Aside from the usual comments about situational awareness and carrying regularly, Givens' advice boils down to learning to draw your weapon from concealment, get reliable hits on an 8 inch target at 25 yards and accomplish this as quickly possible. To develop muscle memory, practice at home ending in dry firing.
I'd agree with your comments about his conclusions with the caveat that in his opinion (don't remember if he said it in the podcast, this is from reading some of his other material) most of your time should be spent working 8" circles from 5-10 yards, with occasional practice out to 25 yards.
Also: How to draw QUICKLY from concealment.
And dryfire makes a huge difference.
(I'd also agree with Lorimor regarding the flashlight. Handy thing to have all the time. And the gun is not always the only possibility, or even the best one.)
Given's book (the third updated edition of which just came out) is well worth reading. ("Fighting Smarter")
There's just a big difference between LEO, MIL, and citizen self-defense situations. Sure, learning MIL/LEO techniques aren't a bad thing at all. However, the PRIORITIES for training are different, and training at shooting on the move, use of cover, sul, high ready, etc---just aren't as important for citizen self-defense practice. Doesn't mean learning them is bad--but they just aren't
priorities.
First you've got to have the gun, get it out fast, and get shots on target reliably under stress. Seems pretty straightforward, and yet I know a LOT of people who take "advanced" MIL and LEO-based technique courses when their draw/shoot skills just aren't that solid yet.
