Posts by Chad Winkler
Tactical Mental Training
In past “Tactical Mental Training (TMT)” posts we review real-world preparedness situations that demands situational awareness, mental conditioning, and the ability to respond under stress. The tragedy involving Iryna Zarutska underscores this. She was attacked in a public space, surrounded by others, yet the suspect—who had 14 prior arrests and a documented history of mental…
Read More...The Importance Spiritual Fitness
On August 22, 2025, Iryna Zarutska—a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee—was fatally stabbed in a random, unprovoked attack while riding the Charlotte Blue Line light rail home from work. She had come to the United States seeking peace and opportunity, working at a local pizzeria and studying English at a community college. Her life was stolen in…
Read More...Boondocks’ Welcomes A New Instructor
JoAnna Dufrene is not technically new to Boondocks. She has been a frequent attendee of several classes hosted by guest instructors such as Tom Givens, Massad Ayoob, and others. As a staff instructor at FRC in Baton Rouge, JoAnna—affectionately known as “JoJo”—has often referred to Boondocks as her second home. Recently, a life event brought…
Read More...Violent Crime: Reports Vs. Reality
While Americans continue to grapple with the effects of crime, mainstream media reports that violent crime rates have been falling across the U.S. in 2025. The DC Crime Crackdown is probably a representative microcosm of the differences between reports and realities. In response to what he described as a “crime emergency,” President Donald Trump initiated an unprecedented federal takeover…
Read More...Beyond the Gun: The Critical Importance of Holistic Firearms Training
Recently, my family and I wrapped up an epic road trip that included over 3,800 miles, 15 states (mostly in the Northeast), and Canada. I knew that several of the states had very strict gun laws, and if we planned to cross the border, a handgun was going to be a “no-go,” so I opted…
Read More...One Big Beautiful Bullet Bill
President Donald Trump’s recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) is making waves—not just for its sweeping economic and defense reforms, but for what it quietly delivers to American gun owners. Tucked into the bill’s defense section is a multi-billion-dollar investment in small-arms ammunition, signaling what some are calling an “ammo renaissance.” Read the article…
Read More...The Sig Sauer P320 Saga
The Sig Sauer P320 series handgun was released in 2014. It was initially greeted with much fanfare, but early issues suggested the gun would fire when dropped if it happened to land in a specific position. Sig brushed the issue off and seemed to appease the concerns with a voluntary recall on the trigger. Recently…
Read More...Plans for Expansion?
If you have been to Boondocks recently, you may have noticed a few changes including a new building going up, a few fewer trees in the area and some additional ranges. Since purchasing Boondocks in April of 2022, Larry Rowlett has been planning for additional shooting opportunities for members and students alike. These plans have…
Read More...On The Hunt: For Artificial Intelligence
Recently I have been “hunting” for a way to increase efficiency with work related tasks. So I thought I would give AI a try for summarizing some of the daily conversations and meetings I attend. I was very impressed with the accuracy, and thought it would be fun to see what AI says about the…
Read More...Essential Reading for Firearms Instructors & Gun Owners
I recently certified 10 new firearms instructors, and during these classes I always encourage them to continue their education by recommending they start with some essential reading. I thought I would include these recommendations in this month’s Training Tips as this type of information is essential for all gun owners. Firearms education is more than…
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