RECCE ROOM

The American Rifleman is so named because he/she is competent in the use of the firearm of choice for a free American - the rifle! The rifle of choice for the American Rifleman is a no-brainer: the AR15. This article will discuss preferences for the American Rifleman who is just starting out on the journey of AR15 ownership. Disclaimer 1 - Already have an AR15 If you already own an AR15 now, that is not of a configuration as listed below, do not panic! Any AR15 is better than no AR15. The primary objective is to get competent with what you have. After that, you will want to build the rifle around what you want to do with it and what you need to be able to do with it.  A perfectly acceptable option would be to get competent, then upgrade the rifle as funds permit. The neat thing about the AR15 is that it is highly customizable. Disclaimer 2 - Alternate Rifles As surely as I will put this up, there will be an M14 fan or some-such that will come on here and try to te...

In my car rental days, I developed a simple training program for new trainees. Car rental was, in those days, an industry that recruited heavily from people straight out of college and looked first for personality traits, instead of specific experience. Just thought I'd put that on here - in case any car rental people find this blog (about 30-40 per month wind up here from Google searches), or in case I have a hard time remembering later! Overall Greet customer and determine if they have a reservation. Select car. Establish qualifications. Vehicle inspection / Sell optional products. Return of vehicle. We've talked about the first three. Now on to the final three parts - vehicle inspection, sell optional products, and the return of the vehicle. Note: in some companies, optional products are sold at the counter, then the vehicle is inspected; other companies inspect the car first, then offer optional products. VEHICLE INSPECTION A good rule here is ...

In my car rental days, I developed a simple training program for new trainees. Car rental was, in those days, an industry that recruited heavily from people straight out of college and looked first for personality traits, instead of specific experience. Just thought I'd put that on here - in case any car rental people find this blog (about 30-40 per month wind up here from Google searches), or in case I have a hard time remembering later! Overall Greet customer and determine if they have a reservation. Select car. Establish qualifications. Vehicle inspection / Sell optional products. Return of vehicle. ESTABLISH QUALIFICATIONS There are three main qualifications to rent a car: Identification Form of payment Insurance coverage IDENTIFICATION A person must have a valid driver's license in Tennessee to rent a car (state statute).  The Rental Agreement requires personal identifying information such as: name address contact phone number DL numb...

In my car rental days, I developed a simple training program for new trainees. Car rental was, in those days, an industry that recruited heavily from people straight out of college and looked first for personality traits, instead of specific experience. Just thought I'd put that on here - in case any car rental people find this blog (about 30-40 per month wind up here from Google searches), or in case I have a hard time remembering later! Overall Greet customer and determine if they have a reservation. Select car. Establish qualifications. Vehicle inspection / Sell optional products. Return of vehicle. GREETING The customer's first moments in your rental location should be pleasant. Make sure the branch is clean.  Be friendly and welcoming when the customer walks in.  Allow the customer to "get his bearings" in a new environment.  Most customers will state their business. Have a positive response ready.  Ask if they have a reservation...

Recently, a reader wrote in and asked for advice dealing with people. His question was one that gets asked in many circles, over and over. The reader is a nice guy, has a good job, but doesn't do so well with the ladies. He asked what he could do differently to attract women instead of repulse them. Evidently, he has no problem getting a first date, but has difficulty finding that elusive second date. My response shall take place all this week - and has implications far beyond the question at hand. Understand these simple points, and you can drastically improve your position in life. Speaking of life, we must look at the four basic categories of life: mental, physical, social, and spiritual. Ignore one at your own peril. All of the facts and advice over the next week will revolve around these categories. I've heard other men say time and again that women play games. That may be true from a certain point of view, but when you understand the simple rules, they ...

Recently, a reader wrote in and asked for advice dealing with people. His question was one that gets asked in many circles, over and over. The reader is a nice guy, has a good job, but doesn't do so well with the ladies. He asked what he could do differently to attract women instead of repulse them. Evidently, he has no problem getting a first date, but has difficulty finding that elusive second date. My response shall take place all this week - and has implications far beyond the question at hand. Understand these simple points, and you can drastically improve your position in life. Speaking of life, we must look at the four basic categories of life: mental, physical, social, and spiritual. Ignore one at your own peril. All of the facts and advice over the next week will revolve around these categories. OK, so you feel confident about using active listening. You are going to let her speak thrice for every two times you speak. You know the pitfalls of conversation...

