Lights, Sights And Lasers

LightsSights_big

Wes Doss and his Traveling Magic Show.

Free firearms training — yeah right! That statement ranks right up there with, “I only had two beers officer … really.” After a good number of years as my department’s training sergeant and then the rangemaster, I don’t think I remember ever being presented with the opportunity to send one of my cops to truly free training. Now Wes Doss and his training company, Khyber Training Group, has partnered with XS Sights, Crimson Trace, Blade-Tech, Gargoyles Eyewear, Steyr Arms and Spec Ops Brands to offer just that — free firearms training. Will wonders never cease?

The Origin

The original concept for the program was an idea from Khyber Interactive’s Vice President, Hye Chong Doss, Wes’s long-suffering wife. (Told you that you wouldn’t want me to write this Wes.) Anyway, Hye Chong approached XS Sights at the 2012 SHOT show about a partnership to start a law enforcement and military training division. From that idea additional sponsors were gathered and it’s morphed into a touring program capable of making an impact on law enforcement across the US, particularly in light of budget cuts, which always hit training the hardest.

I’ve known Wes for many years and have been exposed to many top firearms trainers across the country. I would certainly put him in the top tier of trainers both here in the US and internationally. He has a BS and MS in Criminal Justice Administration and a PhD in Psychology with emphasis on Performance Psychology.

Wes has a military, law enforcement and SWAT background. He spent 10 years active and 11 years reserves in the US Army as an infantryman, military police officer and a CID special agent. As a cop, Wes worked for Mohave County Sheriff’s Office and ran a patrol squad in the river district, supervised firearms training and was the team leader and training officer for the agency’s Tactical Operations Unit. He served 6-plus years in general investigations, working burglaries to homicides from Colorado City to Lake Havasu City.

Wes Doss looks on while a student learns proper finger placement along
the slide while using a Crimson Trace laser.

The Class

Wes developed the curriculum for the class, and is the host and lead instructor at all 19 tour stops throughout the US including Alaska and Hawaii. The Khyber Training staff will join Wes to assure a safe training environment and provide individual instruction when needed or requested. The staff consists of a cadre of 12 experienced trainers all with extensive and solid law enforcement and military backgrounds.

XS Sights, Crimson Trace and Steyr are providing their merchandise for student use. There are a variety of handguns, carbines and shotguns available, including several Steyr AUG A3s and handguns. All the guns have XS sights installed on them, and Crimson Trace has provided a nice selection of lights and lasers in red and green configurations.

Blade-Tech and Gargoyles supply product for the instructors and are helping fund the events — did we mention it’s free to attending LEOs? — and Spec Ops is providing range bags loaded with various products from the sponsors, which is awarded to the winner of a competition at the end of each class. Okay, the only thing that’s not free is the ammo, but I think you can understand that, given the current frenzy to buy up any and all ammo. And considering how few cops actually practice, I’d imagine your agency might have a bunch of training ammo you could use for the class.

To see tour dates or sign up for Lights, Sights & Lasers, go to www.kybergroup.com and click on “Schedule.”

Wait, There’s More!

The program has POST credit in most locations and includes a big, catered lunch. Free training and the opportunity to use products you might not otherwise be familiar with are all there for the taking. In addition, almost all the sponsors are offering discounts (from 10 percent to certificates for free merchandise). What have you got to lose?

Lights, Sights and Lasers will be presented twice at each location. So far, the average class size has been 25 students and sometimes considerably more — their test class at Fort Worth PD in Texas had 45 students each day. The size of the host agency’s classroom and range will be the determining factor. The response has been outstanding. Many of the locations have waiting lists because classes have exceeded max capacity. So, you better get your reservation now. Go to the Khyber Interactive website or the XS-Sights website for details. Also check back later for a list of tour dates and locations for 2014 — yup, thanks to all the generosity of the sponsors, Wes plans on bringing you another year of free training.
By Dave Douglas