Who doesn’t admire the beauty of a BBQ (barbecue) gun? It’s like noticing the most stunning ball gown or jewels at an event. These eye-catching pistols often feature ornately decorated grips, as well as other embellishments and engravings on the slides. They are usually carried on the hip in custom leather holsters that are just as elaborate. These guns are like designer high-heeled shoes; they are worn to be noticed. Most people wouldn’t use them for concealed carry or consider them for their first pistol. Which brings me to this post (that popped into my head at 4 a.m.). If you’re going to carry a firearm or take a defensive pistol course, you need to understand the Four Levels of Conscious Competence, created by Noel Burch of Gordon Training International in the 1970s. I think I have a great way to explain this and hopefully give some people that “Ah ha!” moment that they may not have realized otherwise.
1. Unconscious Incompetence (Ignorance)
You do not know how to do a task, and you aren’t even aware of the knowledge or skill gap. You “don’t know what you don’t know.” To move forward, you must first recognize your deficit.
2. Conscious Incompetence (Awareness)
You realize you lack the skill and become aware of your mistakes. While this stage can be frustrating, recognizing the gap is a crucial milestone for actual learning to begin.
3. Conscious Competence (Learning)
You now know how to do the skill, but executing it requires strict concentration, effort and deliberate thought. The process is not yet automatic, and it feels like hard work.
4. Unconscious Competence (Mastery)
Through continuous practice, the skill becomes “second nature.” You can execute the task effortlessly, even while doing other things. At this point, you are highly proficient but often struggle to explain how you do it, as it relies on muscle memory or intuition.
Recently, I’ve been entertaining the idea of learning to play golf. I don’t know much about the sport, except that clubs come in different sizes, they can range in price from $250 to $3,500+ and I am terrible at putt-putt. If you consider the Four Levels of Conscious Competence, I am at level two, conscious incompetence. I realize that I lack the skill to play golf. Thus, I am not going to drive to the local sporting goods store and purchase the most expensive set of clubs in hopes that they instantly make me a great golfer. Also, I am not going to head straight to the golf course and assume I can play a round without negatively affecting others around me.
Now, consider the person who decides to attend a pistol training event or competition. If she is at level one, unconscious incompetence, she may just assume she can head out and purchase that beautiful BBQ gun with its leather holster, shoot it a few times (each time until it is empty) at the indoor range and she is good to go for training.
She knows how to shoot the gun … right? Heck, no! The only thing she knows is how to make bullets come out of a device she is holding in her hand. If she attends a class or event, at the least she will slow the class down and make others nervous; at the most, she may injure herself or others around her.
If she is at level two, conscious incompetence, she might do a little online research to find out what type of pistol is best for training, defensive shooting, competing or anything else she may be considering. Then she could reach out to her local range or a friend and try shooting different brands or types of pistols.
As I mentioned, I am just considering learning to golf. I’ve already talked to friends and searched online for places to take lessons. For the next step, which is level three, conscious competence, the learning stage, I am going to watch some videos online to get an idea of how the game is played, become familiar with the vocabulary used and see a visual of the fundamentals. Then, I am hoping to find someone experienced to take me to a range where I can get tips on how to swing the club and try hitting a ball. Finally, if I decide to pursue golf, I plan to take lessons and find others to practice with.
For the new pistol shooter, once she has narrowed down a pistol and decides to move forward to level three, she should take some lessons or spend time on the range (and dry-firing) with someone who can teach her how to manipulate the pistol and the fundamentals of shooting. Then, she needs to practice under the watchful eye of an experienced shooter.
Think back to some of the events, classes or competitions you’ve attended over the past year. Consider the Four Levels of Conscious Competence and decide where you fit. Do you think others who are training around you feel safe? Everyone is there to learn, to push themselves outside their norms. However, if you find a class way above your skill level, to the point that it is a safety issue, you have options. You can run the drills with a dry gun, SIRT pistol or learn from just watching others.
Visit Springfield Armory’s website to find a firearm to meet your needs.
Michelle Cerino, aka Princess Gunslinger, first entered the firearms industry in 2011 as co-owner, president and trainer at a national training company. She immediately began competing in both 3-Gun and NRA Action Pistol, becoming a sponsored shooter. Michelle is currently a columnist and Managing Editor of Women’s Outdoor News, as well as owner of Pervenio LLC. She also manages social media for Vera Koo and FASTER Saves Lives. Michelle encourages others to step out of the comforts of home and explore. View all posts by Michelle Cerino
