Here is a link is to an article posted on www.ravelingroup.com written by a young woman who attended a defensive handgun class that John and Vicki both taught in Michigan in April.
http://ravelingroup.com/wordpress1/dont-over-think-just-listen-up-and-shoot/
Recently, I spent an early Spring weekend at my very first Defense Training International (DTI) course instructed by John Farnam and his wife, Vicki Farnam. The basic DTI Defensive Handgun course was a great introduction to build a solid foundation of gun-handling skills and drills in response to prospective real life scenarios of how someone could (and should!) respond to a threat.
Regardless of whether you carry a concealed handgun every day or simply keep a defensive handgun around the house for protection, this Basic Defensive Handgun Course teaches you how to properly handle your firearm safely and competently and develop a plan of how and when to deploy your lifesaving equipment.
John Farnam Trains for Real Life
John Farnam engages his students with a mixture of witty repertoire and vast amounts of practical knowledge.  His rigorous instruction is based on his own real-life experiences as a combat tested Marine in Viet Nam, a police officer in Wisconsin and currently as a sworn deputy sheriff in Colorado. John puts particular emphasis on safe gun-handling and defensive response techniques.  His training includes scenarios that simulate real life scenarios that may require you to shoot but also, not to shoot.  His training reinforces disengagement and awareness. The modified TQ-19 target in the photo above was specially designed by John Farnam and his affiliate instructor, Marcus Ward, for defensive firearm practice and is available through LE Targets
Vicki Farnam: Passion for Overcoming Challenges
Vicki Farnam instructs alongside her husband and also offers “Women’s Only†courses. In addition to her almost 30 years as a defensive firearm instructor with DTI, Vicki is an educator and historian, Vicki leads with passion and empowers her students and fellow instructors to adapt training techniques in order to overcome physical challenges.  Vicki generously offered one-on-one instruction to me and other students with smaller body types on how best to deploy and use my handgun.  She also gave several helpful suggestions about other handguns that may suit smaller hands such as mine more than my Robar grip reduced Glock 19.
Incredibly Talented Affiliate DTI instructors
Longtime students of DTI can attain affiliate instructor status. They sometimes travel great distances to assist John as he and Vicki as they present their DTI training to civilians, law enforcement, the Military and Government Agencies throughout the US. These affiliate instructors are a huge perk in attending these courses for the student. Taking time from their varied full-time jobs, Tommy, Steve, Jeff and Joe helped me with vigilant observation, unique insights and encouragement as I practiced the drills and skills that John Farnam demonstrated.
Student-participants at DTI courses are expected to come prepared.  I highly recommend that you put on your holster and other range gear and get familiar with how your handgun operates before attending one of the DTI handgun courses. I found it to be a huge advantage to feel comfortable handling the basic operations of my firearm because a lot of new practical skills are introduced and practiced in the short time frame of a weekend course.
Be Prepared to Work Hard
John Farnam doesn’t discriminate against gender, race, age, size, or personal history.  His methodical and practical training is unbiased which is particularly great because it pushes you beyond your preconceived idea of your capabilities.
Focus on Your Success in Training
John Farnam instills in each student a serious, competent and reassuring approach to defensive firearms.  He leaves no room for complacency. This course was definitely a life-changing experience for me; the training gave me a glimpse of what I’m capable of and what I need to do to improve my skills. I learned so much more that if I just went to the range to practice my accuracy.  I discovered the basis of most of my misses wasn’t due to incompetence, but had more to do with my tendency to over-think my objective. The best advice I can think to give may sound blunt but simple: Listen and shoot. Don’t dwell on the misses and focus on your successes.  The Rotator® Rotary Action Steel Target pictured below is a great training aid that reinforces a focus on your success.
The best parts about the course are the teachers. The fact is that they all want you to thrive, and to the best of their abilities, they will try to get you to improve in the shortest time frame possible.
If you’ve been on the fence about a Farnam course, do it now. There’s a series of DTI courses in Rochester, IN, May 3rd through May 10th, 2014.  I would encourage everyone to attend. I know there’s still a few open spots  Call: 970-482-2520 or Contact DTI for registration and information.  Courses offered: defensive handgun, women’s defensive handgun, women’s urban rifle, urban rifle and defensive shotgun.
If you do decide to “bite the bullet†(pun intended) and attend a DTI Course, take time to share a breakfast or evening meal with the Farnams and the affiliate instructors.  You have an opportunity to swap experiences and gain insight about the great people teaching you.
