| 25th November 2003 To Whom It May Concern: My first meeting with Mr. Kent Turnipseed was a turning point in my life as a firearms practitioner as well as a "warrior" and, in fact, my whole person. If there is something out there like a "Holy Grail" of combat shooting, then Kent has certainly lifted it. Never in my career did I make such a gigantic step forward and in such a short period of time than with the passionate help of my friend (I am proud to say) Kent. I have instructed in firearms for about 30 years and have worked as an Instructor to International Anti-Terrorist Units for nearly 10 years. I feel sorry and ashamed when I recall how many of my students received my inferior classes. The abilities which can be gained by learning from Kent are surprising but real. Any Firearms Instructor who has heard about Kent's Turnipseed Technique and does not at least try to seek to train with him or his Instructors should be avoided. Sincerely, Col. Thomas Bovet Airborne Special Forces 911 "Team One" (1st Anti-Terrorist Unit) Chief Instructor Kombol Angsnoul, Kandal, Cambodia Dear Kent, I just completed your 16 hour course on pistol…stance and wanted you to know that I learned a great deal, even with years of pistol shooting behind me. I want to expound on your shotgun demonstration. My mouth fell open when I saw you stand on one leg, the other raised from the ground, and shoot a 12 gauge shotgun using Magnum 00 buck loads. You didn't move or lose your balance, not once, but several times (for picture purposes). Each time was the same. No movement or loss of balance. As you continually stressed throughout your course, balance was all important, no matter what firearm was being used. I can hardly wait to take your shotgun course! Clarence Johnson Rangemaster/Armorer El Monte Police Department October 21, 1995 I was exposed to the Turnipseed Technique about six months ago. Kent invited me to do “some shooting" with him at a range in Casa Grande, south of where we live. I was excited and honored with this offer in spite of the winter chill that day. Kent has an excellent reputation in firearms training and has instructed some "big name" people. At the end of that remarkable day, I was running and shooting and hitting my targets with outstanding accuracy. The price I paid for this incredible ability was to discard everything I'd been taught about shooting in the U.S. Marine Corps, numerous gun magazine articles, lessons and shooting techniques I had learned in the past. As a bonus, I felt none of the physical trauma that I had always had, to some degree, after a session at the range. We had fired over 400 rounds of pistol, rifle and shotgun ammunition in six hours. I was overwhelmed by the way the transfer of recoil energy was virtually neutralized by body posture whether firing magnum shotgun loads, .308 Win. (7.62 NATO) or .45 caliber auto. And Kent mentioned many times that "it has nothing to do with size, strength or gender.” All of my previous firearms training had a way of making me feel off balance and static. Kent taught me how simple body mechanics was the secret to balance and enabled me to reach the highest level of accuracy I have ever experienced. Some of this was with my sights taped over with black tape. And best of all, I had learned how to move rapidly and still execute firing with deadly accuracy. I experienced another bonus that day. My vision had gone south several years ago leaving me near-sighted. My sight picture was always fuzzy and focusing on my sights, not the target, was difficult with resulting poor groupings. With Kent's Technique my eye-sight problem was minimized, and my accuracy was greatly improved. On a personal note, I had retained my Marine Corps. firearms training faithfully over the years ("once a Marine, always a Marine"). But after the experience with Kent, I realized that it was time for a change. Would you go back to a typewriter after having experienced word processing on a modern computer? If you will allow yourself to be open-minded and not be locked into the past, amazing things become possible. Without progress we would still be using stone tools and living in caves. Nearly everyone today talks about body mechanics, but the Turnipseed Technique truly uses simple body mechanics that work beyond anything I would have thought possible. Once you actually “feel” the technique you will know that there is no other way to shoot. An old dog really can learn new tricks. Captain Bob Hicks, USMC June 9, 2003 "After having completed advanced training in the Turnipseed Technique I had the opportunity to train with and complete the S.C.A.R.S. Institute of Combat Sciences 40-Hour Spec-Op/SEAL Platoon Work-up Course in hand-to-hand combat. While in the course, we were exposed to a firearms disarmament section and participated in a number of scenarios with the instructors. During one such scenario, I demonstrated the Turnipseed Technique close quarters stance in my role as the 'officer.' While virtually every other technique employed was capable of being overcome by the S.C.A.R.S. instructors in their role as the 'bad guy' they agreed that the technique I employed could not be defeated unless the assailant was capable of surviving a magazine discharged into his chest cavity at point-blank range. I have learned to no longer be surprised when the efficiency and practicality of the Turnipseed Technique consistently demonstrates its validity under the most rigorous conditions and tests. Thank you." Andrew K. Proctor (Comment by Kent Turnipseed: The preceding is, indeed, a wonderful testimonial to our technique. What makes it even more admirable is that this student, Andy Proctor, had had only had 50 hours of training in the Turnipseed Technique at the time of his participation in the S.C.A.R.S. Institute of Combat Sciences. He not only participated alongside other techniques, but he competed against instructors who had had thousands of hours of training in their preferred arts, thousands of hours (years) against 50 hours for Andy. Also, please note that Andy was static. The experienced hand-to-hand combat instructors that he faced in the disarm scenario would not even attempt to disarm him when he was static. By employing movement, Andy would have been significantly more difficult to disarm (but, the scenario never got that far, so he never had to move). Turnipseed Retention has never been defeated. Note: S.C.A.R.S. is a hand-to-hand