A Girl and Her Gun: A New Adventure

Monday, April 16, 2012

A New Adventure

A week or so ago John asked me if I would be interested in coming to work for him. The job description went something like this: Low pay, lots of misery. Heavy commitment. I don't know about you guys, but for some reason I read that and thought...PERFECT!!

We talked back and forth for a while and still do not have all the details worked out, but basically I am going to help him in anyway I can: web site, publicity, that kind of thing. I also will helping out with his classes by helping him set up, switching out targets, etc.

Clearly this is an amazing opportunity for me because I get to be around guns, I get to learn from someone I greatly admire, I get to help someone who has helped me tremendously and I get a few bucks to put into my ammo fund or perhaps an AR someday or if I don't screw it up and he keeps me on, maybe both! There is no chance I am going to screw it up, but that was kind of funny.

There will be a lot of new and exciting things happening for FPF Training in the next few months and I am thrilled to be a tiny part of it. Of course, I am going to be an endless advocate telling you countless times that you should really consider taking a class from John, but that is nothing new. I have been doing that since day one the only difference is now I get a few dollars to do so. I think it's a win-win. Probably more win for me, but if you actually take a course you will see that you are the one that will come out on top.

This weekend will be my first official time helping out at the range, but the class is small and there isn't a ton for me to do yet because I still have so much to learn, which means I will also be able to participate in the training. I think I might have mentioned a time or two or twenty that I love to train.

Bought my first pair of 5.11 tactical pants for the occasion

It is a very exciting time!

Feeling extremely blessed at all the wonder opportunities that have come my way. Not sure I deserve them, but I darn well know I am gonna appreciate them and do whatever I can to earn them.

51 Comments:

At April 16, 2012 at 5:40 AM , Julie said...: Enjoy!

One of my best experiences was working with the Chief Instructor at my range for 18 months - learnt heaps
At April 16, 2012 at 5:47 AM , Rob said...: cool, earn money, shoot guns. Life is good.
At April 16, 2012 at 5:52 AM , BullseyeBabe said...: I am so excited for you! I think I am a little jealous also. My hubby has already said it is a good thing I work full time or I would have already put us in the poor house. Sounds like you have the perfect set up, thus the jealousy. ; D.
At April 16, 2012 at 6:01 AM , Garand Gal said...: Congratulations! Look at you, in your tactical pants :)
At April 16, 2012 at 6:18 AM , North said...: Wow! Good luck!

5.11s rule!
At April 16, 2012 at 6:29 AM , RabidAlien said...: Awesome! Guns and paychecks...what a combo!

So here's a question...I keep reading about "5.11 tactical pants"...what's the difference between those and your standard cargo pants? From what I've read, there's the same amount of pockets, not much difference at all. Love that Tshirt, though!
At April 16, 2012 at 6:54 AM , Maura said...: What a wonderful opportunity for you – both personally and professionally! I’m so happy for you. Congratulations!
At April 16, 2012 at 6:59 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Ha, I don't know what the difference is:) I have never owned cargo pants either. I have pretty much wore the same black pants to every training. I bought them years ago and when they faded I kept them for yard work etc(except I don't really do yard work) then for my first class they seemed like a good choices.

My husband has been saying for months you need some 5.11 gear. Up until yesterday I thought it was 5:11 gear, so I can't really offer any insight, but I will say they seem to be very well made and mighty comfortable.

The shirt is from firearmappeal.com currently if someone wants it in black it is on sale.
At April 16, 2012 at 7:01 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Seriously HATE auto correct...firearmapparel.com this iPad corrects words that are not misspelled and sometimes replaces with words that are not right...ugh!
At April 16, 2012 at 7:01 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Thank you!
At April 16, 2012 at 7:01 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Heehee, I know...goofy.
At April 16, 2012 at 7:03 AM , agirlandhergun said...: I think my husband is happy too. I think he was worried he would have to start pimping himself out to cover my habit.
At April 16, 2012 at 7:03 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Awesome! I am glad to hear it was a good experience. Gives me encouragement. Thanks!
At April 16, 2012 at 7:04 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Thanks Maura!
At April 16, 2012 at 7:04 AM , Sport Pilot said...: Good for you! What you bring to the table is your example of personal change and growth as you took responsability for your own personal safety. This is a far bigger deal than you or other's fully recognize yet.You have an adaptive and fluid mindset coupled with a willingness to learn. i.e. positive role model and thinking assistant.
At April 16, 2012 at 7:09 AM , Tango Juliet said...: Cool!
At April 16, 2012 at 7:12 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Thank you. Really, your words are very encouraging and to be honest chocked me up a little.
At April 16, 2012 at 7:12 AM , agirlandhergun said...: I KNOW!!! Thanks!
At April 16, 2012 at 7:37 AM , Country Tea said...: Will you be working at my class? It will be the weekend of May 5/6th. That will be awesome!
At April 16, 2012 at 7:39 AM , kymber said...: this is incredibly awesome news - good job!!! and i love the pants - need to get me some!

