I am sitting at my desk a week after hosting my first RTC. I have been an active mem- ber of IALEFI® for almost 20 years. My entrance into IALEFI® was very low keyed, I was competing at the NYS Police Olympics in the Combat Pistol Competition (we used revolvers then) when an older gentle- man, who I referred to with the utmost respect as “Lieutenant,” Mike Beckley from Nassau County Police Department approached me. I waskindofafixtureinCombatpistolandIPSC matches back then, but so was “Lieutenant” Beckley. For those who do not know him, Mike retired after 40 years with NCPD the last 20 as the head of firearms training, he has a very nice way about him and tends to accom- plish a lot without a lot of fanfare. Mike was also President of IALEFI® at that time. After the customary acknowledgments Mike asked if I was a firearms instructor for my agency, when I said yes, he mentioned IALEFI® and gave it his stamp of approval citing various training advantages and something that may be “right up my alley” and something I should consider. He never mentioned that he was President until I got my first edition of the Firearms Instructor. I started attending RTCs and ATCs when time and expenses allowed. The first one that I attended was in Poughkeepsie, NY and there I met some of the leading authors from the national gun magazines and got to shoot side by side with them. I left that RTC with a good feeling about being around other shoot- ers/trainers who were interested in raising the level of Law Enforcement Firearms Training to our officers all around the world. My first ATC was in Tampa, I believe and I was shocked at the number of international members attending, but going to RTCs seemed to be a little more cost and time effective for me to leave my duties at the PD. I worked in a department where we wore many hats. A couple of years back, I was fortunate enough to actually find a “hunting” club that was for sale in my price range. After so many years of trying to beg, borrow and plead to get range time from local gun clubs or other PD ranges to conduct training, I decided that it would be a good thing to have my own in my retirement years. Shortly after the closing on the property, I attended an ATC in Reno where I ran into a lot of old friends, and acquaintances, one of them being Mike Boyle, from the IALEFI® Board of Directors. I told Mike what I had been up to, and it didn’t require bail money, and that I thought it was time that I gave back to IALEFI® and host a RTC. Because it was an ATC, and Mike being on the Board there wasn’t much time to discuss much more – our Board of Directors run around like crazy at Annual Training Conferences. However, my facility needed some serious overhauling and range development and I knew that I would be in touch as soon as I thought it was up to standards and safe to do training there. As I progressed through my overhaul I would send pictures to Mike and others. Then one day, I got an e-mail from Mike who asked me if I was serious about hosting an RTC. I believe my response was that I would not have wasted his time during an ATC if I wasn’t. I then asked him when can we do one. I would like to share with you my experi- ences and thoughts on hosting your first RTC. This is where the fun begins. Mike and I kicked around a couple of dates and pos- Holding your First RTC: It can be more fun than impossible. by Patrick Sacco The Firearms Instructor Issue 50 35