Week 8

Week 8 was short for the CSO’s 21st Session Deputy Training Academy. The trainees got a bonus day off when Chesapeake City Council voted to close the city on Monday, July 3rd, and Tuesday, July 4th. Fresh from the long holiday weekend (tans still intact, eyes looking well-rested, and shoulders relaxed), the trainees quickly got back into the swing of things with some physical training. The pavement was hot, but they were determined.

This week’s lesson plans focused on court security and the classroom portion of firearms training. Before the candidates are allowed anywhere near a shooting range, they must learn everything A to Z about firearms and how to use and store them safely.

“Going over revolvers, rifles, the nomenclature of those, etc.,” summarized Firearms Instructor Master Deputy J. Sims. “We’re showing PowerPoints and demonstrations on gun safety and construction.”

It’s an important lesson that can save lives. The instructors made sure they knew the stakes.

“With any type of gun, if it has ammo or not, you have to know how to grip, store, and clean a weapon safely,” said one candidate. “How to use it and properly put it away so it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands, whether that’s a civilian or a family member.”

“The last thing you want is for the firearm for a child or someone inexperienced to get ahold of your weapon,” another candidate commented.

The candidates used dry-erase markers to simulate flashlights as they learned the correct stance, how to safely draw and holster a weapon, how to take a gun apart, clean it, and put it back together, how to use the sites of a gun, and general gun safety (especially muzzling and situational awareness).

Each candidate had to pass a test at the end of the week before they could step foot on the range next week. The candidates will take on more “skills” training with defensive tactics, EVOC (emergency vehicle operation), and clearing buildings in the coming weeks.

Only ten weeks to go, the 21st Session!