your friend,
kymber
At April 16, 2012 at 8:27 AM , North said...: "I need to get pants" is a funny statement coming from you, kymber. Yes - you should try pants sometime. Hehe.
At April 16, 2012 at 8:51 AM , Anonymous said...: Congratulations. Next thing will be an instructor cert. We need more women instructors. Hey, I know what you are thinking but I've been in a class with you, and yes you can!
LOL

As for the pants, I love 5.11 Tacticals. They are a little different, cargo pants have a variety of fabric weights, these babies hold up. The pockets are tailored to handle all the basic needs, a knife, spare mag, flashlight, plus you have room for cell phone, keys, wallet...I actually buy the men's pants because they fit my hips, have elastic on the sides at the waist so they fit my waist, and leave plenty of holster space.

Enjoy! But, no working Jun 9! ;-)
At April 16, 2012 at 8:55 AM , kymber said...: bahahahaha! i wrote it the way i was thinking it and it really came out all wrong eh, buddy! good call, North...gonna get me some pants real soon! bahahahahah!
At April 16, 2012 at 9:37 AM , GunDiva said...: I learned so much working at the gun shop, where I met the Original Bad Boy, who asked me to help "teach" his classes. To say I was honored was an understatement. I always felt guilty about getting paid for helping with his classes because I learned so much every time we went out, even if I was just setting targets.

I'm excited to get to start teaching with Double Tap Shooting Academy. I've missed being in a gun training environment.

You're going to have a blast and learn so much. But you'll also surprise yourself with how much you've picked up in the last year.

PS - love the 5.11s! Mine don't look quite as good on me as yours do on you, but that's because I'm roughly twice as wide :) I'd wear nothing but my 5.11s if I could get away with it.
At April 16, 2012 at 9:43 AM , marycmeadows said...: So exciting!! Have fun!!
At April 16, 2012 at 9:44 AM , GunDiva said...: @RabidAlien re: 5.11 tactical pants - they are designed LEOs, firefighters, EMS personnel, shooters. The company actually *listens* to their customers about what is needed to make long-lasting gear. For instance, with the tactical pants, there's a pocket on the inside of the pant at each knee that you can insert knee pads in. I used to wear them to teach CPR classes - if you've ever spent eight hours crawling around and kneeling on a floor helping people learn CPR, you can see how valuable that is. I think they might be a little pricey, but their gear lasts forever. I've got a couple pair of tactical shorts that are almost eight years old and barely show any wear. Their website is 511tactical.com, and, no, I don't work for them, I just really believe in their products.
At April 16, 2012 at 10:00 AM , RabidAlien said...: Having done all the floor tile work in our house (ripping up the original linoleum and worn-out-shag carpeting), I can appreciate the knee-pad thing. I'll check out that site, I've been wearing cargo pants/shorts ever since I first discovered how handy those extra pockets were for holding film (yeah, been shooting photos for so long I can remember film/slides! Miss shooting B&W infrared, that stuff was FUN!)...and moved my wallet around from my butt so that it didn't affect my RLS while sitting down for long periods of time. Good stuff. Thanks for the info!
At April 16, 2012 at 10:02 AM , RabidAlien said...: Aaaaaaaaaaugghhhh!!!!!! The visual!!! My eyes....MY EYES!!!!!!!!!! Must...find....pic....of....BAR....or Garand.......urg.....brainscrub....
At April 16, 2012 at 10:43 AM , Old NFO said...: Well done :-) now get to work... :-)
At April 16, 2012 at 11:00 AM , agirlandhergun said...: I don't know yet, but fingers crossed. I will let you know.
At April 16, 2012 at 11:01 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Actually, Kymer is smokin, her without pants is probably easy on the eyes. However, it's probably best for all involved if she does gets some pants.
At April 16, 2012 at 11:02 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Thank you!! I am very encouraged by the support I get from you.
At April 16, 2012 at 11:03 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Thanks Mary!!
At April 16, 2012 at 11:03 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Will do:)
At April 16, 2012 at 11:04 AM , North said...: I'd say she is smokin' hot, too. But if she wants to buy pants to not wear, that is good too.

