The History of Lt. Col. Cooper and his Impact on Combat Readiness

ammo.com ^ | 10/7/2021 | Sam Jacobs

[ammodotcom]

The United States Marines have a saying: "Every Marine a rifleman." That being said, some of them are pretty handy with a pistol, too.

Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper literally wrote the book on modern handguns in combat. In fact, you're probably already acquainted with a number of concepts he introduced to the world of pistols, even though you might not know his name. Some of them are so common sense and simple that it's hard to believe anyone had to invent them.

This was the genius of Jeff Cooper.

It's impossible to tell the story of Jeff Cooper without talking about the United States Marine Corps. Indeed, Cooper enrolled in the Junior ROTC program when he was still studying at Los Angeles High School. He then attended Stanford, earning a degree in political science before receiving his commission in the United States Marine Corps.

During World War II he served in the Pacific Theater, earning the rank of major. In 1949, he resigned his commission, but duty called during the Korean War and so, Cooper returned. He served in irregular warfare and earned a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. After the war, he applied to remain on active duty but was rejected.

From there, Cooper earned a master's degree in history and taught part-time at a high school and a community college. Here he remained until the early 1970s when he applied his passion for teaching to his passion for weapons.

It was in 1976 that Cooper founded the American Pistol Institute, now known as the Gunsite Academy. While he primarily taught rifles and shotguns to law enforcement, the concepts developed by Cooper during his time running the American Pistol Institute for pistols and long arms alike are used by every intelligent and responsible gun owner to this day.

[dainbramaged]

I used to subscribe to Guns and Ammo magazine mainly to read Jeff Cooper's column.
One sentence he wrote I'll never forget: "We reserve the right to scoff at hyphenated Americans".

[patriot torch]

I was just thinking, with this traitor in the WH, there would be more draft dodgers then ever before if the draft to war were reinstated under this traitor. And half the nation would support them.

[ealgeone]

A good read. Thanks for posting.

[Lurker]

A well done tribute to a true legend of a man.

L

[Viking2002]

Yeah, I believe his G&A column was called, ‘Cooper’s Corner’. Good read. I always waited for my Field and Stream so I could David E. Petzal’s column, ‘Ask Petzal’. Gruff old SOB. And Bill Heavey’s back page ‘A Sportsman’s Life’ was read No. 2 - the rest could wait. Now F&S went all digital after 125 years, Petzal only blogs occasionally, and Heavey seems to have dropped off the planet.

[mcshot]

Man, that’s twisted.

[Disambiguator]

I have a copy of his book “To Ride, Shoot Straight, And Speak The Truth.”

Great read, not for the faint of heart.

[telescope115]

I learned the four Cardinal rules for handling firearms from a VHS tape featuring him at his Gunsite Academy. I still have it, even tho my VCR is looooong gone.

[archy]

I have a copy of his book “To Ride, Shoot Straight, And Speak The Truth.”

Great read, not for the faint of heart.

Now get a copy of Fireworks. Lively!

[ammodotcom]

I’m sure all the Afghans they trained to fight over the past two decades would happily fight on our side.

[Nebr FAL owner]

Indeed I have a hardcover edition from 30+ years ago .it is indeed not for the faint hearted as you would expect from a combat Marine officer ! However it is a profoundly useful & informative book.