The first time we heard about Travis Haley of Haley Strategic Partners talking about airsoft was in the video he made in November last year. "Airsoft X Training" is a very strong affirmation of airsoft being a very valuable tool for real steel users in the development of their skills and proficiency at weapons handling and dealing with combat situations. It was a video that also stressed that there's no need for controversies between the airsoft and real steel communities as both can learn from each other for the better.

In the latest podcast from The Gear Locker, Travis Haley expounds further on cross training, with emphasis on whatever means that will help in training and excel, airsoft included. Whilst he took most of time explaining airsoft guns, costs of using such, and how these can be used in cross training in his first video, in this podcast, he took more time on "stress inoculation" --- the ability to handle stress in combat situations. Airsoft guns and simunitions will help shooters go through combat simulations through force on force in a safe manner and get back to the briefing room to evaluate how they reacted through certain situations. The ability to make critique in combat simulations would provide valuable lessons which can then be used to bear in real life and death situations.

Since training is a core business to Haley Strategic Partners, Travis stresses on repetition to develop proficiency in weapons handling and shooting positions which airsoft can help as you can do this cheaply and safely within the confines of the home. However, for real steel shooters, he cautions that there should be a balance on using both airsoft and real steel guns, as airsoft guns are limited in such a way in terms of realism such as recoil handling which only by shooting with real steel can provide such experience.

As to airsoft guns, Travis has developed a preference to Tokyo Marui AEGs as he finds them reliable and consistent for use in training. He is now working with them, such as the development of the custom Tokyo Marui X Training TM M4A1 CQBR. He stated that he has problems with gas blowback ARs, and he breaks them often, and of course the reliability of gas blowback rifles when temperature changes.

Travis also shared observations that the new generation of warfighters entering the military service carry with them some airsoft experience, which should be valuable information for military recruiters. Bad habits developed with airsoft guns can be corrected during training, but since airsoft players already have experienced force on force  and weapons handling, the easier for military trainers to focus in honing such skills to even better performance that would be crucial in the battlefield. His advice for the military is rather than devote much resources to advertising or sponsoring events such as NASCAR, the resources would be used well if they would sponsor airsoft events and sessions. After all, it is almost a captive market since airsoft players are very much interested in things military or even law enforcement. The airsoft community is fertile ground for future recruits and officers.

To sum up what Travis discussed with The Gear Locker guys, there are areas that should be noted down:

• Airsoft and real steel communities can learn from each other
• Airsoft and other training tools (simunitions and paintball included) can help in stress inoculation
• Safety is always a paramount concern, and airsoft guns should be treated as real firearms when handled so as not to develop bad habits that can be carried on to real steel shooting; and
• Always train, train, train if you want to develop proficiency. Real steel shooters can benefit from airsoft guns as there are cost benefits

There are other information and nice points Travis Haley discussed during the podcast. For a 30-minute open discussion with The Gear Locker guys, it is one of the best airsoft podcasts I have heard.

You can listen to the full episode at The Gear Locker ("Podcast Episode # 6 – Interview with the CEO of Haley Strategic Partners"). It is fantastic work for Eric and Stephen to be able to set up an interview with Travis and let him discuss further about airsoft cross training. Kudos to them!