Training and Experience: 75 Women Shoot at the 8th Annual ‘The Mingle’

This past weekend, I attended The Mingle: Openness to Experience in North Georgia, an annual event (the eighth) hosted by The Complete Combatant. This is an invite-only, two-day event for women in the firearms industry filled with training, delicious food and invaluable networking (aka mingling). 

First, a little information about Shelley Hill, the mastermind behind The Mingle, for those who don’t know her. I’ve had the privilege of knowing her as an acquaintance in the industry for a few years. However, during the past year, we’ve become more than that, which has meant the world to me.

This ball of fire (with hair to match) juggles numerous roles in a range of different businesses. If you want to know more about what she’s involved in, aside from her freelance writing, check out some of these links: 

The Complete Combatant

Blue Line Ponies

LockedIn Grip

Image Based Decisional Drills

Smart Choices

Shelley stresses right from the start that everyone attending should be open to the experience. They should arrive with an open mind and pick up at least a few (if not more) nuggets from each instructor (or, as most people in this world refer to them, “coaches”). More to come on my “nuggets” later. 

All attendees rotate through three training blocks over The Mingle’s two training days. This year’s blocks included:

• Cover and movement progressive training from Brian Hill of The Complete Combatant
• Short drills and courses of fire to practice at home from Aq Qadir of Citizen’s Safety Academy
• Tactical Civics from Lee Weems of First Person Safety and That Weems Guy

HK was there with pistols and ammo to experience various HK pistols and there were Holosun dots with Howie Marbury of HM Training and Consulting along with Shannon Pable of Shannon Pable Garden and Gun.

Attendees could rent an HK pistol with a Holosun optic to shoot throughout the event. I decided that would be a fantastic opportunity to try new gear by experiencing red dot shooting and spending some time behind an HK. Let me say, the gear didn’t disappoint. Again, more on that to come. 

As I mentioned above, Shelley stresses that all attendees (75 with a mixture of 24 Team Mingle volunteers, AIs, RSOs and instructors) arrive with an openness to experience and be ready to mingle. And that we did.

Before we met on the first day, bonding began through a private Facebook page where a group of ladies I had never met offered me a place to stay. Some other group discussions included an attendee offering rides from the Atlanta airport (bless her heart), some women bringing gluten-free food to share and even peer support for what mascara to wear on the range. 

Once there, the mingling commenced full-force. From the groups in which we rotated through our training blocks to the time spent eating some delectable sandwich wraps and barbeque, we mingled, mingled, and then mingled some more. Attendees exchanged business cards and phone numbers, took photos with new friends and shared stories. 

Sponsors contributed to the giveaway bags, door prizes and more. They also play a huge part in helping all the ladies attend The Mingle. Costs that would normally be added to the tuition are covered through the generous donations of sponsors.

Shelley also has the Hamilton Scholarship in honor of her dear friend Joan (Corky) Hamilton. I am excited to say this year’s recipient was a friend of mine who experienced a whole new world by attending The Mingle. 

One last thing as I am writing this. Shelley Hill put out a request for donations to her Blue Line Ponies charity. This retirement range rescues service horses by offering them a home (there are three currently available) where they will receive the best care throughout their retirement. Through matching donations, percentages of products purchased and money just stuffed in Shelley’s pockets from numerous people, The Mingle raised $7,935 for Blue Line Ponies.