How I made the decision to join the Army, and the role MOFTA played

I first heard of Mid Ohio Firearms Training Academy after I went into Vance’s Shooters Supply where I purchased a firearm for personal defense and asked if they knew where I could take a concealed carry class. They strongly recommended MOFTA.

In the first five minutes of class at MOFTA, my perspective on carrying a firearm changed. Dick Wheeler shared his conviction that it is not just a privilege, but a duty to carry firearm…to be in charge of our own personal protection and that of our loved ones. I never had really considered it a duty before, nor had I realized what an overwhelming job law enforcement officers have, and that it is nearly impossible for them to prevent crimes. After thinking about this, I knew that this was true…it really is a duty to carry a firearm…not just for ourselves…but by taking the step to stand up against evil men (and/or women) who attempt to perpetrate these crimes. This brought to mind a quote my Dad had shared with me when I was younger:

“All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” –Edmund Burke

Once I started to carry a concealed handgun after getting my license, I started to see the world in a different way. I started to realize how many people out there were completely vulnerable to the unexpected violent attack. Many of the stories and lessons from MOFTA began to play through my head, along with questions about what I would do in each situation. For example, what would I do if I were getting gas late at night and saw the clerk held up at gunpoint? Would I walk away, or would I defend them? I knew that I would be driven to help. (This may not be the right choice for everyone, but I knew that this is what I would have to do.) It made me feel more duty oriented, more like I had a responsibility to protect others.

Shortly after, I was asked to join MOFTA’s staff as an assistant instructor. I was honored that I would get to participate with and learn from the guys leading MOFTA, who I had come to have great respect for.

Seeing the effect that our classes, and our contributions as instructors had on individual students really affected me. Students would come up to us after completing the course with such gratitude and a sense of personal accomplishment, and confidence that they were now capable of defending themselves (once they received their concealed carry license). It was amazing to feel that in some small way I could contribute to that, and the more I worked with MOFTA, I realized that this was more meaningful to me than any single aspect of my current career path. Also, as I got to work with the guys at MOFTA and learned to think strategically and tactically day in and day out…I realized how much I loved being around all of that. I quickly began to feel that if the door ever opened to do something that was more service-oriented, I would do it.

Over the months, thoughts ran through my mind about what it might be like to pursue a career in law enforcement, or something like that, but it stayed in the back of my mind.

Along with this, many excellent conversations occurred over the months with Dick Wheeler, Dick Caster, Jim Wheeler, and other instructors, that kept sparking my thoughts in this direction. One quote that came up several times was, “If not me, then who?” by John Giduck, nationally recognized counter terrorist. As I mulled this over many times, I realized how much I agreed with this…that if those of us who have the means and ability to help stop the evil going on in the world, such as terrorism and other forms of aggression, and we don’t do anything, then who will?

Late in 2009, Fred Schnitzspahn, a retired Army Colonel, joined the staff at MOFTA. He is a great addition to the team, and I’ve gotten the chance to have several conversations with him about his career serving this country, which was very helpful and inspiring in making my decision.
After doing a lot of soul-searching (that had actually started much earlier in the year), and exploring different options, I realized that the U.S. Army was the new path I’m meant to travel. Here I will get to pursue many of the things I enjoyed about MOFTA, as well as getting to make a difference in making the world a better place.

So, in a few short days, I’ll begin Basic Combat Training for the U.S. Army Infantry.

The only thing I regret is that I won’t get to bring the MOFTA team with me.