Advanced Driving and Firearms courses

co19

I know Kurdistan very well after 2 years there I would be interested where these good ranges are, if they are not just dug out of the ground..but good luck anyway.

Just to give you the heads up, your students will generally require a letter from your company allowing entry and if they are there for 14 days or more they will have to apply for residency.

If you need weapons and ammunition I have contacts over there, I also have an excellent admin guy who will get things done for you. All these are in the Irbil area. Any help on the Kurdistan front please don't hesitate to PM me. I also have good contacts throughout the PDK side of the country.

lhemps

Hi CO19, thanks for your reply. Its always good to have extra contacts just in case!! The company has been established over there for 5 years now and thankfully we are well aware of the visa requirements. I wouldn't like to mention any locations on forum, but it is and has been an established training school now for some years. If you would be interested to hear any more details I or the company would be happy to forward them to you to at any stage. The courses will begin to be advertised in March issues of security related publications. Thanks again for your time to reply. Kindest regards. L

co19

No worries anytime you need another contact over there, just drop me a PM. I am ok with the info you have published so far, good luck for the future and keep us informed of how the courses go.

Rich H

Before you embark on spending time and money on advanced driving courses you need to decide the aims and objectives of sending yourself (and your team) on such a course. As we all know, it is without doubt, the fun part being the training and we all enjoy those J, handbrake turns, reverse outs/ drive thru's but you need to be realistic. The training should be in direct relation to the threat(s) posed. In the UK within the corporate CP environment training in such drills and skills, although fun, is mispent time and money. I would never say 'a waste of time and expense' as you can never have too much training but if I were to select a driver for operations in London, I would choose a taxi driver over someone with the above knowledge every day of the week and twice on Sunday's.

In the UK, more emphasis should be placed on advanced driver training, area knowledge (routes) and Surveillance Detection. To gain the knowledge and skills needed requires instructors that have instructed for the government agencies. The best drivers in the UK are Police Advanced Drivers who have instructed the Royal & Diplomatic Protection Group. Anyone who has attended the proper Police Advanced Driving course will agree that the instruction and practise is second to none. In the commercial world it can be difficult to select the right company to provide the training. Across the board commercial training companies are stating they have the qualifications and experience to deliver such training but in reality results in hog wash.

If you want to keep your drivers refreshed in advanced driving for use in the UK and else where in Europe then I would undoubtedly recommend 'CARS' -http://www.advanced-driving.net/main.html

The instructors are as I mentioned above and some are still serving as instructors so you can rest assurred of recieving up to date and relevant training.

lhemps

Hi CO19, thanks again for response. I will be back in the area myself mid March, if you are there at that time, let me know and mabye we could meet up?! I am UK bound until then. We are hoping to be running courses from June through to November every year (weather permitting!!) Kindest Regards, L

co19

Hi L

I don't do Iraq anymore or Afghanistan, but the company does everywhere else, I am in the UK most part, surfing a desk in The City of London unless having to fly out for a few days. But as for any help just let me know.

I have comms with Kurdistan on a monthly basis.

morrigan

Check out Morrigan Solutions out of Serbia!! for all your needs.

MORRIGAN SOLUTIONS International LTD

24/7

I can't speak for the UK mate but BSR in Virginia USA do a good driving course. I' ve been there twice and they are a good bunch of guys, the arms side of things try Trojan USA, again a very good course. Not forgetting that the dollar is so low at the moment you should get a good deal with the courses and accomodation etc.

jonboy

Ladies & Gents,
I have read the above comments and wish to add my 2 pence worth in relation to Driver Training:
In March 2006 I attended and passed Bespoke Driver Training’s: Advanced Defensive Vip & CP Driver Trainer & Assessor course, I found it to be both mentally and physically challenging and 10 days of serious commitment.
The lessons learnt and the subjects covered enable you to apply the right procedures and practices to the relevant environment you work in, during the course I achieved the RoSPA GOLD qualification which is the highest driving qualification outside of the Police and it indicates you would do well on the Police Advanced Drivers course.
The subjects below are some of the areas covered in the course:
a) Advanced Defensive driving techniques
b) The 6 driving essentials
c) The system of car control
d) Assessment of bends
e) Use of gears & gear changes
f) 2 car drills
g) Anti-ambush/anti-hijack measures
h) Ambush Drills
i) Chauffeur protocol – the finer touches to professional driving
Anticipation is the largest component that needs to be taught for any environment, I agree the knowledge of a taxi driver for London is superb, however if he didn’t drive like a black cabbie he would be great for the job!
I wholeheartedly recommend Mark Kendrick and Bespoke Driver Training, money spent with Mark is money well spent. www.bespokedrivertraining.co.uk feel free to mention Jon Goodege.

cpt291

Jon. I have have heard a lot about Bespoke and Mark. By all accounts the course is good and he delivers a good package of progressive and defensive driving techniques. Good Police Class 1 stuff for enthusiasts only.

What I have issue with here is the lack of experience this guy has when comes to Ambush drills and anti ambush training. He has never worked for any specialist unit or has served operationally in a hostile environment.

I would air caution to anyone who wishes to attend a course with him on Protective motoring Skills. If you are wanting a driving course to further a hobby then he is as good as any.

There are many providers out there that profess to be good CP/ PMS instructors, but I bet there are few that have the proper training and required experience to really teach the craft properly.