:-D
At April 16, 2012 at 11:47 AM , Boat Guy said...: Congratulations. John is one of the BEST people in the "business" and you should learn a LOT. John is one of only three people I would trust to train my Bride. The other two are Clint and Heidi Smith. As it happens we're closer to Oregon...
I well rememebr the privilege of "helping" (watching mostly) John rescue several folks who were in danger of washing out of the Marine Security Guard school because they could not master the M9. John had them up and running in the course of an afternoon.
Again, congratulations!!!
At April 16, 2012 at 1:33 PM , RabidAlien said...: LOL That was just a generic, canned response one of the voices in my head throws out. I've actually never seen a pic of Kymber (must make my way to her blog). However, the voices in my head being who/what they are, I thought I was replying to someone else's post.

And for the sake of marital unity, I will try to refrain from commenting on the aforementioned "hotness" on a blog which my wife reads on a regular basis. Love ya, Sweetheart! {waves in general direction of wife's IP address}
At April 16, 2012 at 2:28 PM , agirlandhergun said...: Thank you for the encouragement and thank you for sharing a story about John. Of course, it doesn't surprise me to hear.
At April 16, 2012 at 2:34 PM , 45er said...: Congrats! I got paid to be around guns for a few years and it can really ingrain some great shooting ability. The one bit of advice I have is that when you're around guns that much and shooting a lot, mind your fundamentals. It can be easy to fall into a bad habit. I'm pretty darned proud of you. I can't wait to see you get all professional and start giving advice back to all of us. That will be sweet.
At April 16, 2012 at 3:20 PM , agirlandhergun said...: 45er thank you so very, very much for giving me some advice. I feel extremely fortunate to have people like you looking out for me. I have heard so much about becoming careless that I try to always be aware each time I handle firearms, but I know I am not above making a mistake and I love, love, love the reminder. I most certainly do not want to be the cause of any ND. Thank you for reminding me. I will be extra vigilant.

It means a lot to me when you tell me your proud. I don't seek it, but when people I value think I have done something positive it means a lot. Thank you! I wish I could express what this year has been like and I have tried, but it's been a journey and the support has been invaluable. Truly, thank you!
At April 16, 2012 at 5:26 PM , Stephen said...: Congratulations. You look great in your new 5-ll's. I wear 'em everyday. Go get 'em.
At April 16, 2012 at 5:52 PM , agirlandhergun said...: Thank you Lynn. I think you already know how I feel about your opinions:) You have been such a great support to me...I am blessed!

I will be there on the 9th:)
At April 16, 2012 at 5:52 PM , agirlandhergun said...: Thank you Stephen! You are so very kind.
At April 16, 2012 at 7:23 PM , Jennifer said...: So cool! Have lots of fun!
At April 16, 2012 at 8:37 PM , Kathleen said...: Thats cool! You'll have such fun!
I too think you should get your instructor cert. I'm taking my class next week and can't wait to be certified.
At April 17, 2012 at 2:16 AM , Anonymous said...: I came across your blog and of course, since it involves guns, I immediately followed LOL!

I think your job sounds like a blast! :D That and I'm pretty sure you'll fall in love with 5.11 tac pants. I have a black pair for PT classes and absolutely love them to the point I wear them as normal pants. I love the pockets and the pants also hold up in pretty much any weather, rain or sunshine.

Looking forward to more of your posts!
At April 17, 2012 at 4:08 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Hi Kat! Congrats on becoming an instructor!! I am not sure where all this will take me. I am just going one step at a time and trying to learn as much as possible. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
At April 17, 2012 at 4:30 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Hi Eva!! Thanks for following. I have been hearing that about the 5.11 gear, so I am excited to test them out for myself.

I am off to check out your blog.
At April 17, 2012 at 9:55 AM , Anonymous said...: This will be so perfect for you!!! Looking good Girl!!!
At April 18, 2012 at 6:22 PM , Keads said...: At the least get the NRA Range Safety Officer Cert now. Congrats! Looking good even if you have the "shoot me first" pants on! LOL!
At April 19, 2012 at 3:26 AM , agirlandhergun said...: Keads, I am. I am getting lots of training and taking several classes to get certified. Thanks!

Rest assured I am not getting shot regardless of the pants I am wearing:)

A New Adventure

A Girl and Her Gun

Monday, April 16, 2012

A New Adventure

51 Comments:

Post a Comment

About Me

Previous Posts