(Photo via ustraining.com )
News » June 2, 2010
Weekend Warrior Bootcamp
The company formerly known as Blackwater offers a training course for armed U.S. citizens.
For the vigilant patriot, Blackwater, rebranded as Xe Services, now offers classes in “Home Defense” at their 6,000-acre North Carolina and 80-acre northwest Illinois training locations.
Xe’s training division goes by the name U.S. Training Center. According to the center’s website, the “Home Defense” course will make “armed citizen[s] more aware of personal security whether at home or away” as they go about their duty of “protecting self and family members.”
On the company website, Tammy G. offered this testimonial, “While I hope I never have to put the skills into practice defending myself or my son, I feel like I now have the tools necessary to do that wisely and safely.”
The two-day course, which is limited to 12 participants, has as a prerequisite “basic pistol marksmanship” and costs $400, not including room and board. Provided for this fee are a holster, a magazine carrier, 100 rounds of Simunition ammunition, safety gear to protect the wearer from head to groin, and a Simunition pistol–a Glock, Sig Sauer or Beretta, your choice. Further, it is “highly recommended” that students provide their own cover garment “for concealed draw.”
Should you choose to enroll in the class, 25 percent of your time would be spent in classroom lectures and 75 percent with “practical instruction.” Topics explored include “use of force,” “force-on-force scenarios,” “away from home considerations,” “mindset/indications of mental state,” “basic room clearing techniques for the homeowner” and “dealing with police.” The course description concludes with this “disclaimer” (in bold): “Local authorities should be consulted on use of Lethal Force and the use of Lethal Force to defend lives and property.”
In these uncertain times, the concerned citizen can’t be too careful. According to the company website, “The students will receive classroom instruction and will engage in shoot/no-shoot, force-on-force realistic scenarios based on actual events that have occurred where their decision making process will be explored and tested.” According to the U.S. Training Center website, the ultimate objective of “Home Defense” is to “inform the concerned citizen on methods of protecting the home front.”
What kind of “home front” scenarios does this course prepare you for? The “Home Defense” course description doesn’t say, but knowing that Erik Prince is Blackwater’s founder and owner provides a clue.
In a sworn affidavit, filed in a Federal court in Virginia last August, a former Blackwater employee, known as John Doe #2, said that Blackwater founder and owner Erik Prince “views himself as a Christian crusader tasked with eliminating Muslims and the Islamic faith from the globe.”
The former Blackwater employee said: “Mr. Prince intentionally deployed to Iraq certain men who shared his vision of Christian supremacy, knowing and wanting these men to take every available opportunity to murder Iraqis. Many of these men used call signs based on the Knights of the Templar, the warriors who fought the Crusades … Mr. Prince operated his companies in a manner that encouraged and rewarded the destruction of Iraqi life. For example, Mr. Prince’s executives would openly speak about going over to Iraq to ‘lay Hajiis out on cardboard.’ Going to Iraq to shoot and kill Iraqis was viewed as a sport or game.”
In his book, Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army, Jeremy Scahill describes Prince as a man “dedicated to a Christian-supremacist agenda.” Looks like the company’s classes ensure all’s white on the Western front.
ABOUT THIS AUTHOR
Dan Kenney co-coordinates the advocacy group No Private Armies.
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Reader Comments
Probably a good idea — assuming a portion of the classroom instruction includes gun safety. (No doubt a reason for the prerequisite “basic pistol marksmanship”.) Back in the days before firearms paranoia ran rampant in the U.S., our local Jr. R.O.T.C. programs provided such instruction and it was common to take our own rifles to school. (We also walked to school and there were no pop or machines, but that’s for another discussion.)
The recommendation to acquaint yourself with state and local laws is also a sound idea as they vary widely.
There would be fewer accidental deaths, but most of the shootings now are gang related and a good reason for a citizen to be armed.
As the economy-connected job loses have risen, so has violent crime in my neighborhood — car jacking, branch bank robberies and worst of all, “hot burglaries”, where they force entry knowing people are home. A good time to be able to give them a “warm” welcome.
Posted by whattheheck on Jun 2, 2010 at 7:55 AM
Interestingly, most gun nuts exist where the actual threat of crime is almost nil. This is not about protecting one’s home from intruders or one’s self or loved ones from physical attack; that would be understandable. This is mostly taking place in (suprise, suprise, suprise) the deep South. I believe this is part of a radical anti-government movement probably linked to neo-confederate movements for succession.
Posted by cabdriverinchicago on Jun 2, 2010 at 10:48 AM
cabbie,
I have always loved to shoot. When I went to a carnival I always spent most of my time and money at the shooting gallery. I loved the two weeks in basic training that we spent at the range. I’ve belonged to gun clubs.
While I realize there are those wackos who shave their heads (mine is naturally shiny), I don’t hear talk of armed revolution from anyone around here.
When I was in Alabama in 1963 I got my first sample of real racism — segregated drinking fountains, etc. — a real shock to me and my fellow soldiers. I had known “colored” kids in school and never thought any more about our differences than those of other nationality, but this was SO bad. I haven’t ever gone back.
I’m know there are those who still have these weird ideas, but I believe things are some better than then. At least we all know there is a problem which is a big step. I was totally ignorant.
“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you, it’s what you know and just ain’t true.” Mark Twain.
Avid shooters fear the irresponsible gun owners who make us all look bad and favor training, testing and self restraint. Knowing “how” to shoot is only the last step following safety and “when and what” to shoot come after that. As for laws, I put the law of self-defense at the top of the list and hope Illinois passes sensible laws for the lawful among us. The lawless already carry and cause needless pain and suffering.
I don’t like the use of Blackrock or any other such group in place of our military. A very dangerous policy which should be stopped. Private security should be under extreme limits.
Posted by whattheheck on Jun 3, 2010 at 5:29 AM
I basically agree with everything you said. There are nuts out there but they’re not the majority.
Posted by cabdriverinchicago on Jun 3, 2010 at 9:58 AM
Here in Florida there’s a concealed carry law (requires training) and a newer law allowing people who fear for their lives to use deadly force (Well, duh) instead of attempting to flee.
Since the latter was passed, violent crime is down 27% according to the Orlando Sentinel newspaper, though their article didn’t mention the two gun laws.
Since Republicans took control in Florida, laws favoring self defense have been passed but we’re getting reamed by insurance, utilities, etc.
After an attempt to invade my home one evening I’m strongly in favor of defending me and mine.
Posted by skingk on Jun 3, 2010 at 10:59 AM
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