Recently, a reader wrote in and asked for advice dealing with people. His question was one that gets asked in many circles, over and over. The reader is a nice guy, has a good job, but doesn't do so well with the ladies. He asked what he could do differently to attract women instead of repulse them. Evidently, he has no problem getting a first date, but has difficulty finding that elusive second date. My response shall take place all this week - and has implications far beyond the question at hand. Understand these simple points, and you can drastically improve your position in life. Speaking of life, we must look at the four basic categories of life: mental, physical, social, and spiritual. Ignore one at your own peril. All of the facts and advice over the next week will revolve around these categories. Yesterday, we talked about effective communication. If you do those things, you'll be able to handle yourself in any situation or setting. However, as a perso...

Recently, a reader wrote in and asked for advice dealing with people. His question was one that gets asked in many circles, over and over. The reader is a nice guy, has a good job, but doesn't do so well with the ladies. He asked what he could do differently to attract women instead of repulse them. Evidently, he has no problem getting a first date, but has difficulty finding that elusive second date. My response shall take place all this week - and has implications far beyond the question at hand. Understand these simple points, and you can drastically improve your position in life. Speaking of life, we must look at the four basic categories of life: mental, physical, social, and spiritual. Ignore one at your own peril. All of the facts and advice over the next week will revolve around these categories. If you are not grossly obese, have a job (and a car), and do not live at home with mommy, then "The Date" will come. But what then? So, we know that the...

Recently, a reader wrote in and asked for advice dealing with people. His question was one that gets asked in many circles, over and over. The reader is a nice guy, has a good job, but doesn't do so well with the ladies. He asked what he could do differently to attract women instead of repulse them. Evidently, he has no problem getting a first date, but has difficulty finding that elusive second date. My response shall take place all this week - and has implications far beyond the question at hand. Understand these simple points, and you can drastically improve your position in life. Speaking of life, we must look at the four basic categories of life: mental, physical, social, and spiritual. Ignore one at your own peril. All of the facts and advice over the next week will revolve around these categories. The Pack Imagine Earth 30,000 years ago. If you were lucky enough to find a roaming tribe of people (there may have been as few as only a couple thousand in Asia or Europe ...

Hey, Mom! Just thought I'd write to you a bit. It's been a while since you left us. I remember you used to really enjoy writing us letters. First, the traditional kind, and then later the email letters. Your two youngest grandchildren are in kindergarten. Mine loves it and rides the bus every day with her big brother. My nephew also goes every day. I hear he rides the bus, too. Cael got his black belt this past weekend. You'd have loved being there. He showed much poise and concentration. I am on my way to a third straight President's Club award. I know that doesn't surprise you at all. Still, I know you'd enjoy hearing about it. My wife got a job at a preschool when Cali went to Kindergarten. She really loves it. Deals with older 3-y-o children. Have you talked Jeremiah's ear off yet? I bet you'd enjoy speaking to Isaiah after you get finished. Well, gotta go. See you when we get there! .

From my dojo: Dear students & parents, Recently, it was learned that The Usagi Dojo’s parent organization, Martial Arts USA (MAUSA) will not recognize students who receive black belts under the age of 17. This struck home - I earned a black belt before age 17. Many fantastic martial artists I know and respect earned their black belts before age 17. Because this would have affected me, a number of people I respect, as well as several current students, it has become evident that keeping MAUSA as the primary parent organization is not in the best interest of The Usagi Dojo. Moving forward, the up-line of The Usagi Dojo will be the Kenwayoshin Ryu Bujutsu Renmei (KRBR). KRBR allows for black belts in respective styles based on the discretion of that style. We will not be abandoning MAUSA - not at all. However, we will be calling on KRBR to certify our black belts. As a result, a modification in our curriculum shall take place. Black...