This was my first class with ITTS and I was greatly pleased. Scott and John began the course with a reality check, stating that a "gunfighter" mentality is a necessity for law enforcement and military snipers. Anyone who has been a sniper for any length of time has come to the conclusion that sniper manuals and training books are great, but much of the information is theoretical and untried in the real world. The emphasis throughout the class was to practice and train in order to find out your own capabilities and the limits of your equipment. Much is learned and retained by just training on a consistent basis and making mistakes. I can read a dozen books on how to build a house, but until I work on a job site, learn to measure 2X4's properly, and smash my thumb with a hammer a few times, I ain't even started to call myself a carpenter. It takes personal dedication towards perfecting the skill before you can put a round where you want it with confidence.

The first day of the course we practiced with moving targets, multiple targets, and engaging from difficult or uncomfortable positions. Scott and John also stressed tactical decision-making. A sniper must decide not only if he can make a particular shot, but also whether the use of deadly force is justified at that particular moment.

The speed drills, rapid deployment, and long-range target identification/engagement exersizes were excellent. These are things my TL and I will be taking back to the rest of our team. I look forward to attending more ITTS schools in the future. I'll leave the 1/2 inch groups at 200 yards to the benchrest shooters. If you want tried and true sniper training - based on experience and not manuals - this is where it is.