Posted on April 20, 2021 by Steve Moses in Training
Meet The Fta Member Series: Tim Reedy
MEET THE FTA MEMBER: TIM REEDY
Tell us who you are, where you grew up, where you live, and where you teach.
My name is Tim Reedy. I was a military brat, and grew up all over the United States, including Michigan, Virginia, Kansas, and Hawaii. I’ve lived in Texas since the mid-1970s, and consider the Hill Country my adopted home. My home teaching range is the Bandera Gun Club, about forty-five minutes northwest of San Antonio. I teach a lot of Introduction to Safety and Marksmanship classes, Texas License To Carry courses, and I do a lot of private coaching.
Did you grow up in a home in which adults had firearms?
I did not, at least not that I know of. My father took me to a range once or twice when I was young, and I shot a .22 rifle, but I never saw any guns in our home.
Were you ever in the military, law enforcement, or any other profession in which possession of a firearm was necessary?
I was in the military many, many (many) years ago, and got my initial firearms training there during basic. It was there that I learned I had a bit of a knack for handguns.
When did you decide to become a firearms trainer, and how did you go about it?
I decided to become a trainer during my first visit to Thunder Ranch’s Texas facility in the late 1990s. I was on the deck with about 20 other students in the Defensive Handgun 1 course, and as I watched Clint Smith and the other instructors do their thing, I thought to myself, “I want to do this.”
Please set out three firearms and/or tactics instructor certifications that you possess that are most relevant to what you teach today and why.
The most relevant and valuable instructor certifications I have are the Rangemaster Instructor Basic, Advanced, and Master ratings. My teaching is almost entirely based on Rangemaster doctrine, and that first Instructor Development Class with Tom really opened my eyes to what great instruction looks like. I’m also a MAG-certified Deadly Force Instructor, and I try to include key elements of the legal aspects of what I’m teaching whenever possible.
Please name one (and only one) instructor that you might describe as being a mentor to you.
Tom Givens, no question. Since I first met him at a one-day pistol class at the Rangemaster mother ship in Memphis, I’ve eagerly absorbed as much of his teaching system and range methodology as possible. I’m hosting him in Bandera for the second time in April of 2021 for the Instructor Development Course. Tom has inspired me to become more of a mentor to my students as well. I’m currently working with a half-dozen budding instructors to help guide their development.
What class do you teach that you think benefits students the most?
Holster Success: Presenting the Pistol Quickly and Safely. I think it’s a huge step to carry a pistol on your person, and it opens up a world of possibilities for training, competition, and self-defense. Teaching folks to do that safely and effectively is one of my favorite things to do.
What is the most important thing that you have learned as an instructor that perhaps new instructors would benefit from knowing?
Be supportive and caring and gentle in your instruction, especially with the legions of new gun owners. Your influence can determine their safety and that of their family, as well as their likelihood of seeking out any further training. We all know that it’s not the tool, but the training that is the critical element, and making their first experience a positive one can pay dividends later.
Please provide us with your contact information, including email address and website address.
Tim Reedy
TDR Training