USAF Handgunner,
I took that qualification course a couple years ago when it first came out - it hit Randolph AFB as the "new" course the same day as my re-qual. Actually I welcomed the change as indication that the USAF was finally paying SOME attention to small arms training, based on its experience in Iraq (note also the USAF convoy courses at Camp Bullis near San Antonio, complete with gun trucks and some live fire).
The Security Forces instructors explained that the reason for adding the headshots was that chest shots/center-of-mass shots were not always getting the job done - jihadis often had chest-mounted ammo carriers and other equipment that stopped rounds from penetrating, so you have to be able to go to another vital, but less protected target area.
As I recall, this most recent qualification course also added more re-loads and starting strings of fire from the holster. When I took my first qualification course in...um... many years ago
, the holster was only used for "administrative" handling i.e. holding the M-9 (or even earlier, whatever the .38 revolver was called!) between courses of fire. We started each string of fire with the gun already drawn and pointed down range--presentation was not part of the qual! So I was glad to see the course beefed up at least somewhat, however little.
As to whether you can make headshots at 25 meters - it may be an advanced technique in a beginner's course, but it is all the Air Force is going to give you, so make the best of it. If jihadi is shooting at you from some distance away, he is unlikely to get closer just so you can make a 7-yard shot. And you closing with him is not likely to be successful either. If you are taking on someone in Iraq, or wherever, with a handgun, you are already in serious trouble. The handgun, in any caliber, is really just for up close and personal emergencies, but if it is all you have, you better use it well. You are unlikely to be able to pick the scenario -- if you can, then you and all your buddies better bring rifles and machine guns and all the other "force mulitpliers!"
Having said all that, I have always thought USAF M-9 qualification course, in all its iterations, is pretty weak. Abninftr, there are in fact time limits, and I had no problem making the 25 m shots, body and head. I scored expert
, and I think everyone in my training class at least passed. Of course, the time limits are pretty generous, and the target is not moving, and is not shooting back at me.
usafhandgunner, I suggest you invest in some serious training with one of the private instructors. I personally went with John Farnam's instruction (
http://defense-training.com/). He covers handguns, shotguns, and rifles, and has trained several marine units and individuals heading over to the sandbox, as well as other people who have to work in "hot" zones. Very good course, covers both tactical and administrative gunhandling, reloading, malfunctions, "barroom floor pickup" (i.e. picking up a weapon you've never seen before, clearing malfunctions, and using it). And his fee was very reasonable too. Of course, there are other choices, too, but grab one of them and learn it, before you really need it.
I retired last year and it is pretty nice. Wish you best of luck in the rest of your career. Work hard if you want to stick with it, the USAF is getting smaller each year, not bigger.
"Keep'em flying!"
elb