Interview with our very own FRAG!
TS- How did you get started? How old were you and what was your first gun?
FRAG- My very first gun was actually a gift. It was my 23rd birthday and previously, I’d never had any experience with firearms. I never grew up around them, but I never once believed they were bad or that citizens shouldn’t have them. When I opened the box to my new Glock 23 .40, I have to admit that I was a bit nervous and was not sure whether or not I was even cut out to be any kind of a shooter. I took it to a local gun range and a great instructor named Harvey showed me the ins and outs of handling and shooting my new gun. With his help and guidance, I could hit paper. After that, I befriended an FBI Agent who was also SWAT (his identity will be concealed) and he taught me shooting skills that I could have never learned on my own, nor from anyone else. It was amazing. From there, with his teachings, I felt like I blossomed and become one with my gun. From that point on, my love for guns was set in stone.
TS- Safety, Safety, Safety. We all see failures. What is your most impactful “range story”? Tell us something that might save someone else from injury or embarrassment.
Frag- I became an NRA Firearms Instructor in Hawaii. I loved working with such a diverse group of people and it absolutely excited me how many people were trying to obtain firearms and learn how to use them properly. I will never forget this sweet elderly gentlemen, who I was instructing one on one out of the group at that moment. He wanted to try a bigger gun, so I was letting him fire my 1911. He was doing just fine until he turned to ask me a question. He was in a seated position while shooting and stopped mid mag to ask me something and as he turned to me, that muzzle was pointed right at my stomach with his finger on the trigger. I don’t think I’ve ever snatched a gun from someone so fast and last I knew, I hadn’t crapped my pants since I was in diapers…
Keep those muzzles pointed in a safe direction always!! And safeties are mechanical devices that can fail…your finger is your safety. Remember that.
TS- Do you have a mission? If so, what is it?
Frag- My life goal is to be a self-made millionaire and it will happen. While running my business, C4 Beard Tactics, I also intend to remain an integral part of the gun world. More and more women each day want to learn about firearms and the way I see it, they absolutely should. When it comes to the gun industry, my mission is to arm as many upstanding, law abiding Americans as I can. The more gun-grabbers we outnumber, the better.
TS- Describe your idea of a “good man”.
Frag- My ideal man, I don’t think exists. But if I had to go full “Build-a-Boyfriend Workshop” here, then here it goes. My idea of a good man is one who can be time and distance away from me and manage to keep his dick in pants, which seems simple in theory, yet I haven’t met one who understands what loyalty is yet. A good man has an open heart and mind, has a backbone of his own, isn’t clingy/needy, doesn’t whine about shit incessantly like a naggy housewife, knows how to survive on his own (that magic box that makes your clothes all spiffy doesn’t operate itself), and has his head screwed on straight. No jealousy issues, no cheating (of any kind), and one who understands that I answer to no one. You’re not my daddy, so don’t expect me to follow your “rules.” I don’t do “rules.” I work in a male dominant tactical world, my business targets the manliest of the men, and my type A personality is not welcoming to women with any kind of insecurity or jealousy issues, thus, I have a lot of male friends and a good man would have to understand that this will not change. I don’t play by traditions nor do I possess any real social graces. I am odd and outside the box; a good man must match that. I am a beard enthusiast and pogonophile. I am secretly a sapiophile, as well, which is why dating around this area lands me with no real success. A good man is a partner and an equal, not an overgrown child and a liability. A good man loves his family, his Country, and his guns. But in closing, fundamentally, the man who earns and maintains my 100% trust is the PERFECT MAN.
TS- What are you doing in 2015 that we should be watching for?
Frag- Many know, many don’t, I own C4 Beard Tactics LLC. My goal for this year is to get this business up and running and be the talk of all the tactical beards. I want these beard products to go nationwide, show up at gun shows, beard competitions, and I want the orders to come in heavier than I can handle. I hope to make C4 the most popular brand on the beard market while still being in the friendship ring of all my competitors. All of us who own beard companies are a part of a large group where we give each other advice, help one another out, and support each other even though we are competitors. I think that is really the only world where competition is healthy and we work together. I just have never experienced that sort of relationship in any other industry.
TS- What are your future plans?
Frag- My future plan is to eventually wind up in Texas, where I will further blossom C4 Beard Tactics and create a whole new business surrounding it. The best supporters I have right now are my friends and my fan base. My dreams are big and the work is going to be hard, but I am definitely going to get it done. In doing so, I absolutely want to continue to work with veterans to keep them homed, safe, happy, and healthy. I want to be a part of the cause that brings 22 to 0.
TS- Do you have any advice to offer young female shooters?
Frag- The best advice I can give any young female shooter is to never be afraid. A gun is a tool, a skill, a part of you and it will not do anything that you don’t tell it to. Respect guns, but don’t fear them. As you slowly learn, you will see that they are a fundamental asset for you not only as an American, but as someone who wishes to protect herself and her family. Take it slow; every one of us was once a novice. We were all intimidated and scared at one point. Be in no hurry to become some expert shooter. It takes time and experience to get to that point and even as an instructor myself, I am no expert shooter. Don’t let the guys intimidate you and ensure that you learn from true instructors rather than from guys who play Call of Duty too much…once bad habits and improper skills are formed, they are hard to break. If you ever have any questions, no matter how dumb you feel they are, ASK! No instructor will ever look down on your for asking a question. Knowledge is power. If and when you move into defensive shooting, maintain your mindset: “I am not a victim. I will NOT be a victim. If you come for my life, you’re leaving yours here with me.” Always maintain your diligence. If an assailant has presented deadly force or is in the position to harm you, you are already dead in his mind. Never forget that and let that fact be the driving force behind your desire to be an experienced shooter and to keep practicing and improving your skills. Last, but not least, KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOU’RE READY TO FIRE, KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION, TREAT EVERY GUN AS IF IT WERE LOADED, AND KNOW YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS BEYOND IT.
TS- Any sponsors or products you want to give a shout out too?
Frag- Absolutely! Without the inspiration and help from the people of these wonderful companies, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I am grateful for their advice, friendships, kindness, and their awesome equipment/products/services!
Leitner-Wise Manufacturing, WarPath Tactical, Daniel Defense, Tactical Shit, EOTech, Tactical Beard Owners Club (TBOC), DevilSquid Industries, the Valhalla Project, Stop Veteran Suicide, Black Aces Tactical, the NRA, Lessons In Firearms Education (LIFE), and the Hawaii Rifle Association.
Very personal and special shout outs to Daniel Oshima (Kaneohe Gun Shop – Hawaii), all the instructors at LIFE/HRA, Lance Taylor, J. Skipper Speece, Casey Wunsch, Paul Leitner-Wise, Anthony Busko, Alex Chitwood (WarPath Tactical), Kurt Limpert, Spartan Medic, TJ Kirgin, Valene Valhalla, and all of the amazing people who are a part of my fan base, my friends…you are truly amazing people and are like family to me. I love you all.