I was saddened to hear that Pat Rogers, the uncompromising Marine Chief Warrant Officer and NYPD Sergeant who made a reputation for himself as a first-rate instructor and writer on firearms-related issues, passed on to his final reward yesterday. The following message was posted on Gunsite Academy’s Facebook page yesterday . . .
Sadly this morning we have learned that long time friend and former Gunsite Instructor, Marine, NYPD Detective, and grand trainer Pat Rogers has stepped on the rainbow.
He was one of those folks that they did not break the mold, the beat the mold-maker so it would never happen again.
As Pat would say, “We are diminished.”
With Respect,
Ken Campbell and the Gunsite Staff
A native of Brooklyn, Pat had spent his life working to protect his country against enemies foreign and domestic, serving with the 3rd Marine Division in the Republic of (South) Vietnam and as an officer and detective with the NYPD. He received numerous decorations in both roles. He joined fellow Marine Col. Jeff Cooper at the American Pistol Institute (now Gunsite Academy) for twelve years, striking out on his own in 1989 to form his own training school, EAG Tactical.
Rogers was a regular contributor to publications such as SWAT Magazine, where he wrote about training issues, tactical problems, and engaged in tireless advocacy for Americans’ right to keep and bear arms. It’s fair to state that he proudly wore his political views on his sleeve. Agree or disagree you knew where you stood with him; he was a man unafraid to take a stand and take responsibility for the consequences.
We are indeed diminished by the loss.
And now his watch has ended, there will never be another like him. Rest in peace, and to his family, my thoughts are with you.
Terrible news.
I would have loved to train under him.
I had the great pleasure to train with Pat in Florida a few years ago. He was great instructor that kept the day busy but fun. I did something that disagreed with him and was handed the moose-cock patch at the end of the week, but it was done in fun and he made sure to explain the reason. You learned and laughed in his class. He will be missed.
I offer my sincere condolences to his family.
A legend is gone, his service ended.
What was the meaning of his moose-cock patch?
What was the meaning of his “infamous moose-cock patch”?
Basically it was awarded for fucking something up. It was given in light humor. Pat wore one proudly.
“Basically it was awarded for fucking something up.”
Well, I’m well-qualified for that…
I was gonna post this below, but since you asked 🙂
R.I.P.
I took one of his classes. Great instructor, great sense of humor, and a real original. It’s a loss.
NY?….Who gets his guns?
He moved out of NY years ago. He’s been living in VA.
Ah.
Nah, he’ll still be on the job; cause like the Marine Corp hymn says, if the streets of heaven need to be guarded by anyone, that would definitely be by the United States Marines.
RIP, Pat. Condolences to the family.
FWFS
Kick ass in the afterlife Pat, definitely a sad day losing a solid figure in the training community.
For those of you who dont know about the Moose Cock, I posted this above as well, definitely a goodie.
Rest in peace Pat
I always wanted to train with Pat. Seemed like a really cool teacher. Now I’ll never get a Moose cock badge. RIP Pat.
My son and I sat in on his sminar about the “AR-15” at the Sportsman show in Pa. One of the most knowledgeable men on firearms I ever met with a great “salty” sense of humor, the kind of guy you’d have a blast hanging out with, extremly quick wit. But when we left his seminar I felt a sense of pride having met and talked to Pat, I just “knew” in my heart here was a man who so loved Liberty, his Country and “hated” the bad guys, a righteous “bad ass”! Not enough of these men around anymore, God bless you sir, Rest in Peace, Semper Fi.