Application documents will be posted at www.coach.usfencing.org Wednesday Feb 16 2006, and also available at the JO's this weekend.
2005 USFA Armorers College:
· The USFA Armorers College will be held at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center.
· SESSION : $300.00 (Session fee includes tuition cost, shared room in the OTC dorms and meals in the OTC athlete dining hall.)
· Fee includes a non-refundable handling fee of $30.00 for all accepted entries. Full refund if not-accepted Please add a late fee of $30.00 for entries postmarked or faxed after April 25.
SESSION ONE: July 17-24
Level 3 Armorer
Level 2 Armorer
SESSION TWO: July 26-Aug 2
Level 3 Armorer
Level 2 Armorer
SESSION THREE: Aug 4-11
Level 3 Armorer
Level 2 Armorer
About ARMORERS COLLEGE - AN OVERVIEW
The Armorers College provides a comprehensive program in the development of armorers, preparing them for work at a club, at local and regional competitions and at both national and international levels. Particular stress is put on both practical and theoretical applications of armoring skills, with emphasis in four areas: equipment control, failure diagnosis, equipment repair and armorer-fencer relationships. The goal of the program is to prepare the student for achieving USFA certification as an armorer via the exit examination of the course.
In order to achieve the requisite skills for certification, a logical progression is provided through the basic understanding of the theory of operation of the various types of weapons and associated equipment, as well as the practical hands-on experience of performing the necessary tasks of the armorer, including diagnostics, repair, equipment control and an understanding of the test equipment required for the test procedures as well as the tools and the materials required in the performance of these tasks. The applicant will be trained in identification of the various brands of equipment used by the fencers and in the understanding of the qualities and performance characteristics of each brand of equipment. Furthermore, strong emphasis will be placed on the psychological relationship between the armorer and the fencer.
The applicant is expected to progress through the various levels of instruction and certification. In order to progress from one level to the next, the candidate is expected to successfully complete the exit exam of the level in which he/she is currently enrolled. A participant may elect to take the course without taking the certification exam one year and may repeat the course the following year. However, in no case will certification be awarded without the successful completion of the exit examination. Session fees will apply for each enrollment.
There are three levels at the Armorers College, with a logical progression of increase in skills, knowledge and performance from one level to the next. Normally the first-time candidate will be required to start at the first ( most basic) level of training, but in unusual cases, an armorer with already-demonstrated and validated skills will be allowed to start at a higher level. This flexibility in entry requirements will allow the already-trained and recognized armorer who wishes to achieve certification to do so without having to go through the basic course. Special permission for this waiver to a higher level must be obtained prior to enrollment in the course.
As in the Coaches College, the participants will be offered courses that are pertinent to today’s armoring, such as risk management, first aid including CPR, insurance considerations, etc.
Some of these classes are taught by lecturers from within the body of the USFA and some by lecturers from the Olympic Center staff. The complete program is designed to meet the armorers’ needs in this age of rapidly changing rules and methodology, as well as to provide continually updated information about the constant evolution in equipment which is encountered by today’s armorers.
CERTIFICATION.
There are three levels of certification available to armorers. The basic level, leading to certification as a level-three armorer, will prepare the candidate to serve as a certified armorer at all levels of USFA competition, as well as to serve as a head armorer at all levels of competition up to (and including) sectional and regional championships.
Level-Two certification has higher and progressively more stringent requirements, and successful completion of the exit examination at this level will certify the armorer to serve as head armorer at any national level of competition in the United States, including North-American-Circuit (NAC) events. Additionally, the candidate who achieves this level of certification will be accepted as being sufficiently qualified to be recommended for the position of assistant armorer for a United States team at any international competition.
Level-One certification (the highest level of certification) will prepare the successful candidate to be head armorer at any level of competition in the United States, either national or international and will allow the armorer certified at this level to be considered for the position of head armorer with any United States team at any level of international competition. In effect, the holder of this certification is accepted by his peers, both in the United States and abroad, to be a world-class armorer.
Red Cross Child and Adult CPR and USOC/Red Cross Sport Safety Training courses and certification are integrated components of Armorers College, to be completed and awarded to all participants of the college.
Application documents will be posted at www.coach.usfencing.org Wednesday Feb 16 2006, and also available at the JO's this weekend. 
Linear Mode
