Posts by Chad Winkler
Perfection?
For years, if you asked a class full of students—or even instructors—about Glock, you’d hear the same things repeated. “They’re reliable.” “They just work.” “They’re simple.” You’d also hear the other side of it.“The grip isn’t great.” “I had to modify mine to make it feel right.” “The optics setup could be better.”And the honest…
Read More...After Action Course Review: Active Shooter Armed Response (ASAR)
The Active Shooter Armed Response (ASAR) course at Boondocks Firearms Training Academy is an eight-hour, one-day program that combines classroom instruction with live-fire range training. The course is built around a clear objective: helping students understand the realities of an active shooter event, develop an effective response, and apply critical skills under pressure in a…
Read More...Liberty and the Enduring Value of the Second Amendment
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, communities across the country are beginning to reflect on what it truly means to be American. This milestone is more than a celebration of history—it is a reminder of the principles that have carried this nation forward for two and a half centuries. Among those principles, few…
Read More...The “Gray Man” Mindset in a Loud Political World
This article expands on our March 2023 post entitled “The 5 C’s of Concealed Carry” as it relates to the many stories we see “In The News”, most recently which include political violence and vitriol. To get the full effect of the article, read “The 5 C’s of Concealed Carry” first. In today’s political climate,…
Read More...Attempted Shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
On the evening of April 25, gunfire erupted near the security screening area of the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton. President Donald Trump, the first lady, the vice president, and cabinet members were evacuated by the U.S. Secret Service. A 31‑year‑old suspect, Cole Tomas Allen of California, was arrested at the…
Read More...Training to Win: Understanding the Levels of Firearms Training
One of the most common mistakes armed citizens make is assuming that practice equals preparedness. Shooting occasionally at the range—or even completing a basic permit class—can create a false sense of confidence. In reality, winning a defensive encounter requires structured, progressive training that prepares the defender for stress, chaos, and decision‑making under pressure. Training to…
Read More...Instinct vs. Intuition in Defensive Shooting
When using a firearm for self-defense you don’t have the luxury of relying on instincts. Many gun owners use the terms instinct and intuition interchangeably. They are two very different engines driving your performance. Understanding the distinction can be the difference between a controlled, legal response and a tragic mistake. Instinct: The Primal HardwiringInstincts are…
Read More...How America Lost Its Culture of Competency
On a recent Saturday morning, I was running a list of errands. The list wasn’t very long and what should have only taken about 20-30 minutes turned into over an hour of frustration. Between incompetent drivers and long waits at the ATM and drive thru it reminded me of my thoughts when I first first…
Read More...The Growing Need for Self-Sufficiency:
In just the last few weeks, we have witnessed alarming events – the terrifying reality of Mexican cartel warfare encroaching on our borders, escalating tensions with Iran in the Middle East, and debilitating cyber-attacks. These aren’t just sensational news stories; they are stark reminders of the fragility of the systems we often take for granted.…
Read More...Training Matters: Why Stopping the Killer Quickly Saves Lives
Recently I attended Ed Monk’s seminar on Active Shooter Threats. While it was a church security team based seminar, the focus on stopping the killer quickly applied to all active shooter incidents and even violent encounters as a whole. Active killer events unfold in minutes—sometimes seconds. Historical reviews repeatedly show that once the attacker is…
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