From time to time, NROI gets requests for a Steel Challenge RO Seminar, one that covers nothing but Steel Challenge rules and operations. To date, we have been reluctant to do that, and here’s why. First off, the range commands, most of the gun divisions, and safety rules are the same for both USPSA and Steel Challenge.
While there are some portions of the RO seminar that deal with target scoring, the concept is the same—Steel Challenge is a visually scored sport; we look for hits on the plates every time. Most of the time they are obvious, but the ring of the steel isn’t the scoring part, even though it’s a good indicator. And, the basic concept of being a range officer is the same for both sports—follow the rules, do the range commands properly, observe the competitor, etc. The RO seminar is designed to instill the basic abilities to run shooters correctly and safely, and there is no difference in that in all our disciplines.
We have recently moved some of the more academic material from the seminar to our Learning Management System, so the seminar itself is more dynamic, with some exercises to challenge your decision-making skills, rather than beat rules into your head. Those portions are still important, of course, but you can do them at your own pace in the comfort of your home.
We also offer a free, online Steel Challenge endorsement program on the LMS, which focuses on SCSA-specific rules and operations, which you can begin once you become NROI certified. Lastly, if you make it known in the seminar that you are mostly a Steel Challenge aficionado, the instructor will highlight differences in USPSA and Steel Challenge rules and procedures—all you must do is ask.