full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

[Mobbs]

Hey all I'm a habitual lurker here but I figured I'd introduce myself and ask around about something in particular. I'm a marine scout/sniper and I'm getting out of the Corps after eight years of active service. I'll be moving back to CO in a few months and was wondering something about 'instructor' positions with companies who teach long range precision rifle, etc. I wanted to know if there was a market or need for scout snipers in the civilian world - some of my friends who have already gotten out are doing the DDM contractor thing which doesn't really interest me (I'm through with deploying) but teaching others the art of long range precision shooting is a passion of mine and I'd love to carry it over into the civilian world. I am aware that Magpul Dynamics has a precision rifle course and are also located in CO but I'm not sure what other options there are (I will be sending them my resume and hoping for the best).

Just putting my feelers out and seeing whats out there. If anyone knows anything or has any tips, send it! thank you!

 

[nock]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

Stay in and get your 20 years...

 

[Mobbs]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

I have way too many reasons to get out and not enough reasons to stay in.

 

[ZLBubba]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

Mobbs, if I were you I'd get a flexible day job and start building a client base wherever you end up. Once you're well known regionally among the shooting community (competitions, volunteer work, trade shows, etc.), then you can transition to more of a full-time gig if you're good. Remember, the key isn't how well you shoot, it's how well you impart that knowledge to students. If you're professional, patient, and devoted to client satisfaction, you can definitely grow a full-time business. But until that happens, a flexible day job to pay the bills will be key.

 

[gimpy]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

What part of Colorado are you moving back to? I knew a guy west of the Springs who used to run a camp that did pretty well. PM me if you want his contact info.

 

[Mobbs]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

Castle Rock, which is north of the springs a bit. But that's just where the wife and I have been scouting.

 

[deadly0311]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

PM Lowlight on here, he would know of something if there was an opening

 

[Mobbs]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

thanks for the info!

 

[Graham]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

There are many, many people now in the civilian world with the same experience. That is not said to discourage you, but when you look for work you need to know and to behave as if the market is saturated - because it is. Also, it doesn't pay enough to live on unless you own the business, and even then it helps to sell stuff on the side.

That said, how good a communicator are you? It's not the military experience that will set you apart, but the ability to communicate - to articulate and explain complicated ideas to adults. If you can do that well, and you present well in public, then you've got a shot at it.

Other than that, it's who you know.

 

[Chucky]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

Magpul Precision is based out of WA and it is a one man crew right now. I know that for a fact because the head instructor is my old chief scout.

 

[Mobbs]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

Chucky - what bn was he with? I read about magpul and their recent upstart of their precision rifle courses - Magpul is based out of boulder, co but I know most of Precision Rifle ranges are done in Yakima, WA...does your old chief scout live up there or does he fly up there for the ranges?

I would love to start a range complex in CO, it's in the "thats a good idea" phase but I need to wait for the wife to finish her master's before I start going on a loan spree. Also, do you know if he needs any extra help? Would that be something Magpul would do? (fly me to the ranges to instruct)

Also as far as my communication skills, yes I've been told I am a good communicator - I can articulate to and teach my PIGs well enough. I was to be an instructor at pre-sniper course on Lejeune, but since I'm due to get out before my official EAS by as many as 6 months, that might not happen anymore.

 

[Graham]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

Check the user list on this site for Caylen W.

 

[NativeCraft]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

Mobbs,
Get in touch with John Boyette (username here "J.Boyette") at http://www.tracearmory.com/index.html
He's a good guy, knows his schit, and can give you the low-down on the real-world opportunities as a marksmanship instructor.
Plus, he's right here in N.C.

 

[Redmanss]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

A couple suggestions...

Get yourself some civilian PSD/DDM time overseas, at least one year, then if you have the instructor skills you can roll back as an instructor with one of those companies. Most instructor positions are internal fills, especially the stateside ones. If you had time at one of the school houses it might make a difference to walk right into one of the slots, but otherwise not really. Having 8530/31/32 would also assist in getting hired, especially if you have actual billet time in those MOS's.

To be vetted for many instructor positions you must prove 2-5 years of prior experience as a full time instructor. I know, in a platoon you do plenty of teaching, but they want actual classroom/schoolhouse teaching time. There's other avenues such as the many law enforcement agencies, but you're going to need to do your street time first for that in most cases.

If you're going to restrict yourself to one location, good luck. Focus on law enforcement or something completely different when going that route.

