A few weeks after the first Train and Learn industry event near St. Louis, the Minuteman University podcast sat down with organizer Kevin “KD” Dixie and instructor Ken Scott for an after action review of how it went and what comes next.
Who came
- KD planned for 10 to 15 people. Ken pushed for more. They settled on 40, overbooked to about 50, and the facility was close to its limit.
- Attendees ranged from well-known names to people who had started making content only months before.
Where and how
- Classroom sessions were held at a resort-style venue a couple of miles from the shooting range, with lodging on site and camping available.
- The setting was deliberate: the event taught professionalism, so it was held in a professional, relaxed environment with few distractions.
- The pace was a fire hose of information. Attendees were told to record, take notes and revisit the material later.
What changes next time
- An official committee now helps plan the event.
- More on-site resources, such as shade tents on the range day, to keep people comfortable while they absorb a lot.
- New speakers and new content each year, so returning attendees keep learning rather than repeating a fixed curriculum. Firearm instructors will run range demonstrations.
- Same weekend next year, since it worked for the speakers and most attendees.
The takeaway for attendees
- Leave with six months to a year of homework and research.
- Networking is part of the work: find out what each person in the room does well and what you can offer each other.
Why it matters
- The same habits that make a good training class make a good event: clear goals, honest review afterward and steady improvement.
- See What Is an After Action Review, Firearm Instructors and the Minuteman University podcast.
Based on a video from the Gun Websites YouTube channel. Took a class recently? Write your After Action Report and add it to the Training Log.
(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)