#ILEETA Live with Zach Steward & Josh Logan – Red Dots, Real Training & Future Firearms Instruction: A Deep Dive… Innovation, Instructional Mindset, and Building Gunfighters for the Real World

📺 Episode Summary:

In this high-caliber edition of ILEETA Live, hosts Brian Hill, Joe Willis, and Todd Fletcher welcome two leaders in the firearms training community: Josh Logan (Guardian Training & Consulting) and Zach Stewart (Deschutes County SO, OR). Together, they explore the future of firearms instruction and what it takes to develop real-world readiness for law enforcement professionals.

This packed conversation covers:

• Moving beyond flat-range qualification

• Developing instructors through performance coaching and presentation feedback

• How LPVOs and red dots are changing the game—and why buy-in still matters

• The pros and cons of VR, AR, and simulation training

• Culture change, cognitive overload, and the “decision gap”

• Instructor ego, humility, and how to handle “know-it-all” laterals

• What it really means to empower officers to think, decide, and win in dynamic environments

Josh and Zach also offer a powerful reminder: Training isn’t just about gear—it’s about mindset, adaptability, and long-term impact. Whether you’re building a training program from scratch or looking to level up your department’s range culture, this episode delivers actionable insights from two respected leaders in the space.

🧠 Instructor Development Segment:

Rob Rose offers a focused reflection on the power of storytelling as a tool for memory, connection, and transformation in the classroom. “Facts tell, stories sell—but in our profession, stories teach.” He reminds instructors to start small, be intentional, and leverage lived experience to deepen learning.

⚖️ ILEETA Legal Update:

Duane Wolfe previews the September Legal Update episode, highlighting Dr. Lewinski and Vaughn Kliem’s research on instinctive responses in vehicle-related shootings. The panel discusses non-conscious decision-making, looming threats, and how training must evolve to account for human performance science—not just policy checklists.

🗓️ Key Reminders:

• Proposal Deadline: October 31, 2025

• Early Bird Registration Ends: October 31, 2025 ($399)

• Scholarship Deadline: December 31, 2025

• Membership Bundles Available – Agencies can enroll 3+ instructors at a discount and swap out roles as needed

• Update Your Info – Moved agencies? Changed emails? Contact Jenny Merlin to keep your record current

📌 Quote of the Night:

“I teach principles, not techniques. I’m not here to replace your training program—I’m here to make it better.” – Josh Logan

“We build a culture where deputies own their performance. Ego is the enemy of good instruction.” – Zach Stewart

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