Just a few years ago, Germaine Adams was a newbie in the world of shooting. She had purchased a gun for self-defense back in 2007, but it mainly just sat on the shelf. After picking it up again in 2012, she decided to do something with it and began training to get her concealed-carry permit.
Fast-forward to 2015 and Germaine is not only a concealed carry license holder, but also an NRA Certified Instructor, an NROI certified Range Officer, co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Tactical Ladies Shooting Club and Coordinator of Women’s Programs and Services for the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA).
It may sound overly simplistic, but for Germaine, it was just a matter of finding the right gun. Once she discovered one she was comfortable with, her enthusiasm for the sport of shooting grew rapidly. Now she’s happily sharing her knowledge and experience with others.
In her role as USPSA women’s program coordinator, Germaine’s mission is tri-fold: reach women, teach women and help women. To that end, the USPSA is sending ambassadors to attend and speak at events; utilizing social media; working to develop a brand identity; looking to implement an inaugural ladies’ skill camp; and providing scholarships for women to attend camps, training seminars or matches.
Germaine’s growing presence in the firearms industry also led her to a unique opportunity this summer. Thanks to her extensive network of connections, one of her contacts put her in touch with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. They’ve recently put together an all-female shooting team (shown above), and Germaine was invited to get a rare insider’s look at their training.
What she saw was impressive to say the least. The team is being coached by U.S. Marine Corps veteran Ernest Langdon, whose 17 years in the firearms industry includes graduation from 30 shooting and 4 anti-terrorism schools. Other instructors include Bill Go from Academi elite training, LASD Deputy Timothy Coker, members of the LASD’s special enforcement bureau and local range staff. They’ve just started competing in USPSA and Steel Challenge, and their goal is to eventually compete in the Police Olympics. Germaine Adams, who is in charge of women’s programs for the USPSA, had the opportunity recently to observe the new all-female shooting team put together by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office.
While Germaine was observing, she was able to help the team learn more of what they needed to do in order to not be disqualified when competing in USPSA matches. "Their law-enforcement training is 180 degrees from their competition training," she notes. On-the-job training for the officers consists of guns that are "hot"—firearms that are loaded and ready to go. In competitions, everything is cold, except for the one person competing. Making that mental transition from one realm to another is crucial for speed and success.
It’s great to see these law enforcement ladies now engaging in practical shooting competitions and striving to elevate their gun-handling and shooting skills. In the end, it will enable them to better protect themselves and the citizens they serve.
"They’re an amazing group of people," said Germaine. “I just love what they do and was so grateful for the fact that they do put their lives on the line for us. I can’t say enough good things about them.”
Germaine would be the first to tell you that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s involvement with the USPSA is a win-win for both organizations. The skills training the women are receiving is second-to-none, and the exposure and awareness for USPSA is enormously beneficial.
We wish both of these organizations much success in the future.
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