So, you’ve signed up for your first advanced shooting course—congratulations! You’ve officially decided to take your training to the next level, and let me tell you, it’s going to be an experience you’ll never forget. Picture this: long hours of drills, brass flying everywhere (and, yes, inevitably into places it shouldn’t), and your arms feeling like you’ve been arm-wrestling Thor by the end of the day. Sound fun yet?
It’s not all grit and grueling drills, though. You’re stepping into a community of people who share your commitment to skill and safety. If you’re the only woman in the course, don’t sweat it. That just means you’re the trailblazer—and if there are other women? Instant badass squad. Advanced courses are where lifelong shooting buddies are made, and trust me, you’ll want to befriend the kind of woman who shows up ready to roll in this environment. Oh, and don’t overlook the guys—they’re often eager to help and genuinely impressed by a woman holding her own. Let them be allies, not rivals.
But first, let’s talk survival. An advanced shooting course is no joke, and the better prepared you are, the more you’ll thrive. Here’s what you need to know to survive—and thrive—through your first one.
Gear Prep: Your Armor for the Day
When it comes to surviving your first advanced shooting course, preparation starts before you ever set foot on the range. Think of your gear as your lifeline—everything you bring should serve a purpose and make your day easier, not harder.
Essentials You Can’t Skip:
- Reliable Holster: A solid Kydex holster is your best friend. It holds your firearm securely, keeps the trigger protected, and ensures you can draw confidently.
- Multiple Magazines: If your course involves dynamic drills, you’ll need at least 3–5 magazines. Trust me, constantly reloading during exercises will slow you down and become a real drag.
- Spare Ammo (and then some): Bring more rounds than you think you’ll need. Courses often have you firing upwards of 500 rounds. Better to have extra than run out.
- Tried-and-True Range Attire: Leave the cute tank tops at home—brass burns are no joke. Opt for high-necked, close-fitting tops, durable pants with pockets, a baseball cap, and sturdy shoes.
- Eye and Ear Protection: Invest in quality gear that fits well. Poorly fitting glasses or ear muffs can become a nightmare after a full day. Consider electronic sound-enhancing ear protection to hear instructions clearly while still protecting your hearing.
Bonus Items to Stay Comfortable:
- Sunscreen and Lip Balm: If you’re outdoors, you’ll thank yourself later.
- Snacks and Hydration: Long training days require some calories. If it’s a full day’s training, pack a full sack lunch, protein bars, trail mix, and plenty of water.
- Range Bag Essentials: Include a small first-aid kit, a speed loader, gloves for loading magazines, and a microfiber towel for wiping sweat or cleaning your gear.
The golden rule here? Only bring what you need and know how to use. This isn’t the time to experiment with unfamiliar equipment or gadgets. Stick with the basics that you trust, and you’ll be ahead of the game before the first drill begins.
Dealing with Brass Burns and Fatigue: Embrace the Suck, but Prepare Smart
Brass burns and sheer exhaustion are practically rites of passage in an advanced shooting course. They’re uncomfortable, sure, but they’re also manageable if you know what to expect and plan ahead.
Brass Burns: The Hot Potato You Didn’t Sign Up For
If you’ve never had a sizzling piece of brass find its way down your shirt, congratulations—you’ve escaped one of the most common “welcome to the range” experiences. Brass has a knack for finding skin, no matter how carefully you layer up.
Prevention Tips:
- Dress for the occasion: Opt for high-necked shirts, snug collars, and avoid anything with gaps that brass can sneak through. If you’re serious about not getting burned, consider a lightweight scarf tucked into your collar as an extra layer of defense.
- Gloves and a hat: Protect your hands and face from stray brass with tactical gloves and a cap. Pro tip: a hat with a slightly curved brim works better than a flat bill to deflect brass.
What to Do When It Happens:
Stay calm and remember: you’re in a live-fire environment. Resist the urge to flail. Instead, move safely off the line, put your gun down, and remove the offending brass. Yes, it hurts, but panicking mid-drill is far more dangerous than a minor burn.
Fatigue: The Enemy of Precision
Shooting for hours on end is no joke. Between holding heavy gear, maintaining focus, and following rapid-fire instructions, it’s easy to feel like you’re running on fumes by midday.
Prevention Tips:
- Hydrate early and often: Dehydration sneaks up on you, especially during hot range days. Bring more water than you think you’ll need and sip consistently throughout the day.
- Snack smart: Pack protein bars, trail mix, or fruit to keep your energy up. Avoid heavy, greasy foods during lunch breaks; they’ll leave you sluggish and slow.
- Pace yourself: It’s tempting to give 110% on every single drill, but conserve your energy for the long haul. Advanced courses are marathons, not sprints.
Why Advanced Courses Are Worth Every Drop of Sweat
Advanced shooting courses aren’t designed for the faint of heart. They’ll push you out of your comfort zone, challenge your skills, and make you question why you signed up in the first place. But here’s the secret: that’s the point.
Want to improve your training dynamics even further? Check out The Top 5 Mistakes Female Firearms Instructors Make to avoid common pitfalls that could hold you back.
You’re There to Level Up
An advanced course isn’t about being comfortable—it’s about becoming the sharpest, most prepared version of yourself. Whether it’s clearing a room, shooting on the move, or practicing firearm retention during a simulated scuffle, these drills are designed to mimic real-world scenarios.
Every drill serves a purpose, from teaching you to handle stress under pressure to sharpening your accuracy when you’re physically exhausted.
After the course, keep practicing! Read 5 Best Shooting Drills for Real-World Confidence to reinforce what you’ve learned and take your skills even further.
Shake Off the Fatigue and Celebrate Like a Pro
After an advanced shooting course, you’re going to feel like you’ve been hit by a freight train—and that’s putting it lightly. This kind of exhaustion isn’t just physical; it’s mental. You’ve spent the day hyper-focused, pushing your limits, and absorbing an avalanche of information. It’s no small feat, so let’s talk about how to recover like the badass you are.
1. Comfort Food Is Mandatory
Forget the kale salad or whatever guilt-inducing “clean eating” trend is making the rounds. After a grueling day on the range, you’ve earned some celebratory comfort food. Pizza, burgers, tacos—pick your poison and savor every bite like the champion you are. Calories don’t count when you’ve been dodging brass and perfecting your retention drills.
2. Hydrate Like You Mean It
Chances are, you’ve sweat buckets and barely noticed. Dehydration is sneaky, and it’ll make your post-course fatigue hit even harder. Before you crash for the night, chug some water or an electrolyte drink. Your body will thank you the next morning.
3. Call It a Night
Let’s be real—you’re not staying up to binge your favorite show tonight. Advanced courses drain every ounce of your energy, and there’s no shame in crawling into bed embarrassingly early. A good night’s sleep is the fastest way to recharge, so fluff your pillow, pull up those blankets, and let yourself crash.
4. Reflect and Plan
Once you’ve eaten, hydrated, and recovered, take a few minutes to think about what you learned. What drills challenged you the most? Which skills do you want to practice at the range next? Jot it all down while it’s fresh in your mind—it’ll make your next training session even more effective.
5. Be Proud
Take a moment (or a lot of moments) over the next couple of days and realize that what you are doing is special and very few women will ever get to experience what you just did. Be proud of yourself. What would you like to learn next? You are proving to yourself that you can do anything.
