There are civilian and Army instructors stationed they are not a large percentage of the Augusta population.

We took him to a swimming instructor who got to know him a little and then helped him get used to the water and then started putting him into the water and pushing him to the side of the pool.

Way easier if you have a RE background, think I did the 80 hour course in a weekend.Don't have much advice for classes, I started to take it live 10 years ago thinking it'd be better and the instructor pissed me off so bad at the nonsense he was teaching I left without finishing. 

The trainers were highly successful instructors (with dozens of intriguing and motivational "war stories") who challenge you to become the best in whatever area of CRE you choose - investment properties, retail tenant rep, land development, etc.

:D I just attended a 3 day seminar with Kory Thurston as our instructor. 

The instructors are so experienced and willing to share their knowledge.

You remind me of my Senior Drill Instructor, SSGT Carey in Parris Island, SC; he was not the loudest, but the most capable, most brave and most devoted to make sure we received the best training.https://youtu.be/2ZgTgXeqKQw

Unless you have a gifted instructor, taking the course in a classroom is a waste of time because he/she basically just reads out of the book.

Learned a lot thru the ordeal from an instructor that tries to destroy her students.

Regarding mentors, don't expect them to work with you for nothing, their time is valuable and their pain and sweat has gotten them where they are now, an instructor once told me, "there is no such thing as a free lunch" so expect to trade something with them, time, money, grunt work, something.