkies...

Do you have a training file? Do you keep track of all the classes you've taken?

If so, how do you do it? Do you log price, location, topics, school, etc somehow or do you just file some certificate or receipt?

 

[Jackson]

I sorta do. I have a spreadsheet with the classes I've taken up to a point. It hasn't been updated in awhile. I don't have it in front of me, but I believe it has the school, class, specific instructors teaching, hours of instruction etc. I've only recently started noting the cost. I didn't think that would be important, but sometimes people ask me about the cost. I have a folder on my computer with all of my AARs.

For the past year or two I've kept a small, bound notebook (moleskine brand) that goes to every class with me. I take class notes in it and try to be fairly detailed. There are sketches of drills setups and little quotes from different instructors. If I have a particularly interesting or productive range session, or a drill for which I want to track performance over time, I'll write that down in the notebook too.

I have a folder in a file drawer where I stuff hand-outs, manuals, and course certificates from different classes. They aren't all in there. I'm not as organized as I'd like to be. But most of it is there.

 

[cedartop]

Yes. Some is more detailed than others. For example you can find the recent stuff here. Mike Swisher | Paladin Combatives LLC That reminds me, I have to add last weekends class.

 

[Jackson]

EDIT: Where possible, I am adding links to my AARs (by clicking on the course start date), the school (by clicking on the name of the school), and the official course description (by clicking on the course name).

My table looks like this. Not sure if its what you're going for. As I get in to other topics I've thought about creating a category so I can sort by course topic. I've also considered linking the courses to my AARs. Though, I don't have AARs for all of them and I'm lazy. I have also considered starting a blog or website to post my AARs. Not sure it would get too many viewers though.

Begin	End	Organization	Course	Location	Instructor(s)	Hours
11/15/2008	11/15/2008	NRA	Basic Pistol	Danville Conservation Club	Andy Wickham	8
5/30/2009	5/30/2009	Adaptive Consulting and Training	Defensive Pistol 101	Riley Conservatoin Club Terre Haute, IN	John Viray Joseph Viray Aron Bright	8
5/31/2009	5/31/2009	Adaptive Consulting and Training	Defensive Rifle 101	Riley Conservatoin Club Terre Haute, IN	John Viray Joseph Viray Aron Bright	8
6/27/2009	7/28/2009	Boone County Sheriff	Introduction to Defensive Pistol	Boone County Sheriff Office Lebanon, IN	Ken Campbell	16
7/18/2009	7/18/2009	Doc Gunn Inc / DTI	Tactical Treatment of Gunshot Wounds	Boone County Sheriff Office Lebanon, IN	Anthony M Barrera M.D.	8
9/19/2009	9/20/2009	Tactical Response	Fighting Pistol	Seymour FOP Range Seymour, IN	James Yeager Brian Brekau	16
9/21/2009	9/22/2009	Tactical Response	The Fight! Force on Force Scenarios	Seymour FOP Range Seymour, IN	James Yeager Brian Brekau	16
6/15/2010	6/16/2010	Defense Training International	Urban Rifle Course	Sand Burr Gun Ranch Rochester, IN	John Farnam Vicki Farnam Frank Sharpe	22
9/25/2010	7/26/2010	Tactical Response	Fighting Pistol	Seymour FOP Range Seymour, IN	Jay Gibson Paul Gomez	16
9/27/2010	7/28/2010	Tactical Response	Advanced Fighting Pistol	Seymour FOP Range Seymour, IN	Jay Gibson Paul Gomez	16
12/4/2010	12/4/2010	Adaptive Consulting and Training	Defensive Pistol 205b Low Light	Riley Conservation Club Terre Haute, IN	John Viray Joe Viray	4
4/9/2011	4/10/2011	Boone County Sheriff	Introduction to Defensive Pistol	Boone County Sheriff Office Lebanon, IN	Ken Campbell	16
5/20/2011	5/22/2011	Tactical Defense Institute	Partner Tactics	Tactical Defense Institute West Union, OH	John Benner, Dave Bowie	24
5/28/2011	5/28/2011	Hard Target Firearms Training	Force On Force	FOP PAL Camp Evansville, IN	Guy Minnis	4
6/23/2011	6/23/2011	Strike Tactical Solutions	Vehicle Tactics	Sand Burr Gun Ranch Rochester, IN	Henk Iverson Frank Sharpe	9
7/16/2011	7/17/2011	Tactical Response	Alumni Weekend	Tactical Response Camden, TN	Various	16
12/3/2011	12/3/2011	Adaptive Consulting and Training	Low Light Pistol	Riley Consvervation Club Riley, IN	John Viray Joe Viray	4
2/23/2012	2/23/2012	Adaptive Consulting and Training	Low Light Rifle and Handgun	Riley Conservation Club Riley, IN	John Viray Joe Viray	4
5/12/1012	5/12/2012	Bright Firearms Training	Intermediate Pistol	Marion County Fish and Game Indianapolis, IN	Aron Bright	4
8/24/2012	8/26/2012	Yavapai Firearms Academy	1 and 2 Man Tactics (Airsoft Force on Force)	Boone County Sheriff Office Lebanon, IN	Louis Awerbuck	24
8/28/2012	8/30/2012	Yavapai Firearms Academy	Carbine/Pistol	Boone County Sheriff Office Lebanon, IN	Louis Awerbuck	24
8/31/2012	9/2/2012	Tactical Defense Institute	Active Shooter	Tactical Defense Institute West Union, OH	John Benner, Dave Bowie	30
10/13/2012	10/13/2012	Fortress Defense Consultants	Active Shooter Response	Sand Burr Gun Ranch Rochester, IN	Fank Sharpe	8
2/9/2013	2/9/2013	Mindset Labs	Intro to Force on Force	Mindset Lab Indianapolis, IN	Shay Vanvlyman	8
3/9/2013	3/9/2013	Mindset Labs	Defeating Locks	Mindset Lab Indianapolis, IN	Shay Vanvlyman	4
3/9/2013	3/9/2013	Mindset Labs	Escaping Restraings	Mindset Lab Indianapolis, IN	Shay Vanvlyman	4
3/10/2013	3/10/2013	Mindset Labs	Flahslight Combatives	Mindset Lab Indianapolis, IN	Shay Vanvlyman	8
3/23/2013	3/23/2013	NRA	Personal Protection in the Home	Sand Creek Conservation Club	Nathan Kemp	8
4/13/2013	4/14/2013	Suarez International	Zero to Five Feet Gunfighting	Sand Burr Gun Ranch Rochester, IN	Randy Harris Mike Swisher	16
4/20/2013	4/20/2013	Mindset Labs	Vehicle FoF	Mindset Lab Indianapolis, IN	Shay Vanvlyman	8
4/21/2013	4/21/2013	Mindset Labs	Low Light Scenarios	Mindset Lab Indianapolis, IN	Shay Vanvlyman	8
5/5/2013	5/5/2013	Mindset Labs	Dynamic FoF Scenarios	Mindset Lab Indianapolis, IN	Shay Vanvlyman	8
8/16/2013	8/18/2013	Yavapai Firearms Academy	Stage I Shotgun	Boone County Sheriff Office Lebanon, IN	Louis Awerbuck	24
9/14/2013	9/14/2013	On Target Training	Pratcitical Concealed Carry I	Silver Creek Conservation Club	Steve Griffin	4
12/14/2013	12/14/2013	Adaptive Consulting and Training	Defensive Pistol 205b Low Light	Riley Conservation Club Terre Haute, IN	John Viray Joe Viray	4
5/31/2014	5/31/2014	Gentry Martial Arts	FAST Stress Shooting	Gentry Martial Arts Martinsville, IN	Brandon Todd Yoshi	8