By the way, I understand Frontsight outside Vegas is hiring.

 

[SuckitTrebek]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nock</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Stay in and get your 20 years... </div></div>

Easy to say if your not in right now. Or perhaps if you haven't served.


My vote is don't do what I did and was suggested earlier in this thread. The civilian contractor gigs overseas, which aren't so plentiful these days by the way. Did that for a few years myself.

Go to school, use that GI bill. Then do what you want after.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

I'm going to chime in about Colorado. That's a bad spot for one to get started. Too much competition. Too many well established outfits.

Just read through the SH forums, you're going to have to compete with such as Frank and Zak(just two of many). That is going to be quite difficult at best.

Plus, add to the fact of competition with just about every other soldier or cop, a few years on the job and they are instructors, some good, some bad.

The ones that are going to suceed is those who move on to competition of some sort and build a name from them selves on the range and in record books.

It would help a great deal if you had your own range, that's going to be an expensive venue.

A good resume containing instructor courses wont hurt, NRA and CMP are some good places to start. It's difficult for non-LE to get into FBI instructor courses but they look good on a resume.

One course that I've found people that look for professionalism look at, though not firearm related is the FBI's Instructor Developement Course.

Not to be discouraging, but you're looking at a long hard road if your goal is to feed your family as a firearms instructor.

 

[Mobbs]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

Thank you for all of the replies gentleman, as to address some of the things said;

I'm not interested in deploying anymore, if there is a local contracting gig going on somewhere in CO within driving distance, I am willing to do that but I am not willing to leave the states again. I'm not a decorated war hero, but I did four combat tours and I think that's enough from me.

As far as making a living, it sounds to me like this would be more of a part time gig. If that is the case, so be it, I think it would be fun to get into and I may do that at some point, but for now I need something that will keep my family afloat for the next few years at least until my wife is done with her master's. Then I can breathe a bit and start on school. Law enforcement seems like the most sensible route to me now, but the reason I asked about instructing was because if anyone would know, it would be you guys here. Someone brought up the point of competing in comps in CO. Thanks for that - I've already got the ball rolling and that sounds like a great idea.

Again, thank you all for the information!

 

[purepursuit]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

I would consider vertical intergration into doing NRA Safety Courses, Pistol Instruction, Rifle Instruction ETC. My cousin make a great living off of just doing the NRA Safety class, and is just starting to realize the potential monetization from these loyal clients (as they all send in their friends and relatives to take the class as well). Being an entertaining, lively self promoter can go a long way for this type of business. You need to forge a relationship with a local range where you can conduct the live firing exercises, and build a client base. Its like any other one man show business, you need to talk to everyone you run into and let them know what you do (Shameless self promotion).

 

[Enough Said]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nock</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Stay in and get your 20 years... </div></div>

+1

I did 12 and kick myself EVERY morning. You are gonna miss the Corps. I promise that.

 

[Mobbs]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

I don't doubt I am going to miss the corps. I think you are a different breed than I though sir. What I mean by that is I believe your generation of marines was taught to deal with more bullshit than my generation and I just can't hack the "marine" stuff (inspections, uniforms, drill, etc) The only thing I've known since I joined was war and now that we are transitioning to a peace time force, in addition to the stupid legislation that is being forced down our throats, I don't like the changes that are happening. Time to move on.

 

[Maxwell]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mobbs</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> but teaching others the art of long range precision shooting is a passion of mine and I'd love to carry it over into the civilian world.

</div></div>

I sure wish you were in Jersey, I'd have no problem paying you what you are worth for instruction. Like everything else in life, finding the right people to do the job is never easy.

Maxwell

 

[Jong]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

BS always has and always will be a part of life regardless of where you are and what generation you are a part of. The way the Middle East is going, another war might be around the corner sooner then you think.

 

[Mobbs]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

All the more reason for me to get out. Deployed four times, that's enough.

 

[bobbyfairbanks]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

solid advice. Spread out your teaching potential.
Then start calling the long range schools with your resume. some one may bite.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: full-time instructor employment? (does it exist?)

When I was a newbie in The Corps, all I knew was the 'Marine Stuff', and I loved it.

When I come back from war, I hated it; and recognized it was intended as an incentive to sign back up for another tour in the war zone.

You do that enought times and your mind turns into mush.

It's all part of the overall plan.

Greg