combat method that has been taught to the US Navy Seals.) To whom it may concern: I just completed a 2 day beginners course in the Turnipseed Technique, a practical shooting method. What an amazing course! I had seen videos of the technique in action, including accurate shooting from the hip, on the move, with handguns, shotguns and rifles. It was all very impressive and I hoped to be able to learn how to do just a little of this myself, but I wasn’t sure that it could be picked up by someone like me who fired a gun for the first time only 3 years ago. First of all, the course was fun. It was safe at all times, but fun. There is nothing like loading up 5 high capacity magazines and waiting for the instruction to “Dump it!” I have had a little instruction in shooting and it usually involved lots of waiting, “Front sight, squeeze… Front sight, squeeze.” In 2 days with Kent I got through 1300 rounds of ammo, and due to the relaxed, natural posture that is taught, my hands didn’t hurt at all. We began shooting from sitting, then moved on to standing. By the second afternoon, we practiced shooting whilst moving. This was all done without the use of sights. Kent covered all of the sights with black electrical tape. When it was my turn to shoot on the move, I was fairly confident that I could hit all the targets, and I did so. But then Kent told me to go for head shots, on the move, with no sights. I was a little apprehensive, but thought the least I could do was give it a try. Much to my surprise, I made all 5 head shots. I am still amazed at what I learned to do in just 2 days. I can only say that I believe the Turnipseed Technique to be the best, most natural and practical method of shooting that I have seen, and Kent is a joy to work with. I look forward to doing the advanced course as soon as I can. Michael M. Petkovic June 17, 2002 Dear Kent, This letter is to express my appreciation for the lessons learned in the recent class in gun handling at Westside Gun Club. I had an opportunity to unlearn how my improper stance, gun holding and body positions I had built up over the past 50 years of shooting and hunting were hampering effective shooting -and personal comfort, most of all! In a very short time, you taught me why doing it the way I had always done these things was not only inefficient, but that my whole body was absorbing all the recoil and that by doing so, I was punishing myself -unnecessarily. With your instruction, I was soon shooting my shotgun rapid fire and frankly, I was amazed that at the end of the session, my shoulder had no idea I had just shot a large number of warm loads, accurately, safely and best of all, comfortably… The instruction I received on how to position my body, my arms and the gun itself let me experience a new and enjoyable method of shooting heavy-recoiling guns. If anyone had told me a couple of weeks ago that a few simple-to-apply rules of holding your gun and your body would virtually eliminate felt recoil, I simply would not have believed them. To say I was impressed at how simple your methods are, once learned, is the most surprising part of it all. I look forward to taking more lessons from you on handgun control and improving my gun handling and shooting techniques. I've shot all manner of guns in competition, hunting and target shooting for well over 45 years, and only now am learning how to do it correctly and more fully enjoy it! You did indeed teach an old dog some new "tricks!" Keith Whaley Owner/gunsmith Whaley's Gunsmithing Mar Vista, CA December 7, 1997 I am writing this letter in behalf of Mr. Kent Turnipseed regarding the weapons combat system he has developed. I was my pleasure to spend five days with Kent, learning this remarkable system. His system would appear to be modeled after the Weaver Stance, but the similiarity ends there. Kent's method uses skeletal alignment and natural body ergonomics which produces a firing platform I estimate to be at least three to four times stronger than a standard Weaver Stance and probably much more for an Isosceles stance. I have served as an Active Duty Trainer for the Army National Guard for the last ten years. Prior to that I spent seven years as a Light Weapons Sergeant in the U.S. Armuy Special Forces. Before that I was a U.S. Marine. I have trained many men and women both in and out of military service over the last several years with rifle, pistol and shotgun. I mention this because I have been taught other disciplines and have seen several others in practice. I have never seen or studied a system which has such potential for speed, stability, and accuracy as the Turnipseed …Stance. I heartily recommend Mr. Turnipseed and his course to any serious student of Combat Weaponcraft. Take his course, you will be amazed! Ronald E. Burnes Nevada City, CA March 3, 1995 I was in your basic pistol class on 18 October and 25 October, and would like to take this opportunity to drop you a line and express my thanks. My officers and I agree that your class is excellent and the basic principles you teach are directly transferable to the street. I would also like to commend your staff. Their skills are definitely an asset to your course. I am looking forward to shooting with you again! I will be out of the area for you November "repeat" class. Would you please send your calender for the 1998 schedule to my office. R.Paul Wright, Range Master PSSA/Special Investigations Bureau County of Ventura, CA October 30, 1995 I am writing to express my gratitude regarding my accomplishments in firearms safety and control. Previously, I have taken private lessons from several well-known instructors and still felt that I was inadequate in handling a handgun. I always thought that my inaccuracy and excessive recoil was due to my size (5' 3½" and 102 lbs). When my husband took you classes, he became very enthusiastic and recommended that I do the same, so I did. It was the best class I have ever taken. After just taking one handgun course, I was amazed at myself. My accuracy, self-confidence, and control were improved beyond what I ever expected. I no longer experienced any recoil, even when firing a 44 Magnum. I don't know how to thank you. You have not only improved my shooting technique, but you have made me a modern Annie Oakley. Kent, I can't thank you enough. Your class will save my life and my family someday. Essie Cha, Director Arizona International College September 1, 1994 |