 

[David Rose]

I keep notes and audio recording. Most classes put out more info than can be absorbed in the time allotted. Having something to go back to and review is a worthwhile way of keeping track of classes you've attended.

 

[cedartop]

I have that info Jackson lists scribled down, it just isn't as orderly. Now Josh probably has something more like that along with a small book of notes to go with each one.

 

[rhino]

My spreadsheet looks almost exactly like Jackson's.

 

[Jackson]

My spreadsheet looks almost exactly like Jackson's.

He's been following me to classes.

 

[rhino]

He's been following me to classes.

Indeed! Like a chubby moth to an odd flame.

 

[Jackson]

I added some links to additional information about the classes I've taken and my AARs.

 

[Slawburger]

Wow, that is a lot of training Jackson.

 

[Jackson]

Wow, that is a lot of training Jackson.

Not compared to some people around here. Many of the ones I have been to are one-day sessions with local folks. I try to take advantage of the local opportunities where I can. I also try to get in a FoF type class or two every year.

 

[rhino]

Wow, that is a lot of training Jackson.

Jackson is modest, well-educated, has excellent skills, and an insightful analytical mind. All of that training really shows when you speak with him and watch him on the range. His modesty will prevent him from agreeing with me!

I also know a lot of people who have had thousands of hours of professional training (documented) who will never really get the hang of the basics very well. I'm not sure if it's a case of not being receptive to the teaching, or being more interested in the classes themselves rather than what they offer to help you improve over time.

 

[Jackson]

Jackson is modest, well-educated, has excellent skills, and an insightful analytical mind. All of that training really shows when you speak with him and watch him on the range. His modesty will prevent him from agreeing with me!

I also know a lot of people who have had thousands of hours of professional training (documented) who will never really get the hang of the basics very well. I'm not sure if it's a case of not being receptive to the teaching, or being more interested in the classes themselves rather than what they offer to help you improve over time.

I think you meant to put me in that second group. If not, its because you haven't seen me shoot lately. I'm out of practice. Its amazing how quickly you move backwards if you dont keep up the practice.

 

[jason]

I keep a log on my computer, along with an AAR, and any pictures or video. And I keep a file folder with notes, and certs incase I need to use them for an application to another class.

My table looks suspiciously like Jackson's...

 

[OneBadV8]

Everyone that has their own AARs, do you scan them in or just keep paper copies? Or do you type them out to have electronically?

 

[Jackson]

Everyone that has their own AARs, do you scan them in or just keep paper copies? Or do you type them out to have electronically?

I type them in Word format and add the links, formatting, etc. I'll sometimes have it reviewed by a peer or another attendee before publishing on INGO or where ever else it might go. I maintain the Word doc copy on my computer.

 

[Jackson]

I started a thread awhile back on my process for writing AARs.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...es-writing-reports-aars-training-classes.html

 

[OneBadV8]

Thanks for the link! I missed that one.

 

[bwframe]

I prefer to pay in cash and keep documentation to a minimum.