As far as picking training to attend and vetting an instructor/company:

In that other thread I started by saying you need to figure out what you want/need to work on. For this lets say the objective is "get better at using my CCW for self defense".

There should be a natural progression. Make sure you can handle your gun safely, then make sure you can hit your target, then make sure you can use your pistol at close range and from unconventional positions, then learn how to safely move through a structure with your gun, and finally participate in FoF training that may encompass any or all of those skills.

That would be the progression I'd try to follow. As long as your safety and marksmanship are there you can absolutely skip around depending on what's available. For instance, if I felt pretty solid on the flat range and the opportunity for well run FoF was available I'd jump on it. I might not get as much out of it but it certainly wouldn't be wasted time.

For vetting an instructor:

They should be willing and able to provide a bio. Some instructors have them posted publicly. Some will provide them on request. If it's not available, ask. If they won't provide it, move along.


My belief is that a person teaching a physical skill should have a solid background effectively performing that skill. Bonus points if they've got time teaching that physical skill to adult humans.

I'm not going to seek combatives training from someone who spent a weekend at a seminar with a Gracie. Just because someone spent some time with Mario Andretti doesn't mean that's the guy to teach you racing. Their experience should stand on its own merit.

Research the person, the company and their classes. See what professionals say about them.

It might save you from watching someone shoot their AI in the guts.