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SadAspy
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23 May 2011, 9:25 pm

Perhaps some can, but I can't.

I took the job because it paid way more than what I was making (and enough for me to support myself, which I've never been able to do), but I can't get through the firearms training. Relatives have taught me how to shoot in the past and I thought I was pretty good at it, but apparently not as I am scoring well below what's considered passing. I have taken advice from instructors and fellow trainees, but it is just not working.

Now I feel really screwed. I quit one job (which wasn't a good fit for me anyway) and then got fired (which will certainly happen if I don't pass the exam tomorrow) from another all in the course of two months :(



CaptainTrips222
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24 May 2011, 12:10 pm

I knew a guy who was security detail who said he was AS, but he was self Dx. He was an excellent shot, but I don't know if he carried a gun at work. Wish I could be more help.

To answer to thread question, I believe an aspie can be an armed security guard, but it does depend on his/her impairment, and like you said, marksmanship. Good luck, and I hope it works out, friend.



zer0netgain
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24 May 2011, 1:22 pm

I think the relevant question is why are you having problems with the firearms portion?

I see no reason why someone not significantly impaired with AS cannot do a security job.



SadAspy
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24 May 2011, 1:33 pm

Quote:
I think the relevant question is why are you having problems with the firearms portion?


Don't know....just am. In my defense, the test is more challenging than just shooting a gun at close distance. You have to shoot at far away (25 yards to be exact). I've had some basic firearms training, but apparently not enough.

I've done unarmed security before and didn't have any problems.



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24 May 2011, 2:20 pm

Have you tried doing extra practice outside of class? A lot of practice generally helps. Is it the that you can't keep the weapon steady enough when it recoils, or is it more about vision and depth perception?


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SadAspy
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24 May 2011, 2:47 pm

Don't know....maybe more vision and depth perception. Like many Aspies, I have NVLD (non-verbal learning disability), but I didn't think it would keep me from firing a gun accurately. I mean, I can drive a car....that's non-verbal, but I learned it.

And yes, I've tried practicing outside of class, but with a different gun because we can't take the job site gun home with us (not during training anyway).



Zokk
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24 May 2011, 3:19 pm

SadAspy wrote:
And yes, I've tried practicing outside of class, but with a different gun because we can't take the job site gun home with us (not during training anyway).

That might be why the practice isn't helping that much. Every weapon model handles a bit differently from the next. Is there someone you can ask who might privately lend you the same model you're training in class with, or ask someone who knows a lot about guns if there's a model that handles similarly to your work one that you can practice with?

If it's more of a depth perception thing, then that's all the more reason to get in some good practice. Stance, technique and strength can be improved through physical training, but sighting and accuracy are more of a mental thing that need to be trained in a situation as close to the original as possible, which would mean practicing under the conditions and with the weapon that you'll be tested with.

Out of curiosity, what make and model does the job require you to use?


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SadAspy
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24 May 2011, 7:24 pm

Really doesn't matter as I already failed the test, just like I fail at everything else in life except getting worthless degrees.



blauSamstag
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24 May 2011, 9:16 pm

SadAspy wrote:
Really doesn't matter as I already failed the test, just like I fail at everything else in life except getting worthless degrees.


Really? It seems like they let just about anybody do that job.

Attack the test like any other academic exercise and take it again.



SadAspy
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24 May 2011, 9:28 pm

blaueSamstag wrote:
Really? It seems like they let just about anybody do that job.


Gee...as if I needed any more blows to my self-esteem...thanks. I'm sure you can accurately shoot a target 25 yards away while kneeling.

For the record, this was a test administered by the feds. While this job wasn't a government one, it was contract work for a government agency.



blauSamstag
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24 May 2011, 9:35 pm

SadAspy wrote:
blaueSamstag wrote:
Really? It seems like they let just about anybody do that job.


Gee...as if I needed any more blows to my self-esteem...thanks. I'm sure you can accurately shoot a target 25 yards away while kneeling.

For the record, this was a test administered by the feds. While this job wasn't a government one, it was contract work for a government agency.


Ah, didn't realize it was that serious of a position.

And i didn't mean for that to be a dig on you in any way. I figured this was more of a written exam.

I'm worthless with a pistol too. Hell I can't even reliably hit the bowl when i pee.



SadAspy
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24 May 2011, 9:47 pm

Sorry...I'm just kinda defensive right now, though I'd hardly say I was "worthless" with a pistol just because I couldn't do some of the more advanced things. I mean I did hit the target on SOME occasions...just not enough of them.

You do touch on something that kinda aggravates me...I feel like the job misled me (even if only by omission) in not telling me what the exam was like. I figured it would just be firearm safety and shooting targets at close-range. I mean for a job like this, a gun is more a deterrent than anything. I mean cops don't even draw their gun that often, so it's even rarer with private security guards.



blauSamstag
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24 May 2011, 9:54 pm

SadAspy wrote:
Sorry...I'm just kinda defensive right now, though I'd hardly say I was "worthless" with a pistol just because I couldn't do some of the more advanced things. I mean I did hit the target on SOME occasions...just not enough of them.

You do touch on something that kinda aggravates me...I feel like the job misled me (even if only by omission) in not telling me what the exam was like. I figured it would just be firearm safety and shooting targets at close-range. I mean for a job like this, a gun is more a deterrent than anything. I mean cops don't even draw their gun that often, so it's even rarer with private security guards.


Yeah, they should have given you some clue that you should spend some time at the range before the exam.

Most armed security jobs, they probably hand you your side arm and tell you not to even consider taking it out of the holster unless there is imminent danger of loss of life.

Feds are a bit more serious perhaps.

I've had limited experience with rifles and very little with pistols. I think i don't have the right kind of motor control in my hands for that kind of thing. I mean, i can assemble a mechanical watch movement no problem, but my knife work in the kitchen is fairly poor.



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25 May 2011, 2:50 am

shooting as in you take a knee (your right knee on the ground if you're right handed), aim and fire?
do they want you to empty the clip into the target or something?

can't really give you any advice b/c i'm not there.
if you hold a laser pointer at arms length, can you keep the dot within a 3x5 card at 25 yards?



HomoHick
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28 May 2011, 12:35 am

I currently work as a manager for a private security company. I have been certified as an armed guard for 8 years and just recently obtained my Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor Certification (very hard for me to pass but I did!) It takes lots of practice to be a good shot, unless you are one of the rare people that is great from the start. Feel free to message me if you need anymore info.