INTERVIEW: Training with BK TACTICS

BK TACTICS offers professional weapon training in Germany. We spoke with the man behind it, Björn Klotz, to find out what makes the project BK TACTICS so special.

SPARTANAT: Björn, what can one learn at BK TACTICS?

Björn Klotz: Spontaneously I would answer "shooting", but of course the range is "a bit" larger. The training and courses at BK TACTICS offer a complete solution in this sector, e.g. for beginners, sports shooters, police officers, soldiers, and security industry employees. We regularly conduct weapons proficiency courses (according to §7 governmentally recognized) for sports shooters and security personnel, which is usually the entry point to a firearms permit. In addition, we offer various modules in the use of handguns and long guns. These modules are clearly structured and only differ in terms of the target audience (sports shooter or professional gun carrier).

SPARTANAT: What is your background? How did you become a professional trainer?

Björn Klotz: Most shooting instructors come from either the military or police sectors. My background is military. I am a former non-commissioned officer of the Bundeswehr, I served for several years in paratrooper and reconnaissance units as part of the advance forces in a CCT-Combat Control Team.

Already during my service, I began planning, developing, and conducting courses. During and after my service, I attended many courses with private service providers and organizations. This allowed me to learn about the very complex and modern shooting training, with the various influences of different units and instructors. This was followed by various shooting sports courses and training in the areas of static shooting, dynamic shooting, and IPSC. In 2004, I became a governmentally recognized course provider.

SPARTANAT: What can one actually learn from you?

Björn Klotz: I will answer this question simply with the introduction on my homepage: "Training or courses at BK TACTICS, why?" There are many shooting schools, training facilities, academies for shooting training and training. Shooting training or courses at BK TACTICS follow a secure concept and support the development of each individual shooter. These are the criteria we measure ourselves by. Because in this industry, there is nothing worse than half-knowledge and incorrect training methods, or presenting false images. I am always surprised by who can offer/provide shooting training! Our shooting training is realistic, completely close to practice, the training methods are based on solid expertise and experience.

SPARTANAT: What tip do you have for someone starting shooting?

Björn Klotz: If someone comes from the Saarland region, just give us a call, make an appointment, and get to know and shoot various weapons under guidance... But first, the safety rules and basics of shooting are covered. Then the person can find out if shooting is fundamentally suitable and enjoyable! For everyone else, I recommend finding a shooting club near them and just dropping by... Personally, I recommend clubs that belong to the BDS Bund Deutscher Sportschützen 1975 e.V. This association is a modern shooting sports association with many great disciplines ranging from static 25m shooting to IPSC shooting.

SPARTANAT: Tactically speaking, what can one only learn from you?

Björn Klotz: Whether one can learn something only from me, I do not know. I will rephrase the question. What is actually shooting training?

Handing a gun to a beginner at the shooting range and hoping they don't turn around with the loaded gun? I don't think so! A good shooting instructor instills a sense of security. How does one achieve this security? By teaching safety rules, learning robust and stress-free gun handling, and through clear and unequivocal training concepts that slowly progress. Furthermore, it is also very important for the shooting instructor to always give the same commands, thus providing the shooter with a sense of security in the process. Then we focus on hitting the target, as well as recognizing and correcting errors.

The US shooting instructor Jeff Cooper established four golden rules for handling firearms.
1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never point your muzzle at something you do not want to shoot.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger unless your muzzle is on the target.
4. Be sure of your target and the environment.

These rules in handling firearms must not only be known, but also applied and understood, which is essential for safer shooting.

Basically, with many students, you can see that they perform movements and actions without understanding them or recognizing their meaning. When you address the students about the reason, how, or why! The answer is almost always the same! "The shooting instructor X said so and it must be that way." Today's modern shooting training is very complex overall. Shooting for the individual shooter boils down to three basic elements: safety, handling, and hitting the target, so very manageable. That's why we have made it our mission to set a certain standard and expectation for modern shooting training! Many shooting instructors from the police, military, or security industry often train according to a regulation that is not questioned or critically examined in terms of usefulness, effectiveness, or whether it is realistically feasible.
While didactics involve planning what is taught, methodology deals with how the learning content is conveyed. And that's exactly where we come in, regarding training level, deficiencies, strengths, uncertainties, etc.

And most importantly: "Fun and joy in shooting should never be neglected, even at the end of training or a lesson."

BJÖRN KLOTZ is the founder of BK TACTICS and the head instructor. He is a former non-commissioned officer of the Bundeswehr, who served for several years in paratrooper and reconnaissance units. He specializes in the field of weapon training and consulting. He has over 20 years of experience with firearms and training.

BK TACTICS on Instagram: www.instagram.com/bktactics

BK TACTICS on the Internet: www.bktactics.de