Is anybody going to this course? From what I understand, since it has been a while since I have taken the BIT (Basic Instructor Training), I need to take it again before the CRSO (Chief Range Safety Officef) course. So I will be heading up there. It goes from 5-10pm on October 30th. You can register and pay here if you are interested:
From past classes I have taken from them, they don't mind anyone taking the classes. I'm sure if you are willing to help out the scouts at some point if needed that would be great. They give these classes at a massively reduced price to help out the scouts.
I'm not in the the Trapper Trails council and they haven't minded me taking their courses at all.
I was told by a Training Counselor that to add additional ratings, you have to have had the BIT within the past year. I have an email to the NRA to confirm this, but I have heard this more than once.
Per Bruce Illium, the trapper trails shooting sports main man, after your first discipline you do not need bit again ever, it only expires if you take bit and don't get a discipline under your belt before your year is up. Mark Whaley also told me this same information. This was as of last fall when I took my RSo and this spring when I got my shotgun. I've heard several opinions on this too but that's my experience with the council.
I am still waiting to hear from the NRA. They haven't responded to my email. I called the training department, but they were closed. I will call again tomorrow.
My experience has been as follows... note: this has all been passed by word of mouth and I've never seen anything in writing to the contrary:
1. BIT never expires. If it did, then you would have to renew your "credential" when it did. BIT is not listed as a credential on the NRA website.
2. Some TC's will require you to retake BIT if you have not been actively training in your disciplines (Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, etc.) over the course of the last year. The reason for this is the training material changes frequently and if you are not staying on top of it while practicing your teaching skills (perishable) then they (the TCs) will want you to take BIT as a refresher. Some will charge you to do this while others will not.
Scenario: Ima Instructor has been actively teaching various disciplines (4) since getting her certs 5 years ago. Ima wants to add another discipline to her repertoire. What is another BIT class going to teach her that she doesn't already know? She has been actively teaching classes, keeping her teaching skills sharp and improving her delivery method. She has been actively interacting with the NRA instructor website, ordering course materials, managing courses, recording class results, and submitting course reports. Again, what is another BIT class going to do for her?
On the other hand, Heesa Dirtbag hasn't taught a single class since getting his one and only discipline credential 2 years ago. He now wants to add another discipline, but knows nothing about ordering materials, managing students, etc. Heck, he doesn't even have an NRA Instructor online account. He definitely needs some face time with the TC and other instructors, but he doesn't have to take BIT again because it never expired. Most TCs would have him take the BIT again as a much needed refresher.
These scenarios will soon prove true as BIT becomes an online course.
Here is the info I received from the Training Department of the NRA regarding the BIT class.
There is a little bit of clarification in order: the BIT do-over requirement is two years not one year. Generally, BIT needs to be repeated if candidate wished to add a new NRA instructor rating and it's been two or more since he or she last took BIT. Trainers, however, do reserve the right to require BIT regardless and the NRA will back that trainer up.
Richard Sheehan
Training Program Specialist
Education and Training Division
National Rifle Association Of America
Here is the info I received from the Training Department of the NRA regarding the BIT class.
There is a little bit of clarification in order: the BIT do-over requirement is two years not one year. Generally, BIT needs to be repeated if candidate wished to add a new NRA instructor rating and it's been two or more since he or she last took BIT. Trainers, however, do reserve the right to require BIT regardless and the NRA will back that trainer up.
Richard Sheehan
Training Program Specialist
Education and Training Division
National Rifle Association Of America
This has been my experience. Being that there have been so many MAJOR changes within the NRA Training Department and with various procedures over the last couple of years, I'd STRONGLY recommend a re-take of the BIT. So far I've only experienced a handful who for whatever reason didn't want to take BIT with one of my courses. Most of them ended up retaking the BIT and were glad they did. A few were exempted once I confirmed that they were familiar with the material, and a couple were advised to seek training elsewhere as I was not comfortable with signing off on them as they lacked the proper "attitude" to be an effective NRA Instructor.
I'm hoping that with all of the changes that there will be some type of "refresher" course the NRA can hold for all once the dust settles.
Thanks snurd. Well I should be close for the 2 year mark. I should be ok for the chief rso class. Hopefully can get rifle and shotgun soon to. Not that I wouldn't take the BIT again just tight on time.
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