My last class of 2017 ended December 15. Looks like we “tenned out.”  On ten-scale student critiques completed after class, in a world where a lot of folks think “there’s no such thing as a 10,” that doesn’t happen all the time. But it’s a great way to end my 45th year of teaching how, and WHEN, to use firearms. The thanks go to an awesome training team in Live Oak, Florida, assembled by host Herman Gunter III.

The “MAG” stands for my training school that we take around the country, Massad Ayoob Group, LLC (http://massadayoobgroup.com). The “120” in the class title signals the cumulative number of hours spent training with me and my cadre(s). 40 hours in the first level class, 40 more in the second, and another 40 in this one. The prerequisites (MAG-40 before MAG-80, MAG-80 before MAG-120) are non-negotiable. The 120 class includes introduction to an assortment of fully automatic weapons, shooting effectively from moving vehicles, rifles and shotguns as well as handguns, and police-type handgun qualifications done three times faster than our nation’s law enforcement officers are expected to perform. It also includes a lot of hand-to-hand combatives focusing on disarming the opponent, and keeping the bad guy from disarming the good guy.  We finish with a four-hour course in the Kubotan ™ “mini-baton” which I was certified to teach by its creator Soke Takayuki Kubota in 1979 at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.  As a father of daughters, it pleases me to watch a petite (five foot tall) young woman put a 250 pound testosterone monster down on his knees when he doesn’t want to go there and is resisting it.

I love my job…

My significant other, the Evil Princess, is a retired nurse and an excellent nurse-caregiver (and adult supervisor) for an old fart like me. She figured out a while back that we geriatric patients can only stand so much and need a break now and then, so we established a pattern where we finish teaching in mid-December and pick up again at the end of January.  It gives our students and our training associates family time during the holiday season, and gives us a breather in which we can get caught up on accounting, taxes, next year’s scheduling finalization and … life.

I’ll still be doing writing and gun testing and court case prep during those weeks off from teaching, and she’ll still be doing podcasting (she’s the producer/editor and therefore PrEditor of the ProArms Podcast at (www.proarmspodcast.com) …but we’ll have time for Christmas, New Years, and, well, a schedule like Normal People for about six weeks.

And I’ll spend that holiday season being grateful for my ace staff teams around the country, and especially for my students, who made me so proud of them with their performance in my last class of the year.

I am reminded of the words of master instructor and super-cop Bob Lindsey, a dear friend and mentor who is both teacher and student.  When he “trains the trainers” Bob says:

“We are not God’s gift to our students…our students are God’s gift to us.”

18 COMMENTS

  1. It has been my privilege to have known you for all these years and to call you my friend. What you have taught me over the years I have paid it forward by teaching others and they too have paid it forward. You are an excellent Teacher and Mentor. I’m glad that you and the EP are taking some time to take a breather and refresh for the coming season. Keep up the great work that you do.
    I hope you enjoy a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year….

  3. I want to thank you for your time and classes. I learned so much from you and really want to take the MAG 40 again in Nebraska this spring. Also I love the podcast.

  5. Awesome Mas, contrats. on another successful year of training.

    Thanks for coming to CA, I greatly enjoyed being part of the MAG-80 class. Happy New Year!

  6. Well, I’m glad your blog didn’t pivot on a line like, “…so that’s why I’m retiring from teaching…” because on a selfish note, I still need to pick up where I left off in March 1993 (doesn’t seem that long ago, but it was) when the “No-Name Storm of the Century” plagued West Central Florida. But it didn’t affect our ‘rain or shine’ class at the Wyoming Antelope Club in Pinellas County, FL, which rounded out my LFI-1 certificate — even though I had to drive around downed trees and power lines to get there! (Incidentally, I missed a signed dollar bill by one very close, but stinkin’ shot). Anyhoo, many, many thanks for taking the wisdom of the early pioneers and mixing it with your research, experiences, and wisdom, and putting it all together in a form that us ‘regalar fella’s can deal with. This year I hope to get on the range sufficiently, albeit with old(er) guy eyeballs, to go for that that ‘buck of prestige'(if you’re still offering), sometime in December 2018, in Florida. Seriously though, thanks for all you do and to the new guys you are teaching to carry it on. As a long time martial arts guy from years past, I can understand and appreciate to some degree the work and discipline required in your endeavors. You are a true pioneer and leader in the field. Now before I get all weepy, I need to grab a “Backwoods Bastard” one of my new favorite beers (Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale is another) and toast to another great year for us all. CHEERS my friend! Best regards, Mike

  7. Dear Mas.

    Among the good people you are one of the best.
    I wish you well and hope that we may have the opportunity to meet again.

  8. Are you planning any classes in or near Nebraska in 2018? I am in Omaha, and attended a class with you in Lincoln Nebraska (self defense legal issues a few years ago, with my son). We enjoyed the class and have wanted to take more. But time off and travel are an issue. MAG40 (first one?) would be well received here I am sure. Omaha now has 5 in door ranges, and over 70 Nebraska State Patrol CCW certified instructors. (My son and I included). Please let us know so we can plan ahead. Thank you and Happy New Year!

  10. Nurses are the best! That photo looks like a fine bunch of people.

    When I get depressed in 2018, I’m going to remember what could have been. President……….Hillary……………Clinton. The wicked witch of the west wing!

  12. MAG 40, Greeley Colorado, 2016 – Best Gun Class Ever!
    Stay safe everyone. Happy, healthy and prosperous 2018.

  14. I had the good fortune of hosting a MAG-20 this past May at the historic Wilson Hill Pistol Club in Manchester,NH. I was able to end 2017 by attending the Deadly Force Instructor course,December 4-8 in Live Oak,FL. It was such and honor to be part of a fantastic group of people. No attitudes, no ego’s (well except for Mas…LOL) and a great job co-teaching with Marty Hayes! 2018 is going to be a great year with a MAG-40 course coming back to NH after a one year hiatus. Best wishes to you and Gail for a happy and safe New Year!

  16. Enjoyed my second MAG 40 this year w my fiancée. Next year we’re doing Gunsite and Farnam. Maybe in 2019 my wife and I will do -80.
    Enjoy your break and thanks for all you do!

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