Replies to post #52284 on VirTra Inc (VTSI)

[sharpchicity]

Very kind of you! I listened to the presentation hoping to learn more about how training is implemented and what companies the presenters used/liked. The only training they talked about was live training plus some classroom stuff. The former FBI guy mentioned VR headsets being the most scalable way to train nationally and nobody in the first 3 hours mention screened simulators at all.

From what I understand (and i'm sure this is obvious to anyone in LE), there are a few different types of training:
classroom: meant to learn the ideas
simulators: meant to get reps and reinforce the ideas learned in the classroom
live training: train your body to react/respond

In the case of active shooters, these guys on the call only brought up live training probably because it's the only thing that makes sense for situations like this. One can't train in a simulator for someone shooting bullets at you.

That said, these guys mentioned that, for the most part, the country isn't even at the point of trying to solve "what is the best way to train officers (live, simulator, etc)," but "how do we get people to go to training at all." Some of the presenters were instructors and mentioned that most people who go to their trainings are either the people who are overly qualified and likely not the ones who will be on the scene for ATAK situations (SWAT) or they're fresh hires; and then they spend the rest of their 10+ year career never going to training again because there are other agents in the department 5+ years later who have yet to go and are thus prioritized.

Tying this back to VirTra.... The company's business problem isn't salemenship, it's apathy in the industry towards training. If an agency has $50k annual budget to spend on training, does the chief buy a simulator and skip the live training? It seems that federal funding is the real trigger for growth. Is it a great business strategy to wait for government to change the industry? No. And the company is/has pivoted to focusing on long term military opportunities.

[fishhunter]

Had these officers been properly trained, they would have assessed the situation within 90 seconds upon arrival at the scene, agreed on a course of action, and acted. All in less than 2 minutes. Because they were not properly trained they awaited direction from their remote-site leader.

Your little barb thrown toward Ted Cruz and the NRA is poorly conceived. If someone is willing to die in order to kill someone else (anyone else) then there is very little (perhaps nothing) that can be done to stop him/her. In the case of a school or grocery store or mall or restaurant or Christmas parade there are only things that can be done to minimize liklihood and severity. The other thing that is finally getting some coverage is that from a functional and definitional standpoint there is NO DIFFERENCE between the gun (semi auto 30-06) I use to hunt deer in Wisconsin and the typical weapon of choice for a criminal shooter/murderer.

Bill, you should buy yourself a few VTSI shares (maybe you already have?), it makes it more fun to follow along! Good to see you posting again. I was down in your neck of the woods in late March, beautiful area.