Training with Ex-Delta Force Legend Pat McNamara

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 7/1/2019 | P Pawela

[w1n1]

American Shooting Journal proudly supports the military and the men and women who serve this great country, as well as those who have served in the past and are now passing on their knowledge, training and experience.
In the shooting world, there are many professionals to train with and learn from, but one cadre of folks is at the very highest pinnacle of the training world. These warriors come from the greatest combat university in the world, better known as the Combat Applications Group, formerly known as the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta, or Delta Force!

Delta Force operators are considered the best combat marksmen in the world. In head-to-head shooting competitions, Delta has out-shot every counter-terrorism force worldwide. Surgical shooting is their stock in trade, and Delta Force Operators train long, hard hours, shooting in every conceivable position.

Here is a brief overview of what a Delta Force Operator goes through. After a stringent physical fitness test and grueling land navigation course that weeds out a large percentage of the class (and the selection is all people at the top of their professions), the Operator candidate then goes to Operator Training Course (OTC). There, the Operator is retrained in a variety of weapons for weeks, eight to 10 hours a day, systematically teaching the Operator target identification techniques for target acquisition cycle.

Operators shoot thousands of rounds a day in a variety of drills, from transition drills to malfunction drills to reload drills ad nauseum. They are then introduced to a "shooting house," where range work and teamwork comes together. Operators spend eight hours a day here, sitting as hostages while their fellow mates blow doors and make entries, shooting precision groups on targets that are mere inches from their teammates. This is the raison d’être of why Delta Force members are so great at what they do.

WHAT MAKES A Delta Force Operator larger than life? They are predominately conservative, religious men that put God, country and family first. This is the same measure of a man that describes Pat McNamara, a leader in every aspect of life. A 22-year veteran of the Army, McNamara spent each one of those years in Special Operations, the last 13 years of which were with Delta Force. He retired as a Troop Squadron Sergeant Major, the highest enlisted rank a non-commissioned officer can attain.

Recently I had the honor and privilege of attending one of McNamara's intense two-day T.A.P.S. classes held at Nail Ranch in Palm Beach, Florida. McNamara started out by making some pretty sound impressions to the class, one of which was, "There are a lot of gun owners out there, but just because you have a gun does not mean you're not armed." He further pointed out to the largely civilian class that "civilians have an equal duty (as law enforcement) to protect and serve as well… to protect ourselves and our loved ones and serve our communities as responsible, trained gun handlers." Read the rest of Pat McNamara training.

[wastoute]

I changed my mind on that last part after reading “Would you write a check for $50,000 to a Stranger?”

[Who is John Galt?]

The problem with becoming a legend is that, someday, you might become an ex-legend...

;^)

[Beave Meister]

A very good friend of mine from high school knows McNamara. Saya he’s a real good guy. My friend is Ret. Delta Force Col. Pete Blaber. We still keep in touch every week or so. One of the funniest guys I have ever known.